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Freelance Lighting Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Complex

Freelance Studio Operations Lead

New York, NY · On-site

$350 - $450/day

... artists and reshaping the future of digital culture and commerce. What You'll Do * Live Camera ... Set up and break down video, lighting, and audio gear for each shoot. * Monitor live feeds and ...

Complex

Freelance Studio Operations Lead

New York, NY

$350 - $450/day

... artists and reshaping the future of digital culture and commerce. What You'll Do * Live Camera ... Set up and break down video, lighting, and audio gear for each shoot. * Monitor live feeds and ...

Bric Arts Media

Associate Director, Production

Brooklyn, NY · On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

... freelance crew and vendors, ensuring that every event meets BRIC's standards for safety, artistic ... Negotiate and maintain key vendor relationships (equipment, fabrication, lighting, transportation ...

Barks and Rec

Videographer

Manchester, NH · On-site

$50/hr

We are seeking a talented freelance Videographer who excels in capturing the essence of diverse ... Artistic Sensibility : An understanding of composition, lighting, and color to create visually ...

Temple College

Technical Director

Temple, TX · On-site

Fine Arts Department: Division of Fine Arts Opening Date: 07/20/2026 Closing Date: Continuous FLSA ... Plan, supervise, and execute stage setup, lighting, sound, rigging, and backstage operations while ...

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Freelance Lighting Artist information

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How much do freelance lighting artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance lighting artist in the United States is $22.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.75 and $18.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Are freelance lighting artists in demand?

Freelance lighting artists are in demand in industries such as film, video games, and virtual production, where high-quality lighting enhances visual storytelling. The demand depends on project volume and industry growth, with skills in software like Maya, Blender, or Unreal Engine being valuable. Freelancers often find opportunities through online platforms and networking within creative communities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance lighting artist?

To thrive as a Freelance Lighting Artist, you need strong knowledge of color theory, lighting principles, and a portfolio demonstrating your ability to enhance mood and realism in digital environments. Proficiency with industry-standard tools like Autodesk Maya, Blender, Unreal Engine, and Adobe Photoshop is typically required, along with familiarity with rendering engines such as Arnold or V-Ray. Creative problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication with clients and team members are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for delivering visually compelling scenes that meet project requirements and client expectations in a competitive, deadline-driven market.

What are some common challenges a freelance lighting artist might face when working remotely with clients and teams?

Freelance Lighting Artists working remotely often encounter challenges such as aligning artistic vision with clients who may be in different time zones, adapting to varied project pipelines, and ensuring smooth communication with 3D modelers, animators, and art directors. It's important to quickly adapt to different project management and file-sharing systems, and to proactively clarify feedback to avoid costly revisions. Building strong organizational habits and maintaining clear, frequent communication helps mitigate these challenges and ensures project deadlines are met.

What does a freelance lighting artist do?

A Freelance Lighting Artist is responsible for designing and implementing lighting in visual media such as video games, films, and animations. Their work enhances mood, atmosphere, and realism by strategically placing and adjusting light sources within digital environments. Freelance Lighting Artists often collaborate with other artists and technical teams to achieve the desired visual effects while working on a per-project basis. They must be skilled in lighting software and have a strong understanding of color, composition, and storytelling through light.

What is the difference between Freelance Lighting Artist vs Lighting Artist?

AspectFreelance Lighting ArtistLighting Artist
CredentialsPortfolio, relevant experience, possibly certifications in lighting or 3D softwareTypically similar credentials, often with formal education or certifications in lighting or related fields
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, remote or on-siteStudio or company environment, full-time or part-time
Employer & IndustryFreelance clients in film, gaming, or animation industriesEmployed by studios, production companies, or game developers
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for freelance lighting work or project-based rolesSeeking full-time or permanent lighting artist positions

In summary, a Freelance Lighting Artist works independently on various projects, often remotely, and manages their own clients. A Lighting Artist employed by a studio typically works full-time within a team environment. Both roles require similar skills and credentials, but differ mainly in employment structure and work setting.

How do I become a freelance lighting artist?

To become a freelance lighting artist, develop strong skills in lighting design, 3D modeling, and rendering software such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, or Adobe After Effects. Build a portfolio showcasing your work, gain experience through internships or personal projects, and network with industry professionals to find clients and opportunities.

How much do freelance lighting artists make?

Freelance lighting artists typically earn between $20 and $80 per hour, depending on experience, project complexity, and client budget. Experienced artists with specialized skills in software like Maya or Blender may command higher rates, and earnings can vary based on the number of projects completed and reputation in the industry.
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Freelance Lighting Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Lighting Artist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,772 per year, or $23 per hour.

