Lead Director of Photography – Visual Storytelling

Thewellspring; Indio (CA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Wellspring Church in Indio, California, is seeking a Director of Photography to lead visual storytelling across weekend services, digital content, campaigns, and special events. You will craft creative direction, design lighting and camera plans, and ensure a consistent visual style that reflects our gospel-centered mission.

You will direct live video, supervise camera operators, mentor volunteers, collaborate with worship, communications, and production teams, and deliver high-quality

Qualifications

• Experience in cinematography and video production for church or live events.
• Ability to lead creative teams and volunteers.
• Strong storytelling and visual communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead visual storytelling strategy for all video content.
• Direct live video production for weekend services and events.
• Collaborate with worship, production, and communications teams.
• Oversee camera systems, lighting, and post-production workflows.
• Recruit and develop volunteers and staff.
• Ensure projects align with church mission and brand.

Skills

Cinematography

Video production

Live directing

Creative storytelling

Tools

Camera systems

Lighting equipment

Post-production software

Live switching

Job description

Description

WHO WE ARE

OUR FOCUS

Wellspring Church is focused on discipling people to become committed followers of Jesus Christ. We desire all members of Wellspring to be:

• PLANTED - The Call to Salvation
• ROOTED - The Call to Foundation
• GROWING - The Call to Maturation
• GOING - The Call to Multiplication

OUR VALUES

We are FAITHFUL - We love Jesus! Our gospel-centered church will be driven by our gospel- centered team. We will aim for faithfulness to Jesus, Jesus’ Word, and Jesus’ will above all else. (1 JOHN 4)

We areFAMILY - Our families are our first ministry, not the church. Our families will love the church and never feel like they have to compete with the church. So we’ll honor the Sabbath, honor time away from work to invest in our families, and encourage our people to do the same. (1 TIMOTHY 3)

We areFUN - Laughing, enjoyment, and celebration is gonna be normal here. Our calling is a serious one, but it is not one that is without amazing fun! (ECCLESIASTES 8)

We are FREE - We are a team on a mission. And you’re free to make that mission happen! We let thoroughbreds run. We’ll give you the play and make sure you’re free to run it. Our team is free to lead. Free to speak. Free to innovate. Free to fail. All for the purpose of achieving the mission God has given us. (GALATIANS 2)

We are FORGIVING - Sin is serious, and we won’t let it remain in the camp. We will constantly forgive one another because we’ve been forgiven. When conflict happens, we’ll address it quickly, respond graciously, and move forward by keeping short accounts with each other. (MATTHEW 18)

We are FLEXIBLE - We embrace change! There are no sacred cows here, just a sacred goal to make Jesus famous! We’ll be geared to the times but anchored to the rock. (MARK 2)

We are FORTHRIGHT - We want to bear much fruit! And because ministry is hard to measure, we’ll allow iron to sharpen iron to make one another better! So we’re gonna be forthright. Because fearless feedback yields fruit! (PROVERBS 27)

SUMMARY

The Director of Photography provides leadership, vision, and oversight for all video production and visual storytelling efforts across the church. This role is responsible for creating compelling visual experiences that support the mission of the church through weekend services, digital content, special events, campaigns, and broadcast productions. The Director of Photography ensures all video content reflects the church’s brand, values, and creative standards while cultivating a healthy team culture and developing volunteers and production staff.

Requirements

EY RESPONSIBILITIES

As a vital member of the Experience ministry team, you will work closely with the other members of the team to:

Creative Direction & Visual Storytelling

• Lead the visual storytelling strategy for all video content across church ministries, events, campaigns, and weekend experiences.
• Develop creative concepts that effectively communicate ministry initiatives, testimonies, teaching content, and promotional campaigns.
• Create shot lists, lighting designs, camera plans, and production workflows for both filmed and live environments.
• Ensure all video content maintains a consistent visual style aligned with the church’s brand, vision, and culture.
• Produce and direct a variety of content, including testimonies, sermon bumpers, social media videos, documentaries, promotional campaigns, and teaching series.
• Partner with ministry leaders and creative teams to develop engaging visual experiences that support the church’s mission.

Live Production & Broadcast Leadership

• Direct and manage all live video production for weekend services, conferences, special events, broadcasts, and livestreams.
• Serve as the lead video director during live services, calling camera shots, transitions, and visual cues in real time.
• Collaborate with worship, production, communications, and creative leadership to execute seamless and engaging service experiences.
• Assist in the planning and execution of large-scale events, broadcasts, livestreams, and special productions.
• Ensure all live productions meet high standards for visual excellence, technical execution, and audience engagement.

Production Operations & Technical Oversight

• Oversee camera systems, lenses, switching equipment, recording systems, playback systems, and video infrastructure.
• Maintain excellence in composition, lighting, color grading, camera movement, and storytelling across all productions.
• Establish and maintain standards for camera operation, live directing, color workflows, file management, and post-production organization.
• Manage production timelines, shoot schedules, editing workflows, and project delivery deadlines.
• Maintain awareness of emerging trends, technology, and best practices in cinematography, live production, and church media.

Team Development & Leadership

• Recruit, train, equip, and develop volunteers, contractors, and freelance creatives within the video department.
• Provide creative feedback, coaching, and mentorship to editors, camera operators, and production team members.
• Foster a collaborative, spiritually healthy, and excellence-driven culture within the creative and production teams.
• Create training systems and documentation that support team growth and consistency.

Communication & Collaboration

• Partner with the Communications and Social Media teams to create platform-specific video content that increases engagement and reach.
• Work closely with church leadership and ministry teams to identify storytelling opportunities and creative needs.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time and aligned with ministry objectives and communication strategies.

Mission Alignment

• Support and advance the mission, vision, values, and leadership culture of the church through visual communication.
• Demonstrate spiritual maturity, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence in all areas of responsibility.
• Serve as a positive representative of the church both internally and externally.
• Participate in staff meetings, team development opportunities, and church-wide initiatives as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong experience in cinematography, video production, live directing, and creative storytelling.
• Proficiency with professional camera systems, video switching systems, lighting equipment, and post-production software.
• Experience leading creative teams, volunteers, and production environments.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership abilities.
• A heart for ministry and alignment with the church’s mission, vision, and values.
• Physical requirements: Constant periods of sitting and repetitive motions. Occasionally able to lift or move up to 20lbs and standing or walking.