Photographer & Retoucher

Apres-Nail-; California; On-site; USD 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Aprés Nail is seeking a Photographer & Retoucher to capture product and lifestyle imagery across marketing, e-commerce, and packaging. You will own shoots from setup to final delivery, handle lighting and color accuracy, and collaborate with the Creative team in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years in photography and retouching, strong Photoshop/Lightroom skills, studio lighting expertise, and comfort using AI-assisted tools to speed up workflows while maintaining brand

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional photography and retouching experience.
• Experience with studio lighting and camera setup.
• Proficiency in Photoshop and Lightroom; strong color control.
• Experience with AI-assisted image generation & retouching tools.
• Ability to build shot lists from briefs with minimal direction.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute product and lifestyle photography to support campaigns and launches.
• Set up lighting, camera equipment, and staging following brand guidelines.
• Capture true-to-life product color, texture, size, and finish.
• Direct models, props, and set styling as needed to match creative vision.
• Develop shot lists from briefs for a clear shooting plan.
• Collaborate with design and creative teams to deliver finished imagery.
• Maintain consistent brand photography style across shoots.
• Perform heavy retouching and compositing, removing dust and correcting shadows.
• Retouch and finish images to meet brand standards while preserving authenticity.
• Incorporate AI-assisted tools into workflow with careful quality control.
• Conduct detailed quality checks against references to confirm accuracy.
• Composite images onto templates and packaging mockups as required.
• Maintain color calibration and post-production standards.
• Stay current with photography, retouching & AI tech; propose improvements.
• Identify opportunities to automate repetitive tasks.

Skills

Photography & retouching

Studio lighting

Color grading

AI-assisted image workflows

Independent / self-directed

Creative collaboration

Asset management

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Lightroom

Asana

Color calibration tools

Job description

Aprés Nail has innovated the nail market as the creator of Gel-X. We're launching a new brand and we're looking for our next superstar to join our team! The Photographer & Retoucher is responsible for capturing and finishing product and lifestyle imagery that accurately represents the brand and its products across marketing, e-commerce, and packaging channels. This role requires a strong technical foundation in lighting and camera work, an exacting eye for color and product accuracy, and fluency in modern retouching and AI-assisted image workflows. The ideal candidate is independent and creative, comfortable owning a shoot from setup through final delivery, while collaborating closely with the Creative team in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

Photography

• Plan and execute product and lifestyle photography that supports things like, but not limited to, marketing campaigns, product launches, promotions, and brand activations.
• Set up and manage lighting, camera equipment, and staging to achieve results consistent with brand guidelines and creative direction.
• Accurately capture true-to-life product color, texture, size, and finish, with particular attention to nuances like gel polish shade, shine, and application quality.
• Direct or coordinate models, props, and set styling as needed to match the intended creative vision.
• Develop shot lists from creative briefs, translating campaign or launch objectives into a clear, organized shooting plan without requiring step-by-step direction.
• Collaborate with the Senior Graphic Designer and broader Creative team to interpret briefs, mood boards, and creative direction into finished imagery.
• Maintain the established brand photography style consistently across shoots and product lines, applying learned brand standards independently rather than requiring repeated direction on lighting, composition, or tone for each new shoot.
• Adapt quickly to shifting priorities, reshoots, or last-minute creative changes without compromising quality or timelines.

Retouching & Post-Production

• Perform heavy retouching and compositing — not limited to light color/exposure correction — including removing dust, scratches, and debris; adding or correcting shadows and reflections; fixing lighting or exposure errors; and compositing multiple exposures or elements into a single polished final image.
• Retouch and finish photography to meet brand standards, correcting color accuracy, blemishes, and inconsistencies while preserving authentic product representation.
• Incorporate AI-assisted generation and retouching tools into the post-production workflow to increase efficiency, while applying critical judgment to catch and correct any inaccuracies these tools introduce (e.g., distorted product shape, incorrect color, mismatched size).
• Perform detailed quality checks comparing final images against physical product samples, CAD references, or approved swatches to confirm accuracy before delivery.
• Composite images onto templates, marketplace layouts, or packaging mockups as required by the project.
• Maintain consistent color calibration and post-production standards across all images to ensure a cohesive look across product lines.
• Stay current on emerging photography, retouching, and AI image-generation technologies, proactively bringing new tools and techniques into the team's workflow.
• Identify opportunities to automate repetitive retouching or compositing tasks without sacrificing the accuracy or quality of final assets.
• Contribute creative ideas during pre-production planning, shoot concepting, and post-production review, without compromising budget or timelines.
• Balance efficiency gains from new technology with the judgment needed to ensure every image remains an accurate, brand-true representation of the product.

Organization & Asset Management

• Maintain organized, clearly labeled photo and retouching files, including raw captures, working files, and final exports, within the team's asset storage systems.
• Tag and catalog images (e.g., by SKU, shade, size, or product line) to support easy retrieval and reuse across teams.
• Document retouching standards, shot specifications, and workflow updates, and communicate changes to relevant cross-functional teams.
• Independently manage assigned tasks in Asana (or equivalent project management tool), updating timelines and statuses and maintaining a clear record of feedback and revisions.
• Independently ensure all shoots and final assets are delivered on time and meet project deadlines.
• Maintain an accurate inventory of photography equipment (cameras, lenses, lighting, backdrops, props, and related accessories), tracking condition, location, and any items in need of repair or replacement.
• Perform routine maintenance and care of equipment, and coordinate repairs or replacements as needed to keep the studio fully operational.

Qualifications and Requirements

• 3+ years of professional experience in photography and retouching, ideally within beauty, lifestyle, or
  consumer goods industries.
• Demonstrated experience setting up and working with studio lighting, camera equipment, and shoot
  logistics.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, including heavy retouching and compositing
  techniques (dust/scratch removal, shadow and reflection work, multi-exposure or multi-element
  compositing, error correction).
• Able to independently build a shot list from a creative brief and apply established brand photography
  standards across shoots with minimal repeated direction.
• Working knowledge of AI-assisted image generation and retouching tools, with the judgment to identify
  and correct inaccuracies these tools can introduce.
• Exceptional eye for detail, able to catch small inconsistencies in color, proportion, or size that others
  might miss.
• Strong understanding of brand guidelines and the ability to maintain visual consistency across a large
  volume of images and product lines.
• Independent and self-directed, able to own a shoot or retouching project from concept through final
  delivery.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven team environment.
• Organized and methodical approach to file management, version control, and documentation.
• Responsible and proactive in maintaining studio equipment inventory, condition, and upkeep.
• Passionate about beauty and nails, with a natural understanding of what makes product imagery feel
  authentic and appealing to the end customer.
• Enthusiastic about incorporating new technologies into the creative process to optimize productivity,
  without losing sight of accuracy and craft.
• Enthusiastic about incorporating new technologies into the creative process to optimize productivity,
  without losing sight of accuracy and craft.
• Primarily works in a studio/office environment; involves standing, kneeling, or moving around set for
  extended periods during shoots.
• Ability to lift and move photography equipment, props, and product samples.
• Regular use of camera equipment, lighting gear, computer, and monitor(s) calibrated for color accuracy