The Walker has an immediate opening for a Photography and Image Specialist. The job is an excellent opportunity to collaborate with all programming and creative departments at one of the world’s most innovative art institutions. This position plays a critical role in helping to create trailblazing photography to be used in our communications in order to engage audiences and connect them to Walker’s mission and programming as part of the institution’s publishing endeavors.

The Communications and Content Department at The Walker Art Center, crafts the content that we put out into the world to galvanize our multiple audiences. The department serves to inform audiences about our programs and encourages them to take part. Photographic imagery is at the center of our communication portfolio and we seek someone who has a keen eye on the field, with a good network of talented photographers that we can work together.

This position will work closely with communication and curatorial teams to guarantee a high level of image quality throughout the institution, both in creative execution as well as management of efficient internal processes. This will involve developing, nurturing, and managing a diverse pool of talented photographers to fulfill everything from event documentation to editorial photography to portrait photography. This position will also be responsible for working with all internal teams to guarantee an efficient intake process of all externally-generated imagery through Walker’s digital asset management system. In addition to overseeing the generation and ingestion of all imagery at the Walker, this position will be responsible for uploading imagery to Walker’s website, ensuring that the images embody Walker’s visual identity and voice. 

We are looking for an experienced image maker with an incredible eye for contemporary photography that can actively contribute to our creative pursuits through excellent management, communication, and art direction. Since this position is managing a variety of freelancers as well as overseeing the larger imagery ecosystem of the institution, we are looking for someone who can demonstrate experience with facilitating complex projects, working collaboratively with other creatives and clients, and managing logistics such as budgets and schedules. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

I. Manage Walker-generated photography and freelancers

• Manage the production of all original photography for the institution, including exhibition and event documentation, permanent collection documentation, ephemera documentation, portrait photography, editorial photography, sculpture garden photography, etc.
• Help establish a visual tone for the institution in collaboration with the design department
• Work closely with internal teams to assure a transparent and satisfying institutional photography process: align departmental photography budgets, set cadence and quantity of photography needs, discuss the ongoing quality of imagery, be responsive to changing departmental needs while ensuring photography efforts embody Walker’s visual identity and voice
• Cultivate and maintain a stable of local and national photographers with an eye towards excellence, contemporary aesthetics, diversity and equity, complementary niche skill sets, and authentic collaboration
• Provide practical and aesthetic guidance before and after projects regarding photography style, project objectives, technical file handling, etc.
• Provide logistical assistance for photoshoots including scheduling, building access, moving equipment, working with security teams, etc., as needed
• Receive, edit, and process freelanced photography; deliver to Archives to be uploaded to Mediabeacon
• Negotiate fees and administer contracts with freelancers
• Hire, supervise, train, schedule, and appraise photography interns if needed

II. Manage non-Walker-generated imagery and Mediabeacon

• Work with programming departments to obtain the best quality images from outside sources 
• Train individuals in each department in the basic use of Mediabeacon and Photoshop as needed 
• Establish naming conventions and server folder structures for all external imagery
• Upload imagery to MediaBeacon. Edit, crop, reformat, resize images as needed prior to uploading. Guarantee that imagery is accessible and useful for all internal collaborators
• Work with internal colleagues and editors to ensure high quality of captions and visual descriptions for all external imagery
• Work with IT and Archives to oversee Mediabeacon’s effectiveness within the institution, recommending process improvements and new functionality as needed

III. Upload imagery to Walker website

• Oversee imagery on Walker’s website, assuring a high quality of coordinated art direction that satisfies voice and identity objectives as established by Communication teams
• Upload all imagery to the website, with properly styled captions and visual descriptions, for all event records, homepage, secondary department pages, etc.

IV. Creatively collaborate with Communication teams

• Participate in ideation of campaigns as needed, providing photography and imagery references; work with designers to secure appropriate photographer talent; provide constant support of creative photographic efforts
• Develop creative briefs
• Work with the design team to guarantee image quality both online and in print production
• Art direct shoots in close contact with the various departments

V. Select photography work

• In select instances, this position will create original photography as needed. This could include last minute requests, small projects, and follow-up photography. There may also be an opportunity for more creative photography such as portraiture and editorial work, based on need and overall workload capacity.

VI. Administrative 

• Plan and maintain photography operating budget
• Maintain photography studio; order equipment and supplies
• Plan and monitor departmental photography budgets as requested
• Research and purchase capital equipment as approved
• With Media Producer and Design Studio Manager, maintain the photography schedule and request process

SCHEDULE AND COMPENSATION

Salary 60k-65k annually, dependent on experience.

Full-time (35 hours/week), Exempt; Excellent benefits package, Walker membership and museum discount, and the opportunity to work alongside talented individuals and support remarkable artists, events and programming.

QUALIFICATIONS

Photographic experience: 3 to 5 years experience as a practicing photographer or art director of photography including on-location and studio experience; photography of events, objects, and people; demonstrated ability to produce reproduction quality work.

Technology: Expert knowledge of digital cameras and digital photography systems such as Capture One or Lightroom. Expert knowledge of Photoshop, image processing, retouching, and color correction. Familiarity with scanning technologies is a plus.

Management experience: Since this position is managing a variety of freelancers as well as overseeing the larger imagery ecosystem of the institution, we are looking for someone who can demonstrate experience with facilitating complex projects, working collaboratively with other creatives and clients, and managing logistics such as budgets and schedules. This type of experience may be found in a number of backgrounds.

Attributes: Detail and deadline-oriented, ability to work cooperatively, quickly, efficiently, and independently. Excellent communication and organizational skills, ability to work cooperatively with others in the department as well as institutional peers. Possesses a keen eye and a familiarity with contemporary trends in the photography field.

This position is covered by the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) labor contract.

The Walker is committed to being an inclusive workplace. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the communities and audiences we serve. We are dedicated to fair and inclusive employment practices for all individuals.

The Walker Art Center requires all employees to comply with our COVID vaccination policy, which requires staff to be fully vaccinated or test every 6 days. The Walker Art Center is an equal opportunity employer and will consider request for reasonable accommodations based on disability or sincerely-held religious beliefs possible without undue hardship.

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