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Festival Photographer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Junior Photographer

Boca Raton, FL ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you're reading this on your way from 5am spin class to festival fast-pass, you're CELSIUS ยฎ ... Description As a Junior Photographer with Celsius, you will contribute on our creative team as an ...

Junior Photographer

Boca Raton, FL ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you're reading this on your way from 5am spin class to festival fast-pass, you're CELSIUS ยฎ ... Description As a Junior Photographer with Celsius, you will contribute on our creative team as an ...

Junior Photographer

Boca Raton, FL ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you're reading this on your way from 5am spin class to festival fast-pass, you're CELSIUS- an ... Description As a Junior Photographer with Celsius, you will contribute on our creative team as an ...

... festivals, museums, sports teams, and entertainment. Forbes named Dayton one of the top 20 best ... WDTN 2 NEWS/Dayton's CW is seeking a News Photographer to operate television or video cameras to ...

Photographer

Dayton, OH ยท On-site

... festivals, museums, sports teams, and entertainment. Forbes named Dayton one of the top 20 best ... WDTN 2 NEWS/Dayton's CW is seeking a News Photographer to operate television or video cameras to ...

... festivals, museums, sports teams, and entertainment. Forbes named Dayton one of the top 20 best ... WDTN 2 NEWS/Dayton's CW is seeking a News Photographer to operate television or video cameras to ...

Princeton Arts Festival

Princeton, NJ ยท On-site

$133K - $159K/yr

... Arts Festival in Princeton International Deadline: January 1, 2027 - Point Pleasant Publishing ... photography, and internationally registered with an ISBN. Participating artists will be given a ...

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Festival Photographer information

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How much do festival photographer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for festival photographer in the United States is $20.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $21.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a festival photographer do?

A festival photographer is responsible for capturing high-quality images at festivals, including candid shots of attendees, performers, and key moments throughout the event. They document the atmosphere, energy, and highlights to tell the story of the festival visually. Their photos are often used for marketing, social media, and promotional materials by festival organizers. Festival photographers must work in dynamic, crowded environments and adapt to changing lighting and weather conditions.

What does a festival photographer do?

A festival photographer works on a freelance basis or with a news organization to shoot an event such as a music tour or festival. As a festival photographer, you capture engaging moments in a photo, using principles of photography such as composition and light. Your responsibilities include monitoring the stage or the crowd at an event for good shots. Interacting with festival-goers to obtain candid photos is often part of this job. You should have a thorough understanding of how to use your camera to shoot in different types of venues. As a festival photographer, you can also sell your work to festival-goers, news outlets, or stock photo companies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a festival photographer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Festival Photographer, you need proficiency in photography techniques, a solid understanding of camera equipment, and often a relevant portfolio showcasing event work. Familiarity with photo editing software like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, as well as experience using various lenses and lighting tools, is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, and the ability to work in high-energy, unpredictable environments make someone stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for capturing dynamic moments, producing high-quality images, and effectively interacting with festival organizers and attendees.

What are some common challenges faced by festival photographers, and how can they be managed on the job?

Festival photographers often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing lighting conditions, large crowds, and capturing dynamic moments in unpredictable environments. To manage these, it's important to be adaptable, familiarize yourself with the event layout beforehand, and use versatile camera gear that performs well in low light. Building good relationships with event organizers and security staff can also help you access the best vantage points. Staying organized and prepared for long hours on your feet will ensure you capture the energy and key moments of the festival successfully.

What is the difference between Festival Photographer vs Event Photographer?

AspectFestival PhotographerEvent Photographer
CredentialsPortfolio, photography skills, sometimes basic certificationsPortfolio, photography skills, sometimes basic certifications
Work EnvironmentOutdoor festivals, large crowds, dynamic settingsVarious events like weddings, corporate functions, indoor/outdoor settings
Industry UsageMusic, arts, cultural festivalsWeddings, corporate events, private parties
Search & ComparisonFestival PhotographerEvent Photographer

Festival photographers specialize in capturing images at outdoor festivals and large public events, focusing on dynamic and lively settings. Event photographers cover a broader range of occasions, including weddings and corporate events, often in indoor or controlled environments. While both roles require strong photography skills and portfolios, festival photographers often need experience with outdoor lighting and fast-paced environments. Understanding these differences helps clients find the right photographer for their specific event needs.

What cities are hiring for Festival Photographer jobs?

Cities with the most Festival Photographer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Festival Photographer jobs?

