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Photo Art Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

KOHLS

Photo Art Director

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

$124K - $130K/yr

About the Role As Photo Art Director, you will bring Kohl's brand to life through high-impact photo and video content that connects with customers and drives results. You will balance creative vision ...

Quad

Photo Studio Art Director

Katy, TX · On-site

$104K - $109K/yr

We're looking for an experienced Photo Art Director to lead the creative vision for photography that elevates brands across print and digital marketing channels. In this role, you'll partner with ...

Quad

Photo Studio Art Director

Katy, TX

$104K - $109K/yr

We're looking for an experienced Photo Art Director to lead the creative vision for photography that elevates brands across print and digital marketing channels. In this role, you'll partner with ...

Quad/Graphics

Photo Studio Art Director

Katy, TX · On-site

$85 - $125/hr

We're looking for an experienced Photo Art Director to lead the creative vision for photography that elevates brands across print and digital marketing channels. In this role, you'll partner with ...

New

Bloomingdale's

Senior Art Director

Long Island City, NY · On-site

$108K - $180K/yr

This role combines strong design leadership with photo art direction, driving concept development and visual execution from initial brief through final delivery. The Senior Art Director partners ...

Bloomingdale's

Senior Art Director

Long Island City, NY

$108K - $180K/yr

This role combines strong design leadership with photo art direction, driving concept development and visual execution from initial brief through final delivery. The Senior Art Director partners ...

Lands' End

Studio Art Director

Dodgeville, WI · On-site

$125K - $131K/yr

As the Studio Art Director, you are responsible for leading the creative vision and on-set ... You will define and direct the look and feel of all photo and video productions including styling ...

Lands' End

Art Director - New York Studio

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$90 - $110/hr

The Art Director will guide the look and feel of photo and video productions, including styling direction, lighting, composition, talent direction, location storytelling, and overall visual tone.

Lands' End

Art Director - New York Studio

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

The Art Director will guide the look and feel of photo and video productions, including styling direction, lighting, composition, talent direction, location storytelling, and overall visual tone.

Lands' End

Studio Art Director

Dodgeville, WI · On-site

$125K - $131K/yr

As the Studio Art Director, you are responsible for leading the creative vision and on-set ... You will define and direct the look and feel of all photo and video productions including styling ...

IntelliPro Group Inc.

Art Director

New York, NY · On-site

Art direct photo and video shoots , including casting, styling, set design, shot lists, composition, and on-set decisions. * Partner with photographers, stylists, producers, editors, retouchers ...

New

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Photo Art Director information

See salary details

$44.5K

$121.8K

$146.5K

How much do photo art director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for photo art director in the United States is $121,757.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,000.00 and $127,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Photo Art Director vs Photo Editor?

AspectPhoto Art DirectorPhoto Editor
Primary RoleOversees the visual style and creative direction of photo shoots and campaignsSelects, edits, and manages photographs for publication or digital use
Required SkillsCreative vision, leadership, photography knowledge, design skillsPhoto editing, color correction, cropping, software proficiency
Work EnvironmentAdvertising agencies, magazines, fashion brandsMagazines, online media, publishing companies
CredentialsOften a degree in photography, art, or design; experience in photography or art directionProficiency in photo editing software; experience in photo management

The main difference is that a Photo Art Director focuses on the overall visual concept and creative direction of a project, while a Photo Editor handles the technical editing and selection of photographs. Both roles require a strong understanding of photography and visual aesthetics but serve different functions within the creative process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a photo art director?

To thrive as a Photo Art Director, you need a strong background in visual storytelling, photography, design principles, and typically a degree in art, design, or a related field. Mastery of tools like Adobe Creative Suite, digital asset management systems, and familiarity with current photography and lighting equipment is essential. Excellent leadership, creative vision, and communication skills help you collaborate effectively with photographers, stylists, and clients. These abilities ensure cohesive visual campaigns that meet brand objectives and resonate with target audiences.

What is a photo art director?

