I agree with SouthPaw. Playing guitar is like creating a painting. It takes time to get it right. What you're going through is completely normal, and all of us have gone through it. Finger placement on the strings will become easier with practice. Be sure to cradle the neck with your fingers instead of just "grabbing" it with your hand. When holding a chord, placing your fingers closer to the fret bars will help reduce the amount of pressure needed to get a clear sound.
I guess I should also ask about your guitar. Have you had your guitar set-up correctly? A well-set up guitar will make your practice and learning easier. Regarding the callouses, they are the necessary evil when you play. However, the pain does subside as you play more often. If your fingers are raw, rest them for a few days, so the callouses can form.
The bottom line here is practice and play slow! Getting a clear sound from a chord or note is more important than completing a song. Be repetitious with the songs you play. Once you've mastered a song, then try to master another.
Good Luck and welcome.