CoPA Student Photographer

Chapman University Careers•Irvine, CA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Student Photographer supports the College of Performing Arts by photographing dress rehearsals, live performances, and miscellaneous CoPA events, preparing images for marketing and archival use. The role includes shooting unobtrusively in low light, culling images to identify viable selects, and delivering edited files promptly to the College’s Marketing Specialist. This position does not follow a standard weekly schedule. Hours will vary based on departmental productions, with the majority of work taking place during weeknight and weekend music, theatre, and dance dress rehearsals and/or performances. Photo editing responsibilities are included as paid time and may be completed during the student’s own weekday availability.

Requirements

Currently enrolled student in good academic standing.
Demonstrated experience photographing live events or performing arts; ability to shoot in low light without flash.
Proficiency with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop for culling, basic edits, metadata, and exports.
Strong file organization skills and attention to detail (naming, backups, consistent workflows).
Reliable, punctual, and able to work evenings/weekends as productions require.
Professionalism in performance environments; able to remain unobtrusive and follow safety and house rules.

Responsibilities

Photograph designated dress rehearsals and performances for theatre, dance, and music productions.
Work unobtrusively in low light without flash; follow house rules and stage management directions at all times.
Capture a strong variety (wide/medium/tight, vertical/horizontal, key moments, audience reactions, behind-the-scenes as assigned) aligned with brand needs for web, social, and print.
Coordinate with Marketing Specialist on artistic direction and asset priorities.
Perform an initial cull to remove non-viable images (out of focus, misfires, duplicates).
Create a curated set of selects that highlight each production; apply basic global edits (exposure, white balance, contrast, crop/straighten) while preserving the intent of the lighting design.
Tag files with essential metadata/keywords (show title, director, venue, date, performer names if provided, photographer credit).
Name files according to CoPA conventions.
Export and deliver: High-resolution JPEGs suitable for print and archival.
Export and deliver: Web-optimized JPEGs for social/digital, if requested.
Retain RAW files per college retention guidelines.
Upload selects to the shared drive within 48 hours of the shoot, or by agreed deadline.
Coordinate with the Marketing Specialist on final selection and any deletion beyond initial rejects.
Proactively confirm call times and shot lists, and check in with stage management for safe shooting locations and movement paths that will not disturb the performance.
Provide availability in advance; notify supervisor promptly if conflicts arise.