Collections Photographer - Cultural Heritage Publishing FTC
- Recruiter
- National Trust
- Location
- Swindon
- Salary
- 22188.00 GBP Annual
- Posted
- 27 Jul 2021
- Closes
- 31 Jul 2021
- Sectors
- Travel & Tourism
- Contract Type
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full Time
We are looking for a Collections Photographer to join our Cultural Heritage Publishing (CHP) team, which produces research-based books and magazines on the National Trust's properties and cultural assets. The National Trust's collections comprise over a million objects, including paintings, sculpture, furniture, books, textiles and a huge range of decorative arts objects. As a key player in the CHP team, you'll take high-quality photographs of these objects and interiors at some of the most amazing properties in the UK. Excellent collections photography is critical to the success of our printed and digital publications, and is used across a range of internal and external channels in a variety of media.
In support of their application, candidates are required to provide examples of their work via either:
- a link to a professional website
- a PDF document with examples of previous work (maximum 12 images)
N.B. Candidates who do not provide this on application will not be considered.
What it's like to work hereThe Cultural Heritage Publishing team is based at Heelis, the National Trust's head office in Swindon, but you could be based anywhere in England or Wales; this role will mainly involve working at our properties across England and Wales and occasionally in Northern Ireland, requiring regular travel to these sites.
We are a large, multi-faceted conservation charity with a lot to offer our employees as well as our visitors. We are for everyone, for ever - we want everyone to feel welcome and enjoy access to our places, so we need to reach new audiences in ways that are meaningful to them, while remaining relevant to our existing supporters.
What you'll be doingYou will be an in-house photographer taking high-quality digital still photographs for the National Trust's Cultural Heritage Publishing (CHP) programme that are suitable for reproducing in our print publications, on the National Trust's websites and through a variety of other channels and platforms.
Working closely to brief, you will grow the in-house resource of professionally taken collections photography, identifying gaps in our image archive and maximising opportunities for new photoshoots and budget spend. You will manage a programme of new collections photography, meticulously planning photoshoots at National Trust properties and places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland several months in advance to ensure the timely delivery of images for specific projects to prescribed schedules.
You will ensure budgets are not exceeded - negotiating fees with freelancers (such as external conservators and specialist art handlers), recording expenses and ensuring all financial transactions are carefully logged. You will be responsible for ensuring that all image files are labelled systematically and all data archived securely, with copies supplied to colleagues in the National Trust Images team for uploading to our central digital asset management system.
Who we're looking forSomeone with ???
- A track record of producing professional photography to a very high and consistent standard, in both natural and artificial light, in a variety of conditions and environments.
- A proven ability to manage and undertake photoshoots in often challenging indoor and outdoor settings.
- Experience of working in studio-type settings - setting up cameras, lighting and backgrounds, composing objects and selecting suitable angles, ensuring colour fidelity and minimising reflections - is essential.
- An appreciation of the particular challenges around dealing with museum-quality objects and the specialist art handling required.
- A good knowledge of a professional image workflow - from capturing in RAW, editing and processing within the Adobe Creative Cloud suite to the supply of high-quality finished files for multiple-channel use and uploading to digital asset management systems. An in-depth knowledge of Apple Mac OS is essential.
- Experience of planning and managing your own workload, prioritising photoshoots to a carefully organised schedule and delivering to tight deadlines.
- A high degree of professionalism and diplomacy in ensuring that colleagues at National Trust properties and places are clearly briefed on the nature of the photoshoots and what is required of them to ensure that objects, interiors and (where necessary) exteriors are prepared.
- A willingness to travel long distances in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, staying away from home overnight or for several days, as necessary. A full driving licence is essential.
- Excellent people skills. The post-holder will liaise closely with other members of the CHP team as well as with colleagues across the organisation and externally - including the National Trust Images team, staff at National Trust places, curators, conservators, collections managers, art handlers, freelancers and external publishing partners.
- A sound understanding of professional digital photography and scanning equipment.
- A sound understanding of copyright legislation, privacy and other legal obligations associated with photography.
Benefits for working at the National Trust:
- Flexible working whenever possible
- Free parking at most locations
- Discounts in high street stores, cinemas, National Trust properties and cafes.
- Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
- Generous annual leave
- Subsidised health cash plan
- Free 24-hour support service
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
- Training & Development tailored to you
- Up to 5 days of paid volunteering for you.
Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.