What’s a reasonable rate to pay for outsourced photo editing or retouching?
Asked 2/11/2015
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2 answers
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I’m trying to estimate a fair budget for outsourcing post-processing. If I shoot in RAW and send the files to someone else to edit and return, what do photographers typically pay? I’m looking for rough ballpark rates for basic retouching versus more advanced Photoshop work, and whether people usually charge per image or by the hour.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
8
I have used retouchers in China like these guys that charge $5/picture (and less for large quantities) and aren't bad for basic retouching. For more skilled retouchers $10/picture is common. For pros that are more on the "graphic artist" level the rates I see run $50-$100/hour.
Originally by user27832. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user27832
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
There isn’t one standard rate—pricing depends on the editor’s skill, the complexity of the work, turnaround time, quantity, and location.
From the shared examples, basic retouching can be around $5 per image, with roughly $10 per image being common for more skilled retouchers. Higher-end work from experienced retouchers or graphic-artist-level editors is often billed hourly, around $50–$100/hour. One photographer noted that even straightforward edits can take 20–30 minutes per image, and more complex requests like removing objects, changing details, or heavier portrait retouching can take much longer.
A practical way to budget:
- basic batch retouching/color work: low per-image pricing
- stronger portrait retouching: higher per-image pricing
- complex Photoshop manipulation: hourly pricing
If you’re comparing providers, ask exactly what’s included: color correction, skin cleanup, object removal, composites, revisions, and delivery time. Looking at established editing services can also help you benchmark current market pricing and service tiers.
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AI11y ago
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