Lead Director of Photography
About The Position
The Lead Director of Photography is a hands-on creative and craft leader within Intuitive’s Studio, responsible for advancing the visual language of moving image, motion, and photography across Brand & Creative. The role combines creative development with production execution: translating ideas, stories, and brand objectives into visual approaches, then helping bring those approaches to life behind the camera. The Lead DP partners with designers, art directors, writers, producers, editors, motion designers, and, when needed, strategy and social teams. They contribute as a creative peer to senior creative talent and executive creative leadership, advocating for ideas while remaining adaptable and receptive to feedback. Moving image is central to the role, alongside leading Studio’s photography practice, creating high-end photography on select projects, and raising standards and practices across the team. The position does not include direct management of photographers. The role includes leading cinematography and filmmaking across Studio productions; developing visual treatments, references, shot lists, and storyboards; directing projects, talent, interviews, or scenes as needed; and leading camera and lighting crews. It also involves improving photography workflows and quality, collaborating through post-production, independently executing smaller shoots, and mentoring teammates and external partners. Approximately 20% travel is expected, depending on production needs.
Requirements
- 12+ years of experience.
- Experience working in or closely with Brand & Creative teams.
- A strong body of work demonstrating accomplished cinematography, high-quality photography, and thoughtful visual storytelling; identify your contribution to each project.
- Deep practical knowledge of cameras, lenses, lighting, composition, movement, exposure, and image capture.
- Ability to connect visual decisions to a story, audience, and creative idea.
- Confidence and judgment to present ideas, lead a shoot, and collaborate as a peer with senior creative partners.
- Ability to communicate visually through references, treatments, shot lists, storyboards, or sketches.
- Working editing proficiency and understanding of editorial, motion, music, color, and finishing.
- Resourcefulness across small independent assignments and larger productions.
- Curiosity, initiative, reliability, and commitment to developing both your own work and the people around you.
- Low ego: bring conviction without defensiveness, take feedback seriously regardless of its source, and treat everyone with respect.
- Willingness to execute details and do the heavy lifting regardless of experience or seniority.
- Bachelor’s degree in film, design, media arts, communications, or an adjacent field; equivalent professional experience is also acceptable.
Responsibilities
- Advance Studio’s approach to moving image, motion, and photography in close partnership with Creative.
- Contribute from the earliest stages of development, translating ideas, stories, and brand objectives into distinct visual approaches.
- Bring production craft into the development of ideas and help shape what is made and how it is made.
- Explore approaches to shooting, editing, lighting, composition, and motion that strengthen storytelling and evolve the brand’s look and feel.
- Serve as lead DP across Studio productions, owning camera, lighting, lenses, composition, movement, coverage, and image capture.
- Develop treatments, visual references, shot lists, and storyboards, including rough sketches when useful.
- Direct projects, talent, interviews, or scenes when the assignment calls for it.
- Lead camera and lighting crews with clear direction, preparation, and creative and technical judgment.
- Adapt to changing conditions while protecting the story, creative intent, and quality of the work.
- Shoot high-end photography on select assignments that benefit from the Lead DP’s expertise.
- Establish and raise standards for lighting, composition, technique, and execution across photography produced by Studio and its partners.
- Improve photography workflows, equipment practices, and quality standards.
- Guide and mentor teammates and external partners through constructive feedback and shared expertise.
- Partner with editors and motion designers on structure, pacing, rhythm, movement, and sound.
- Contribute creative ideas and constructive challenge to help teammates expand their storytelling.
- Provide hands-on editing support when needed.
- On larger projects, contribute to casting, music, editorial, color, and finishing, remaining engaged through final delivery.
- Independently plan and execute smaller shoots, including assignments without a dedicated producer.
- Collaborate with creative teams, producers, directors, agencies, production partners, and specialized crews.
- Recommend production approaches and scale suited to the idea, budget, schedule, and intended result.
- Prepare thoroughly, solve problems resourcefully, and follow through on commitments.
- Lead through the quality of work, clarity of ideas, and respectful treatment of others.
- Share knowledge, mentor teammates, give useful feedback, welcome different perspectives, and share credit.
- Contribute beyond individual assignments to improve the work and capabilities of Studio and Brand & Creative.
Benefits
- Market-competitive compensation package, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
