Photographer

Description

The University Photographer is a vital member of the Office of University Relations at Hampton University, playing a key role in advancing Hampton's branding, enrollment, and outreach goals. This position is responsible for leading the institution's visual storytelling through compelling photography and video production that supports marketing campaigns, admissions, public relations, communications, advancement initiatives, and campus-wide communications.

As the lead visual content producer, the photographer oversees all aspects of University's photography needs and contributes to the University's video production efforts in collaboration with the Office of Media Productions. The photographer is also responsible for managing and maintaining the University's digital asset management system, ensuring that visual content is archived, organized, and accessible to stakeholders.

This full-time role serves as a strategic partner to the Director of Creative Services, Director of Digital Marketing, and the Office of Web Services; directly contributing to Hampton's ability to create an authentic and vibrant visual brand. The University Photographer supervises a student photographer when available and works closely with freelance creators to meet Hampton's growing demand for multimedia content.

The ideal candidate is a creative, fast-moving, flexible individual with a good eye who can tell the Hampton story through both moving and still images for multiple audiences on multiple platforms. S/He works with the writing, digital, web, and design staff to bring initiatives and creative items from conception to completion, serving as a main resource for an online photo database and continually updating University stock photography files of campus locations, buildings, faculty, staff, and students.

S/he budgets time and office resources to ensure photographic work is done efficiently and in a way that reflects University priorities, while responding to requests from other campus units. S/he coordinates the recruitment and oversight of freelance photographers, as needed.

Examples of Duties

• Serve as the lead photographer, responsible for capturing dynamic, brand-aligned imagery for marketing campaigns, publications, website, advertising, PR, communications, and social media.
• Translate intricate marketing and strategic concepts into engaging visual narratives.
• Lead and coordinate campus-wide photo and video shoots, collaborating with units to identify needs and deliver on-brand assets.
• Collaborate with the audio-video technician from the media center on specific marketing video projects, including shooting B-roll, providing on-set assistance, and editing short promotional videos.
• Create a diverse array of visual assets, including studio portraits, event photography, editorial lifestyle imagery, environmental campus shots, and action/event photography.
• Prepares and disseminates photographs with photo credit to national media as directed.
• Tracks image requests and maintains the appropriate copyright and licensing rights for use of music and other intellectual properties.
• Sits on the Hampton University Brand Council to help meet the institution's needs for photographic support of news releases and other informational materials.
• Supervise, mentor, and schedule available student photographers.
• Manage and maintain the Digital Asset Management (DAM) system, ensuring that assets are accurately labeled, categorized, and accessible.
• Collaborate with graphic designers and digital content staff to ensure that visual content aligns with design standards and marketing objectives.
• Support the College's content strategy by providing timely photos and video content for key campaigns and initiatives.
• Serve as the primary event photographer for high-profile campus events (e.g., Commencement, Convocation, ribbon cuttings, etc.), ensuring availability during evenings and weekends as needed, as assigned by the Vice President for Strategic Communications and Marketing.
• Ensure high-quality editing, color correction, retouching, and optimization for photos and videos.
• Maintain consistent visual standards and adhere to Ramapo's brand guidelines across all assets.
• Maintain an inventory of photography and video equipment and recommend purchases and upgrades as necessary.
• Fulfill additional responsibilities to support institutional priorities.
• All other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Other Necessary Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Photography, Visual Arts, Multimedia Production, Media Arts, or related field.
• 5 to 7 years of experience producing multimedia for the purpose of marketing a company or an institution.
• Experience in supervising junior team members is preferred.

Typical Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of Adobe Premiere CC, Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, and Motion graphics technology.
• Knowledge of basic organizational web tools: Google Drive (preferable), email managers, video conference programs, and calendars.
• Expert knowledge in lighting especially for indoor shoots, sound recording, and editing.
• Up to date with new industry technological advances, software, and equipment.
• Administrative and project management skills.
• A strong eye for detail and ability to work autonomously as well as a team member.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment.
• Multitasking skills for working on many projects at once with multiple deadlines.
• Physical ability to move and hold equipment for long periods.
• Strong communication skills for collaborating with campus clients, staff and students.
• Ability to communicate with diverse professionals in a positive, collegial manner.
• Willingness to learn and champion Hampton's values, mission, and identity.
• Experience working in marketing, agencies or media environments.

Supplemental Information

• Demonstrated ability to capture, edit, and deliver high-quality digital photography and video.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (primarily Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, Adobe Premiere CC, Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, and Motion graphics technology or similar photo and video editing tools.
• A strong portfolio that showcases a mix of editorial, lifestyle, studio, and event work.
• Knowledge of best practices for visual storytelling, including composition, lighting, and branding.
• Experience in managing and organizing content using a Digital Asset Management (DAM) system.
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; capable of interacting with various constituents, including students, faculty, donors, and leadership.
• Capable of lifting and transporting equipment weighing 25 to 50 pounds, with the ability to stand, kneel, or crouch for extended periods during photo and video sessions.
• Flexibility to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed.

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