Picture Editor's job role within the magazine industry

Images are so important within magazine, pictures are said to speak louder than words and magazines rely on the ability of pictures to portray that meaning. The Picture Editor works alongside the Art Director ensuring that the visual content of the magazine (and its promotions) is innovative and exciting. The overall aim is to maintain the magazine’s competitive advantage by continual picture innovation and use of the best photographers and images.

A Picture Editor has to have a creative vision and and a genuine passion and enthusiasm for photography. A picture Editor working for a Fashion Magazine such as “Elle Girl” or “Vogue” will have to concentrate on visual innovation to give the best pictures in the young womens market. Their responsibilities will consist of commissioning photographers and organising photo shoots, booking hair, make up and stylists to perform on shoot, attending picture meetings, negotiating prices for the shoot and the cost of celebrities, securing first British rights on celebrity shoots and keeping the picture department on budget.

Whereas another magazine such as “Star” targeted at a younger audience aged between 15 to 25 year olds, showcases celebrity gossip, entertainment news and fashion and beauty tips. A picture Editor who is likely to work for “Star” can be assigned on the pictures needed and undertake the senior editors request by carrying out secondary research finding photographs from the internet, books, television clips and newspapers. The image must be appropriate for the target audience and suitable for the magazine issue.

To become a Picture Editor one must have a portfolio showcasing examples of their diverse photographic skills. One should also have knowledge and understanding about the use of graphic design programs. The difference between a Magazine Picture Editor and a Magazine Photographer is that the Photographer's duty is to provide the image and undertake the shoot whereas the Picture Editor uses their technical skills to perform a final edit of the image taken and organises the budgets, shoots and keeps the team in contact with celebrities.

As with any Art and Design job the entrant must show experience within their work, entrants who apply for Picture Editor jobs are usually graduates starting out from the bottom and working their way up. The salary can range between £15, 000 to £50, 000 depending on the magazine company they work for.