Sr. Photographer

Gap Inc.•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

The Sr. Photographer works in the Gap Platform Photo Studio, serving as a direct photography partner for Athleta and collaborating with brand stakeholders to elevate and execute on-figure product photography. The role focuses on lighting, on-set direction, and visual aesthetics to create consistent branded photography assets, while executing the brand’s creative direction and explaining decisions that support its vision. The photographer also leads freelance talent as needed, helps onboard them to studio processes, and resolves on-set challenges. Working under the Sr. Manager of Photography, the photographer partners with account managers, art directors, stylists, product coordinators, sample managers, and other photographers. The role captures digital e-commerce imagery at scale, including still-life photography when needed, and helps meet daily shot goals, service-level deadlines, production targets, and budget expectations. Although assigned specifically to Athleta, the role also learns processes for Banana Republic and Gap to support production flexibility. The position contributes to studio performance and creative quality by identifying workflow improvements, developing techniques for new categories and projects, maintaining technical execution guides and process documentation, and collecting and analyzing data to test improvements and initiatives. It requires balancing consistent accuracy, aesthetics, productivity, and brand creativity in a high-intensity e-commerce studio environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in photography or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience working as a photographer for premium brands and/or innovative branding firms.
Direct experience in large-scale, high-volume apparel production across a variety of product categories.
Proven experience working with art directors, stylists, production teams, and freelance talent.
In-depth photography and videography skills and knowledge.
Clear understanding of all stages of the photography process and ability to direct a team in executing it.
Ability to collaborate positively and work through confrontation in a solution-minded way.
Experience in a high-intensity e-commerce studio environment and ability to thrive under tight deadlines.
Self-driven and able to communicate creative ideas and collaborate in a multi-team environment.
Quality-focused, quick problem solver able to support productivity and time-to-market standards.

Responsibilities

Produce high-quality photography and video for Athleta, Banana Republic, or Gap.
Lead on-figure photography execution and partner with brand stakeholders to understand seasonal brand vision and create supporting photography and video assets.
Work in the studio under the Sr. Manager of Photography while independently partnering with account managers, art directors, and stylists to capture digital product images at scale.
Photograph e-commerce images and capture still-life imagery when needed.
Identify new ways to shoot that support agility and flexibility while maintaining or exceeding production goals.
Coordinate with managers, account managers, photographers, stylists, art directors, product coordinators, and sample managers to meet production expectations.
Partner with other photographers, stylists, and art directors to lead the crew and complete daily shot goals within service-level deadlines; raise risks and work with account managers and studio leadership to resolve roadblocks.
Proactively identify workflow and process challenges, develop potential solutions, and ensure process documentation is created.
Maintain high standards for accuracy, aesthetics, and productivity.
Develop techniques and best practices for shooting new categories and projects.
Maintain photography technical execution guides within the studio.
Collect and analyze data and test solutions for process improvements and new initiatives.
Lead freelancers as needed and ensure they understand studio processes and procedures.
Troubleshoot on-set photography challenges and execute brand creative direction while articulating the rationale for decisions.