A Photo Art Director is a creative professional responsible for overseeing the visual style and imagery of photo shoots, campaigns, or publications. They collaborate with photographers, stylists, and other creative team members to develop concepts and ensure the final images align with a brand’s vision or project goals. Their duties often include planning shoots, selecting locations, guiding the artistic direction, and reviewing final photographs for consistency and quality. Photo Art Directors play a key role in shaping the visual storytelling of advertisements, magazines, and digital content.

How does a photo art director typically collaborate with photographers and other creative team members during a photoshoot?

A Photo Art Director works closely with photographers, stylists, makeup artists, and other creative professionals to ensure the visual concept is executed as intended. Before the shoot, they communicate the creative vision, reference materials, and desired mood. During the photoshoot, they provide on-set direction, adjust compositions, and review shots in real time to achieve the best results. Effective collaboration and clear communication are essential, as the Art Director must balance creative input from various team members while maintaining the overall aesthetic and brand guidelines.
More about Photo Art Director jobs

What cities are hiring for Photo Art Director jobs?

Cities with the most Photo Art Director job openings:

What states have the most Photo Art Director jobs?

States with the most job openings for Photo Art Director jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Photo Art Director jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Photo Art Director jobs are:

Photo Art Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Photo Art Director job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% In-person, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,757 per year, or $58.5 per hour.

Photo Art Director

KOHLS

Milwaukee, WI • On-site

$124K - $130K/yr

Other

Re-posted 11 days ago

Kohl's rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 1,464 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 21 rated department stores

Job description

This role is based at our Photo Studio in Milwaukee, WI. You’ll work onsite from Monday through Friday.
 

About the Role

As Photo Art Director, you will bring Kohl’s brand to life through high-impact photo and video content that connects with customers and drives results. You will balance creative vision with a strong understanding of the retail landscape, partnering cross-functionally to create cohesive, on-brand imagery that supports seasonal campaigns, promotions and omnichannel strategies.  

What You’ll Do

  • Direct on-set photo, motion and video shoots, ensuring that lighting, styling, hair and makeup, set design and perspective aligns with established creative direction

  • Create detailed style guides and inspirational mood boards for assigned shoots, providing clear reference for lighting, background, wardrobe and casting needs

  • Partner with producers, photographers, videographers, stylists, and editors to manage daily shoot flow and maintain shoot timelines

  • Oversee image and footage capture in real-time, making immediate decisions on adjustments needed for framing, composition or styling

  • Review, select and work with the retouching and editing teams to ensure all assets meet Kohl’s visual and quality standards with minimal rounds of feedback

  • Research styling trends, photography inspiration, and industry benchmarks to inform and evolve Kohl’s branded photo and video content

  • Stay ahead of industry trends by regularly conducting competitive and market research, keeping a pulse on emerging aesthetics, consumer behavior and creative technology to ensure Kohl’s visual content remains fresh, relevant and forward-thinking

  • Develop and present visual concepts for seasonal shoots and marketing initiatives, supporting creative leadership in achieving the brand vision

  • Utilize emerging AI technologies to enhance creative exploration, concept ideation, and execution

  • Contribute ideas during creative planning sessions and adapt direction based on feedback from creative managers and partners

  • Partner with project managers, creative team members and merchant stakeholders to gather context and understand the product stories being told

  • Act as a key contact on-set for executing creative objectives, adjusting and collaborating in real-time with producers and cross-functional teams

  • Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders, clearly articulating visual concepts and delivering updates on shoot progress and outcomes

  • Champion operational excellence by looking for tools, templates, and workflows that drive efficiency, reduce manual revisions, and create consistency across projects, especially for recurring or high-volume content

  • Additional tasks may be assigned

What Skills You Have

Required

  • 2-3 years of related work experience with a focus on on-set art direction

  • Experience with digital photography and editing software

Preferred

  • 2–3 years of experience in photo art direction, ideally within a creative, retail or agency environment

  • BFA in Design, Photography, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience

  • Proficiency on a Mac platform with skills in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat

  • Proficiency with digital editing software, including Capture One

What Kohl's employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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