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Freelance Photo Retouching Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Curiosity

Sr. Art Director

Cincinnati, OH · On-site

Responsible for the management of and quality of work delivered by outside vendors (directing photographers, freelance designers, wardrobe, directors, sound design, music, photo retouching, approvals ...

RG Barry Brands

Graphic Designer

Pickerington, OH · On-site

$63K - $65K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Perform image editing, including photo retouching, resizing, formatting, and quality control ... Work with in-house designers and external freelancers as needed. * Coordinate with agencies and ...

RG Barry Brands

Graphic Designer

Pickerington, OH · Hybrid

$63K - $65K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Perform image editing, including photo retouching, resizing, formatting, and quality control ... Work with in-house designers and external freelancers as needed. * Coordinate with agencies and ...

RG Barry Brands

Graphic Designer

Pickerington, OH · On-site

$63K - $65K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Perform image editing, including photo retouching, resizing, formatting, and quality control ... Work with in-house designers and external freelancers as needed. * Coordinate with agencies and ...

Beach House Group

Jr. Art Director

Los Angeles, CA

$80K - $90K/yr

... freelance graphic designers to ensure work is on-brand, on-time, and held to a high standard of ... Make photo selects and provide clear, detail-oriented retouching notes * Support packaging ...

Simon & Schuster

Art Director, Simon & Schuster

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$95K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Collaborate with freelance and in-house designers, illustrators, and photographers * Oversee ... Experience with photo retouching and image compositing preferred * Ability to thrive in a fast ...

Trove Brands

Associate Art Director

Lehi, UT · On-site

... freelancers. * Provide clear creative direction and feedback to junior designers and creative ... Strong experience art directing photo and video shoots. * Ability to create shoot decks ...

Beach House Group

Jr. Art Director

Hollywood, FL

$80K - $90K/yr

... freelance graphic designers to ensure work is on-brand, on-time, and held to a high standard of ... Make photo selects and provide clear, detail-oriented retouching notes * Support packaging ...

Beach House Group

Jr. Art Director

Culver City, CA

$80K - $90K/yr

... freelance graphic designers to ensure work is on-brand, on-time, and held to a high standard of ... Make photo selects and provide clear, detail-oriented retouching notes * Support packaging ...

Beach House Group

Jr. Art Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

... freelance graphic designers to ensure work is on-brand, on-time, and held to a high standard of ... Make photo selects and provide clear, detail-oriented retouching notes * Support packaging ...

Beach House Group

Jr. Art Director

West Hollywood, CA

$80K - $90K/yr

... freelance graphic designers to ensure work is on-brand, on-time, and held to a high standard of ... Make photo selects and provide clear, detail-oriented retouching notes * Support packaging ...

Beach House Group

Jr. Art Director

Los Angeles, CA

$80K - $90K/yr

... freelance graphic designers to ensure work is on-brand, on-time, and held to a high standard of ... Make photo selects and provide clear, detail-oriented retouching notes * Support packaging ...

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All JobsPhoto Retouching JobsFreelance Photo Retouching Jobs

Freelance Photo Retouching information

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$10

$33

$60

How much do freelance photo retouching jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance photo retouching in the United States is $33.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.40 and $38.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance photo retoucher?

To thrive as a Freelance Photo Retoucher, you need a strong eye for detail, proficiency in digital imaging, and experience with photo editing, often supported by a portfolio of work. Expertise with industry-standard software like Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and familiarity with color calibration tools is typically required. Creativity, time management, and effective communication with clients are crucial soft skills that set top retouchers apart. These abilities ensure high-quality, client-satisfying results delivered efficiently in a competitive freelance market.

What is the difference between Freelance Photo Retouching vs Freelance Photo Editing?

AspectFreelance Photo RetouchingFreelance Photo Editing
Skills RequiredAdvanced retouching, color correction, skin smoothingBasic adjustments, cropping, exposure correction
Tools UsedPhotoshop, Lightroom, specialized retouching softwareLightroom, Photoshop, basic editing tools
Work EnvironmentFreelance, studio, or on-locationFreelance, online or on-location
Industry UsageFashion, commercial, beauty photographyGeneral photography, personal projects

Freelance Photo Retouching involves detailed, high-end editing to enhance images, often for commercial or fashion clients. Freelance Photo Editing covers broader, less intensive adjustments suitable for various purposes. Both roles require proficiency in photo editing software, but retouching demands more specialized skills and attention to detail.

How do freelance photo retouchers typically manage deadlines and client expectations when working with multiple clients simultaneously?

