Photography Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Aptive is seeking a full-time Photographer to support a high-visibility federal client. The Photographer provides professional photography services to capture high-quality visual content that supports agency communications, outreach, events, and public engagement activities.

The Photographer role requires a creative, detail-oriented professional with demonstrated expertise in capturing portraits, events, editorial imagery, and environmental photography. This position requires an individual who can effectively translate agency activities, programs, and milestones into compelling visual storytelling that supports internal and external communications.

In this role, the Photographer will plan, coordinate, and execute photography sessions for conferences, meetings, executive engagements, and other official events. The Photographer will also manage post-production editing, prepare images for distribution across digital and print platforms, and maintain organized archives of visual assets to support ongoing communications and media needs.

This is a contingent hire position.

This position is located in the Washington, DC metro area. Some onsite work or travel to the client site for meetings is expected.

The expected compensation at the time of requisition creation, is between $80,000 and $90,000.00.  The position offers with medical, dental and vision coverage.  Additional benefits such as 401K, disability insurance and PTO are provided as well

• Plan, coordinate, and execute professional photography sessions at headquarters and on location for agency events, meetings, conferences, and official engagements.
• Capture high-quality images of conferences, panels, keynote speakers, and public outreach events.
• Produce professional portraits and headshots for executives, leadership, and staff.
• Capture group photography for teams, award recipients, delegations, and other official gatherings.
• Apply strong visual storytelling techniques to document agency programs, research activities, and public engagement efforts.
• Perform post-production editing and color correction using professional photography software.
• Prepare images for publication across digital platforms, websites, social media, reports, and press materials.
• Maintain organized digital archives of images and multimedia assets, including tagging and maintaining accurate metadata.
• Utilize digital asset management systems to store, organize, and retrieve photography assets.
• Coordinate with communications staff, leadership, and stakeholders to understand photography needs and capture key moments.
• Ensure images meet agency branding, quality, and accessibility requirements.
• Provide photography support for special projects and communications initiatives as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a four-year college.
• 5 years of experience providing comprehensive photography services.
• Portfolio of samples required; portfolio must include examples that demonstrate professional photography skills across a range of subjects, environments, and communication needs (2-3 conferences and events, 2-3 portraits and headshots, 2-3 group photographs).
• Demonstrated expert level of experience with Digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) equipment.
• Demonstrated expert level of experience in portrait, event, editorial, and/or environmental photography.
• Strong understanding of composition, lighting, color theory, and visual storytelling.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly Photoshop and Lightroom.
• Ability to plan and execute photography sessions in a variety of environments including meetings, events, and studio settings.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Ability to collaborate with communications teams and stakeholders to capture imagery aligned with messaging objectives.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

• Expert level experience with studio and on-location lighting setups.
• Experience supporting federal agencies, research institutions, or public sector communications teams.
• Experience managing photo archiving, metadata, and digital asset management systems.
• Experience photographing conferences, exhibits, and public engagement events.
• Ability to receive feedback from clients and implement changes quickly and effectively.
• Ability to get up to speed quickly on complex issues.
• Desire to work in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving environment.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) communicates and shares information about the activities, programs, research results, and policies of the Foundation with internal and external audiences and stakeholders including Congress, the news media, state and local governments, other federal agencies, and research and education communities. NSF’s efforts to build awareness and promote the benefits of federally funded science and engineering translate into multimedia, web, and other outreach activities that inform policy makers, the media, and the American taxpayers about the value and impact of NSF-supported research and activities. These activities make NSF’s investments in science, technology, engineering, education, and mathematics readily available and easily understandable to stakeholders. 

Aptive partners with federal agencies to achieve their missions through improved performance, streamlined operations and enhanced service delivery. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, we support more than a dozen agencies including Veterans Affairs, Transportation, Defense, Homeland Security and the National Science Foundation.

We specialize in applying technology, creativity and human-centered services to optimize mission delivery and improve experiences for millions of people who count on government services every day.

Founded: 2012
Employees: 300+ nationwide

Aptive is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran status, age, disability, or any other protected class.

Veterans, members of the Reserve and National Guard, and transitioning active-duty service members are highly encouraged to apply.