Photo Art Director

Aquent; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a dynamic Photo Art Director to lead creative imagery for diverse product and lifestyle projects. This role blends hands-on direction with collaboration across teams, ensuring brand consistency and innovative visual storytelling. The ideal candidate will have a strong portfolio showcasing their ability to manage high-volume projects while maintaining creative excellence. Join a forward-thinking company that values diversity and offers amazing benefits, including health plans and free online training. If you're ready to elevate your career in a vibrant environment, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Subsidized Health Plans

Vision and Dental Plans

Paid Sick Leave

Retirement Plans with Match

Free Online Training

Qualifications

• 6+ years in photo/image production and art direction.
• Exceptional portfolio showcasing leadership in large-scale campaigns.
• Expert knowledge of the image production process.

Responsibilities

• Develop shot lists and style guides to communicate creative vision.
• Manage on-set crews including photographers and stylists.
• Collaborate with internal teams to align creative vision with business objectives.

Skills

Photo Art Direction

Project Management

Creative Collaboration

Time Management

Feedback Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Art or Design

Relevant Certifications

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Capture One

Microsoft Office

Job description

Our client isseeking a seasoned Photo Art Director with a strong creative vision and exceptional production sensibility to lead site imagery (photography and CGI) for a wide range of product and lifestyle projects across entertainment, pets, baby, hardlines & more. This role requires a self-starter who thrives in fast-paced environments, can manage multiple workstreams with ease, and understands how to bring a concept to life through compelling imagery. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of leading imaging & photo productions from concept through post, balancing creativity with operational excellence.

**PLEASE NOTE: This role is 5 days onsite with some flex for off shoot weeks in Playa Vista***

This role is approximately 20% hands-on photo art direction and 80% cross-functional collaboration and project management. Responsibilities include reviewing and interpreting creative briefs, developing shot lists, ensuring brand consistency, managing stakeholder communication, and serving as the primary point of contact on set.

We’re seeking a diverse portfolio that demonstrates experience in photo art direction across a range of categories, for examplebaby, home, and entertainment. The focus should primarily be on lifestyle and product photography.

Key Responsibilities:

Creative Excellence in Imagery:
• Develop shot lists, style guides, mood boards, and decks that clearly communicate creative vision.
• Manage and direct on-set crews including photographers, stylists, digital techs, and other key talent.
• Partner with the CGI team to review and refine assets, ensuring all imagery is cohesive, brand-aligned, and visually compelling.
• Incorporate visual ID guide best practices, colors and standards for brand and seasonal connectivity, attribution and impact.
• Uphold brand standards while pushing for creative innovation and excellence.
• Stay current on industry trends, talent, tools, and technologies.

Collaboration:
• Pursue ways that we can work better, faster.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Editorial, Production, Account Management, Project Management, Imaging/CGI teams) to align creative vision with business objectives.
• Act as a key liaison between creative and production, ensuring clear communication and a smooth workflow.
• Proactively flag issues, escalate when necessary, and work alongside account management to setup creative reviews and approvals.
• Deliver feedback with clarity and context, ensuring it is direct, actionable, and fosters a collaborative environment.

Qualifications
• 6+ years of on-set photo/image production and art direction experience, preferably within large, matrixed organizations or agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while managing high-volume workloads and tight deadlines.
• Exceptional portfolio showcasing creative process and leadership on large-scale photo campaigns
• Excellent time management, organization, and prioritization skills.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving clarity.
• Highly collaborative, yet confident in giving and receiving feedback.
• Expert knowledge of the image production process, including pre-production, lighting, composition, styling, and post-production workflows.
• Proficiency in industry-standard creative tools and software including Capture One, the Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office.

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Client Description

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands.

Our talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium . More information on our awesome benefits !

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We’re about creating an inclusive environment—one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.