Should You Outsource Your Editing? 5 Signs It’s Time.

Denise Mayree
Feb 22
5 min read

Updated: Mar 6

Should You Outsource Editing? 5 Signs It’s Time.

As a photographer, you’re passionate about capturing moments, creating stunning images, and delivering work that makes your clients feel amazing. But let’s be honest—spending hours behind a computer screen, drowning in edits, and feeling like you can’t keep up? Not exactly the dream.

If you’re wondering whether outsourcing your editing is the right move, here are five clear signs it might be time to let go and bring in an extra set of hands.

1. You’re Constantly Behind on Editing Deadlines

Does it feel like your editing queue is never-ending? Are you constantly apologizing to clients, pushing back deadlines, or pulling all-nighters just to deliver on time? If you’re spending more time catching up than creating, it’s a strong indicator that outsourcing could help you reclaim your time.

How Editing Delays Hurt Your Business

Late deliveries don’t just stress you out—they impact your reputation. Clients expect timely turnarounds, and if you consistently run behind, they may hesitate to book you again or refer you to others. In today’s fast-paced digital world, people want their photos quickly, and an editing backlog can create unnecessary frustration.

How an Editor Can Help

📌 Faster turnaround times: You’ll have someone working on edits while you focus on shooting and booking more clients. 📌 Consistency: A professional editor ensures your photos maintain your unique style without you spending hours tweaking each one. 📌 Scalability: With outsourcing, you’re no longer limited by how many hours you can personally edit in a day.

👉 Action Step: If you’re always playing catch-up, consider outsourcing a test batch of images to see how much time you can save.

2. Editing Is Stealing Your Joy

At the start of your career, editing may have been an exciting part of the creative process. But if you find yourself dreading it, avoiding it, or feeling frustrated every time you sit down at the computer, it might be time to delegate.

Signs Editing Is Becoming a Chore

You procrastinate starting new edits 📌
You rush through your work just to get it done 📌
You feel creatively drained rather than inspired 📌
You avoid booking more sessions because you’re overwhelmed with editing 📌

Editing should enhance your work, not drain your energy. If it’s robbing you of creativity, outsourcing might be the answer.

How an Editor Can Help

📌 Brings your images to life in your signature style while freeing up your time. 📌 Keeps your brand consistent so every client gets the polished results they expect. 📌 Allows you to focus on the aspects of photography you love—whether that’s shooting, client interaction, or business growth.

👉 Action Step: If editing feels like an obligation rather than a joy, test outsourcing 10-15 images from your next session and see how it feels to get them back edited to match your style.

3. You’re Capped at Your Current Income Level

If your schedule is maxed out and you can’t take on more clients because of the time you spend editing, you’re hitting an income ceiling.

The Financial Cost of Doing It All Yourself

Think about this: If you charge $500 per session and spend 5+ hours editing, that’s a significant portion of your time gone. If outsourcing an editor costs $50 per session and saves you those 5 hours, that’s time you could use to book another session and make an additional $500.

How Outsourcing Can Grow Your Revenue

📌 More time to shoot = more income. Instead of being stuck behind a screen, you can focus on bringing in new clients. 📌 Diversify your income. Freeing up time means you can explore new revenue streams like mentoring, branding shoots, or digital products. 📌 Premium services. With an editor’s help, you can offer faster turnaround times, rush editing packages, or additional edits for extra income.

My Unique Perspective as an Editor

My photography career was a bit unconventional. Instead of focusing solely on shooting, I became the editor. I’ve seen firsthand the struggles photographers face with outsourcing because I work with them every day.

Some photographers can’t let go of control, even when they desperately need the help. Others struggle to find their own editing style—something I personally wrestled with before I became an editor myself. In many ways, I understand the frustrations from both sides.

One of the biggest challenges in this industry is that many photographers don’t budget enough to pay an editor fairly. They need the help, but they can’t afford it—or they don’t think they can. Unfortunately, this mindset cheapens the industry and keeps both photographers and editors stuck in cycles of overwork.

👉 Action Step: Break down how much time you spend editing per session and calculate how much more you could earn if you replaced that time with paid work.

4. You Feel Burnt Out & Overwhelmed

Burnout isn’t just about being tired—it’s about losing your passion for photography because you’re constantly overworked. If you’re feeling physically or emotionally drained, struggling to keep up, or losing enthusiasm for your business, outsourcing can be a lifesaver.

How to Recognize Burnout Before It’s Too Late

You feel exhausted before even starting work 😩
You dread looking at your editing queue 😩
You no longer feel excited about your projects 😩
You’ve lost work-life balance 😩

How Outsourcing Can Help

📌 Gives you back time to recharge and rediscover why you love photography. 📌 Reduces stress so you’re not working around the clock. 📌 Lets you focus on creative projects instead of being buried in admin work.

👉 Action Step: Identify the editing tasks that drain you the most and start with outsourcing those.

5. You’re Spending More Time Editing Than Shooting

If you started photography to capture moments, connect with clients, and be out in the field, but now you’re spending 80% of your time editing, something’s off.

What You Could Be Doing Instead of Editing

Shooting more sessions 📸
Marketing to attract better clients 🎯
Networking & collaborations 🤝
Expanding into new niches 💡
Enjoying your personal life 🍷🌴

The truth? Your time is valuable. If you’re drowning in edits, you’re limiting your potential for growth and happiness.

👉 Action Step: For the next week, track how much time you spend editing. If it’s more than 50% of your working hours, outsourcing might be the solution.

Final Thoughts

Outsourcing isn’t about giving up control—it’s about creating more freedom. The right editor can be a game-changer for your workflow, business growth, and mental well-being. If any of these signs sound familiar, maybe it’s time to take that next step.

🚀 Ready to explore outsourcing? Drop a comment below or join our Photographers Resource for Outsourcers Facebook Group to learn more about finding the right editor for you!

All My Love,