Event Photographer-Digitech

Critical Playground LLC; Madison, Northern (WI, KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Wisconsin - Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health, Media Solutions, seeks an event photographer with a strong portfolio in event and environmental portrait photography. The role emphasizes DAM expertise, collaboration across departments, and brand-aligned imagery to support research and community storytelling.

You will work with SMPH and UW Madison teams, using Canon DSLR setups, tethered capture, and advanced editing to deliver iconic visuals that meet project

Qualifications

• 3+ years of event/commercial environmental portrait photography experience with a polished portfolio.
• Demonstrated ability to manage time effectively and work autonomously.
• Proficiency with Canon mirrorless DSLR systems, lighting, and postproduction workflow.

Responsibilities

• Manage Digital Asset Management using Photoshelter, including keywording and gallery organization.
• Oversee high-quality photo processing and delivery, applying preset processing parameters for consistency.
• Schedule and coordinate photo sessions to meet objectives and deadlines.
• Capture and process photographs across mediums with specialized equipment and expertise.
• Adhere to institutional brand standards and usage policies for assets.
• Serve as in-house expert on utilizing photographic assets to advance institutional goals.

Skills

Event photography

Environmental portraiture

DAM

Canon DSLR lighting

Tethered capture

Photo editing

Education

Associates Degree in Photography

Tools

Photoshelter

Adobe Photoshop

Lightroom

Bridge

Job description

Job Category: Academic Staff

Employment Type: Regular

Job Profile: Photographer

Job Summary

The Media Solutions team at the School of Medicine and Public Health / University of Wisconsin - Madison is seeking a event photographer with a robust portfolio of event and environmental portrait photography. We will welcome a highly collaborative, creative, customer service oriented photographer who brings an established expertise in DAM. You'll be a part of a passionate, multidisciplinary team, prioritizing cross-department collaboration that leads to inspiring and iconic brand imagery in support of the school’s strategic plan. Supporting marketing and communication initiatives related to medical research and community engagement storytelling.

• This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.
• Must provide a valid driver's license. Employees may use their own transportation or receive approval for University Car Fleet usage. Employment is conditional pending the results of a Pre-hire Driver Authorization Check. See https://businessservices.wisc.edu/managing-risk/driver-authorization-and-insurance/driver-authorization/#become-authorized-driver (click on "Become an authorized driver;" then click on "Required criteria").

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• A photography portfolio that represents, well executed, high quality event photography and environmental/studio portrait photography expertise.
• Must present images that show high quality lighting and mastered composition abilities.
• Expertise in Digital Asset Management.
• An established approach to the creative production process with the ability to patiently guide stakeholders and peers with collaborative communication.
• Ability to intuitively establish production schedules and work autonomously within established deadlines.
• Ability to capture high-quality campus event images using mastered lighting techniques and SMPH provided Canon DSLR equipment, ensuring results align with the creative vision of the project and SMPH brand guidelines.
• Highly advanced image processing skills, ensuring consistency in style, color, and overall aesthetic.
• Ability to efficiently manage multiple projects, while maintaining a high level of attention to detail and quality.
• Ability to accommodate local travel, weekend availability, infrequent evening event availability.
• Stay current on latest DAM technology, Digitech best practices, and photography processing / retouching software.
• Work collaboratively with SMPH and UW Madison campus departments to retain fluid, on-time, project delivery and expert level consultation.
• Experienced business acumen required for strategic production, time tracking, and internal billing procedures.
• Tethered image capture experience.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Responsible for Digital Asset Management utlilizing our Photoshelter platform including keywording, collections / galleries organization, and platform updates as needed.
• Digitech aspect of this role will be responsible for retaining consistent, high quality photography processing, keywording, and delivery. Develop a streamlined approach to intake of Media Solutions photographer’s collections, apply predetermined processing parameters our photography’s high production value.
• Schedules logistics and secures resources for photographic sessions to meet objectives according to established requirements and desired effects
• Composes, processes, and edits photographs in various mediums utilizing specialized equipment and expertise
• Adheres to institutional brand standards, guidelines, and policies regarding acceptable editing practices and uses of photographic visual assets
• Serves as in-house expert on the effective use of photographic visual assets for advancing the goals of the institution, unit, and/or program

Department

School of Medicine and Public Health, Media Solutions

Media Solutions is a team of collaborative graphic designers, photographers, videographers, and illustrators, all gathered in one space, for the purpose of supporting SMPH’s Strategic Communications. Promoting the UW Madison and SMPH brand identity in alignment with the schools Mission, Vision, and Values.

As a fee-for-service unit within the School of Medicine and Public Health, we focus on serving the Health Sciences faculty, staff and students, and various UW Madison Campus departments.

Compensation

• The expected salary range for this position is $60,000 up to $73,000 for highly experienced candidates and actual pay within this range will depend on experience and qualifications.
• Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. For more information, refer to campus benefits webpage.
• SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of event / commercial environmental portrait photography experience with a robust, inspiring portfolio that represents a polished event/location portrait photography style with a unique approach to composition and technical expertise that illustrates well executed lighting.
• Expert time management skills with an ability to work effectively, and autonomously with accountability, in a remote work arrangement.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Canon mirrorless DSLR systems, portable lighting and studio lighting.
• 3 years of Digitech - experience managing photography postproduction workflow including a expert eye for detail, image organization, and color grading.
• Digital Asset Management expertise.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of Adobe CS and related image editing software with a proven ability to produce high quality results within Lightroom, Bridge, Photoshop, or similar platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within a creative services department in a higher education environment.
• Experience working with Photo Shelter, Asana, Microsoft 365.
• Minimum 2 years of Marketing / Advertising Agency work experience.
• Photojournalism experience is a plus.
• Current knowledge of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in photography and Digital Asset Management processes to continuously improve and refine your skills.

Education

Associates Degree, focus in photography preferred.

Contact Information

Kim McFarlane, [e-mail]

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Institutional Statement on Diversity

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.