Freelance photo retouchers often juggle projects for several clients at once, making effective time management essential. To stay organized, many use project management tools, set clear communication channels, and establish realistic turnaround times upfront with clients. It's common to encounter last-minute requests or revisions, so maintaining flexibility and transparent communication helps manage expectations and build trust. Building a reliable workflow and keeping clients updated on progress can significantly reduce stress and ensure successful project delivery.

What is freelance photo retouching?

Freelance photo retouching is the process of enhancing or correcting digital images on a contract or per-project basis, rather than as a full-time employee for a single company. Freelance photo retouchers use specialized software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom, to improve image quality, adjust colors, remove blemishes, and make other edits according to client specifications. They often work with photographers, marketing agencies, or individuals who need their photos polished for professional or personal use. Working as a freelancer offers flexibility in choosing projects and setting your own schedule.
More about Freelance Photo Retouching jobs

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Cities with the most Freelance Photo Retouching job openings:

What states have the most Freelance Photo Retouching jobs?

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Freelance Photo Retouching jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Photo Retouching job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 56% Full Time, 35% Part Time, 3% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $70,561 per year, or $33.9 per hour.

Sr. Art Director

Curiosity

Cincinnati, OH • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

We're Curiosity. An independent creative solutions agency in Cincinnati that lives and breathes the power of being strategically curious. We ask insightful questions to uncover surprising perspectives. Because in a world with no definitive answers, the more curious you are, the more solutions you reveal.
Curiosity fuels brands with fascination. But for Activation, this mission is even sharper. We are the spark that brings ideas to life. Our job is to find the most fascinating, effective, and authentic ways for a brand to intersect with people's lives.
Curious Requirements:
The Art Director must be curious. You must think big thoughts and have the courage to break new ground and reinvent the definition of creativity and integration. You must be a good person who supports your supervisors and coworkers with empathy and honesty. You must believe in collaboration and positive confrontation for the sake of team and individual accountability. You must celebrate being a teacher and a mentor. You must be able to laugh with others and at yourself. You must comport yourself in a manner that engenders respect and promotes lasting relationships. You must have a big heart and a burning fire in your belly for storytelling. You must be indispensable. Above all, you must be willing to fail rather than settle for conformity.
Our goal is to create a creative culture and a company that is like no other. If this speaks to who you are and where you would like to grow your career, then please read on.
Job Description:
As part of the creative team, you will be expected to craft and execute ideas across various campaigns and media. You must be able to develop creative for both traditional and digital advertising as well as branding, packaging, POS and other design materials as needed. You must be strategic and collaborative, with strong interpersonal skills and a passion for creating insightful, intelligent work.
Strategic Functions:
  • Develop strategic concepts, alongside copywriter/internal team, that communicate the objective of the piece.

Creativity:
  • Deliver ideas that push the boundaries or demonstrate fresh ways of communicating the objective.
  • Develop the look and feel of the work, always keeping in mind the proper branding and tone.

Presentations:
  • Present work clearly to the internal team and client. This includes stating objectives outlined in the brief and reasoning as to why the concepts and visual choices being presented deliver on target.

Leadership:
  • Must give clear direction to designers, production artists and outside vendors, and set goals to reach the desired outcome of project.
  • Participate in approval of Creative Briefs, making sure all creative details are provided and scope of work is being communicated clearly to you.
  • Set example/establish expectations by following in-house processes and policies.

Execution:
  • Responsible for delivering any direct assignment work on time, according to quality standards of Curiosity, and to the expectations of the Client and our vendor partners.
  • Responsible for the management of and quality of work delivered by outside vendors (directing photographers, freelance designers, wardrobe, directors, sound design, music, photo retouching, approvals of press proofs, web applications, etc.), as well as work delegated to an internal designer or production artist, making sure work remains on target, on budget, and on schedule.
  • Manage timelines to deliver work on schedule.

Teamwork:
  • Work closely with Creative Director and Project Manager to manage projects through to completion.
  • Oversee the hiring of outside vendors (photographers, models, programmers, directors, freelance designers, producers, etc.), communicating why a particular vendor or talent is appropriate for each specific job.
  • Build and maintain strong professional relationships with both clients and coworkers.

Requirements:
  • A four-year degree in a related field, or equivalent work experience
  • A portfolio filled with great ideas and award-winning concepts
  • Ability to manage and contribute to numerous projects simultaneously
  • Superior visual communication skills
  • Willingness to fail or at least die trying
  • High level of curiosity
  • We're seeking portfolios with solid conceptual thinking and award-winning work spanning across strong executions of earned media, social and traditional advertising. Examples of produced work for TV/film is firmly required. Prior experience with Super Bowl TV campaigns is not firmly required but is a major plus!

This position reports to the Creative Director.

Apply