Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Photography Intern

💰 $16 - $25 per hour

PhotographyInternshipCreativeMarketingMediaContent Creation

🎯 Role Definition

We are searching for a highly motivated and creative Photography Intern to join our vibrant in-house creative team. This is a unique opportunity to gain invaluable, hands-on experience in all aspects of commercial photography, from concept to final delivery. Working directly alongside our Senior Photographers and marketing department, you will contribute to the creation of compelling visual content that supports our brand's digital presence, marketing campaigns, and e-commerce platforms. The ideal candidate is a passionate storyteller with a keen eye for detail, eager to learn and grow in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Current Photography or Fine Arts Student
  • Recent Graduate (BFA, Photography, Visual Arts)
  • Self-Taught Photographer with a strong portfolio

Advancement To:

  • Junior Photographer
  • Photo Editor / Retoucher
  • Studio Assistant or Manager
  • Digital Content Creator

Lateral Moves:

  • Social Media Coordinator
  • Marketing Assistant
  • Junior Videographer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assist lead photographers during on-location and in-studio photoshoots, including the setup and breakdown of lighting, backdrops, and camera equipment.
  • Capture high-quality, on-brand digital images of products, lifestyle scenes, events, and personnel for use across our website, social media, and marketing materials.
  • Execute a high volume of post-production tasks, including culling large image sets, performing color correction, exposure adjustments, and basic retouching using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.
  • Meticulously organize, catalog, and maintain the company's digital asset management (DAM) system, ensuring all photos are properly keyworded and tagged for easy retrieval.
  • Prepare and format final imagery for various digital and print outputs, ensuring correct specifications for web, social media platforms, and print collateral.
  • Manage and maintain all studio photography and lighting equipment, ensuring it is clean, organized, and in proper working order.
  • Collaborate directly with the art director and marketing team to understand project goals and ensure all photography aligns with the creative brief and brand guidelines.
  • Participate actively in pre-production planning, including contributing to mood boards, shot lists, and concept development.
  • Operate a range of DSLR and mirrorless cameras, lenses, and lighting systems with a strong understanding of manual camera settings (aperture, ISO, shutter speed).
  • Shoot and edit simple behind-the-scenes video content for social media platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok to promote brand engagement.
  • Assist with prop sourcing, set styling, and preparation to ensure all elements are visually appealing and on-brand for each shoot.

Secondary Functions

  • Conduct research on current photography trends, techniques, and competitor visual strategies to provide fresh ideas to the creative team.
  • Support location scouting efforts by researching, visiting, and photographing potential sites for future photoshoots.
  • Assist in the creation of contact sheets and image galleries for review and selection by key stakeholders and creative leads.
  • Handle administrative tasks related to photoshoots, such as logging model releases, tracking expenses, and managing shoot schedules.
  • Contribute to the evolution of the company's visual style guide by providing feedback and new visual concepts.
  • Provide general support to the broader creative team on ad-hoc projects, which may include graphic design tasks or content creation.
  • Aid in the calibration of monitors and printers to ensure color consistency from capture to final output.
  • Manage the archival process for RAW files and final edited images, ensuring secure and logical data storage.
  • Participate in weekly creative team meetings, presenting work-in-progress and contributing to collaborative brainstorming sessions.
  • Assist in casting models or talent for shoots, helping to coordinate schedules and communications.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Strong proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Lightroom Classic, Photoshop, and Bridge, for editing and asset management.
  • Comprehensive understanding of DSLR and mirrorless camera operations, including mastery of manual mode and various lens types.
  • Foundational knowledge of studio and on-location lighting principles, including the use of strobes, continuous lights, softboxes, and reflectors.
  • Experience with photo tethering software like Capture One or Lightroom Tethered Capture is a strong plus.
  • A compelling online portfolio that showcases technical skill, creative vision, and a range of photography styles (e.g., product, portrait, lifestyle).
  • Familiarity with digital asset management (DAM) systems and best practices for keywording and organization.
  • Basic video capture and editing skills (Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro) are highly desirable.

Soft Skills

  • A keen creative eye with an exceptional sense of composition, lighting, and visual storytelling.
  • Meticulous attention to detail in both capturing and editing images.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate creative ideas and accept constructive feedback.
  • Strong organizational and time-management abilities, capable of juggling multiple projects and deadlines in a dynamic environment.
  • A proactive, collaborative, and positive attitude with a genuine desire to learn and contribute to a team.
  • Problem-solving mindset, able to think on your feet and adapt to changing conditions during a photoshoot.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of an Associate's or Bachelor's degree program.

Preferred Education:

  • A degree program focused on Photography, Fine Arts, Visual Communications, or a directly related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Photography
  • Visual Arts
  • Graphic Design
  • Commercial Art
  • Marketing with a creative concentration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0-1 years. A strong, well-curated portfolio is valued more than years of formal experience.

Preferred: A demonstrable online portfolio (website or Instagram) showcasing your photography skills and creative style is highly preferred and should be submitted with your application. Previous internship experience or freelance work is a plus.

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