Field Research Photographer

Vintage Cash Cow; Leeds; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading auction house in Leeds is seeking an Auction Photography & Production Assistant to create high-quality, sale-focused images of auction stock. The role requires strong photography skills and attention to detail. You will manage your own workflow in a dedicated studio and collaborate with the wider Auction Team. Candidates should be comfortable with pace and efficiency while adhering to brand standards. Training on Ortery Capture software will be provided. This position offers an exciting chance to learn about the auction process.

Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail for visual accuracy and composition.
• Solid photography skills and confidence with varied items.
• Ability to follow and maintain consistent photography standards.

Responsibilities

• Produce high-quality, brand-aligned photographs for auction stock.
• Manage a steady daily photography workflow in the studio.
• Collaborate with Auction and Marketing teams for effective imagery.

Skills

Attention to detail

Photography skills

Organizational skills

IT skills

Ability to manage tasks efficiently

Tools

Ortery Capture

Photoshop

Lightroom

Job description

Department: Revenue & Production

Location: Overland Park, Leeds

Compensation: £25,000 / year

About the team: At Vintage Cash Cow, our Auction Team brings extraordinary items to life for customers across the UK. Based at our HQ, we're responsible for preparing, photographing, cataloguing, and presenting auction stock in a way that's accurate, compelling, and true to our brand. We handle a huge variety of one‑of‑a‑kind pieces every day, from antiques and collectibles to vintage homeware and jewellery, so attention to detail, pace, and teamwork are everything. As we continue to grow the Auction function, we're building a strong production pipeline that balances quality with speed, putting selling photography at the heart of every listing.

About the Role

As an Auction Photography & Production Assistant, you'll be a key part of ensuring our auction stock looks its absolute best. Reporting into the Auction Team (with day‑to‑day support from senior auction colleagues), your primary focus will be photographing items using Ortery Capture software, producing clean, consistent, sale‑focused imagery that meets our brand standards. You'll work in a dedicated photography and production space, managing your own workflow while staying closely connected to the wider Auction Team. It's a multidisciplinary role with photography at its core and a brilliant opportunity to learn other parts of the auction process like listing, proofing, clerking, and stock management as you grow.

Getting Started

• Learn our photography guidelines, brand standards, and what "sale‑ready" imagery looks like at Vintage Cash Cow.
• Get fully trained on Ortery equipment, Capture software, item handling, and studio set‑up.
• Shadow experienced team members to understand the end‑to‑end auction pipeline and how photography fits into it.
• Start photographing stock under supervision, building confidence in speed, consistency, and quality checks.

Establishing Your Impact

Independently manage a steady daily photography workflow in the studio space and deliver consistent, high‑quality images that support accurate listings and strong auction performance. Work with the Auction Team to spot and flag defects, key features, or missing details during photography. Support auction preparation tasks (listing/proofing/stock movement) when required, without losing focus on photography output.

Driving Excellence

• Balance quality and efficiency so photography output keeps pace with auction demand.
• Proactively suggest improvements for studio flow, set‑up, or processes that reduce bottlenecks.
• Maintain excellent communication with the wider team (even while working separately), using Slack and face‑to‑face check‑ins to stay aligned on priorities.
• Step into auction‑day support when needed, helping with livestream set‑up, clerking, and smooth operations.

Key Responsibilities & Goals

Produce high‑quality, brand‑aligned photographs for auction stock using Ortery Capture software. Maintain speed and efficiency targets without compromising image standards. Ensure 95%+ accuracy and consistency in photography output through regular quality checks.

• Identify and flag item defects, key selling points, or prep needs during photography.
• Support smooth production flow by keeping the studio organised and stock moving efficiently.
• Collaborate closely with Auction and Marketing teams to deliver imagery that sells and represents the brand brilliantly.
• Photograph auction items using Ortery Capture software, producing clear, accurate, sale‑focused imagery.
• Follow company photography and brand guidelines to maintain a consistent look and feel across listings.
• Carry out regular quality reviews with the Auction Team and respond to feedback quickly.
• Prepare and edit images for listings and marketing use, ensuring alignment with brand standards.
• Keep the photography studio tidy, organised, and fully functional, including safe equipment set‑up and care.
• Identify key features, defects, and selling points while photographing; clean items where appropriate or flag issues not previously noted.
• Support stock handling within the production area, including organising, moving, and preparing items for photography.
• Assist with cataloguing tasks such as listing and proofreading descriptions when required.
• Participate in auction‑day support including livestream preparation, clerking, and general operational help.
• Work with Marketing when needed to ensure photography supports campaigns and brand requirements.
• Manage your own workflow and priorities in a separate production space, maintaining strong communication with the wider team.

Skills, Knowledge And Expertise

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong attention to detail, especially for visual accuracy and composition.
• Solid photography skills and confidence working with a high volume of varied items.
• Ability to follow and maintain consistent photography standards.
• Good organisational skills and ability to manage tasks efficiently and independently.
• Strong IT skills including file management and accurate data entry.
• Comfortable working at pace in a production environment, balancing quality with speed.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience in product photography, e‑commerce imagery, or studio‑based roles.
• Familiarity with Ortery Capture or similar automated photography systems.
• Editing experience using Photoshop, Lightroom, Canva or equivalent tools.
• Background in auctions, retail, stock production, or related fields.
• Interest in antiques, vintage items, or cataloguing work.

Equal Opportunities

At Vintage.Com, we're committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels heard, respected, and able to bring their authentic self to work. We believe that diversity fuels innovation, creativity, and success. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and we work hard to ensure equitable opportunities for all. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply; your unique skills and experiences might be exactly what we need now or in the future. If you need any adjustments or accommodations during the hiring process, just let us know and we'll do our best to support you. Your personal data will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Notice.