Commercial Photographer/Marketing Creative

Commercial Photographer/Marketing Creative

Full Time - Hours vary and will require time outside normal business hours.

Work Location: This job is hybrid in San José, CA and will often require onsite work.

$30-40/hr or equivalent salary, commensurate with experience.

Benefits:

• Retirement savings plan (Roth IRA)
• Medical insurance plans available
• 2 paid weeks off per year with prior notice and approval

Ani & Cat LLC is seeking an experienced, creative, and technically skilled Commercial Photographer / Marketing Creative to produce professional photography for a wide variety of marketing, branding, and advertising projects, and assist on a variety of marketing content.

This is a hands-on position for someone who is equally comfortable setting up a professional studio lighting system, photographing executives for corporate headshots, capturing polished product photography, documenting community events, or spending the afternoon photographing restaurants and business districts for marketing campaigns.

The ideal candidate possesses strong technical photography skills, understands how to create consistent, high-quality commercial imagery, and enjoys working directly with clients. While photography is the primary focus of this role, we are particularly interested in candidates with experience in related marketing disciplines, including video production, social media, email marketing, and content creation. More importantly, we're looking for someone who is curious, adaptable, and excited to continually learn new skills.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Photography

• Plan and execute professional commercial photography assignments for a variety of clients and industries.
• Photograph executive and corporate headshots.
• Produce professional product photography for print, web, e-commerce, and advertising.
• Photograph restaurants, retail businesses, commercial spaces, and business districts.
• Capture community events, ribbon cuttings, networking events, festivals, and public meetings.
• Create architectural, interior, and environmental photography that showcases businesses and commercial districts.
• Work both in our studio and on location while maintaining consistent image quality.
• Operate professional camera systems using full manual exposure settings.
• Plan and execute lighting setups using strobes, flashes, modifiers, softboxes, reflectors, and other professional lighting equipment.
• Edit and retouch images using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.
• Maintain organized photo libraries, backups, and file naming systems.
• Prepare images for print, web, social media, advertising, and client delivery.
• Obtain signatures for photo releases and keep release forms organized.

Client Interaction and Project Support

• Interact professionally with clients during photography sessions.
• Help subjects feel comfortable and confident during portrait sessions.
• Coordinate photography schedules with project managers and clients.
• Assist with planning shot lists and creative concepts for marketing campaigns.
• Represent Ani & Cat professionally while working on client sites and at community events.
• Maintain photography equipment and identify maintenance or replacement needs.

Marketing Creative Support

Depending on candidate’s additional skills, may assist with:

• Social media content development
• E-newsletters
• Video production and editing
• Visual branding
• Marketing campaign development
• Other marketing related tasks.

Qualifications

Candidates should meet one of the following combinations of education and experience:

A bachelor's degree in photography, commercial photography, visual communications, fine arts, digital media, or a related field, plus at least three years of relevant professional photography experience;

OR

At least five years of equivalent professional experience in commercial photography or a closely related field.

Required Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated experience producing professional commercial photography.
• Strong understanding of manual camera operation, including aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and exposure.
• Experience working with DSLR or mirrorless camera systems in full manual mode.
• Experience using professional studio lighting equipment, including strobes, continuous lighting, softboxes, light modifiers, and light stands.
• Ability to create flattering lighting for portraits and headshots.
• Experience photographing products using controlled lighting techniques.
• Strong composition, framing, and visual storytelling skills.
• Proficiency with Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop.
• Ability to maintain consistent image quality across multiple projects and clients.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments while meeting deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Professional and friendly demeanor when interacting with clients.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating with a creative team.
• Experience working in a marketing agency or creative studio.

Additional Qualifications (we are looking for one or more of the following skills)

• Experience producing short-form marketing videos.
• Experience editing video using Adobe Premiere Pro or similar software.
• Experience creating social media content.
• Experience designing or writing email newsletters using platforms such as Mailchimp or Constant Contact.
• Basic graphic design experience using Adobe Creative Cloud or Canva.
• Marketing or advertising experience.

Professional Expectations

The person in this role will frequently represent Ani & Cat while working with business owners, executives, community organizations, public agencies, and marketing clients.

We are looking for someone who:

* Takes pride in producing technically excellent photography.

* Is dependable, organized, and detail oriented.

* Communicates professionally with clients and coworkers.

* Is comfortable receiving feedback and incorporating creative direction.

* Takes initiative and solves problems independently.

* Is adaptable and willing to photograph a wide variety of subjects and environments.

* Enjoys learning new equipment, software, and creative techniques.

* Is excited to expand their skills beyond photography when opportunities arise.

We believe technical photography can be taught and refined throughout a career, but curiosity, professionalism, and a willingness to learn are what distinguish exceptional team members.

Physical and Transportation Requirements

This position regularly requires travel between client locations throughout the region.

The employee must be able to:

• Reliably travel between client sites.
• Transport professional camera equipment, lighting equipment, tripods, and related gear.
• Set up and break down studio lighting systems.
• Walk through commercial districts and event venues while carrying photography equipment.
• Work both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Stand for extended periods during events and photo sessions.
• Work evenings and weekends based on client and event schedules.

To Apply

Please submit:

• A résumé describing your relevant education and professional experience.
• A brief cover letter explaining your interest in the position.
• A portfolio demonstrating your commercial photography experience, including examples of headshots, product photography, architectural or business photography, restaurants, events, or similar work.
• If applicable: examples of video work, social media content, newsletters, or other marketing materials you've created.

Please clearly identify which work in your portfolio was photographed, edited, or produced directly by you.

About Ani & Cat LLC:

Ani & Cat LLC is a rapidly growing full service marketing and business development firm based in San Jose, CA. Our clients include governmental agencies, nonprofit community organizations, and private businesses.

Mission Statement

Our company’s mission is to forge connections; whether that’s a new customer connecting to a restaurant they’ve never visited before, a citizen connecting on a deeper level with their own city, or two businesses connecting to form a mutually beneficial and productive partnership. We are always looking towards the next best thing, taking the tried and true methods we know have worked in the past, and applying them in creative ways using the technology of today.

Values

• Client Commitment: We develop and foster relationships that contribute to the economic growth of our clients.
• Integrity: We seek to uphold the highest standards of integrity in all of our actions.
• Supportive Citizenship: We strive to be outstanding and supportive citizens in the communities in which we live and work.
• Quality: We deliver outstanding services and unrivaled quality standards in our digital media that, together, deliver an exceptional value to our clients.
• Respect for All: We value our people, our clients and our communities and we encourage their growth and development.
• Innovation: We strive to be curious and continuously look towards our next goal.

Ani & Cat LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.