The truth is that in order to get good value for your money, it is important you have an in-depth understanding of the skills and editing capabilities of a photo retouching company or the freelancer. But firstly…

What exactly is photo retouching?

Photo retouching is a process through which an image is altered from its original state. It’s primary aim is to improve how an image currently is and utilize it for special purposes. Individuals and businesses are regularly hiring a photo editing company or for their specific and marketing needs respectively. This is to ensure that their products/offers are well-presented to the respective target customers. 

Learn more about photo retouching at https://ephotovn.com/category/photo-retouching/.

Why is there a need for photo editing or retouching?

Images and photos have basically the power to capture people’s attention. What it can do at one glance, could not come close to achieving what other elements or resources can do. It has the ability to retain, direct , and successfully deliver a convincing message. Maximizing and utilizing these characteristics for your marketing efforts gives you a definite advantage.

Why do you need a Photo editor or Photo retoucher?

A photo retoucher could be a freelancer or a photo editing company that is able and capable to do the photo editing work for you. And they are equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools to do so. Before deciding on a photo retouching company or freelance editor to take on photo editing jobs for you,  consider factors below.

Freelancers vs Company 

Freelancers may be individuals or small groups of people willing to work on specific jobs.  Companies, consists of a bigger group of people in this matter, photo editors, who work under structured workflow. When it comes to outsourcing your photos for retouching, you will likely get confused about whether to use the services of freelancers or photo retouching companies. It is very important you understand the fact that these options vary in terms of pros and cons. For instance, there could be some shortcomings to encounter whenever you decide to hire a photo retouching company. Even if you decide to hire the services of a freelancer, there could be implications as well. 

Aspects to consider while trying to choose between freelancers vs companies

1. Pricing 

When it comes to pricing, you have to understand that freelancers charge differently individually based on the skills and experience they present to you as credentials. That you have to prove as you go along working with one project after the other. One editor could ask prices higher than the other. You have to look into one by one to get the best fit.

With companies, what you see is what you get. Package inclusions and the level of editing process you need your image to undertake is clearly stated and displayed on their websites for you to check on. Normally, prices are standardized which means service pricing is based on competitors. Which gives you a clear basis on the overall decision.

As a matter of fact, there are freelancers who charge $0.25 per photo while some companies can charge around $10. You’d think automatically, the previous is cheaper. But then again, read the terms, price and package inclusions and the level of editing process you need your image requires. It is usually presented and detailed under services and pricing pages on the websites.

Keep in mind, the size of your budget and purpose is one of the first considerations to think of before choosing a photo retouching company vs freelance photo editor. Note that the prices usually vary most especially due to how complex the image editing requirements you need..

2. Scale

When we say scalability, it means the ability to change in size or scale to grow and manage increased demand. Which technically defines a company, an organization structured entity that could adapt these requirements. In short, they are made for this and they can handle huge workloads at a time.

Meanwhile, freelancers or an individual is incapable of this. Although you can work with them directly, they work one at a time. You may be limited in terms of time and volume when talking about growth.

In application, an  individual, person, or startup business could hire a freelancer to meet their needs while a growing existing business should hire a photo editing company that has the capacity to cope with high demands.

There are cases when clients have complained of freelancers not being able to finish their work or aren’t to meet the deadlines anymore because there have been more assignments made for them than they can handle. If you need such a photo for business purposes, it simply means your business may suffer. 

Hiring a photo retouching company will benefit you in this regard. The drawback of using a company is that they tend to be rigid in terms of how tasks are handled. Some may even reject your tasks when they don’t comply with their terms and conditions. 

3. Quality 

It’s all good when you hire a freelance photo editor that you can work well with the quality that you were looking for. But going to this point, you probably have gotten  to know and experienced working with a couple before getting to the best one. Which could have cost you more time, effort and money.

Companies have standardized quality. Detail checks are undergone before handing the highest possible quality edited images or photos back to customers. Even with time constraints, quality of work should  always be assured at a high level so no time will be wasted. Every professional company that is into photo retouching will always ensure that the image or photos of customers does not fall short. Reviews and testimonials of previous work partners to show to let you  know their caliber and quality of work they do. 

4. Time 

When it comes to time, freelancers seem to be a very flexible option. For instance, there are freelancers ready to handle emergency photo editing work regardless of their nature. This is great especially when you have an urgent need. However, note that the quality of such work may not be up to standard. 

Customer service works directly with editors and talks to customers regarding editing requirements. They have a reputation to uphold, and what they say and do will reflect on the clients and customers they work with. Prior to projects being started turnaround time is not a problem since companies already have structured plans for the project itself. Time is always of the essence that photo editing companies consider a serious matter. Because every delay is a lost opportunity to work for another project. 

Bottom line

Based on the above facts, it is obvious that hiring the services of a professional photo retouching company will provide you with more benefits than choosing a freelancer. But, then again it all depends on where you get the best value for money.