I am a multifaceted photo editor, retoucher, project manager, and researcher with over 10 years of experience in high-pressure environments. I curate, edit, and manage visual assets for editorial and commercial projects, with a strong background in digital asset management (DAM), visual storytelling, and cross-functional collaboration. I have delivered for Twitch, Rent The Runway, Vanity Fair, The Sun, Daniel Arsham, and NOWNESS, developing retouching styles, sourcing archival imagery, and driving efficient DAM workflows. I thrive on turning complex briefs into cohesive narratives and delivering timely visuals that elevate brand storytelling while improving process efficiency.

Desiree Kong

I am a multifaceted photo editor, retoucher, project manager, and researcher with over 10 years of experience in high-pressure environments. I curate, edit, and manage visual assets for editorial and commercial projects, with a strong background in digital asset management (DAM), visual storytelling, and cross-functional collaboration. I have delivered for Twitch, Rent The Runway, Vanity Fair, The Sun, Daniel Arsham, and NOWNESS, developing retouching styles, sourcing archival imagery, and driving efficient DAM workflows. I thrive on turning complex briefs into cohesive narratives and delivering timely visuals that elevate brand storytelling while improving process efficiency.

Available to hire

I am a multifaceted photo editor, retoucher, project manager, and researcher with over 10 years of experience in high-pressure environments. I curate, edit, and manage visual assets for editorial and commercial projects, with a strong background in digital asset management (DAM), visual storytelling, and cross-functional collaboration.

I have delivered for Twitch, Rent The Runway, Vanity Fair, The Sun, Daniel Arsham, and NOWNESS, developing retouching styles, sourcing archival imagery, and driving efficient DAM workflows. I thrive on turning complex briefs into cohesive narratives and delivering timely visuals that elevate brand storytelling while improving process efficiency.

