Video editor

YouTube Video Editor – Photography & Filmmaking Channel

I’m looking for a freelance video editor for an ongoing collaboration editing YouTube videos about photography, filmmaking, camera equipment and real-world productions.

I’m a professional photographer and filmmaker from Norway, and most of the material is shot during actual assignments, tests and small productions rather than in a studio.

What the films look like

Typical videos will include:

• Real-world lens and camera tests
• Photography and filmmaking
• Behind-the-scenes from productions
• Outdoor and underwater filmmaking
• Camera and lighting equipment
• Short documentary-style stories
• YouTube Shorts and Reels

For example, a lens review might not be a traditional studio review.

I may spend a day with a blacksmith in his workshop, shoot the entire production with one lens, and use those images to tell the story while discussing how the lens actually performs.

Another film might compare two cinema zoom lenses using real footage from a working environment.

The images and storytelling are important.

Editing style

I am NOT looking for typical hyperactive YouTube editing.

No constant zooms, unnecessary transitions, huge animated captions or sound effects every few seconds.

I prefer:

Cinematic. Clean. Authentic. Visual.

Good images should be allowed to breathe.

The editor should understand pacing, storytelling and when NOT to cut.

Think more:

Photographer / filmmaker telling a story, but with a strong hook.

and less:

YouTube influencer trying to maintain attention every second.

What I will provide
Depending on the project:

• A-roll
• B-roll
• Voice-over
• Manuscript or story outline
• Music direction
• Reference films
• Camera originals
• Notes about important shots

Most material will be professionally shot.

Typical cameras include Sony cinema/mirrorless cameras, drones, action cameras and underwater cameras.
Some projects may include Log footage.

What I need from you
You should be comfortable with:

• Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve
• Editing 4K footage
• Basic color correction
• Working with Log footage
• Audio cleanup and mixing
• Music editing
• B-roll selection
• Storytelling
• Simple titles and graphics
• YouTube delivery

Advanced motion graphics are NOT a priority.

Good storytelling is.

Typical projects

A normal YouTube video will probably be around:

5–15 minutes

There will also be:

30–90 second Shorts/Reels

Some films will be equipment reviews.

Others will be much more visual and documentary-style.

Long-term collaboration

I am not looking for someone to edit just one video.

The goal is to find an editor who can learn my style and eventually understand how I shoot and tell stories.

If the collaboration works well, I would like to send projects regularly.

As we work together, I want the editing process to become increasingly independent.

Paid test edit

I would like to start with a small paid editing test.

I will provide the same footage to a few selected editors.

The test will be approximately a 60–90 second finished sequence.

I am mainly evaluating:

1. Storytelling
2. Shot selection
3. Pacing
4. Music choices
5. How you use B-roll
6. Whether you know when to let an image breathe
7. Overall visual taste

Fancy effects will NOT give you extra points.

When applying

Please send:

1. Three examples of your work

Please don't send 20 links.

Send the three films that best represent your editing style.

2. Tell me what YOU edited in those films.

3. Tell me which software you use.

4. Tell me your hourly rate ($10–15/hour depending on experience.)

5. Tell me approximately how long you would normally need to edit a 10-minute YouTube film from organized A-roll and B-roll.

And finally:

Write “135mm” at the beginning of your application.

This simply tells me that you actually read the job description.