My First Time Planning, Shooting, and Casting Models – A Real Survival Story as a Freelance Editor

📄 Recommended for :

✔️ Anyone curious about becoming a marketer or editor
✔️ New fashion editors feeling overwhelmed
✔️ Solo marketers juggling everything on their own

Hi there! I'm Ye-rim Park, a content marketer and editor. I go by the pen name Yehwarim. I used to work as a content marketer at Baemin (Baedal Minjok), and after leaving the company, I became a freelancer. Since then, I’ve collaborated on various projects—from large corporations like LG Household & Health Care and Lotte Department Store, to startups like Curious and Intalk. In fact, I’m the writer behind many of the articles you see here on the Spotlite blog.

Freelancer → Office Worker → Freelancer

My career path has been unconventional. I started out freelancing, joined a company, and eventually returned to freelancing. Even before graduating from college, I have always loved writing and contributed to various outlets. One day, a well-known publication contacted me, and that was the first time I thought, "Maybe I really am an editor."

At the online magazine The Edit, I wrote about groceries you could buy from convenience stores and Market Kurly, and I traveled across Korea for interviews. Eventually, I joined Woowa Brothers (Baemin) to gain more structured experience.

Editor vs. Content Marketer: What’s the Difference?

I was hired as a content marketer, and at the time, I didn't fully understand the difference between that and being an editor. I consistently published at least one, sometimes up to four articles a week, so writing still felt central.

Then one day, a coworker asked, “Do you want to be a content marketer or an editor?” It was probably a gentle push to take on more planning responsibilities, but I remember thinking, "Aren't they basically the same thing?" Still, that question stuck with me and made me wonder about the core difference between the two.

Now, I see it this way: a content marketer focuses on strategy—how content can make a brand visible across various channels like search or social media. An editor, meanwhile, is more like a director, crafting narrative, tone, visuals, and structure around a single project.

Welcome to the World of Fashion Editing

(1) Editor = Just a Writer?

I am writing a newsletter called Staaack for LG Household & Health Care. It introduces fashion trends and styling tips while naturally integrating their products. When they first approached me to write for them, I was nervous. Thankfully, they specifically wanted "content that's accessible even to people who don't know fashion," which made the collaboration smooth and synergistic.

I have wide-ranging interests—clothing, interiors, music, sports, cooking—which surprisingly help when I write. A recent topic was sports uniforms, and since I’m a huge soccer fan with a collection of jerseys, I could easily weave in niche details like differences in typefaces between domestic league and UEFA kits.

(2) Editor vs. Fashion Editor

Fashion editors operate on a whole different level. Traditional editors mainly write and do light production planning. But fashion editors handle everything from casting models and styling to set design and props, managing time tables—they're more like creative directors.

That’s when I realized being an editor isn’t just about writing. To create content, I had to plan shoots. For shoots, I needed models. And to book models, I needed concepts and planning decks.

(3) What a Fashion Editor Actually Does

• Planning: Set the overall direction based on seasonal trends or current issues.

• Pre-production: Book models, studios, stylists, photographers, HMU artists, and create a detailed timetable.

• Shoot day: Direct model poses, manage schedules, check the weather, and even handle meals.

• Post-production: Select final photos, request edits, and finalize the results.

• Writing: Write the article and lay out visuals and text.

My First Time Casting Models

After posting on LinkedIn that I was going freelance, Spotlite CEO Hannah Choi reached out for a coffee chat. That led to Spotlite becoming my first post-resignation client. I learned about Spotlite—a casting platform—before I ever worked with a modeling agency.

Later, I took on a fashion editor project and naturally used Spotlite for model casting. Since I came from a marketing and media background, I didn’t know any stylists or have fashion industry connections. Finding models was daunting—until Spotlite.

Two weeks from now, I have another shoot. Once again, I cast both male and female models through Spotlite. I’m basically earning through Spotlite and spending that income on Spotlite. I can’t help but chuckle when I see those transactions in my account.

How Is Spotlite, Really?

(1) Goodbye, Tedious Process

I’ve worked with modeling agencies before. Usually, it involves texting a manager, getting flooded with PDF comp cards, ranking them, and asking for more selfies or recent shots. It’s stressful under a tight deadline.

With Spotlite, it’s so much simpler. Input the date, budget, and model specs. The system lists suitable models. You pick your favorites (like online shopping) and send a request. These days, I can cast a model in under 10 minutes.

(2) Vetted Talent Only

Spotlite only lists models with verified experience, and that makes a difference on set. I recently worked with a model named Yumyeong, who nailed four different looks. Because of her expressive posing, the photographer even zoomed in for close-ups. The concept involved lace skirts, but the close-ups of her face had us all laughing.

(3) If You're a Planner, You'll Love This

I’m a schedule stickler. I worry about models running late or ghosting. Spotlite has a built-in contract process, and their CX team shares the draft first, so I need to approve it. As a freelancer, this is incredibly reassuring

My Tips for Using Spotlite

At first, I selected every matching model and hit "Get Quote," which created separate chat rooms with each one. Lesson learned. Now I only shortlist my top 1-3 choices before clicking that button.

Also, you don’t have to hit "Get Quote" to see prices. Spotlite already shows estimates during project setup; in my experience, the final price is accurate.

Since I mainly do fashion shoots, I prioritize height after budget. For example, I usually specify "female models, minimum 167cm." Just filtering by height and budget helps narrow things down fast.

To Newbies, Freelancers, and Aspiring Fashion Editors

If you need not just models but stylists and HMU artists, Spotlite can do it. I strongly recommend it for early-career professionals, freelancers, or anyone still intimidated by casting.

One of my biggest lessons is that it’s not about doing everything yourself. It’s about choosing the right tools. Platforms like ChatGPT and Spotlite become your team when you don't have coworkers. If you’re struggling with casting right now, trust me and give Spotlite a try. 👉 [Try Spotlite]

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