Still Life Photographer

About the Role

The Gap Platform Photo Studio is searching for an experienced and accomplished photographer to function as a direct conduit with our brand partners in the elevation and execution of Still Life Product Photography with a high level of competence, proficiency, and efficiency. While this role will report into and partner with the Sr. Manager of Photography, they will be assigned to focus on our brand partners production needs, engaging with key brand stakeholders in the areas of lighting, on-set direction, and visual aesthetics necessary to drive consistency in the creation of branded product photography assets. In addition, they will be lead freelancers who will be staffed as needed and ensure understanding of process and procedure. They will troubleshoot on-set photography challenges decisively and expertly execute the brand creative direction while articulating rationale for decisions in support of on-brand vision. This role will improve processes for studio performance against operational metrics and budget while holding and elevating the creative vision of the brand without sacrificing brand creativity and quality. In this role you will innovate ways to shoot new categories or initiatives while following new processes and provide feedback to ensure successful implementation.

What You'll Do

• Produce the highest quality photography/video for Athleta, Banana Republic, or Gap Brand

• Leads product photography execution, regularly partnering with key brand stakeholders for feedback and to fully understand the seasonal vision of the brand necessary to execute photography and video assets to support that vision.

• Work in the studio under the direction of the Sr. Manager of Photography, while functioning independently and alongside Account Managers, Art Directors and Stylists to capture digital images of each brand’s products at scale.

• Photograph ecommerce product laydown images with the ability to capture on-figure when needed

• Working closely with the Sr. Manager of Photography to identify new ways to shoot photography that will ensure agility and flexibility while maintaining or exceeding production goals. Accomplishing this through strong partnership with manager, account managers, photographers, stylists, art directors, product coordinator and sample manager to ensure production expectations are met

• Responsible for leading the other laydown photographers and on-set teams through the accurate completion of daily shot goals as established by the Account Management team,

  ensuring daily workload is completed within SLA – raise red flags when in jeopardy, working with Account Managers and studio leadership to resolve roadblocks.

• Proactively identify challenges in workflow or process and use critical thinking to provide Sr. Director, Photo Production and Technology with potential solutions and ensure creation of all process documentation.

• Maintain consistently high standards for accuracy, aesthetics, and productivity

• Develop techniques and best practices for shooting new categories/projects

• Maintain photography technical execution guides within studio

• Collect and analyze data and testing solutions for process improvements and new initiatives

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in photography or related field

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in hi-volume commercial photography studio with professionally respected photographers

• Minimum 3 years’ experience working as a commercial photographer

• Professional photography portfolio that demonstrates an expert-level knowledge of digital photography, including lighting, composition, color quality, and aesthetics

• Ability to work in a constantly changing, fast paced, team player e-commerce setting

• Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with other team members

• Exceptional work ethic and attention to detail

• Is willing and able to work within studio needs based on volume and peak times within the broader studio environment

• Experience with various photo production techniques including laydown product and marketing photography in all categories including sport photography.

• Demonstrated ability to manage high volumes of workflow including prioritization, planning, and task delegation under tight deadlines

• High-level proficiency with the industry-standard software tools (Photo Shop and Capture One) and ability to troubleshoot technical issues under pressure

• Proficiency with color management policies

• High-level proficiency with Digital Camera Systems functionality (both still and video) as well as all standard studio lighting techniques and traditional grip practice

• Strong organizational skills with a proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines

• Obsession with image creation that inspires customers

• Ability to lift 50 lbs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of experience working as a Photographer for premium brands and/or innovative branding firms

• Direct experience working in large scale, high volume, apparel production operation across a variety of product categories

• Proven experience working with Art Directors, Stylists, Production, and freelance talent

• In-depth skills and knowledge in all things related to photography and videography

• Clear understanding of all stages of the photography process, and ability to provide direction to the team to execute

• A change maker, a ground breaker, someone who challenges the status quo and can help us to move the brands forward

• A positive, motivating individual that can easily collaborate and work through confrontation in a solution-minded way

• Accustomed to the high intensity level of an e-commerce studio environment, and ability to thrive under tight deadlines

• Self-driven, self-starting and able to effectively communicate creative ideas and collaborate in a multi-team environment

• Quality focused and proven to be a quick problem solver to ensure productivity and time to market standards