Head of Photography Jobs
Head of Photography jobs are open across media, advertising, e-commerce, and entertainment, at every level from staff photographer to senior creative director, with specializations in commercial, editorial, and brand photography. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About the role
We’re looking for a talented, Oahu-based cinematographer to serve as Director of Photography (DP) on creative content shoots led by a Hollywood writer and producer. His credits include writing and executive producing a Netflix series, a pilot for ABC, and selling multiple feature films and television scripts. Projects range from short comedic sketches to stylized ads. This is a chance to shoot elevated, creative work and learn directly from someone with deep Hollywood experience. What you’ll do Serve as DP on scheduled shoots in Kailua and around Oahu Plan and execute camera, framing, lighting, and movement to bring each concept to life Collaborate closely with the writer/producer on the visual style of each project Bring your own creative ideas to the table Optional: edit footage on a project basis, if you’re interested
What we’re looking for
A strong creative eye and your own visual style Solid technical knowledge of camera and lighting A reel or portfolio showing your work Reliable, collaborative, and eager to grow Based on Oahu with reliable transportation Film students and early-career cinematographers are encouraged to apply
What you’ll get
$20–$30/hour, depending on experience Real on-set experience as a DP Mentorship from an experienced Hollywood writer and producer Portfolio pieces with high production value Opportunity for ongoing work and growth with the company Additional paid project work if you also edit
How it works
Selected candidates will start with a paid, single-day 4-hour trial shoot in Kailua. If it’s a good fit, we’ll set up a regular schedule of shoots, about once a week or every other week.
To apply: Apply through Indeed and include a link to your reel or portfolio in the screening question. You can also email your reel or portfolio to hello@thedadunit.com with the subject line “Cinematographer – [Your Name]”.
Screening questions:
- Please share a link to your reel or portfolio. (required)
- Are you based on Oahu? (Yes/No)
- Do you own your own camera and lighting gear? (Yes/No)
- Are you also interested in editing? (Yes/No)
Pay: $20.00 - $30.00 per hour
Expected hours: 4.0 per week
Benefits:
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person
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Who's Hiring
- WelcomeNewborn13
- Mom3658
- Meta5
- AbbVie3
- Walmart2
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in head of photography jobs.
- Extensive professional photography portfolio demonstrating brand, commercial, or editorial work
- Proficiency in Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, and Capture One for post-production
- Experience directing and managing a team of photographers and creative staff
- Strong understanding of studio lighting, on-location shooting, and production logistics
- Ability to develop visual style guides and maintain brand consistency across campaigns
- Bachelor's degree in photography, visual arts, or a related creative discipline
Tips for Your Head of Photography Job Search
Tailor your portfolio to the industry
A portfolio that works for editorial hiring won't land you a commercial or e-commerce role. Pull together a focused selection of work that reflects the specific visual language of each employer's category before you apply to any listing.
Highlight team leadership in your resume
Head of photography roles are leadership positions first. Your resume needs to show how many photographers, assistants, or freelancers you've directed, not just your personal shooting credits. Hiring managers are evaluating your ability to run a department.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists head of photography openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Name the production software you manage
Many head of photography candidates undercut themselves by listing only Adobe Creative Suite. Employers also want to see photo asset management platforms, studio scheduling tools, and color calibration systems you've used at scale to run a production workflow.
Prepare a creative brief walkthrough for interviews
Expect to be asked how you translate a brand's strategic goal into a shoot concept. Practice walking through a real project from brief to final deliverable, explaining every creative and logistical decision you made along the way.
Negotiate scope alongside compensation
When you receive an offer, clarify the size of the team you'll oversee, the annual shoot volume, and your approval authority over freelance hires. Those details define the actual weight of the role and affect your leverage in future negotiations.
Head of Photography Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most head of photographys?
The most active employers for head of photographys right now are WelcomeNewborn, Mom365, and Meta, and the most openings are in California, New York, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Retail, media, and e-commerce brands consistently represent the largest share of open roles.
How many head of photography jobs are remote?
About 31% of head of photography openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though fully on-site roles remain common given the hands-on nature of studio and production work. Post-production oversight, creative direction, and vendor coordination are the functions most likely to be performed remotely.
How do you become a head of photography?
Most heads of photography start by building strong technical skills and a distinctive portfolio through years of shooting commercially or editorially. From there, the path runs through senior photographer and photo director roles, where you gain experience leading shoots, managing stylists and assistants, and working directly with creative directors. Demonstrated ability to run budgets and maintain a consistent visual identity across a brand's output is what moves candidates into head-level positions.
Can you get hired as a head of photography with limited leadership experience?
Getting hired at the head level without direct department leadership experience is difficult, but candidates who have independently produced large-scale shoots, managed freelance teams, or served as the sole staff photographer at a smaller company often qualify. Framing contract and project-based work in terms of team coordination and output volume, rather than just individual shooting credits, helps close that gap in your application.
What does the head of photography interview process look like?
The process typically starts with a portfolio review call, followed by a structured interview covering your creative process, production management approach, and how you've handled budget constraints or creative conflicts. Many employers then ask for a creative brief presentation or a mock shoot concept walkthrough. Final rounds often include a conversation with the broader creative leadership team to assess cultural and strategic fit.
Where can I find and apply to head of photography jobs?
You can find and apply to head of photography jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and specialization, and apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 115+ Head of Photography Jobs
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