Museum Photographer

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Overview

Working under the general supervision of the Visual Resources Director, the Museum Photographer is responsible for producing high-quality digital images of the Yale University Art Gallery's collections through studio photography, as well as providing documentation photography of exhibitions, events, and institutional activities to support the Gallery's operational, archival, and communications needs. The position focuses primarily on studio photography of two-dimensional and three-dimensional collection objects, with additional documentation photography responsibilities as assigned. The balance of duties may vary throughout the year based on departmental and Gallery needs.

The position photographs a wide variety of objects, including paintings, works on paper, sculpture, decorative arts, furniture, and highly reflective objects, using professional digital imaging equipment and museum photography standards. The incumbent processes and edits digital images and enters metadata into collection management systems. Work is performed across multiple Gallery locations. The position requires careful handling of works of art, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining museum-quality imaging standards.

Essential Duties

• Photograph collection objects using medium format camera systems, studio strobe lighting, and other equipment to produce high-quality archival and professional-quality images.
• Plan photographic composition, lighting, backgrounds, and technical approach appropriate to each object while maintaining museum imaging standards and established workflows.
• Photograph Gallery exhibitions, installations, events, and other institutional activities as assigned to provide broad visual documentation for Gallery communications, archives, and institutional needs using DSLR and/or Medium Format camera, depending on need.
• Consult with curators, registrars, conservators, designers, Communications staff, and other departments to understand project requirements, timelines, and technical objectives.
• Process, edit, and optimize digital images for color accuracy, tonal balance, sharpness, and consistency with original works of art using Adobe Creative Cloud applications and established color management procedures.
• Enter image metadata and maintain digital assets within collection management and digital asset management systems, including TMS, NetX, and related databases, following departmental standards.
• Handle, move, and position works of art safely during photographic setup, following museum object-handling procedures and working collaboratively with collections staff.
• Maintain photographic equipment, lighting systems, computers, and accessories in proper working order and report equipment maintenance or replacement needs.
• Maintain knowledge of developments in museum photography, digital imaging technology, and photographic best practices.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

To be considered, please submit an electronic portfolio representing relevant work at the time of application. This can be a web link listed on your resume or a separate PDF attachment. Cover letters are strongly encouraged.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Bachelor's degree in photography, studio art, art history, museum studies, or a related field; and 2 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

2. Experience using professional digital camera systems, studio lighting, and color-managed digital imaging workflows.

3. Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud applications and Capture One (or comparable) for professional image processing and color correction.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. One year of professional photography experience preferred, with demonstrated proficiency in studio photography and digital image production.

2. Experience working with digital asset management and/or collection management systems preferred; familiarity with TMS and NetX is desirable.

3. Experience photographing works of art, museum objects, cultural heritage collections, or other objects requiring accurate color reproduction and careful handling preferred.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Views subjects and settings and plans compositions, camera positions, and camera angles to produce desired effects. 2. Evaluates the technical requirements of complex projects. Determines the most appropriate techniques and methods as well as time needed to complete assignments or projects. (Assignments may require innovation to resolve problems that are not necessarily governed by established procedures.) 3. Selects and assembles equipment according to subject material, anticipated conditions, and knowledge of function of various types of cameras, lenses, films, and accessories. 4. Provides color management support; matches hues and tones of digital files to original objects. 5. Maintains and monitors condition of equipment and software used to capture, edit and view images. 6. May perform other duties as assigned. Required Education and Experience Bachelor's Degree in a related field and two years of related work experience in the same job family; or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.

Job Posting Date

11/04/2026

Job Category

Technician

Bargaining Unit

L34

Compensation Grade

Labor Grade E

Compensation Grade Profile

Hourly Range

$0.00 - $0.00

Benefits

A general description of the benefits to be offered with this Clerical and Technical position is available at:

Yale Benefits

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff

Work Model

On-site

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

The hiring rate of a role is determined in accordance with the provisions outlined in the respective collective bargaining agreement.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual's sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.