If you’re interested in photography and photo editing, but your grandma has you convinced that it’s not a valuable “real world” skill then hang onto your mouse because you’re about to have your mind blown.

Creatives, like photo editors, are sought-after and a great editor is super hard to come by. Anyone can pick up a drawing pen and think they’re the next best thing, but here are five ways that learning photo editing skills can boost your resume and open you up to a world of opportunities.

1. Graphic Design

Graphic designers use their editing skills not just to drastically alter images but also to make minor adjustments to images to adjust contrast and brightness. You need to have an eye for what looks good and what looks natural when you’re designing images, especially if they are to be used to market services or goods.

Editing images before using them in brand ads is one of the biggest reasons for graphic designers to learn editing skills.

2. Image Editing

Image editors need to leave their unique mark on their work in the marketing world. The best way to do this is through editing. After some time, you will develop an editing style that makes your work stand out. The better your editing skills are, the more likely you will be to get higher-paying jobs for more discerning customers.

If you’re starting in the world of editing, take things slow – the more you push yourself, the more you’ll learn and the better you will get.

3. Photography

Photography is about so much more than just the subject. You need to learn the dynamics of color, editing, framing, and use of light to bring out the best of your photography. Anyone can take an image of someone or something, sure it takes some skill, but the editing process is where the photographer shines.

The editing process allows photographers to make their photos uniquely their own. They can even learn to remove the background from image for free to superimpose the subject onto another.

4. Online Marketing

Digital and online marketers need to create a large and diverse range of promotional images to use for their customers. By using editing skills, they can create unique content that resonates with their target audience.

That will help to generate leads, raise brand awareness, and increase sales. Can you think of a better reason to learn a new skill?

5. Influencing

Here is another one your grandma definitely won’t approve! Social media influencers have long been misunderstood among the older population groups, which is fine because they generally aren’t the targets anyway.

Social media influencers can use their photo editing skills to score more endorsement deals by making themselves and the product they are advertising look that much better. Image editing is an essential skill to have on your resume if you are hoping to pursue any sort of career in a creative field.

Instead of shying away from it, start slowly with a 6-week course that you can do online – there is no better time to bulk up your resume and add value to your position.