Photographer – Daycare & School Photography
Position Title: Lead Photographer
Department: Photography Operations
Reports To: Regional Photography lead / Photgrpahy Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time / Seasonal Full-Time
Position Summary
The Lead Photographer is responsible for overseeing and executing high-quality photography services for daycare centers, preschools, and schools. This role combines professional photography skills with team leadership, customer service, and operational excellence. The Lead Photographer serves as the primary on-site representative of the company, ensuring a positive experience for children, families, school staff, and photography team members while delivering exceptional portrait and group photography.
Key Responsibilities
Photography & Image Quality
- Photograph children ranging from infants through school-age students.
- Capture individual portraits, class photos, staff portraits, graduation portraits, and special event photography.
- Maintain company standards for posing, lighting, composition, and image quality.
- Ensure all children are photographed efficiently while creating natural smiles and expressions.
- Review images on-site to ensure quality and completeness.
Team Leadership
- Lead and supervise photography assistants and support staff during picture days.
- Assign responsibilities and manage workflow to maintain schedule efficiency.
- Train and mentor team members on photography techniques, customer service, and company procedures.
- Promote a positive, professional, and team-oriented work environment.
School & Client Relations
- Serve as the primary point of contact for school and daycare administrators on picture day.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with directors, principals, teachers, and staff.
- Communicate schedules, expectations, and picture-day procedures clearly.
- Address concerns or special requests professionally and promptly.
Picture Day Operations
- Arrive on-site prepared and on time for all photography events.
- Set up and break down photography equipment, backgrounds, lighting, and accessories.
- Ensure picture days run efficiently and remain on schedule.
- Verify student information and maintain accurate records throughout the photography process.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
Customer Experience
- Create a fun, engaging, and stress-free experience for children.
- Demonstrate patience and creativity when photographing infants, toddlers, and young children.
- Provide exceptional customer service to families and school staff.
- Support retake and makeup picture days as needed.
Equipment & Data Management
- Maintain photography equipment and report any maintenance needs.
- Follow company procedures for image security, data protection, and file management.
- Safely transport equipment to and from photography locations.
- Ensure proper backup and transfer of image files following company protocols.
Qualifications
Required
- Professional photography experience, preferably portrait photography.
- Experience working with children in daycare, preschool, school, or family photography settings.
- Strong leadership and team management skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
- Ability to work independently and make decisions in a fast-paced environment.
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
- Ability to pass background checks required by ECC and schools and childcare facilities.
- Ability to lift and transport photography equipment (up to 50 lbs).
- Drive up to 1.5 hours when needed. Most days require up to 30 minute of drive time to school.
Preferred
- School photography experience.
- Experience leading photography teams.
- Knowledge of studio lighting and volume photography workflows.
- Experience using photography management software and online ordering systems.
Skills & Competencies
- Leadership and team development
- Child engagement and rapport building
- Time management and organization
- Problem-solving and adaptability
- Customer service excellence
- Attention to detail
- Professional appearance and demeanor
- Technical photography proficiency
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and move throughout the workday.
- Frequent lifting, carrying, and setup of photography equipment.
- Ability to work in various indoor and outdoor environments.
- Ability to travel regularly to schools and daycare centers.
Performance Expectations
Success in this role will be measured by:
- Image quality and consistency
- Picture day efficiency and schedule adherence
- Customer satisfaction scores
- School and daycare retention
- Team leadership effectiveness
- Compliance with company procedures and data security standards
Why Join Our Team?
- Opportunity to make a positive impact on children and families.
- Work with a supportive and professional photography team.
- Ongoing training and development opportunities.
- Competitive compensation and advancement opportunities.
- Flexible seasonal and year-round opportunities available.
At our company, we believe every child deserves a great portrait experience. Our Photographers combine technical excellence, leadership, and a passion for working with children to create lasting memories for families and schools.
Pay: $150.00 per day
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person
