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Director Of Photography Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Boston Globe Media

Director of Photography

Boston, MA · On-site

The director of photography is responsible for the department's vision, its people, and its output across print and digital. You'll lead a team that includes a deputy director of photography, picture ...

tarte cosmetics

Director of Photography

New York, NY · On-site

Director of Photography tarte cosmetics is seeking a visionary, highly creative Director of Photography to help shape and execute the brand's photography strategy across all consumer touchpoints.

tarte cosmetics

Director of Photography

New York, NY · On-site

Director of Photography tarte cosmetics is seeking a visionary, highly creative Director of Photography to help shape and execute the brand's photography strategy across all consumer touchpoints.

tarte cosmetics

Director of Photography

New York, NY · On-site

Director of Photography tarte cosmetics is seeking a visionary, highly creative Director of Photography to help shape and execute the brand's photography strategy across all consumer touchpoints.

MrBeast

Director of Photography

Greenville, NC · On-site

About the Role The Director of Photography (DP) is responsible for translating creative vision into compelling visual storytelling across all productions. This role leads camera, lighting, and visual ...

Dude Perfect

Director of Photography

Frisco, TX · On-site

Position Overview We're seeking an experienced, creative, and highly adaptable Director of Photography to lead the visual execution of our Main Channel productions. In this dynamic role, you will ...

Dude Perfect

Director of Photography

Frisco, TX

Position Overview We're seeking an experienced, creative, and highly adaptable Director of Photography to lead the visual execution of our Main Channel productions. In this dynamic role, you will ...

MrBeast

Director of Photography

Greenville, NC · On-site

About the Role The Director of Photography (DP) is responsible for translating creative vision into compelling visual storytelling across all productions. This role leads camera, lighting, and visual ...

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Director Of Photography information

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$11K

$107.2K

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How much do director of photography jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of photography in the United States is $107,150.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32,500.00 and $182,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of photography do?

As a director of photography (DOP), or cinematographer, your job is to create the visual dynamics of mood, tone, and style in films and film projects, like television shows and commercial advertisements. Together with the director, the production designer, and other crew members, one of your responsibilities is to coordinate the technical aspects of the filming process, such as creative lighting, visual effects, camera angles and shots, to achieve the desired look for a particular motion picture. Your job duties also include supervising the camera crew during production.

What is a director of photography?

A Director of Photography (DP or DoP), also known as a cinematographer, is responsible for the visual look of a film, television show, or commercial. They work closely with the director to achieve the desired artistic and technical vision, overseeing camera crews, lighting, composition, and shot selection. The DoP chooses the appropriate cameras, lenses, and lighting setups, and ensures consistency in visual style throughout the production. Their work has a significant impact on how a story is visually told and experienced by the audience.

How does a director of photography typically collaborate with the director and other departments during a film production?

A Director of Photography (DP) works closely with the director to realize the visual style of the film, discussing storyboards, shot composition, and lighting to ensure the director's vision is achieved. The DP also collaborates with departments like art, lighting, and camera to coordinate setups and maintain consistency in the visual narrative. Regular communication and problem-solving with these teams are essential, especially when adapting to changes on set or resolving technical challenges. This role requires balancing creative input with practical considerations, making teamwork and adaptability key to success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of photography?

To thrive as a Director of Photography, you need a deep understanding of cinematography, lighting, composition, and camera operation, often supported by a degree in film or extensive on-set experience. Mastery of digital and film cameras, lighting rigs, color grading software, and familiarity with post-production workflows are essential technical requirements. Strong collaboration, creative vision, leadership, and adaptability set standout DPs apart in managing crews and interpreting a director's intent. These skills ensure that the visual storytelling aligns with the creative vision while maintaining technical excellence and efficient production workflows.

What is the difference between Director Of Photography vs Camera Operator?

AspectDirector Of PhotographyCamera Operator
CredentialsFilm or cinematography degree, extensive experienceTechnical training, often on-the-job experience
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with directors, oversees visual styleOperates camera equipment on set
Industry UsageHigh-level role in film and TV productionTechnical role supporting the DP
Search IntentUnderstanding visual leadership in productionTechnical camera operation details

The Director Of Photography (DP) is responsible for the overall visual look of a production, overseeing lighting, framing, and camera work. The Camera Operator executes the camera movements and shots as directed by the DP. While the DP manages the visual style and team, the Camera Operator focuses on capturing the shots. Both roles are essential, but the DP has a broader creative and leadership role in the production process.

How much do directors of photography make?

