PHOTOGRAPHER ASSOCIATE

Chicago Bears • Lake Forest, IL

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Development Program is a paid 12-month full-time (temporary) experience designed for early-career individuals or those beginning their professional careers. A bachelor’s degree, relevant certification, or a combination of related education and experience aligned with the responsibilities of the role is required. Relevant coursework, training, or equivalent experience is valued. The format allows for structured professional development and hands-on learning.

We are seeking a seasonal photographer who is passionate about football to help lead projects, develop creative assets, assist our full-time photographer, and edit photos for our digital media properties. This role is located out of our headquarters, Halas Hall in Lake Forest, IL, plus frequent work at Soldier Field, with the ability for some remote work as well.

2026-27 Associate Development Program Dates: Monday, June 1, 2026 – Friday, May 21, 2027 

Please Note: Applications must include a working link to an online portfolio to be considered. Please ensure the link is accessible and viewable without restrictions.

Requirements

• Degree in photography, digital media, journalism, or related field, relevant certification, or a combination of related education and experience aligned with the responsibilities of the role are required.
• Previous experience in sports preferred 
• Demonstrated photography and photo editing experience including proficiency in Photoshop, Adobe Bridge, Photo Mechanic. Experience using Photoshelter a plus 
• Ability to conceptualize and demonstrate skillful storytelling, strong decision making and the ability to produce and distribute work in real time, while working with the Bears brand team on long-term projects 
• Strong knowledge of current social media trends 
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and handle feedback with ease 
• Ability to show engagement and collaboration with departments across the Bears organization 
• Strong teamwork aptitude and intrinsically motivated by the desire to see a group succeed as opposed to individual accolades. 
• Confident and disciplined work ethic to produce efficiently on tight deadlines 
• Possess excellent relationship building and communication skills to include the ability to gain the trust of players, coaches and staff required. 
• Must be able to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays 
• Must have reliable transportation and be able to travel to various sites and events across the Chicagoland area

Responsibilities

• Photograph community and special events 
• Apply metadata to photos 
• Maintain image archives 
• Assist with building photo galleries from training camp, practices, gameday, and other various club events 
• Edit, retouch photos for various media platforms (social, digital, etc.) 
• Coordinate daily art content, find, and suggest compelling images, develop templates 
• Communicate with staff to ensure social needs are met 
• Support full time photographers on gameday by running card and uploading photos for use on social and other platforms 
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Optional medical coverage (employer paid premium + employee paid deductible)
• Up to 2 days a week of remote work (role dependent)
• 5 days of paid vacation time, 3 paid sick/mental health days plus 10 paid holidays, paid time off to volunteer
• Complimentary preseason tickets for one game, ability to buy additional tickets for home & away games
• FREE breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks, access to onsite fitness facilities and BearsFit, complimentary Calm app access
• Social events for staff and their families, Employee Resource Groups, and more
• Complimentary LinkedIn Learning access, professional development sessions, guest speakers, mentorship

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level