ABOUT THE ROLE
The Staff Photographer & Videographer will capture and tell visual stories about the museum, collection, artists, exhibitions, events, institutional initiatives, and our community across all sites.
ABOUT SAM
As SAM heads into its second century, we are boldly reimagining what we can and should be. Our goal is to be a model for the future of museums - a bold, dynamic hub of creativity, belonging, and cultural leadership, shaping the future of art and community. Embracing new ways of engaging communities and seeking innovative partnerships - all while keeping art and community at the center of what we do. This ambitious effort represents a transformative shift and radically redefining how art museums operate. This is a pivotal moment for SAM, and we are seeking great talent to join us on our journey. Working at SAM is not just a job—it's a chance to be part of a vibrant, creative community.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Capture photography and video of SAM events, programs, galleries, people, partners, and other museum happenings to market and promote the museum
- Collaborate with the Creative Studio to brainstorm and plan upcoming opportunities to capture photos and video across SAM locations, in the galleries during exhibitions and events, and to document special projects, shop product, staff, new initiatives, and more
- Edit and retouch images and footage using Adobe Creative Cloud
- Upload assets to the digital asset management system (Canto) using standardized metadata, keywords, and tags for efficient and appropriate access by colleagues
- Organize files according to established filing conventions
- Ensure that photography, video, and visual assets follow brand and image standards
- Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to determine approach, details, times, location access, and subject availability
- Interact with visitors and event attendees to ensure individuals captured sign image release forms
- Oversee and maintain equipment, including cameras, lenses, lighting, video equipment, and external disk drives
- Keep current with photography and studio lighting trends, and innovations
- Contribute to an institutional focus of delivering exceptional, welcoming, and inclusive customer service—creating positive, meaningful experiences for all visitors, every time
- Participate in institutional learning opportunities to grow our collective understanding and integration of antiracism, cultural competency, and equity values into SAM’s work
WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Required Qualifications
- Three years’ experience capturing a wide variety of digital photography and video footage including portrait, editorial, event, commercial, product, studio, spaces, and architectural in an agency, institutional, or professional setting
- Currently based in Seattle, WA
- Solid working knowledge of the techniques of digital photography and video, lighting, and audio capture
- Experience shooting with professional grade Canon DSLR and Sony A series cameras, lenses, and using standard studio gear, such as lighting kits, tripods, microphones, etc.
- Experience with video production, concepting, filming, editing, color correction, and post-production
- Strong sense of punctuality, solid time management skills, and ability to meet deadlines
- Clear, proactive communication, especially in regards to scheduling
- Exercise discretion in maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information
- Initiative and desire to research and learn new imaging technologies and to troubleshoot technical problems related to imaging and video capture
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Asana, Slack and internet-based research
- Expertise with Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly Lightroom, Photoshop, CameraRAW, Premiere, After Effects, Media Encoder, and exporting files to spec
- Ability to pass and maintain security background check clearance
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in a museum or arts and culture sector
- Experience with specialty video capture & equipment, such as drones, AR/VR, and 360° cameras
- Experience creating animations including motion graphics and animated gifs
FLSA Status: Part Time, Non-Exempt
Reports To: Creative Project Manager
Work Location: Seattle Art Museum - Downtown Location
Work Schedule: This role is typically scheduled to work 15 – 20 hours per week. However, the needs of the role and support of the department or organization will require evening and weekend work as directed by your supervisor.
WORK CONDITIONS
- Work areas are primarily inside, in a climate-controlled environment with light background noise and on location for program and events documentation.
- Approximately 50% of time is spent stationary while working at a desk. Balance of time (approximately 50%) is spent moving around the work area. Occasional extended periods of standing may be required.
- Clear and effective verbal and written communication in English with trustees, the public, and co-workers is necessary.
- Ability to effectively use a computer screen and interpret printed materials, memos and other appropriate paperwork.
- Ability to effectively and regularly operate a computer, keyboard, telephone, and other office productivity machinery, such as copy machines and printers, and ability to inspect, prepare and use paperwork, files, equipment, and supplies is necessary.
- Ability to transport up to twenty-five (25) pounds of equipment and supplies.
- The ability to work safely at heights is required, ability to work on ladders is required.
BENEFITS
As a non-exempt employee at SAM, you will be eligible for paid sick time accrued at a rate of 0.0385 per hour worked, and fringe benefits including two guest passes to SAM, access to fitness facility, access to our Employee Assistance Fund (EAP), Tier III AAM membership, discounts for SAM memberships, SAM Shop, and MARKET, and access to member rates for ticketed events at SAM.
ACCOMODATION
The Seattle Art Museum will consider reasonable accommodations for all employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions/duties of this position. If you need an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact [email protected]. For candidates, we ask that, if possible, you wait until you're invited to a screen, online technical assessment or interview before requesting an accommodation.
SAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming workplace for all employees and volunteers. Guided by our mission to connect art to life and engage diverse communities, we strive to create a sense of belonging for all of the communities we serve. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, military status, or any other protected characteristic
Not sure you check every box? Research shows that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds often only apply if they meet 100% of the criteria. If you believe you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply!$39.50 - $39.50 an hour