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Language

English
Fluent
Japanese
Advanced
Portuguese
Intermediate

Work Experience

Freelance E-Com Photo Retoucher at Rent The Runway
September 1, 2023 - Present
Developed and maintained retouching style guides; executed advanced color correction for e-commerce product images; streamlined batch editing to improve digital asset management (DAM) workflow efficiency.
Freelance Photo Editor at Vanity Fair
October 1, 2022 - Present
Led photo research sourcing imagery from diverse archives; enhanced visual narratives with retouching, color grading, and compositing; collaborated with writers to align assets with content.
Freelance Photo Editor at The Sun
June 1, 2024 - October 8, 2025
Conducted photo research to source impactful visuals; delivered color correction, advanced retouching, and resizing to editorial standards; collaborated with editorial teams to meet deadlines.
Freelance Archivist/Inventory Manager at Daniel Arsham
August 1, 2022 - October 8, 2025
Transformed inventory processes, systematizing the organization of 500 limited edition artworks monthly; digitally archived and cataloged artworks; directed logistics for packing and distribution to international clients.
Photo Editor / E-Com Retoucher at BZIPPY
February 1, 2022 - October 8, 2025
Established retouching protocols that standardized visual quality across e-commerce and social media assets; curated 100+ images monthly; achieved color fidelity by matching digital images to physical product samples.
Freelance Photo Researcher at NOWNESS
February 1, 2021 - October 8, 2025
Partnered with Director Justice Nnanna on Earthseed, researching archival content to support the film's visual language; delivered visual research aligned with environmental justice themes and narrative depth.
Photo Studio Assistant at Sam Cannon & Penelope Umbrico
September 1, 2018 - October 8, 2025
Assisted on commercial and independent photo/video projects; retouched green-screen, editorial, and still-life images; improved studio efficiency by developing a digital cataloging and archival system.
Freelance E-Com Photo Retoucher at Rent The Runway
September 1, 2023 - Present
Developed and maintained retouching style guides, standardized visual quality across product images. Executed advanced color correction processes to ensure product authenticity and appeal in e-commerce images. Streamlined batch editing processes, improving digital asset management (DAM) workflow efficiency.
Freelance Photo Editor at Vanity Fair
October 1, 2022 - Present
Led photo research, sourcing top-tier imagery from diverse archives to align with editorial content. Enhanced visual narratives with expert retouching, color grading, and compositing, maintaining publication standards for 100+ images / 50+ articles a month. Collaborated with writers to ensure visual assets aligned seamlessly with written content, optimizing storytelling impact.
Freelance Photo Editor at The Sun
June 1, 2024 - October 8, 2025
Conducted comprehensive photo research to source high-quality, impactful visuals, contributing to the publication of 50+ online articles per month. Delivered precise color correction, advanced retouching, and resizing to maintain editorial standards and enhance visual storytelling. Collaborated with editorial teams to meet deadlines, ensuring the timely delivery of visual assets for tight publication schedules.
Freelance Archivist/Inventory Manager at Daniel Arsham
August 1, 2022 - October 8, 2025
Transformed inventory processes, systematizing the organization of 500 limited edition artworks monthly, improving access speed by 40%. Digitally archived and cataloged artworks, ensuring accurate inventory management and secure access for global distribution. Directed logistics for the packing and distribution of artworks to an international clientele, enhancing efficiency and client satisfaction.
Photo Editor / E-Com Retoucher at BZIPPY
February 1, 2022 - October 8, 2025
Established retouching protocols that standardized visual quality across e-commerce and social media assets. Curated 100+ images monthly, ensuring optimal product presentation and engagement across digital platforms. Achieved color fidelity by matching digital images to physical product samples, ensuring brand consistency.
Freelance Photo Researcher at NOWNESS
February 1, 2021 - October 8, 2025
Partnered with Director Justice Nnanna on "Earthseed," researching archival content to support the film's visual language, focusing on environmental justice and resilience. Delivered impactful visual research that aligned with the thematic depth of Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower, strengthening the film’s narrative.
Photo Studio Assistant at Sam Cannon & Penelope Umbrico
September 1, 2018 - October 8, 2025
Assisted in commercial and independent photo/video projects, ensuring smooth operations on set and on location. Retouched green-screen, editorial, and still-life images, contributing to dynamic visual content creation. Improved studio efficiency by developing a digital cataloging and archival system, reducing retrieval times.
E-Com Photo Retoucher at Rent The Runway
September 1, 2023 - Present
Developed and maintained retouching style guides, standardized visual quality across product images; executed advanced color correction; streamlined batch editing and DAM workflow efficiency.
Photo Editor at Vanity Fair
October 1, 2022 - Present
Led photo research, sourcing top-tier imagery; enhanced visual narratives with retouching, color grading, and compositing to align with editorial standards for 100+ images / 50+ articles per month; collaborated with writers to ensure assets supported storytelling.
Photo Editor at The Sun
June 1, 2024 - October 8, 2025
Conducted comprehensive photo research; delivered precise color correction, advanced retouching, and resizing to maintain editorial standards and enhance visual storytelling; collaborated with editorial teams to meet deadlines.
Archivist/Inventory Manager at Daniel Arsham
August 1, 2022 - October 8, 2025
Transformed inventory processes, systematizing 500 limited edition artworks monthly; digitally archived and cataloged artworks; directed logistics for packing and distribution to international clients.
Photo Editor / E-Com Retoucher at BZIPPY
February 1, 2022 - October 8, 2025
Established retouching protocols standardizing visual quality across e-commerce and social media assets; curated 100+ images monthly; achieved color fidelity by matching digital images to physical samples.
Freelance Photo Researcher at NOWNESS
February 1, 2021 - October 8, 2025
Partnered on 'Earthseed' researching archival content to support the film's visual language; delivered visual research aligning with environmental justice and resilience themes.
Photo Studio Assistant at Sam Cannon & Penelope Umbrico
September 1, 2018 - October 8, 2025
Supported commercial and independent projects; retouched green-screen, editorial, and still-life images; improved studio efficiency by developing a digital cataloging system.
Freelance E-Com Photo Retoucher at Rent The Runway
September 1, 2023 - Present
Developed and maintained retouching style guides, standardizing visual quality across product images. Executed advanced color correction to ensure product authenticity and appeal in e-commerce images. Streamlined batch editing processes, improving digital asset management (DAM) workflow efficiency.
Freelance Photo Editor at Vanity Fair
October 1, 2022 - Present
Led photo research, sourcing top-tier imagery from diverse archives to align with editorial content. Enhanced visual narratives with expert retouching, color grading, and compositing, maintaining publication standards for 100+ images / 50+ articles a month. Collaborated with writers to ensure visual assets aligned seamlessly with written content, optimizing storytelling impact.
