Weekend Photographer Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.
Job Category: Academic Staff
Employment Type: Regular
Job Profile: Photographer
Job Summary:
The Media Solutions team at the School of Medicine and Public Health / University of Wisconsin - Madison is seeking a event photographer with a robust portfolio of event and environmental portrait photography. We will welcome a highly collaborative, creative, customer service oriented photographer who brings an established expertise in DAM.You'll be a part of a passionate, multidisciplinary team, prioritizing cross-department collaboration that leads to inspiring and iconic brand imagery in support of the school's strategic plan. Supporting marketing and communication initiatives related to medical research and community engagement storytelling.

• This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.
• Must provide a valid driver's license. Employees may use their own transportation or receive approval for University Car Fleet usage. Employment is conditional pending the results of a Pre-hire Driver Authorization Check. See https://businessservices.wisc.edu/managing-risk/driver-authorization-and-insurance/driver-authorization/#become-authorized-driver (click on "Become an authorized driver;" then click on "Required criteria").

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• A photography portfolio that represents, well executed, high quality event photography and environmental/studio portrait photography expertise.
• Must present images that show high quality lighting and mastered composition abilities.
• Expertise in Digital Asset Management.
• An established approach to the creative production process with the ability to patiently guide stakeholders and peers with collaborative communication.
• Ability to intuitively establish production schedules and work autonomously within established deadlines.
• Ability to capture high-quality campus event images using mastered lighting techniques and SMPH provided Canon DSLR equipment, ensuring results align with the creative vision of the project and SMPH brand guidelines.
• Highly advanced image processing skills, ensuring consistency in style, color, and overall aesthetic.
• Ability to efficiently manage multiple projects, while maintaining a high level of attention to detail and quality.
• Ability to accommodate local travel, weekend availability, infrequent evening event availability.
• Stay current on latest DAM technology, Digitech best practices, and photography processing / retouching software.
• Work collaboratively with SMPH and UW Madison campus departments to retain fluid, on-time, project delivery and expert level consultation.
• Experienced business acumen required for strategic production, time tracking, and internal billing procedures.
• Tethered image capture experience.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Responsible for Digital Asset Management utlilizing our Photoshelter platform including keywording, collections / galleries organization, and platform updates as needed.

• Digitech aspect of this role will be responsible for retaining consistent, high quality photography processing, keywording, and delivery. Develop a streamlined approach to intake of Media Solutions photographer's collections, apply predetermined processing parameters our photography's high production value.

• Schedules logistics and secures resources for photographic sessions to meet objectives according to established requirements and desired effects

• Composes, processes, and edits photographs in various mediums utilizing specialized equipment and expertise

• Adheres to institutional brand standards, guidelines, and policies regarding acceptable editing practices and uses of photographic visual assets

• Serves as in-house expert on the effective use of photographic visual assets for advancing the goals of the institution, unit, and/or program

Department:
School of Medicine and Public Health, Media Solutions
Media Solutions is a team of collaborative graphic designers, photographers, videographers, and illustrators, all gathered in one space, for the purpose of supporting SMPH's Strategic Communications. Promoting the UW Madison and SMPH brand identity in alignment with the schools Mission, Vision, and Values.
As a fee-for-service unit within the School of Medicine and Public Health, we focus on serving the Health Sciences faculty, staff and students, and various UW Madison Campus departments.
Compensation:

• The expected salary range for this position is $60,000 up to $73,000 for highly experienced candidates and actual pay within this range will depend on experience and qualifications.
• Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. For more information, refer to the campus benefits webpage.
  SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years of event / commercial environmental portrait photography experience with a robust, inspiring portfolio that represents a polished event/location portrait photography style with a unique approach to composition and technical expertise that illustrates well executed lighting.
• Expert time management skills with an ability to work effectively, and autonomously with accountability, in a remote work arrangement.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Canon mirrorless DSLR systems, portable lighting and studio lighting.
• 3 years of Digitech - experience managing photography postproduction workflow including a expert eye for detail, image organization, and color grading.
• Digital Asset Management expertise.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of Adobe CS and related image editing software with a proven ability to produce high quality results within Lightroom, Bridge, Photoshop, or similar platforms.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working within a creative services department in a higher education environment.
• Experience working with Photo Shelter, Asana, Microsoft 365.
• Minimum 2 years of Marketing / Advertising Agency work experience.
• Photojournalism experience is a plus.
• Current knowledge of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in photography and Digital Asset Management processes to continuously improve and refine your skills.

Education:
Associates Degree, focus in photography preferred.
How to Apply:
For the best experience completing your application, we recommend using Chrome or Firefox as your web browser.
To apply for this position, select either "I am a current employee" or "I am not a current employee" under Apply Now. You will then be prompted to upload your application materials.
Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload the following documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area. Failure to submit the required documents will result in no longer being considered for the position.
• Cover letter required
• Resume required
• Attach link to photography portfolio or link to applicants photography website required
Your cover letter should address your specific qualifications, technical expertise, and how your training and experience aligns with the required and preferred qualifications listed above. Application reviewers will rely on these written materials to determine which applicants move forward in the process. References will be requested from final candidates. All applicants will be notified once the search concludes and a candidate is selected
University sponsorship is not available for this position, including transfers of sponsorship and TN visas.The selected applicant will be responsible for ensuring their continuous eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. This position is an ongoing position that will require continuous work eligibilityto work the full duration of the appointment.If you are selected for this position, you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.
Contact Information:
Kim McFarlane, kmmcfarlane@wisc.edu
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal OpportunityEmployer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodationfor any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR)in the division you are applying to.Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.