Head Photographer

Vida Shoes International • New York, NY

5d • $90,000 - $110,000 • Onsite

About The Position

As the Head Photographer, you will be the primary engine for high-end still imagery at Vida Group. You will lead the execution of all studio and lifestyle shoots, transitioning our brands from a reliance on external freelancers to a high-output, in-house creative powerhouse. Reporting to the Creative Director, you will partner closely with the Marketing & Creative teams to ensure imagery captured including Aquatalia, Stride Rite, Saucony, Merrell, Kurt Geiger, Andre Assous, Bruno Magli, Munro, and Jambu are visually elevated and optimized for e-commerce, social media, and wholesale channels.

Requirements

• Experience: 6–10 years of professional photography experience, with a heavy emphasis on fashion footwear and e-commerce.
• Technical Portfolio: A strong portfolio showcasing both technical studio still-life and high-craft on-model lifestyle work. Deep mastery of lighting for footwear, understanding how to highlight textures, materials, and silhouettes.
• Adaptability: Willingness and ability to travel 10+ times per year for domestic and international productions.
• Versatile Visual Storyteller: You can pivot effortlessly from the luxury aesthetic of Aquatalia to the energetic, youth-driven look of Stride Rite.
• Efficiency Minded: You are comfortable with high-volume production and can maintain quality during peak season shoots.
• A Solutions-Oriented Leader: You thrive in fast-paced environments and can manage a small studio team to meet aggressive delivery dates.
• Equipment Knowledge: Deep understanding of professional camera systems and studio lighting (strobe and continuous).

Responsibilities

• High-Craft Image Capture: Lead all on-model lifestyle, editorial, flat lays, and PDP (Product Detail Page) photography, ensuring lighting and composition reflect each brand's unique identity.
• End-to-End Shoot Execution: Responsible for supporting the planning of photoshoots from beginning to end providing technical direction on lighting, equipment, and on-set flow for national campaigns and social media content.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Manage and mentor a Junior Photographer, providing guidance on lighting techniques, retouching, and e-commerce product detail imagery to ensure the quality of all final delivered assets.
• Direction of In-House Assets: Provide technical direction and oversight to the photography team responsible for national campaigns, mini-shoots, and high-frequency social media content.
• Multi-Brand Aesthetic Mastery: Maintain a keen "brand eye" for multiple labels, making sure that each brand’s imagery looks and feels distinct and on-brand.
• On-Location Execution: Direct the capture for approximately 10+ campaign travel shoots per year, adapting to diverse environments while maintaining production excellence.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work alongside our in-house Videographer to ensure photography and video assets are captured in sync.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed