First, you’ll have to find a company you love to work with. For me, that’s Colorati. Every shot I’ve taken on a dSLR in the past few years and deemed a ‘keeper’ has been processed by Colorati. I begged their founder, Leon Sandoval, to come on over and talk outsourcing with all of you! This is a much-needed post, even if it’s one your control-freak nature wants to skip. Read, please!

“I’m not ready to ‘outsource’ my editing.”

You might not be.

Every week I get to make new friends with photographers. They call with questions about our service, how it works and whether or not this is for them. I’ve heard it all.

Before we talk about how to figure out if you’re ready to “outsource” your editing, can we first talk about the word “outsource?”

I hate it.

I think “outsourcing” is something you do with manufacturing a commodity… Something that’s replaceable, dispensable, inanimate and without a soul.

And this may be the first problem with “outsourcing.” Maybe the terminology is uncomfortable, sterile, and apathetic.

So let’s start with a better mindset.

If you’re ready to work with a company to do your editing, think of it as a partnership. Think of it as hiring a person to come work in your studio.

Only you aren’t doing payroll, scheduling, and purchasing a new workstation and software. You must be as comfortable with a company as with a live person you interviewed and hired to work in your studio. (And by “studio” I mean whatever space is designated as your work space.)

“Fine, I’m not ready to partner with a company to do my editing.”

Okay, you might not be.

Let’s walk through a few thoughts to help figure out if this is true.

First up, can you afford it? It all goes back to the math.

I know… Photographers typically hate math. But if you don’t know the score, how are you going to win the game? Know the score. Win the game.

I’d challenge you to take a real hard look at how many hours you spend from start to finish. Estimate your time spent for every client you serve. From initial contact to final delivery. EVERY. SINGLE. STEP.

And be honest.

Maybe you can’t afford NOT to partner with a company to do your editing.

Start with your typical package price. Subtract your cost of goods sold and divide that by your hours spent.

For many of you, this could be very revealing as to why you feel an imbalance. Maybe you feel like a slave and have considered going back to your day job. At least you can make overtime “working for the man,” right?

The point is, please run the numbers. If you have a Napoleon Dynamite moment (“That’s like a dollar an hour!”) then you really need to change things.

Go ahead and run your numbers now.

No, really… I’ll wait…

Still waiting…

Got ‘em? Great. Onward!

OK, so unless you’re a real whiz-kid with Lightroom, I’m guessing when you log your post production time, you’re going to see about a 2:1 ratio. (Two hours of post production work for every hour you spend consulting, shooting, or taking care of a client.)

Several industry surveys have confirmed our own survey that reveal most people spend 20 hours of post production per wedding.

Think about that…you spend more than twice the amount of time it took you to actually shoot the wedding in editing if this ratio is true for you.

Reclaiming that time opens up so many more options. We’re talking about better care for your clients, better networking with friendly vendors, promoting your business and growing your business.

And of course there’s that thing we like to do called “having a life” which is worth more than I can articulate here.

“I think I’m ready to partner with a company to do my editing.”

Great! First, be ready to talk. Sometimes it can be hard to express what you like about your look. Take a few moments to find the right words to describe your vibe. Then be ready to chat about it once you get in touch. The more you can convey what you need, the better your company can serve you.

Second, set proper expectations. As you’ve found out, editing can consume a LOT of time. If you’re editing 700 images one-by-one in Photoshop, it’s unrealistic to expect any company to duplicate your look. And sadly, it’s just cost prohibitive.

Ask yourself as you edit, “Is this for the cover of Grace Ormonde? Martha Stewart Weddings?” If the answer is no, you’re probably investing too much in that grab ‘n grin of those sauced frat boys on the dance floor. It’s time to let go of some control.

Most services have their “lab standard” which is basically a neutral, natural skin tone with protected, but bright highlights and crisp shadows without clipping the detail. The editing should be consistent from beginning to end.

That may be enough for you. The idea is to establish a good baseline image you can proof to the client and maybe then you take your favorites into Photoshop for your own personal creative touch.

Some companies let you customize your profile as much as you like. Explore your options, invest in your partnerships and develop a connection.

After all… your images are irreplaceable, indispensable, wildly animate and indeed have soul. Invest in partnerships that will support your vision and get to know you well and enjoy the life you expected when you became a photographer.

If you have a question about outsourci…er, partnering with an editing company, fire away in the comments! Leon will be by to answer your questions — and to take the Wacom pen of editing control from your death grip, if necessary.