Freelance Photo Editor at The Sun
June 4, 2024 - October 8, 2025
Conducted comprehensive photo research to source high-quality, impactful visuals, contributing to the publication of 50+ online articles per month. Delivered precise color correction, advanced retouching, and resizing to maintain editorial standards and enhance visual storytelling. Collaborated with editorial teams to meet deadlines, ensuring the timely delivery of visual assets for tight publication schedules.
Freelance Archivist/Inventory Manager at Daniel Arsham
August 1, 2022 - October 8, 2025
Transformed inventory processes, systematizing the organization of 500 limited edition artworks monthly, improving access speed by 40%. Digitally archived and cataloged artworks, ensuring accurate inventory management and secure access for global distribution. Directed logistics for the packing and distribution of artworks to an international clientele, enhancing efficiency and client satisfaction.
Photo Editor / E-Com Retoucher at BZIPPY
February 1, 2022 - October 8, 2025
Established retouching protocols that standardized visual quality across e-commerce and social media assets. Curated 100+ images monthly, ensuring optimal product presentation and engagement across digital platforms. Achieved color fidelity by matching digital images to physical product samples, ensuring brand consistency.
Freelance Photo Researcher at NOWNESS
February 1, 2021 - October 8, 2025
Partnered with Director Justice Nnanna on "Earthseed," researching archival content to support the film's visual language, focusing on environmental justice and resilience. Delivered impactful visual research that aligned with the thematic depth of Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower, strengthening the film’s narrative.
Photo Studio Assistant at Sam Cannon & Penelope Umbrico
September 1, 2018 - October 8, 2025
Assisted in commercial and independent photo/video projects, ensuring smooth operations on set and on location. Retouched green-screen, editorial, and still-life images, contributing to dynamic visual content creation. Improved studio efficiency by developing a digital cataloging and archival system, reducing retrieval times.
Freelance E-Com Photo Retoucher at Rent The Runway
September 1, 2023 - Present
Developed and maintained retouching style guides; executed advanced color correction to ensure product authenticity and appeal; streamlined batch editing and DAM workflow.
Freelance Photo Editor at Vanity Fair
October 1, 2022 - Present
Led photo research, sourcing top-tier imagery; enhanced visual narratives with retouching, color grading, and compositing; coordinated with writers to align assets with content (100+ images / 50+ articles per month).
Freelance Photo Editor at The Sun
June 1, 2024 - October 8, 2025
Conducted comprehensive photo research; delivered color correction, advanced retouching, and resizing to meet editorial standards; collaborated with editorial teams to meet tight publication deadlines.
Freelance Archivist / Inventory Manager at Daniel Arsham
August 1, 2022 - October 8, 2025
Transformed inventory processes, systematizing the organization of 500 artworks monthly; digitally archived and cataloged works; directed logistics for packing and distribution to international clients.
Photo Editor / E-Com Retoucher at BZIPPY
February 1, 2022 - October 8, 2025
Established retouching protocols; curated 100+ images monthly; achieved color fidelity by matching digital images to physical samples to ensure brand consistency.
Freelance Photo Researcher at NOWNESS
February 1, 2021 - October 8, 2025
Partnered with Director Justice Nnanna on Earthseed; researched archival content supporting the film's visual language; delivered research aligning with environmental justice themes.
Photo Studio Assistant at Sam Cannon & Penelope Umbrico
September 1, 2018 - October 8, 2025
Assisted on commercial and independent projects; retouched green-screen, editorial, and still-life images; improved studio efficiency by developing a digital cataloging and archival system.
Freelance E-Com Photo Retoucher at Rent The Runway
September 1, 2023 - Present
Developed and maintained retouching style guides, standardizing visual quality across product images. Executed advanced color correction processes to ensure product authenticity and appeal in e-commerce images. Streamlined batch editing processes, improving DAM workflow efficiency.
Freelance Photo Editor at Vanity Fair
October 1, 2022 - Present
Led photo research, sourcing top-tier imagery from diverse archives to align with editorial content. Enhanced visual narratives with expert retouching, color grading, and compositing, maintaining publication standards for 100+ images / 50+ articles a month. Collaborated with writers to ensure visual assets aligned seamlessly with written content, optimizing storytelling impact.
Freelance Photo Editor at The Sun
June 1, 2024 - October 8, 2025
Conducted comprehensive photo research to source high-quality, impactful visuals, contributing to the publication of 50+ online articles per month. Delivered precise color correction, advanced retouching, and resizing to maintain editorial standards and enhance visual storytelling. Collaborated with editorial teams to meet deadlines, ensuring the timely delivery of visual assets for tight publication schedules.
Freelance Archivist/Inventory Manager at Daniel Arsham
August 1, 2022 - October 8, 2025
Transformed inventory processes, systematizing the organization of 500 limited edition artworks monthly, improving access speed by 40%. Digitally archived and cataloged artworks, ensuring accurate inventory management and secure access for global distribution. Directed logistics for the packing and distribution of artworks to an international clientele, enhancing efficiency and client satisfaction.
Photo Editor / E-Com Retoucher at BZIPPY
February 1, 2022 - October 8, 2025
Established retouching protocols that standardized visual quality across e-commerce and social media assets. Curated 100+ images monthly, ensuring optimal product presentation and engagement across digital platforms. Achieved color fidelity by matching digital images to physical product samples, ensuring brand consistency.
Freelance Photo Researcher at NOWNESS
February 1, 2021 - October 8, 2025
Partnered with Director Justice Nnanna on Earthseed, researching archival content to support the film's visual language, focusing on environmental justice and resilience. Delivered impactful visual research that aligned with the thematic depth of Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower, strengthening the film’s narrative.
Photo Studio Assistant at Sam Cannon & Penelope Umbrico
September 1, 2018 - October 8, 2025
Assisted in commercial and independent photo/video projects, ensuring smooth operations on set and on location. Retouched green-screen, editorial, and still-life images, contributing to dynamic visual content creation. Improved studio efficiency by developing a digital cataloging and archival system, reducing retrieval times.

Education

M.A. in Social and Environmental Studies at CUNY, Graduate Center, New York, NY
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2021
B.F.A. in Photography and Video (with Honors, Visual Critical Studies) at School of Visual Arts, New York, NY
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2017

Qualifications

Institute for Social Justice Leaders Program
September 1, 2020 - November 30, 2020
Transform Finance Certificate

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Retail, Professional Services, Education, Software & Internet