Position Title : Senior Photographer
Position Type : Regular
Job Number : SA69024
Full or Part Time :
full-time 40 hours weekly
Fair Labor Standard Act Classification :
Exempt
Anticipated Pay Range :
$72,500 - $85,000
Pay Range Information :
Chapman University is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this position. This range takes into account a variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on the final candidate’s qualifications and experience, as well as internal equity and other internal factors. The anticipated pay range is not a promise of a particular wage.
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 organizationThorough 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.Desired Qualifications :
At least 6 years’ relevant experience (10 years+ preferred).Previous higher education experience.Special Instructions to Applicants :
Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.
Applicants for Staff and Administrator positions must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Chapman University does not sponsor applicants for Staff and Administrator positions for work visas.
The offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion and outcomes of a criminal background screening and returning to the Office of Human Resources a signed original acceptance of the Chapman University Agreement to Arbitrate.