Chris Gatcum – Editor

Ongoing freelance work writing property descriptions for one of the UK's leading holiday property rental companies.

Having initially joined Outdoor Photography to provide one year of maternity cover for the magazine’s deputy editor I was asked to continue in a part-time freelance capacity as the magazine’s sub-editor. My responsibilities included sub-editing the magazine’s editorial content each month, and researching and writing a number of pieces.

At the start of 2010 I entered the freelance world of writing and photography. Since then I have worked for a number of book and magazine publishers in a wide range of editorial roles. This has included commissioning, project consultancy, project management, writing, photography, copy editing, proofreading and Americanizing / anglicising. I have also authored 12 books.

I joined the illustrated book publisher, Ilex Press, at the end of 2007 as a senior editor, and became managing editor three months later. In 2008, the company formed a new, specialist imprint – Ilex Photo – and I headed up the photographic team. This role covered every aspect of the editorial process, including generating and commissioning new titles; formulating budgets and schedules; liaising with authors, designers and clients; copy editing; commissioning freelancers and signing off proofs.

In addition to standing in for the editor in his absence, I was responsible for coordinating the technical department, developing ideas for the magazine and its website, and writing reviews of digital cameras, photographic accessories, software and books. The role also involved general sub-editing and checking proofs before going to press.

I spent four years working for the UK’s longest-running photographic magazine, writing weekly reviews of the latest camera equipment and accessories, as well as producing regular technique-based articles.