Staff Photographer, Contract

SoFi • San Francisco, CA

9h • $65 - $78 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Creative Studio at SoFi is looking for a visionary Staff Photographer to join our best-in-class, in-house creative agency. In this role, you won’t just be producing static marketing images; you will be co-creating an evocative visual universe that defines what financial freedom actually feels like. At SoFi, we hold a deep, foundational respect for the traditional craft of photography—the magic of pristine composition, real human emotion, and impeccable lighting–while also actively challenging ourselves to scale our brand’s visual output to unprecedented heights. We believe the future lies at the intersection of heritage and innovation. By blending the soul of high-end, fashion-forward commercial photography with advanced generative AI, you will help us develop high-quality, deeply artistic imagery and video across all of SoFi’s marketing and communication platforms. This isn't a one-dimensional studio gig. You will master a distinct, multi-tiered visual ecosystem that requires you to flex both your technical precision and your wildest creative metaphors: The Foundational: Executing crisp, macro, trust-building product shots that ground our members in clarity and security. The Surreal: Crafting fashionable, high-concept visual metaphors that beautifully externalize the pure triumph of achieving financial independence. Ultimately, your creative inspiration and skill capturing photography and video, flawless image retouching, and emerging AI tools will serve as the bedrock for this new frontier of image creation. If you are ready to honor the traditional lens while pioneering the digital one, we want to build the future of fintech imagery with you.

Requirements

• A minimum of 4+ years working as a commercial photographer at an ad agency, in-house creative department, or freelancing for major consumer brands.
• A strong, well-rounded portfolio and reel showcasing beautiful, functional work that demonstrates an elite grasp of color, composition, typography, and lighting
• Comfortable shooting both in studio or on location
• A deep, active curiosity about AI and an eager interest in the application of Generative AI software within creative workflows.
• Technical knowledge of using gen AI models (e.g., Runway, Stable Diffusion, Adobe Firefly) for adding effects like textures and lighting to photographic plates
• Technical knowledge of motion capture and understanding of compositing imagery and video for video clips (shooting video clips to be used in for this purpose)
• Technical understanding of file size and type requirements for delivery to multiple platforms
• Self-motivated and able to work independently on set while also supporting the larger creative studio team
• Experience working in a hybrid remote/office capacity as required by production schedules.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple project timelines.
• A collaborative spirit and the ability to remain "ego-less" when receiving creative feedback.
• Clear communication skills to articulate editorial choices to non-technical stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in similar regulated, fast-paced tech industries
• Proficiency in design and post-production software including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) and Figma.
• Production experience with social media trends and creating content optimized for platforms like TikTok.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with Art Directors, Brand Strategists, and Copywriters to conceptualize, plan, and execute studio and location photo and video shoots for our visual library
• Master and capture a distinct multi-tiered visual ecosystem in order to capture the core theme of our hero moments.
• Possess the skills and vision required to execute crisp product shots, dynamic full-body on-the-move tracking shots, dramatic low-angle power posture shots for every model bracket, and trust-building product shots that ground our members' financial journeys.
• Concept and capture high-leverage, surreal visual metaphors that vividly externalize the psychological triumph of getting your money right.
• Approach lighting, plate photography, composition, and subjects with an "AI-first" mindset, capturing assets specifically optimized for downstream AI manipulation and generation.
• Partner with our post-production, motion and vfx teams to guide raw imagery through CG and AI tools to deliver seamless "SoFi" assets.
• Operate advanced DSLR, mirrorless camera technology, and mid-level cinema and studio lighting setups.
• Retouch photos and video with traditional retouching tools as well as AI tools like Runway and Adobe custom models.
• Champion the SoFi brand narrative, ensuring all imagery evokes the emotion, forward-thinking energy, and financial confidence of our community.

Benefits

• The base pay range for this role is listed below. Final base pay offer will be determined based on individual factors such as the candidate’s experience, skills, and location.
• To view all of our comprehensive and competitive benefits, visit our Benefits at SoFi page!

What This Job Offers

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