Senior Photographer
Chapman University Careers
On-site
Irvine, California, United States
$72,500 - $85,000 USD yearly
Photography & Videography
Job Description Summary
The Senior Photographer in Chapman University’s Strategic Marketing and Communications ( SMC ) department supports the university by creating high-quality photo and occasional video content that engages our internal and external audiences, including faculty, staff, current, and prospective students and families, alumni, and partners. This position captures a variety of content for marketing (including web), events, portraits, headshots, campus scenes, environmental shots, etc. This position develops and implements photo approaches and solutions that advance the reputational and enrollment goals of the university. This could include preproduction, scheduling and managing shoots, conducting interviews, creating storyboards, and informing design composition to tell an engaging story. This position must be able to work independently and collaboratively with other members of the SMC team. The individual in this role needs to be able to think about various audiences to ensure that content is appropriate and relevant and have comfort in working with executives and other leaders. This position is in person on Chapman’s Orange, CA campus at least 3-5 days a week. The position must be available to attend occasional evening and weekend events to capture multimedia content as needed.
Responsibilities
Photography Shoots high-quality digital images to meet the university’s needs for marketing, web, news coverage, and executive communications. Assignments may include candid images, portraits, campus, and environmental shots, etc. Must be comfortable shooting for print, web, and mobile. Works with the creative, marketing, web, and communications teams to bring storytelling and ads to life with compelling visual imagery. For images that will accompany written content, coordinates with writers and/or editors to ensure photographs will present a unified message matching the purpose, tone, and audience of the channel/publication. Edits, retouches, and files photos following shoots and is accustomed to identifying and providing selects during and immediately following major events, such as commencement. Continually updates university photography collections of locations on our campuses, buildings, landmarks, candid images, and portraits of faculty, staff, and students, etc. Serves as a main resource for an online photo database (digital asset management system) to ensure correct classifications, naming standards, key words, and image details. Maintains standardized, searchable library of photo/digital release forms. In collaboration with creative team, develops a recognizable university photo style to become an element in the university’s visual identity. Scouts locations, schedules shoots, coordinates with talent, and develops and follows shot lists. Budgets time and office resources to ensure photographic work is done efficiently and in a way that reflects university priorities. Responds to requests from other campus units. Ensures equipment is in proper working order. Makes recommendations on new/replacement/maintenance plans for equipment and software. Coordinates the recruitment and oversight of freelance photographers, as needed, and supervises photography student workers. Videography and Multimedia Assists the video team with a variety of video production needs and requests. As needed and appropriate, assists with preproduction (scouting, concepting); production (sound, lighting, recording); and post-production (editing, aftereffects, motion graphics, etc.) for a variety of multimedia marcomm needs. Helps to update the university’s video library and assets, as needed. Other Duties as Assigned
Required Qualifications
Some college or professional coursework (associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution preferred). Demonstrated experience working in or for a complex organization Thorough understanding of best practices, techniques, equipment, processes, and technology related to photography and videography, including drone photography and other emerging tools and trends. Mastery of taking professional photographs in studio and on location. Detailed knowledge and understanding of photography art and lighting science. Excellent communication skills, presence, and professionalism needed to direct shoots while exhibiting strong interpersonal skills necessary to ensure subjects feel comfortable. Visually creative with a keen eye for detail and composition. Highly proficient with Adobe Creative Suite (specifically Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Premiere Pro), and other related software used for downloading, transferring, photo manipulation, retouching, and enhancing images. Experience with Adobe After Effects is a plus. Willingness to engage in professional development, learn new software, research and learn to operate new photography and videography equipment. Skilled at handling multiple priorities in a shifting landscape. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Self-motivated, proactive, and works well with minimal direction. Customer-service driven. Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional team. Ability to work irregular shifts and extended hours, including evenings and weekends. Longer days may be required to accommodate events.. Strong customer service skills with all university partners and direct experience working with leaders, trustees, donors, and VIP clients.
The Senior Photographer in Chapman University’s Strategic Marketing and Communications ( SMC ) department supports the university by creating high-quality photo and occasional video content that engages our internal and external audiences, including faculty, staff, current, and prospective students and families, alumni, and partners. This position captures a variety of content for marketing (including web), events, portraits, headshots, campus scenes, environmental shots, etc. This position develops and implements photo approaches and solutions that advance the reputational and enrollment goals of the university. This could include preproduction, scheduling and managing shoots, conducting interviews, creating storyboards, and informing design composition to tell an engaging story. This position must be able to work independently and collaboratively with other members of the SMC team. The individual in this role needs to be able to think about various audiences to ensure that content is appropriate and relevant and have comfort in working with executives and other leaders. This position is in person on Chapman’s Orange, CA campus at least 3-5 days a week. The position must be available to attend occasional evening and weekend events to capture multimedia content as needed.
Responsibilities
Photography Shoots high-quality digital images to meet the university’s needs for marketing, web, news coverage, and executive communications. Assignments may include candid images, portraits, campus, and environmental shots, etc. Must be comfortable shooting for print, web, and mobile. Works with the creative, marketing, web, and communications teams to bring storytelling and ads to life with compelling visual imagery. For images that will accompany written content, coordinates with writers and/or editors to ensure photographs will present a unified message matching the purpose, tone, and audience of the channel/publication. Edits, retouches, and files photos following shoots and is accustomed to identifying and providing selects during and immediately following major events, such as commencement. Continually updates university photography collections of locations on our campuses, buildings, landmarks, candid images, and portraits of faculty, staff, and students, etc. Serves as a main resource for an online photo database (digital asset management system) to ensure correct classifications, naming standards, key words, and image details. Maintains standardized, searchable library of photo/digital release forms. In collaboration with creative team, develops a recognizable university photo style to become an element in the university’s visual identity. Scouts locations, schedules shoots, coordinates with talent, and develops and follows shot lists. Budgets time and office resources to ensure photographic work is done efficiently and in a way that reflects university priorities. Responds to requests from other campus units. Ensures equipment is in proper working order. Makes recommendations on new/replacement/maintenance plans for equipment and software. Coordinates the recruitment and oversight of freelance photographers, as needed, and supervises photography student workers. Videography and Multimedia Assists the video team with a variety of video production needs and requests. As needed and appropriate, assists with preproduction (scouting, concepting); production (sound, lighting, recording); and post-production (editing, aftereffects, motion graphics, etc.) for a variety of multimedia marcomm needs. Helps to update the university’s video library and assets, as needed. Other Duties as Assigned
Required Qualifications
Some college or professional coursework (associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution preferred). Demonstrated experience working in or for a complex organization Thorough understanding of best practices, techniques, equipment, processes, and technology related to photography and videography, including drone photography and other emerging tools and trends. Mastery of taking professional photographs in studio and on location. Detailed knowledge and understanding of photography art and lighting science. Excellent communication skills, presence, and professionalism needed to direct shoots while exhibiting strong interpersonal skills necessary to ensure subjects feel comfortable. Visually creative with a keen eye for detail and composition. Highly proficient with Adobe Creative Suite (specifically Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Premiere Pro), and other related software used for downloading, transferring, photo manipulation, retouching, and enhancing images. Experience with Adobe After Effects is a plus. Willingness to engage in professional development, learn new software, research and learn to operate new photography and videography equipment. Skilled at handling multiple priorities in a shifting landscape. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Self-motivated, proactive, and works well with minimal direction. Customer-service driven. Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional team. Ability to work irregular shifts and extended hours, including evenings and weekends. Longer days may be required to accommodate events.. Strong customer service skills with all university partners and direct experience working with leaders, trustees, donors, and VIP clients.