Photographer

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory seeks a Visual Storyteller to produce high-quality still imagery and selective video support documenting ORNL’s research, people, facilities, and mission impact.

The role operates in a high-compliance environment, combining creative craft with scientific accuracy to build a durable visual archive for the institution over time.

Qualifications

• BS degree or equivalent with 5+ years of professional photography experience.
• Strong portfolio in environmental portraiture and event coverage.
• Experience with industrial/technical or controlled-environment photography.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and post-production.
• Ability to manage captions and metadata accurately.

Responsibilities

• Produce a wide range of still imagery including environmental portraits and documentary coverage.
• Capture high-detail scientific and technical imagery while respecting controlled-environment requirements.
• Work safely across office, industrial, outdoor, and lab environments with PPE as needed.
• Deliver time-sensitive imagery with tight deadlines and initial selects within hours.
• Coordinate with multiple teams to ensure shoots run efficiently and safely.
• Direct subjects professionally and manage on-site production logistics and access.

Skills

Environmental portraiture

People-focused storytelling

Event coverage

Industrial photography

Controlled lighting

Captioning and metadata

Strong communication

Deadline-driven

Safety/compliance awareness

Education

BS degree in Photography/Photojournalism/Visual Communications/Multimedia

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

Premiere Pro

Job description

Overview:

We are seeking a Visual Storyteller who will produce high-quality still imagery and provide selective video support to document and communicate Oak Ridge National Laboratory's research, people, facilities, and mission impact. This position resides in the Photography Group in the Digital & Visual Communications Directorateat Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

This role operates in a high-compliance environment where safety, security, export controls, intellectual property, and public release review processes shape what can be captured, stored, and published. The successful candidate will combine creative craft with scientific accuracy and sound judgment, delivering compelling imagery while building a durable visual archive that serves the institution over time.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Produce a wide range of still imagery, including environmental portraits, editorial and documentary coverage, events, executive and VIP protocol, facility and process photography, and mission-focused visuals for campaigns and publications.
• Capture high-detail scientific and technical imagery, including close-up and macro photography and specialized lighting techniques, while maintaining accuracy and respecting controlled-environment requirements.
• Work safely across office, industrial, outdoor, and laboratory environments, adapting quickly to changing conditions and using appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Produce and deliver time-sensitive imagery on tight deadlines, including same-day coverage, initial selects, priority edits within hours, and complete edited sets according to agreed timelines.
• Coordinate with communications, protocol, Environment, Safety and Health, security, facilities, and technical points of contact to ensure shoots run efficiently and safely.
• Orchestrate on-site production by setting up equipment, managing timelines and environments, and directing subjects professionally. Ensure logistics, access permissions, safety requirements, and review needs.
• Collaborate with communications partners and subject matter experts to concept, plan, and execute visual stories that accurately represent research and operations.
• Build relationships across ORNL directorates and communications teams to identify story leads, research milestones, and opportunities for evergreen institutional imagery that strengthen long-term communications.
• Draft accurate, publication-ready captions and long-form descriptions as needed, using sound editorial judgment.
• Support assigned video production needs including b-roll capture, and short-form edits for web, social media, and internal communications.
• Proficient using industry-standard tools, such as Adobe Premiere Pro, ensuring correct formats and versions for different platforms.
• Produce truthful and contextually accurate imagery while maintaining professional standards of fairness and respect for subjects’ dignity and privacy.
• Maintain an organized, reusable visual archive by embedding industry-standard metadata, including captions, keywords, rights and licensing, dates, locations, project identifiers, and usage constraints.
• Support or manage digital asset management and archival workflows, including naming conventions, version control, retention practices, and retrieval support for internal clients.
• Follow all applicable requirements related to security, classification, export control, controlled information, intellectual property, privacy, and public release.
• Exercise sound judgment in controlled environments to avoid capturing restricted identifiers, sensitive equipment configurations, protected information, or other content not approved for photography or external release; ensure imagery is appropriately reviewed, marked, categorized, and cleared before external distribution.
• Maintain secure custody of media during fieldwork, including cards, drives, and cameras, ensuring data is not left unattended and is transferred promptly to approved storage.
• Demonstrate an approachable, professional demeanor when directing scientists, executives, VIPs, and other subjects.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with the core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• A BS degree in Photography, Photojournalism, Visual Communications, Multimedia, or a related field and a minimum of five years of professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A strong professional portfolio demonstrating:
• Environmental portraiture and people-focused storytelling.
• Event coverage with consistent quality under pressure.
• Industrial, technical, or complex-environment photography.
• Knowledge of controlled lighting and strong composition.
• Post-production quality and consistency without misrepresentation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and deliver assets with accurate captions and metadata.
• Experience maintaining an archive or digital asset management system.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud and the ability to manage outputs in a timely manner.
• Working knowledge of video capture and editing sufficient to support assigned video tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent assignments, meet deadlines, and deliver edits without compromising safety, accuracy, or compliance requirements.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse groups and communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to comply with all laboratory access, safety, and information protection requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced macro or close-up imaging experience and specialized lighting skills for technical subjects.
• Hands-on experience with digital asset management administration or formal metadata standards.
• Strong video fundamentals, including interview lighting, clean audio capture, and multi-platform delivery.
• Familiarity with accessibility best practices for visual media.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever-changing needs.

Special Requirements:

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.