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Form of workWe hope you're interested in building a home with us. Even if you don't feel that you meet every requirement listed in this job description, we still encourage you to apply.
About the Creative Team
Our Creative Team at Williams Sonoma is made up of Photographers, Art Directors, Designers, Writers, Stylists, Social Media experts, Content Creators and Visual Merchandisers who bring the Williams Sonoma and Williams Sonoma Home brands to life across all channels and engage with our customers at every touch point.
SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
As a Senior Photographer in our high volume and fast-paced studio, you will create beautiful imagery across a broad range of categories including catalog, ecom, social and retail channels. You should be driven to create visual content that makes it easy for our customers to host/entertain, decorate and gift with confidence. This role is two fold. Primary day to day will be shooting simple still life product PIP (product information page) images for our site (independently, without Art Director, Photo Assistant, Digital Tech; sometimes with a Food or Prop Stylist). Secondly, paired with full team (Art Director, Prop and/or Food stylist, Digital Tech) to execute catalog and upper level (lifestyle images for catalog, email, homepages, retail, and/or social). The successful candidate should be highly creative, energetic, ambitious, and driven to bring value to the Creative Services team.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Execute high volume digital photography across a wide range of kitchen, food/beverage, & home furnishing product categories
- Follow category-specific style guides to ensure consistency of lighting, surfaces/backgrounds, and composition
- Ability to arrange, light, and photograph food so it looks realistic, appetizing and on brand
- Work both collaboratively and proactively with on-site and remote creative teams to understand specific brand art direction & aesthetic
- Partner with Color Manager and Retouchers and deliver files per defined guidelines to meet size, light and color balancing specificiations
- Maintain visual brand objectives and follow defined photo directives for executing upper level imagery (catalog & online) and PIP (product information page) ecom photography assets
- Ability to work independently - without Art Direction, Photo Assistant or Digital Tech
- Ensure the product is accurately represented; adjust the shot list and lighting as needed to capture additional details and the full look and feel of the product
- Partner with Studio Manager & other team members on the daily/weekly shot list & priorities to group similar type shots together to maximize efficiencies when applicable
- Work alongside other photo teams and help support with any camera/grip needs or questions
- Manage and mentor on-staff photographer and write performance appraisal
- Ability to give as well as receive feedback and adapt accordingly
- Stay current with new creative tools and technology advancements in photography to improve production and workflow efficiencies while maintaining high volume production
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
- 4-6 years relevant commercial photography experience, high-volume e-comm experience
- 3+ years experience shooting food photography required
- Formal photography schooling with bachelors degree is preferable or equivalent experience required
- A digital portfolio of original work is required for finalist candidates
- Strong technical understanding of strobe & continuous lighting
- Working knowledge with all aspects of digital image quality and output: file size, light and color balancing, Adobe Creative Suite.
- Knowledge of CaptureOne a plus.
- Proficient with Canon camera system
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
- Exceptional organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize workload, and concurrently manage multiple projects
- Embraces change and continues to deliver expected results; helps and motivate others in the face of change, setbacks and constraints
- Recommends best practices and utilizes industry knowledge to improve products, processes and services
- Deep understanding of digital photo technology and how to improve internal processes and customer experience
- Proficient with Mac OS, Photoshop and Capture One; experience with Excel and Shotflow a plus
- Mastery with all studio equipment & tools, lighting, technical software and systems
- Experienced professional who stays current with photography trends, lighting, technical advances, and changing creative tastes
- Have strong visual skills with attention to detail and an eye for consistency
- You must be a team player, strong communicator and have a positive and enthusiastic attitude
We believe in People First
We firmly believe that working in a culture focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion spurs innovation, creates healthy and high-performing teams, and delivers superior customer experiences. Our DEI initiatives prompt associate participation and engagement, aligning with our core vision to reflect the communities where we do business and put people first.
Benefits Just for You
Depending on your position and your location, here are a few highlights of what you might be eligible for:
- A generous discount on all Williams-Sonoma, Inc. brands
- A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
- Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer
- Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits
- Tax-free commuter benefits
- A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health
Your Journey in Continued Learning
- In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
- Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities
- Resources for self-development
- Advisor (Mentor) program
- Career development workshops and learning programs
- Speaker series
WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration
This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.
The expected starting pay range for this position is $105,000 - $120,000 Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.
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Our CompanyFounded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home in the United States. Our family of brands are Williams Sonoma, Williams Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn teen, pottery barn kids, Rejuvenation, Mark & Graham, west elm, or Outward. These brands are among the best known and most respected in the industry. We offer beautifully-designed, stylish and functional products for every area of the home, including the kitchen, living room, bedroom, home office, closet, laundry room and even outdoor spaces. We've seen some big changes since our first brick-and-mortar store opened more than half of a century ago. What hasn't changed is our passion for high-quality products, functional design, outstanding customer service, and enhancing the lives of our customers and the communities where we operate. Today, we're a multi-brand, multi-channel, global enterprise supported by state-of-the-art technology and some of the most talented teams in retailing - and we're always looking for new energy and ideas.
