Photographer

THE BRITISH MUSEUM; City Of London; On-site; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A world-renowned cultural institution in London is seeking a full-time Photographer to produce high-quality photographs for its collection. The role offers an opportunity to develop skills in a major cultural setting. Key responsibilities include delivering assignments to deadline and supporting the Photography and Imaging department. Ideal candidates have a professional photography qualification and experience with imaging software.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus privilege days

Civil service pension scheme

Complimentary exhibition tickets

Interest-free travel loans

Employee Assistance Programme

Subsidised staff canteen

Qualifications

• Experience in professional photographic practice, preferably in a similar organization.
• Formal qualification in photography, degree or equivalent.
• Practical use of professional camera systems.
• Experience with Adobe Photoshop and other professional imaging software.

Responsibilities

• Produce professional quality photography and deliver assignments to deadline.
• Support the service provided by the Photography and Imaging department.
• Process images as per workflow procedures and apply professional standards.
• Upload images and enter data into the Museum image database.

Skills

Professional photographic practice

Teamwork

Communication skills

Use of professional camera systems

Adobe Photoshop

Education

Formal professional qualification in photography or equivalent

Job description

• Role: Photographer
• Department: Collection, Documentation and Registration
• Hours: Full-time, 41 hours per week (including one hour paid lunch break)
• Contract: Permanent / Fixed-term for 6 months with the possibility for extension
• Working Type: On-site
• Salary: £29,642 per annum
• Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on Monday, 1 December 2025

Important Information:

Please submit a link to a portfolio of 25 photographs or a website link to material that demonstrates professional skills, in your personal statement. We will not be able to consider your application if we do not receive this.

You may at times be required to work outside normal working hours, for example at weekends and evenings and/or at various locations across the UK and abroad.

About the role:

You will work under the guidance of the Head of Photography and Imaging and Senior Photographers to produce high quality photographs of objects in the collection to meet client briefs and complete general photographic requests in support of the Museum.

This role is designed to introduce a junior photographer to the photographic and imaging demands of a major cultural institution, while also providing a developmental environment in the field of heritage imaging.

In 2024, the British Museum in Camden received 6.5 million visitors, more than any other museum in the UK. Against this backdrop, the Museum is now undergoing an extraordinary transformation, both intellectual and physical, and there could not be a more meaningful time to join.

Key areas of responsibility:

• Produce professional quality photography and deliver assignments to deadline
• To support the service provided by the Photography and Imaging department
• Process images as per Photography and Imaging workflow procedures and apply professional digital standards
• Uploading images and entering data into the Museum image database

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, then we'd love to hear from you. A full job description is available below; this details the key dimensions of the role and the person specification.

About you:

• You will have experience of professional photographic practice, preferably in a similar organisation
• A formal professional qualification in photography, degree or equivalent
• Practical use of professional camera systems
• Experience with Adobe Photoshop and other professional imaging software
• Work effectively as part of a team and have a flexible approach with excellent communication skills.

Benefits:

• Be a part of a world-renowned institution, where history, culture, and innovation come together!
• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 days after long service) plus 2.5 privilege days, in addition to bank holidays
• Generous civil service pension scheme (find out more here)
• Complimentary exhibition tickets
• Free entry at paid national museum and gallery exhibitions
• Free and discounted entry to international cultural organisations
• Interest‑free travel loans and rental deposit loans
• Employee Assistance Programme for mental health support
• 1 hour paid lunch break
• Subsidised staff canteen
• Discounts on gift shop purchases

Our Values

Our values drive everything we do, from how we handle our objects to how we work in our team to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard and empowered. These are:

• Care Deeply
• Embrace the Unknown
• Spark Curiosity
• Value Many Voices

Additional details

If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details.

The British Museum is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all employees and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment. We value the benefits that a diverse workforce brings to a museum which represents world culture. The Museum is committed to ensuring that no job applicant suffers unlawful discrimination because of any protected characteristics. Our recruitment procedures aim to ensure that individuals are treated in line with their relevant knowledge, skills and experience.

*Unfortunately, for this role we are unable to offer Sponsorship to applicants*

The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre‑employment screening of Civil Servants.