The most popular types of Festival Photographer jobs are:

What states have the most Festival Photographer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Festival Photographer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Festival Photographer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 63% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,345 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

$17 - $22.75/hr

Full-time, Internship

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

Job Description
National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization based in Washington, DC, seeks two energetic, creative, and passionate Marketing & Communications Graphic Design Interns to assist the team in executing the 2027 Festival.
Who We Are
The National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc. is dedicated to promoting the beauty of nature and international friendship through year-round programs, events, and educational initiatives that enhance our environment, showcase arts, culture, and build community spirit.
Internship Description
The Photography Intern will play a key role in documenting and visually telling the story of the various National Cherry Blossom Festival programs and events for the 2027 Festival. Duties may include, but is not limited to the following:
  • Work closely with the Marketing & Communications Team to understand event visual objectives, organizational branding through photography, and deliver high-quality photos within established deadlines.
  • Capture a variety of in-person public and private event types including large-scale the Festival's Signature Events, Community Programs, Participating Organizations, and more.
  • Assist in creating a detailed shot list for all event to ensure all internal and external photo coverage aligns with the Festival's branding and desired visual outcomes.
  • Communicate coverage needs and asset requests in a timely manner.
  • Organize, manage, and upload all photographs taken and received from partners to the Festival's photo gallery and management system.
  • Apply consistent file naming conventions, keywords, and tags to improve asset searchability.
  • Perform basic photo editing, cropping, color correction, resizing, and optimization as needed.
  • Develop PowerPoint presentations for special campaigns, events, and initiatives displaying photographs showcasing the Festival's branding, energy, and story.
  • Assist the marketing team with sourcing appropriate imagery for ongoing campaigns, marketing collateral, special projects, and additional content needs.
  • Additional photography-related requirements and responsibilities as necessary.

Time Requirements: The Festival seeks interns who are available for both Fall AND Spring semesters to get the most value and experience during this internship. Interns who can commit to only one semester, either Fall or Spring, are also welcome to apply. Event execution support is subject to the intern's availability and discretion. Interns are asked to commit to at least one full semester supporting the Festival.
Schedule:
Fall Semester targeted start date: Monday, September 14, 2026
Fall Semester end date: December 2026, depending upon the intern's schedule
Spring Semester targeted start date: Monday, January 11, 2027
Spring Semester end date: May 2027, depending upon the intern's schedule.
The 2027 National Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 20 - April 11, 2027.
September - December 2026:
  • 10 to 15 hours per week between the hours of 10 AM and 5:30 PM - Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday (Tuesday and Friday remote as needed).
  • Evening availability to execute the Festival Launch event (late October 2026).
  • Start and end dates are flexible to align with semester schedules and internship academic credit requirements.
  • Hours, schedule, and work format (must be primarily onsite with minimal remote option) are determined in consultation with the Marketing and Communications team and based on student availability.

January - May 2027:
  • 10 to 15 hours per week between the hours of 10 AM and 5:30 PM - Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday (Tuesday and Friday remote as needed).
  • Start and end dates are flexible to align with semester schedules and internship academic credit requirements.
  • Hours, schedule, and work format (must be primarily onsite with minimal remote options) are determined in consultation with the Marketing and Communications team and based on student availability.
  • Evening and weekend availability to execute key Festival weekly programs and events during peak months (March 2027 - April 2027).

Qualifications
  • Currently enrolled in an accredited university or college as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student. Recent graduates may also be considered.
  • Candidates must be studying photography or a similar degree and provide a portfolio showcasing visual storytelling through layout, composition, lighting, etc
  • Experience operating a DSLR camera, including adjusting settings for indoor and outdoor environments
  • Proficiency in photo editing using Adobe Photoshop; plus Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint
  • Experience in photo management systems similar to SmugMug
  • Passion for community engagement, the arts, and/or international friendship
  • Strong attention to detail and organized with the ability to multi-task
  • Excellent written and verbal communications skills
  • Able to work independently and complete multiple projects in a timely manner
  • Ability to collaborate with a variety of people in an exciting, fast-paced environment
  • Preferred, but not required: Prior experience in videography including Adobe Premiere Pro and experience in Canva

Compensation
National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc. internships are unpaid, but college credit may be offered depending upon the educational institution's guidelines and requirements. A monthly stipend is available for interns to defray the cost of commuting to the office.
Please include a PDF file of your portfolio using the application form and/or include a link to your website portfolio on your CV/resume.