(Freelance) Photo Retoucher

Fashion Nova

Beverly Hills, CA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 12 days ago

Fashion Nova rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

ABOUT US

Fashion Nova is the world's leading trend-to-market fashion and lifestyle brand with high-growth categories across its Women, Men, Kids and Beauty divisions. Renowned for delivering the most-wanted styles to millions worldwide, Fashion Nova earned the title of the Top 5 Most-Searched Fashion Brand on Google in 2022, alongside Louis Vuitton and Nike.

Founder & CEO Richard Saghian launched the brand in 2006, from a retail location in Los Angeles. After multiple store openings, Saghian launched the e-commerce website for Fashion Nova in 2013, pioneering a disruptive social commerce model of affordable, on-trend, size-inclusive clothing online- powered by an innovative, social media-first marketing strategy.

Today, Fashion Nova has amassed over 40 million social media followers, with annual sales of approximately $2 billion!

The brand's name has been featured in chart-topping hit songs by Cardi B, Drake, 21 Savage, Saweetie, The Game, Tyga and Offset and its styles have been worn by many celebrities, artists and athletes including Meg The Stallion, Ice Spice, Chris Brown, Floyd Mayweather, Rick Ross, Kourtney Kardashian, and Kylie Jenner.

ROLE OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Post-Production Manager, the Freelance Photo Retoucher is responsible for editing a high volume of eCommerce product images, shot daily in our photo studio. You will oversee retouching complex and demanding editorial fashion campaign photography. Your expertise will be instrumental in the company exceeding the expectations of our customers and ensure our products are represented accurately. As a color specialist, you will also be responsible for ensuring color accuracy and consistency across digital and print media, performing advanced color swapping, balancing tones, and maintaining calibrated workflows in collaboration with photographers and production teams. An eye for detail, deep understanding of color theory, and 
proficiency in industry-standard software like Adobe Photoshop.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Retouch and upload product photography images
  • Manipulate, adjust, and swap colors on products while maintaining natural texture, shadows, and lighting integrity
  • Create multiple color variants of a single product image as needed for product lines or promotional use.
  • Match product images to physical color samples and style guides for  visual consistency across channels.
  • Name and maintain digital asset file|structure organization
  • Crop digital photographic images|maintain file size specification guidelines
  • Ensure color consistency between image assets
  • Upload assets to servers in accordance with calendars
  • Strong color correction skills, matching images from different cameras
  • Perform quality assurance on all images
  • Responsible for completion of work to daily and weekly deadlines
  • Ability to receive creative direction from the Director, Art and the Director, Creative Services, and make amends where necessary
  • Demonstrate initiative and ideas to constantly improve the service of the photography team

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

  • Two plus years of experience as a Photo Retoucher in a studio environment, ideally in the Fashion eCommerce industry
  • Proven experience in photo retouching and color manipulation, with a strong portfolio demonstrating before-and-after examples
  • Strong knowledge of color theory, with the ability to perform color  corrections, adjustments, and creative color grading to enhance product imagery.
  • Expertise with Adobe Creative Suite and Photoshop
  • Detail oriented, organized, and methodical approach to retouching
  • Enthusiasm for exploring new techniques and ideas in pursuit of improving existing workflow
  • Knowledge of studio photography and lighting practices, as well as photographic vocabulary and terms.
  • Able to have a detail-oriented dialogue about the properties of a given image.
  • Passionate about teamwork and team building
  • Willingness to embrace giving and receiving critical feedback
  • BA degree in Photography or equivalent work experience
  • English, additional language(s) an advantage
  • Schedule of this position: Monday - Friday | Core business hours | Onsite

BENEFITS

  • New State-of-the-art HQ located in Beverly Hills
  • Formalized career paths for continued professional growth
  • Comprehensive health insurance across Medical, Dental and Vision
  • 401k match, with immediate vesting upon eligibility
  • Weekly catered lunches & fully-stock kitchen pantry!
  • Opportunities to travel for trade shows and vendor meetings
  • Summer Fridays Early Departure
  • Team bonding events and programs
  • Attractive employee discounts!

Fashion Nova, LLC, and subsidiaries thereof, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are steadfast in our commitment to equal employment opportunities and pledge that these objectives are reflected in all aspects of our daily operations. We will continue to recruit, hire, train, and advance in employment qualified individuals in all job titles without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, status as a protected veteran, criminal history, or status as an individual with a disability; and shall not discriminate against any individual, any such characteristic, nor any other classification protected by local, state and|or federal law.

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