Description
Create compelling images of products, people, and spaces for advertising, e-commerce, and corporate communications. Plan and execute studio and location shoots using professional lighting, tethered capture, and advanced post-production to meet brand objectives; manage clients, crews, logistics, and licensing.
- • Photograph products, lifestyle scenes, corporate portraits, and interiors for ads, catalogs, and digital channels.
- • Interpret creative briefs and brand guidelines to define concepts, compositions, and deliverables.
- • Plan shoots by creating shot lists, storyboards, schedules, and budgets.
- • Scout and secure locations; obtain permits and insurance as needed.
- • Select, assemble, and test cameras, lenses, tethering gear, and lighting equipment.
- • Create and shape light with strobes, modifiers, flags, scrims, and reflectors.
- • Adjust aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and focus based on lighting, motion, and depth of field.
- • Style or coordinate styling for products, sets, and props; collaborate with stylists and art directors.
- • Direct talent, models, and crew to achieve brand-consistent poses and actions.
- • Capture tethered for real-time review and quality control on calibrated monitors.
- • Measure and balance light; use meters, color charts, and profiles to maintain color accuracy.
- • Review and cull images; select best frames with clients or creative teams.
- • Retouch and composite images; remove defects; perform color correction and masking.
- • Create clipping paths and transparent backgrounds for e-commerce and catalog workflows.
- • Export and deliver assets in required formats, dimensions, and color spaces for print and web.
- • Embed metadata and naming conventions; organize, back up, and archive files.
- • Determine equipment and prop needs; coordinate rentals and logistics.
- • Prepare estimates and proposals; manage budgets, invoices, and expenses.
- • Negotiate and document usage rights, licensing terms, and model/property releases.
- • Ensure compliance with brand standards, legal requirements, and advertising regulations.
- • Maintain and clean cameras, lenses, sensors, and lighting; perform basic repairs or arrange service.
- • Set up mobile studio environments on location and ensure on-set safety.
- • Communicate progress and approvals with clients, producers, and creative directors.
- • Market services, maintain portfolio, and nurture client relationships.
- • Research and adopt new gear, software, and techniques to improve quality and efficiency.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
