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Staff Photography Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Boston Globe Media

Director of Photography

Boston, MA · On-site

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 ...

Liberty

Photographer I

Lynchburg, VA

... photography equipment. Staff photographer will also coordinate with Managing Photographer in maintaining and updating photography calendar. Staff photographer may interact with members of external ...

Liberty University

Photographer I

Lynchburg, VA · On-site

... photography equipment. Staff photographer will also coordinate with Managing Photographer in maintaining and updating photography calendar. Staff photographer may interact with members of external ...

Spartina LLC

Photographer

Bluffton, SC · On-site

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Full-time/Based in Bluffton, SC. NON-REMOTE ABOUT THE JOB: If you're looking for laid-back luxe or casual elegance, you've found it in Spartina 449. We are recognized for our ...

MillerFoto Photography

Photographer

Metairie, LA · On-site

$18 - $22/hr

We are a Local, Family Owned Photography company. Based in Metairie, LA, we are looking for a ... staff to establish set-up area, flow, and effectively resolve any issues Maintain equipment in a ...

MillerFoto Photography

Photographer

Metairie, LA · On-site

$18 - $22/hr

We are a Local, Family Owned Photography company. Based in Metairie, LA, we are looking for a ... staff to establish set-up area, flow, and effectively resolve any issues Maintain equipment in a ...

MillerFoto Photography

Photographer

Metairie, LA · On-site

$18 - $22/hr

We are a Local, Family Owned Photography company. Based in Metairie, LA, we are looking for a ... staff to establish set-up area, flow, and effectively resolve any issues Maintain equipment in a ...

Boombah

Photographer/Videographer

Yorkville, IL · On-site

Stays current with trends and techniques as it relates to photography and imagery. * Creating conceptual photo shoot plans in collaboration with the Web Team and Social Media Coordinator. * The Staff ...

New

Digital Remedy

Chief Photographer

Charleston, SC

... staff * Maintain Avid system Requirements: * Must have at least three (3) years of television news photography and non-linear editing experience * Must also be professional, organized, and highly ...

Images Photography

Freelance Photographer

Charlotte, NC · On-site

$61.25 - $69.25/hr

Company Description Images Photography is a professional photography studio dedicated to capturing ... and studio staff. The photographer is expected to manage their schedule responsibly, arrive ...

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Staff Photography information

See salary details

$22K

$64.1K

$93.5K

How much do staff photography jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for staff photography in the United States is $64,055.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,000.00 and $83,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a staff photographer?

Staff photographers are professional photographers who are employed by an organization, such as a newspaper, magazine, corporation, or other business, to provide photographic content on a regular basis. Unlike freelance photographers, staff photographers typically have a steady salary, benefits, and assignments determined by their employer. Their responsibilities may include covering news events, capturing portraits, documenting company activities, and editing images for publication. Staff photographers often collaborate closely with writers, editors, and other creative professionals as part of a larger team.

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

To thrive as a Staff Photographer, you need strong technical photography skills, a solid understanding of composition and lighting, and often a degree or certificate in photography or visual arts. Familiarity with professional cameras, photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, and digital asset management systems is typically required. Creativity, adaptability, and the ability to communicate effectively with subjects and team members are essential soft skills. These skills ensure high-quality, compelling visual content that meets editorial or commercial needs and supports the organization's visual storytelling goals.

What are the typical collaboration dynamics between a staff photographer and other departments within a media organization?

As a staff photographer, you’ll frequently collaborate with editors, writers, and designers to ensure that your images support the narrative and creative vision of each assignment. Communication is key, as editors may provide specific guidelines or themes, and writers may share story angles that influence your approach. You’ll often work under tight deadlines, adjusting your workflow based on real-time feedback and shifting priorities. This collaboration not only enhances the final product but also broadens your perspective and helps foster strong professional relationships within the organization.

What is the difference between Staff Photography vs Freelance Photography?

AspectStaff PhotographyFreelance Photography
CredentialsTypically requires a photography degree or certification, with employer-provided trainingNo formal credentials required, but a strong portfolio is essential
Work EnvironmentEmployed by a company or organization, working on-site or in studioSelf-employed, working remotely or on-location for various clients
Industry UsageCommon in media, corporate, and educational institutionsPopular among event, portrait, and commercial photographers
Work StyleRegular hours, team collaboration, and assigned projectsFlexible hours, self-directed projects, and client management

Staff Photography involves working as an employee within an organization, often with structured hours and team collaboration. Freelance Photography offers more flexibility, with photographers managing their own clients and schedules. Both roles require strong photography skills, but credentials and work environments differ significantly.

What states have the most Staff Photography jobs?

States with the most job openings for Staff Photography jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Staff Photography jobs?

For Staff Photography jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Staff Photography jobs near you
Infographic showing various Staff Photography job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,055 per year, or $30.8 per hour.

Director of Photography

Boston, MA • On-site

Boston Globe Media
Video and Audio Streaming Services • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Boston Globe Mediaexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 17 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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