Now I automatically get an image that is resized to the paper size (or a template size) no matter what I do.
This is very important to me as I proof this way, adding an overlaid image as "fit to page" and then adjusting each to be visible. Fit to page works fine.
I am not positive about your issue, but I think you are saying that your crop that you try to make is matching the print size, and you want to crop freehand without that constraint.
If so do one of either of these suggestions.
1) Uncheck Crop lock in the Editor (see snap)
2) Disable auto crop (See screen snap)
Fred