Photographer II
Clayton’s in-house Photography Team provides all areas of the business with commercial and creative photography, developing content for our social channels, website, and print, and is highly involved from concept to delivery of photography for social and headline creative campaigns. The Photographer II is a self-motivated, collaborative role responsible for the production of various types of projects and the project management required to accomplish the tasks involved. This role actively leads photo shoots, manages communications, travels extensively, is able to provide complex photo editing, and interacts with leadership, stakeholders and customers regularly. Using artistic and technical skills, the Photographer II creates high-quality images of home exterior and interiors, people, commercial/lifestyle, events, and other products while maintaining Clayton’s brand guidelines. This team member is involved in creating sustainable systems, maintaining current processes and is responsible for the back end of the photography department (organization, archiving, metadata). The Photographer II works with the Photography Team Lead and other photographers to determine the best execution, post-processing, retouching, package, presentation, and handoff of photos.
Photographer II Skills and Responsibilities
Ability to use different types of photography equipment efficiently to capture photos that align with brand guidelines.
Choose props, settings, locations, time, and lighting to achieve desired results.
Properly light subjects by using or manipulating artificial and natural lighting; use flashes and reflectors where necessary. Understanding of various lighting setups/gear and how it affects settings, shapes, and skin tones.
Determine how to create desired images and compositions based on creative direction and project needs
Proven ability to photograph a variety of subjects in different styles
Flexibility and proven skill to problem solve in the field and make decisions based on project/stakeholder priorities
Shoot a large range of home styles and models (site-built, CrossMod®, tiny homes, etc.), supply facilities, design samples/flat lays.
Ability to cover a wide range of internal events, headshots, company initiatives, as well as external facing philanthropy efforts and providing photography support for PR events.
Ability to fly a drone and capture content using a remote system
Create 3D tours and walkthroughs with Matterport camera system
Organize and lead discovery meetings and collaborations with stakeholders to get an understanding of the goals, story, direction and product that they would like captured.
Determine with Photography Team Lead and/or stakeholders if props, additional equipment, vendor/3rd party support or paid talent are needed
Collect, purchase, or arrange for rental any props or equipment needed
Manage travel logistics, planning, communications, pitching and budget management for a variety of project types.
Excellent communication and people skills, with the ability to discuss complex artistic concepts in easy-to-understand terms
Work with marketing teams to produce assets for specific platforms.
COMMERCIAL/LIFESTYLE PHOTO SHOOTS - Directing pre-shoot preparations, scouting locations, developing concept decks and shot lists, gear checks, leading meetings and communications. Producing the shoot – Including, but not limited to, shooting, directing additional photographer(s), managing vendors, communications with stakeholders and vendors
EXTERIORS/CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS - Work closely with Social Team, customers, facilities, and home centers to coordinate schedules and logistics for travel. Ability to prioritize photo opportunities against time committed to the project, company initiatives and use case for images captured. Ability to document a customer’s Clayton Homes story visually.
Contribute to creative processes, support Marketing Team and enterprise goals and initiatives.
Ability to use different types of photography software to retouch, resize and enhance images as needed – specifically Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.
Proficiency in complex Photoshop edits including, but not limited to, window replacements, sky replacements, photo merging/composites, AI tools and grass/yard replacements.
Ability to adjust editing style to be consistent with visual brand guidelines, stakeholder request, and/or use case for images.
Able to cull images down to an established amount that satisfies the request and present/review with stakeholders to determine priority images if needed.
Uploading and organizing assets using metadata, collections and portals to allow for searchability and best customer/stakeholder experience.
Setting and maintaining metadata standards for uploaded images
Delivering asset collections to the teams and/or stakeholders.
Knowledge of data asset management platforms and ability to organize, troubleshoot, and support other teams/team members and 3rd party partners using the data asset management system to upload, download, search or organize images.
Photographer II Requirements
Diverse portfolio showing examples of own work and style, including interior and exterior real estate photography, showing ability to adapt to and work comfortably within brand specific guidelines and style
A keen eye for detail and a well-developed artistic and creative aesthetic
Highly proficient in the Adobe Creative Suite of applications and ability to provide complex retouching and photo editing (Lightroom/Photoshop)
Ability to shoot and edit consistently within visual brand guidelines
Demonstrate applied knowledge of photography concepts (manual mode, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, composition, camera position/angle)
Proficiency in manual operation of camera settings
Ability to work quickly and be flexible to adjust priorities and meet tight deadlines
Effectiveness in working across organizational boundaries to define, manage, and prioritize work
Organizational skills and attention to detail
Self-motivated, proactive, able to take initiative, desire to grow and learn
Understanding of big picture goals and enterprise vision and uses them to inform decisions of art direction, style and content for photography projects
Professional, culturally aware, builds rapport with people at all organizational levels
Excellent communication, presentation, interpersonal, and analytical skills; the ability to communicate concepts clearly, concisely and persuasively
Act as spokesperson to represent Clayton Homes and Photography Team to customers and general public
Flexibility in variety of tasks, hours worked, travel, availability to occasionally work weekends and nights
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Photography or equivalent practical experience
Years of Related Experience: 5+ years of experience in professional photography
Licenses/Certifications FAA Drone Certification (sUAS Pilot’s License)
This position requires extensive travel and may require traversing uneven terrain, walking up and down stairs, flying and driving regularly, and carrying heavy equipment (i.e. cameras, tripods, drones, cases, etc.).
Why Clayton?
Full-time team members have the flexibility to create their own health, dental, and vision benefits package. Clayton provides competitive 401K programs, including investment options and company matching for full and part time team members after one year to help our team members achieve their financial goals. Additional benefits include paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, Employee Assistance Programs, and more.
As part of Clayton’s commitment to Opening Doors to a Better Life, Clayton is now providing paid time for Team Members to volunteer to causes that are meaningful to them through the Clayton Impact program.
At Clayton, we encourage holistic wellness with physical, nutritional, social, financial, spiritual and occupational programs available online or in-person for team members. Clayton’s Home Office campus offers an onsite restaurant, onsite fitness facility with full gym, in-person and virtual workout classes, yoga / barre studio, volleyball and basketball courts, walking paths, and a disc golf course.
Clayton is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Clayton is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.
Compensation Grade Pay Range
$66,495.00 - $83,115.00
Business Unit - B00015
HomeTeam