Studio Creative Lead, Photography

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and direct on-brand visual concepts for still and video content within the photo studio.
• Oversee and approve set design, styling direction, lighting, and composition for eCommerce, editorial, and social content.
• Partner with the merchandising and planning teams to prioritize product presentation across categories.
• Lead pre-production planning, including mood boards, shot lists, and location scouting (if applicable).
• Direct talent, stylists, photographers, and crew on set to achieve creative goals efficiently.
• Review selects and final imagery, ensuring visual consistency, retouching needs, and brand standards.
• Collaborate with retouching and post-production teams to ensure quality and accuracy.
• Maintain and evolve the studio photography style guides, serving as the guardian of visual consistency and quality.
• Continuously evolve the brand's visual identity by staying ahead of trends and competitive benchmarks.
• Perform other duties as required and support the business as needed.

Requirements

• Generally, 6-8+ years of experience in art direction, with at least 3 years in a photo studio or fashion/retail environment.
• Strong portfolio showcasing styling, layout, and conceptual work across retail and digital channels.
• Deep understanding of photography, lighting, styling, and visual storytelling.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills; able to give clear, actionable direction on set.
• Strong project management skills: able to juggle multiple shoots and meet deadlines in a fast-paced studio.
• Experience with lifestyle, fashion, or home goods brands.
• Familiarity with digital asset management systems and studio workflow tools (e.g., Capture One, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Proven ability to create scalable and efficient processes for high-volume photo production.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with internal teams and leadership.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Understanding of high-end retail and the needs of elevated lifestyle and fashion photography.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Experience leading multiple teams in a studio environment.

Nice to Have

• Experience with lifestyle, fashion, or home goods brands.
• Familiarity with digital asset management systems and studio workflow tools.

Qualifications

• Experience in art direction and studio photography, typically 6-8+ years.
• At least 3 years of experience in a photo studio or fashion/retail environment.

Benefits & Perks

• Health, Dental, Vision insurance.
• 401K with generous matching program.
• Generous paid time off.
• Potential annual bonus opportunity.
• 50% discount at restaurants and retail locations.
• Career advancement opportunities.