The average salary for a director of photography ranges from $50,000 to $150,000 per year, depending on experience, project scope, and industry. Experienced DPs working on major productions or in high-demand markets can earn higher salaries, often supplemented by overtime and per-project fees.
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Director Of Photography jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Photography job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,150 per year, or $51.5 per hour.

Director of Photography

Boston Globe Media

Boston, MA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description


The Boston Globe is looking for a director of photography to run one of the most respected photo departments in journalism. This is a big job: the images we run shape how readers understand the news, and the person in this seat is responsible for getting that right, every day, on deadline.
This is the top editorial leadership role for photography at the paper. The director of photography is responsible for the department's vision, its people, and its output across print and digital. You'll lead a team that includes a deputy director of photography, picture editors, a photo desk running day and night shifts, a roster of staff photographers, an archivist, and rotating interns and co-ops, some of whom are represented by a collective bargaining agreement and some of whom are not. Your job is to lead all of them as one team: set clear standards, coach people toward their best work, make the hard calls on tough days, and build a department people want to stay and grow in.
You'll work closely with editors across the newsroom, from breaking news to investigations to features, making sure visual storytelling is part of coverage planning from the start, not an afterthought.
The right candidate has run a newsroom photo operation before. They lead with clarity and calm under pressure, give feedback that helps people improve, and know how to build consistency across a team that includes both union and non-union staff. They're comfortable being the person who makes the final call, and equally comfortable being challenged on it.
Responsibilities:
  • Lead and develop the photo department's staff, including the deputy director of photography, picture editors, staff photographers, and the archivist, setting clear expectations and creating real paths for growth across both union and non-union roles
  • Set the department's editorial vision and news judgment standards, and hold the team accountable to them across print and digital
  • Make final editorial decisions on high-stakes or sensitive imagery, including content that could be considered graphic, offensive, or inappropriate for publication
  • Build a department culture where photographers and editors can do direct, honest work: give regular feedback, coach through mistakes, and recognize strong work
  • Manage the department consistently and fairly across represented and non-represented staff, understanding where collective bargaining obligations apply and partnering with HR and labor relations as needed
  • Oversee staffing and scheduling for a 24/7 news operation, balancing coverage needs with sustainable workloads
  • Partner with newsroom leadership across desks (politics, business, sports, entertainment, international) to build visual storytelling into coverage planning from the start, not after the fact
  • Manage the department's budget, equipment, and administrative operations, including licensing and vetting of third-party imagery
  • Represent the photo department in newsroom-wide leadership conversations, advocating for visual journalism's role in the paper's coverage
  • Handle personnel matters directly, including hiring, performance management, and difficult conversations, with fairness and consistency
  • Respond to breaking news situations, providing hands-on guidance and picture-editing decisions when the moment demands it

Qualifications:
  • Significant experience managing a team in a newsroom or comparable fast-paced editorial environment, including direct people management (hiring, coaching, performance conversations)
  • Experience managing in an environment with a mix of union and non-union staff, or a demonstrated ability to learn and apply collective bargaining obligations quickly
  • A track record of strong news judgment, developed through real editorial decision-making under deadline pressure
  • Experience building or strengthening a team culture: setting standards, giving feedback that lands, and getting the best out of people with different strengths
  • Comfort making final calls on difficult content decisions and standing behind them
  • Familiarity with content management systems and standard photo editing and workflow tools (such as Adobe Photoshop and Photo Mechanic)
  • Strong relationship-building skills across departments, with the ability to collaborate and problem-solve with editors, reporters, and other leaders
  • Schedule flexibility to support a 24/7 news operation, including availability during breaking news
  • A willingness to adapt and be audience-focused, with a curious mindset and a commitment to creating an inclusive work environment

Bonus Points if You...
  • Bring experience mentoring photographers early in their careers into stronger visual storytellers
  • Have led a mixed union/non-union team through a significant organizational change (restructuring, new tools, new coverage models)

The BGMP office is located in downtown Boston, near Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, and is easily accessible by MBTA and commuter rail lines. This position is based in Boston, and candidates should be based in the area or willing to move.
The annual base salary range for this role is $139,000 - $165,000
This range reflects the band for this role. We are committed to fair and market-informed compensation. It is anticipated that most qualified candidates could be hired within the midpoint of the range. Compensation for the successful candidate will be informed by their particular combination of skills, experience, and qualifications
This is a non-union management position. It oversees staff who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Boston Newspaper Guild, as well as staff who are not.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
EEO Statement: At Boston Globe Media, our mission is to empower, connect, and convene our communities with independent, trusted journalism and storytelling. We know a critical part of achieving this is by having a workforce that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive - like the communities we serve. Boston Globe Media is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes candidates and colleagues of all backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and skills.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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