Lead Photographer & Visual Brand Strategist

Barnard College; Barnard (IN); On-site; USD 78,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnard College seeks a Principal Photographer to lead the College’s photography and manage its visual brand across events, portraits, and editorial work. You will partner with the Creative Director and Editorial Director to set standards and own imagery from capture through post-production and archiving.

The role requires extensive editorial experience, comfort with news and artistic photography, and willingness to work evenings and weekends. On-campus presence is essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in editorial, institutional, or newsroom photography.
• Editorial photography with a strategic, message-driven lens and ability to capture dynamic images under tight deadlines.
• Strong post-production skills (Lightroom, Photoshop, or equivalent).
• Experience with digital asset management and clean, searchable archives.
• Ability to write captions that are informative, accessible, and aligned with messaging goals.
• Interpersonal and collaboration skills to align with editors, designers, and stakeholders on creative direction.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple shoots and deadlines.
• Self-direction and enthusiasm for documenting campus life.
• Proficiency with professional camera equipment, lighting kits, and stabilizing tools.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends.
• Full-time on-campus presence is essential.
• Canon EOS R6 and supporting equipment are provided.

Responsibilities

• Lead photography for the College: major events, lectures, headshots, portraits, and candid editorial photography.
• Provide on-site coverage for high-impact events, including evenings and weekends; travel for off-site events as needed.
• Shape the visual brand by partnering with editorial, digital, and design teams.
• Own post-production: edit, crop, color-correct, and retouch per Barnard’s style; write captions and alt text.
• Build and maintain the image library with centralized access and tagging.
• Handle production needs including lighting setups and gear transport; maintain equipment.
• Report to the Editorial Director; perform other duties as needed.

Skills

Editorial photography

Storytelling

Post-production

Captions & alt text

Collaboration

Organization

Self-direction

Lighting setups

Evening/weekend work

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Lightroom

DAM

Canon EOS R6

Studio lighting

Job description

Barnard College seeks a Principal Photographer to lead the College’s photography and manage its visual brand across events, portraits, and editorial work. You will partner with the Creative Director and Editorial Director to set standards and own imagery from capture through post-production and archiving.

The role requires extensive editorial experience, comfort with news and artistic photography, and willingness to work evenings and weekends. On-campus presence is essential.