Head Photographer

About The Company Since 1973, Vida Shoes International has been committed to becoming a global leader in the footwear industry. We are dedicated to designing, producing and marketing quality branded footwear using our expansive international resources. Our wealth of knowledge stems from the diversity of brands and successful products we have produced year after year.

The Role

As the Head Photographer, you will be the primary engine for high-end still imagery at Vida Group. You will lead the execution of all studio and lifestyle shoots, transitioning our brands from a reliance on external freelancers to a high-output, in-house creative powerhouse. Reporting to the Creative Director, you will partner closely with the Marketing & Creative teams to ensure imagery captured including Aquatalia, Stride Rite, Saucony, Merrell, Kurt Geiger, Andre Assous, Bruno Magli, Munro, and Jambu are visually elevated and optimized for e-commerce, social media, and wholesale channels.

Compensation: $90,000- $105,000

Key Responsibilities

• High-Craft Image Capture: Lead all on-model lifestyle, editorial, flat lays, and PDP (Product Detail Page) photography, ensuring lighting and composition reflect each brand's unique identity.

• End-to-End Shoot Execution: Responsible for supporting the planning of photoshoots from beginning to end providing technical direction on lighting, equipment, and on-set flow for national campaigns and social media content.

• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Manage and mentor a Junior Photographer, providing guidance on lighting techniques, retouching, and e-commerce product detail imagery to ensure the quality of all final delivered assets.

• Direction of In-House Assets: Provide technical direction and oversight to the photography team responsible for national campaigns, mini-shoots, and high-frequency social media content.

• Multi-Brand Aesthetic Mastery: Maintain a keen "brand eye" for multiple labels, making sure that each brand's imagery looks and feels distinct and on-brand.

• On-Location Execution: Direct the capture for approximately 10+ campaign travel shoots per year, adapting to diverse environments while maintaining production excellence.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work alongside our in-house Videographer to ensure photography and video assets are captured in sync.

What You Bring

• Experience: 6-10 years of professional photography experience, with a heavy emphasis on fashion footwear and e-commerce.

• Technical Portfolio: A strong portfolio showcasing both technical studio still-life and high-craft on-model lifestyle work. Deep mastery of lighting for footwear, understanding how to highlight textures, materials, and silhouettes.

• Adaptability: Willingness and ability to travel 10+ times per year for domestic and international productions.

• Versatile Visual Storyteller: You can pivot effortlessly from the luxury aesthetic of Aquatalia to the energetic, youth-driven look of Stride Rite.
• Efficiency Minded: You are comfortable with high-volume production and can maintain quality during peak season shoots.
• A Solutions-Oriented Leader: You thrive in fast-paced environments and can manage a small studio team to meet aggressive delivery dates.
• Equipment Knowledge: Deep understanding of professional camera systems and studio lighting (strobe and continuous).

Thank you in advance for your interest in this opening. Vida Shoes International is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. At this time, only qualified candidates will be contacted. Direct applicants only, no third-party staffing inquiries, please.

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