Astrid Y. Cortez Gil
Van Nuys,CA
Summary
Adaptable journalism professional with experience in photo editing, managing editorial workflows, and supporting publication standards. Recognized for attention to detail, collaboration, and efficient asset organization. Ready to contribute strong visual editing and deadline management skills to a busy media team.
Overview
2
2
Languages
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Photo Editor
Daily Sundial
09.2026 - Current
- Selected strongest images for stories, balancing editorial relevance, composition, and deadline requirements.
- Edited photographs for publication, ensuring visual accuracy, clarity, and consistent Daily Sundial style.
- Collaborated with reporters and editors to match photography with article themes and coverage priorities.
- Corrected color, exposure, and cropping issues using Adobe Photoshop and related editing tools.
- Managed incoming photo assets, organizing files for quick retrieval and efficient publication workflow.
- Verified captions and image details to maintain accuracy and support editorial standards.
- Adapted quickly to fast-paced newsroom deadlines while maintaining consistent photo quality.
- Reviewed final layouts to confirm images aligned with story intent and print-ready specifications.
- Used Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom to crop, invert and control light and color properties of photos.
- Handled high-pressure deadlines with ease by implementing effective time management strategies and prioritizing tasks accordingly.
- Optimized images for web usage by adjusting resolution and file formats while maintaining aesthetic quality.
- Enhanced visual content quality by meticulously editing and retouching images for print and digital publications.
- Cultivated relationships with photographers and other collaborators to expand the network of available resources for projects.
- Trained junior photo editors on advanced editing techniques and software tools, contributing to team skill development.
- Organized shoots from planning, scheduling and styling to post-production.
Managing Editor
The Valley Star
02.2025 - 06.2025
- Coordinated editorial calendar to track deadlines, story assignments, and publication workflow.
- Edited copy for clarity, grammar, and AP style consistency across print and digital content.
- Collaborated with reporters and contributors to refine story structure and improve readability.
- Proofread headlines, captions, and layouts to ensure accuracy before release.
- Verified facts, names, and sourced information to reduce publication errors.
- Managed routine content updates within publishing systems and newsroom workflows.
- Assisted with daily production tasks to maintain timely, organized content delivery.
- Maintained editorial standards by enforcing adherence to style guides, grammar rules, and ethical journalism principles.
- Managed a diverse team of writers, editors, and designers to produce high-quality content consistently.
- Established clear expectations for staff members, setting achievable goals that motivated them towards success.
- Championed innovative storytelling formats that captured audience attention and enhanced user experience.
- Handled final proofreading, copy editing and revision functions for deliverables.
- Delegated and tracked each staff member's assignments and deadlines.
- Balanced competing priorities effectively while managing multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.
- Mentored junior editors and writers, improving their skills and overall team performance.
Photo Editor
The Valley Star
02.2024 - 12.2024
- Cultivated relationships with photographers, agencies, and other collaborators to expand the network of available resources for projects.
- Contributed to brand recognition through consistent application of design guidelines in all edited images.
- Developed creative concepts for editorial spreads, resulting in visually engaging layouts that captivated readers.
- Streamlined photo editing workflow, resulting in increased efficiency and faster turnaround times.
- Increased social media engagement by curating eye-catching visuals tailored specifically for different platforms.
- Kept abreast of emerging trends in photography and design to maintain a fresh perspective on visual storytelling techniques.
- Created digital asset management system to increase security, organization and searchability of digital assets.
- Mentored interns on industry best practices and provided guidance on project execution, fostering professional growth among new talent.
- Researched image libraries to locate appropriate photographs for stock use.
- Curated photo libraries for specific thematic exhibits, showcasing breadth of the publication's visual journalism.
- Coordinated with editorial teams to select impactful images that complemented written content.
- Conducted peer reviews of edited images, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.
- Managed color correction for print and digital media, preserving artistic intent and integrity of the original photographs.
- Collaborated with photographers and designers to ensure consistency in visual storytelling across all platforms.
- Selected and set up appropriate props, backdrops, and lighting.
- Edited, toned, captioned, and uploaded photographs for publication.
- Managed team of photographers for special projects.
- Photographed high-quality images for various print and digital projects.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
California State University, Northridge
Northridge, CA12.2026
Associate of Arts - Journalism
Los Angeles Valley College
Van Nuys, CA06.2024
Skills
Workflow efficiency
Color grading techniques
Color correction expertise
Collaborative communication
Retouching expertise
Digital photography techniques
Print processing
Lightroom expertise
Composition and cropping techniques
Composition techniques
Photography background
DSLR camera use
Visual storytelling
Image archiving
File organization
Efficient workflow management
Image restoration
Digital editing
Client relationship management
Workload organization
Detail orientation
Relationship development
Team training
Attention to detail
Editorial photography
Multitasking
Timeline
Photo Editor
Daily Sundial
09.2026 - Current
Managing Editor
The Valley Star
02.2025 - 06.2025
Photo Editor
The Valley Star
02.2024 - 12.2024
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
California State University, Northridge
Associate of Arts - Journalism
Los Angeles Valley College
Awards
- General Excellence – The Valley Star Student Newspaper
- General Excellence – Crown Magazine
- General Excellence – TheValleyStarNews.com (Official Website)
- First Place – Magazine Photo (Individual award in Crown Magazine)
- First Place – Magazine Photo Story-Essay (Collaborative award with Alex Diaz and Taylor Cowhey)
- Third Place – Magazine Opinion Article (Collaborative award with Milan Rafaelov)
- Honorable Mention – Photo Illustration (Individual award The Valley Star print)
- Honorable Mention – Magazine Photo Story-Essay