Associate Photographer

Creative Co-Op, Inc. (www.creativecoop.com) is a leading importer and distributor of gift and home decorative accessories. We work with over 15,000 boutique specialty stores in North America, Fortune 500 national retailers, and major eCommerce partners. Headquartered in Memphis, TN, the company has hundreds of employees globally with offices and showrooms in Portland, Atlanta, Dallas, Las Vegas, and China.

Creative Co-Op is the cornerstone division of Regent Holding Company, whose global brands also include Illume (www.illumecandles.com), based in Ikast, Denmark. Regent’s growth is backed by Freeman Spogli & Co. (www.freemanspogli.com), a leading private equity firm dedicated to investing in the consumer and distribution sectors.

We are looking for dedicated, high-energy, creative individuals who want to join an industry leader undergoing rapid growth and expansion. We look for people who embody an entrepreneurial spirit and are drawn to our Core Values:

• Think First – We validate gut instincts with facts.
• Act The Right Way – Our integrity has been built over decades and can be lost in seconds.
• Care About More Than Yourself – We are passionate. We show that passion through a fierce commitment to our customers and colleagues.
• Embrace Evolution – We are hungry for improvement and never satisfied with the status quo.
  
  

Job Definition:

With a strong technical skill set and an eye for what looks good, the Associate Photographer will execute imagery for the product catalog to ensure assets are on brand, on strategy & relevant, working under the direction of the Creative Services Manager. This role is a key collaborator, partnering with all pre- and post-production teams. This role requires the ability to understand our photography standards and quality expectations and execute on them consistently. Incredible focus, speed, and the ability to pivot quickly due to ever-changing business needs and a sense of urgency are required.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Execute high-quality, technically precise product photography efficiently for use across
  multiple mediums
• Learn and perform all aspects of a photography shoot, including lighting, editing, and file management.
• Manage the editing, clipping, color correction, etc. internally and with third-party services.
• Meet daily production goals with speed and consistency, adhering to imagery standards as noted in the retailer partner style guides.
• Understand our photography standards and quality expectations, and execute on them consistently to create compelling imagery.
• Load images into Salsify (our PIM/DAM), following established file naming and routing protocols.
• Partner with merchandising and product teams on the prioritization of products and availability of samples for photoshoots.
• Monitor and action studio shot lists to ensure proper prioritization of items - raise flags when in jeopardy and be solution-oriented.
• Stay abreast of the latest trends and work to identify any challenges in the workflow while suggesting long-term improvements.
• Work with cross-functional partners to identify product features, ensuring that the proper usage of the product is conveyed and that the preferred angles are photographed.
  
• Assist the Creative Services Manager in daily tasks and special projects as needed, including on set during production and set-up.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Required:

Education: BFA in Photography, Videography, or Graphic Design

Experience:

• Our ideal candidate has at least 1 year of experience in addition to a BFA degree. Candidates without
  a BFA may still be considered if they have at least 2-3 years of experience.
• Must be proficient with DSLR cameras.
• Knowledge of appropriate lighting techniques and how to best showcase products (strobes,
  monolights, etc.).
• Prior product photography experience, including experience in the gift and décor/furniture industry
  is preferred.

Skills:

• High level of experience and proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, especially Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom/Lightroom Classic.
• Understanding of color-managed workflows including white balance and monitor/camera calibration.
• Ability to understand and capture the key selling points of products and visually convey them to the
  end consumer.
• Strong eye for what looks good, with the technical skill to execute it quickly and consistently.
• Ability to understand CCOI’s photography standards and quality expectations and execute on
  them consistently.
• Ability to take and incorporate direction with a positive “can-do” attitude.
• Ability to self-manage, multi-task, and execute time-sensitive projects.
• Process-oriented approach to task management.
• Ability to identify opportunities for streamlining processes.
• Must possess strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Understanding of efficiently creating and organizing a catalog of digital assets.
• Must be able to lift at least 50 lbs.
• Familiarity with trafficking software such as Wrike for studio project management.

Nice-to-haves:

• Knowledge and understanding of CaptureOne.
• Familiarity with Catsy or similar PIM/DAM platforms.
• Familiarity with Wrike.
• Experience with automated background-removal/clipping workflows.
• Exposure to automated workflow tools and AI-generated digital assets is a plus.

All applicants must submit a portfolio of their work in addition to a resume.