Studio Art Director

FashionUnited; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

FashionUnited is seeking a Studio Art Director to elevate brand storytelling through photography and video. You will partner with the Creative Director to oversee all visual content for catalog, e-commerce, digital, and social media channels.

This role requires 5-7 years of relevant experience and a strong portfolio in photo art direction. Responsibilities include directing productions, managing shoots, and ensuring visual quality across all brand touchpoints.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of relevant experience in studio/photo art direction or creative production leadership roles.
• Strong portfolio showcasing expertise in photo art direction, including lifestyle and product photography.
• Exceptional understanding of how photography and video content drives brand perception.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative direction of all on-set photo and video productions.
• Direct photographers, stylists, and production crews to achieve the desired creative vision.
• Review and select final imagery from shoots, ensuring brand standards are met.

Skills

Photo art direction

Visual storytelling

Communication skills

Styling direction

Project management

Tools

Adobe Suite

Capture One

Job description

As the Studio Art Director, you are responsible for leading the creative vision and on-set execution of photography and video content across all brand channels, including catalog, e-commerce, digital, and social media. This role partners closely with the Creative Director and cross-functional teams to translate brand strategy and campaign concepts into visually compelling imagery that resonates with target audiences.

You will define and direct the look and feel of all photo and video productions including styling direction, lighting, composition, talent direction, and set design ensuring cohesive, high-quality visual content across all touchpoints. Through strong creative leadership and hands-on collaboration with photographers, stylists, and production teams, this role elevates the quality of the brand's visual storytelling while maintaining alignment with brand standards and driving business impact.

• Partner with the Creative Director to shape and evolve the brand's visual identity as expressed through photography and video content.
• Lead the creative direction of all on-set photo and video productions, including establishing shot lists, mood boards, lighting direction, composition, and overall visual tone.
• Direct photographers, stylists, hair and makeup artists, models/talent, and production crews to achieve the desired creative vision for each shoot.
• Oversee styling direction to ensure product presentation, wardrobe, and props align with brand aesthetics, seasonal themes, and campaign concepts.
• Own the creative quality of all studio and location-based shoots, ensuring consistency across catalog, e-commerce, digital, social, and advertising channels.
• Guide set design and environment selection for both studio and on-location shoots, ensuring visual storytelling supports the brand narrative.
• Collaborate with marketing, merchandising, and e-commerce partners to understand product priorities, business objectives, and customer insights that inform shoot planning and creative execution.
• Review and select final imagery from shoots, partnering with retouching and post-production teams to ensure finished assets meet brand standards and creative intent.
• Manage shoot schedules, production timelines, and budgets in coordination with the production team to ensure efficient execution without compromising creative quality.
• Stay current on photography trends, visual storytelling techniques, emerging formats, and competitive landscape to continuously push the brand's imagery forward.
• Leverage customer insights, data, and performance metrics to inform visual creative decisions and optimize the effectiveness of photo and video content.
• Adapt quickly to changing priorities, weather/location challenges, and on-set variables while maintaining a high standard of creative excellence.
• 5-7 years of relevant experience in studio/photo art direction or creative production leadership roles.
• Strong portfolio showcasing expertise in photo art direction, including lifestyle and product photography, on-set direction, and visual storytelling across multiple channels.
• Strong visual eye with deep expertise in photography direction, lighting, composition, and styling.
• Proven ability to direct on-set productions and translate creative concepts into polished, brand-aligned imagery.
• Exceptional understanding of how photography and video content drives brand perception and customer engagement across channels.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to clearly articulate a creative vision and inspire on-set teams to deliver it.
• Strong understanding of product photography, lifestyle photography, and the technical requirements of each.
• Ability to provide clear, constructive, real-time direction on set and elevate the work of photographers, stylists, and production crews.
• Highly collaborative with the ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, balancing multiple shoots and priorities effectively.
• Working knowledge of post-production workflows, retouching standards, and digital asset management.
• Proficient in Capture One and Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).