Lead Photographer — Studio & Campaigns (12-Month Contract)

My 1st Years Ltd.; Northampton; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

My 1st Years in Northampton seeks a Lead Photographer for a 12-month maternity cover. You’ll lead the in-house studio, driving ecommerce, campaign, lifestyle and social shoots from brief to final delivery, in studio or on location.

You’ll direct models and styling, set the weekly shoot schedule, oversee retouching and file management, and coach the junior photographer, while exploring AI tools to enhance workflow.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in product, retail or ecommerce studio photography.
• Confidence directing shoots and running studio operations.
• Strong skills in Photoshop, Lightroom and Capture One.
• Curiosity about AI creative tools or willingness to learn.
• Eye for composition and awareness of luxury and fashion trends.
• Excellent organisation and a calm, proactive approach on busy shoot days.
• Natural team player who leads by example.
• Fully equipped in-house studio plus on-location campaign work.
• Supportive, collaborative creative team, with ownership of studio workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead ecommerce, campaign, lifestyle and social shoots from brief to final delivery, in studio and off-site.
• Direct models and styling, set weekly shoot schedule, and make day-to-day creative calls.
• Oversee retouching, file management and archiving; ensure work meets standards.
• Coach junior photographer and explore AI tools to improve workflow.

Skills

Product photography

Studio direction

Photo editing

AI tools curiosity

Composition sense

Organisation

Team leadership

In-house studio

Collaboration

Ownership mindset

Job description

My 1st Years in Northampton seeks a Lead Photographer for a 12-month maternity cover. You’ll lead the in-house studio, driving ecommerce, campaign, lifestyle and social shoots from brief to final delivery, in studio or on location.

You’ll direct models and styling, set the weekly shoot schedule, oversee retouching and file management, and coach the junior photographer, while exploring AI tools to enhance workflow.