Photographer

ABOUT M&C SAATCHI WORLD SERVICES

M&C Saatchi World Services is a full-service marketing company renowned for using commercial advertising to solve the worlds toughest challenges. World Services is a specialty branch of M&C Saatchi Group and we provide strategic communications behavior change and marketing support to Public Sector clients with special emphasis on the US Federal Government and State Local Tribal & Territorial leaders.

M&C Saatchi World Services US is seeking a highly skilled and versatile Photographer to create compelling high-quality photography for communications outreach and stakeholder engagement initiatives. Working across locations events and planned shoots this role will capture real people environments and experiences in ways that can strengthen audience engagement enhances brand presence and advance mission objectives.

THE ROLE

M&C Saatchi World Services is seeking an accomplished Photographer to create distinctive technically excellent photography for strategic communications outreach and engagement initiatives across a diverse portfolio of federal programs. You will work independently on location to photograph people events and real-world activities often responding to changing conditions without extensive on-site support. You will also work as part of a wider production team on more complex shoots collaborating with creative communications account and stakeholder engagement teams to deliver against an agreed brief and visual approach. The ideal candidate combines a distinctive creative eye with deep technical knowledge of camera lenses lighting exposure composition contrast color and digital image production. They can make strong creative and technical decisions independently adapt to different subjects and environments and consistently produce polished publication-ready work. This is a hybrid role supporting a federal client environment. The ideal candidate will live in the District of Columbia Maryland and Virginia (DMV) region and must be available to travel domestically for photography assignments.

Key Responsibilities

Independently capture high-quality publication-ready photography at public locations workplaces leadership engagements live events and other on-location assignments.

Plan and execute photography across environmental and formal portraiture documentary and editorial photography live events campaign and lifestyle imagery and promotional content.

Translate creative and communications briefs into an appropriate photographic approach including shot lists location and equipment requirements lighting plans and practical production considerations.

Select and operate appropriate professional camera bodies lenses lighting grip and supporting equipment adapting exposure focus composition color and lighting decisions to each subject location and intended use.

Use photography to communicate complex ideas document impact and create coherent visual narratives that support audience and communications objectives.

Collaborate with communications creative strategy and stakeholder engagement teams to identify visual storytelling opportunities and support content development efforts.

Edit retouch and optimize imagery for digital print social media presentation and multimedia applications.

Ensure photography aligns with creative and brand standards technical and quality standards and provide accurate captions contextual information and image descriptions where needed to support accessible publication.

Prepare photography assets for publication and distribution across multiple channels and platforms.

Ingest back up catalogue and archive photography using agreed folder structures file-naming conventions metadata captions keywords version control and usage information ensuring assets can be located and reused.

Manage photography equipment memory cards file transfers and on-location backups to protect captured material and reduce the risk of data loss.

Support rapid-turn photography requests and high-priority communications initiatives while maintaining creative quality and consistency.

Work as part of a wider production team on more complex shoots collaborating with producers creatives art directors and other specialists where required.

Collaborate with designers videographers and multimedia teams to integrate photography into wider campaigns and communications products.

Advise internal teams on photographic approaches equipment lighting locations schedules and other factors affecting the feasibility quality and cost of a shoot.

Stay current on photography trends editing technologies AI-enabled creative tools and evolving visual communications practices. Key Attributes

Substantial professional photography with a strong portfolio demonstrating consistently high standards of visual storytelling and technical execution across a range of subjects and shooting conditions.

Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in photography visual storytelling composition lighting and image creation.

Advanced knowledge of professional camera systems lenses exposure metering focus depth of field shutter speed ISO white balance RAW capture and color-managed photography workflows.

Confident use of available light on-camera and off-camera flash continuous lighting modifiers stands grip and other equipment required for professional location photography.

Advanced proficiency in Adobe Lightroom Photoshop Capture One or comparable professional software including image selection RAW processing color correction retouching batch processing esport and archive preparation.

Experience utilizing AI-assisted content development research and optimization tools to enhance content quality audience engagement and workflow efficiency.

Curiosity in technology landscape and how AI is changing communications.

Experience producing photography for use across campaigns print websites social media events presentations publications internal communications and online and offline channels.

Ability to translate communications objectives and audience needs into compelling visual content. Strong attention to detail and commitment to creative quality consistency and technical excellence.

Ability to work effectively both as a self-sufficient location photographer and as part of a multidisciplinary production team on larger or more complex shoots.

Excellent communication organizational and project management skills.

Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously while meeting deadlines in fast-paced environments.

Experience using digital asset management systems and applying professional standards for file ingest backup metadata captioning keywording archiving and retrieval.

Ability to travel work on location transport and safely handle photography equipment and work outside standard office hours where required for events or assignments.

Experience supporting federal government public affairs international development or mission-driven communications programs is preferred.

Additional experience capturing short-form video is advantageous but not essential.

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance as required by the position.

Educational Requirements:

BA/BS or equivalent qualification in Photography Photojournalism Fine Arts Visual Communications Multimedia Production or a related creative field preferred.

Location: Hybrid able to commute regularly to Rosslyn VA/DC Metro Area

Experience: Minimum of 5 years experience.

Eligibility Requirements:
U.S. Citizenship: Must be a United States Citizen (required by government contract).
Clearance Eligibility: Must be able and willing to obtain a U.S. Government Secret or Top Secret security clearance immediately upon employment.
Background Screening: Must be willing to submit to a rigorous federal background investigation which includes an in-depth review of personal finances criminal history employment history and drug use.

The salary range provided reflects the anticipated compensation for this role across our Washington DC and New York locations. Actual starting salary will be determined based on geographic location relevant experience skills and other job-related factors.

WHY YOULL LOVE IT HERE

Work on impactful programs supporting federal and defense-related initiatives.
Collaborate with high-performing cross-functional teams across communications digital and analytics disciplines.
Opportunity to shape strategic public engagement initiatives at enterprise scale.

Flexible hybrid working environment.
Exposure to complex mission-driven stakeholder engagement challenges.
Career development opportunities within a fast-growing global organization.

WHAT YOU GET

We offer a competitive salary and a benefits package designed to support your health family life financial wellbeing and growth:

• 12 weeks of full pay for primary caregivers and 6 weeks for secondary caregivers.

• Choice of three medical plans (HSA at $0 cost; EPO 75% employer funded; PPO 65% employer funded)

• 70% employer-funded dental and vision coverage

• Generous paid time off sick leave and company holidays including an office closure between Christmas & New Years

• 401(k) with 5% employer match

• Gym membership reimbursement and/or Wellhub subscription

• Mental health support through EAP and Self Space services

• Work from anywhere for up to 2 weeks per year (subject to approval)

• Social events happy hours professional development trainings etc.

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