OPT Photographer Jobs
Photographer jobs on OPT are available across commercial studios, media agencies, editorial outlets, and corporate clients. Your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension if your program qualifies) must be directly tied to your photography or visual arts degree, so role alignment with your field of study matters.
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Get Access To All JobsWho We Are:
It's pretty exciting, to find yourself standing in a pivotal moment in time. It’s even more exciting to be out front leading it. At QTS, our world-class data centers are supporting our customers most strategic growth initiatives, positioning us at the forefront of today’s dynamic digital transformation.
As AI and cloud drive the demand for increased speed, capacity and capability, QTS has emerged as the global digital infrastructure leader, committed to connecting the world for good. Driven by purpose and fueled by a spirit of innovation, QTS designs, builds and operates some of the world’s most advanced, forward-thinking data centers. QTS is a portfolio company of Blackstone.
QTS is Powered by People. People who play a vital role in our company’s culture, innovation and growth. People who are committed to contributing to the communities where we operate and work. People who are knowledgeable, resourceful and mission driven. Together, we do great things.
Who You Are & The Impact You Will Have:
The QTS Photographer is responsible for producing high quality and emotional multi-media assets for the QTS. The Photographer's work is key to bringing the QTS brand story to the world. As a key member of the Brand + Marketing team, the Photographer works closely with internal QTS teams and external service partners to accomplish their duties.
The ideal candidate is an innovative storyteller with a passion for designing and producing photoshoots, graphical and interactive content that inspires audiences to engage and take action. They have a broad, yet deep expertise in the latest techniques and technology needed to design quality creative media.
The Photographer will consistently think outside of the box to provide photo and video production (pre-production, production, post-production editing) and a wide range of multimedia design services, including photography, photo compositing, artwork, multimedia presentations, animation, motion graphics, visual effects, social ads, infographics, web, email, podcast and print design.
What You Will Do:
This role will have autonomy to manage and coordinate both internal and external resources while working closely with the central marketing and product teams. Duties include but not limited to:
- Think creatively and produces marketing, product, sales, and customer testimonial videos following brand standards
- Work with marketing team to create a vision and conceive designs for innovative videos to promote QTS
- Plan, produce and edit videos, from conception to final product, including development of story boards, shot list, on-site personnel coordination, sound editing and graphical elements
- Production of motion graphics including: text animations, special effects, 2D and 3D images for use in all marketing materials including, web and digital displays
- Ensure Brand alignment across all projects
- Recommend enhancements to QTS’ video media content, including production, placement techniques, approaches, tools and equipment
- Organize, manage and curate QTS’ digital media library
- Provide support, formatting, production, distribution and placement for QTS videos
- Work with team to ensure vendor-driven assets are consistent with internally created assets
What You Will Need to be Successful:
- BA or BS in Marketing, Photography, Video Production, Visual Design, Broadcast Journalism or other related major or equivalent professional experience
- Three to five years of experience with professional video production, photography and/or digital animation
Nice to Have:
- Advanced knowledge and understanding of video production, editing software and animation tools including Adobe CC - Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro or equivalent
- Intermediate knowledge of color grading
- Intermediate knowledge or higher of Adobe Premiere, Photoshop and Lightroom
- Additional knowledge and aptitude of adjacent or complimentary software such as SketchUp 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, or others
- Understanding of digital cameras, cinema lenses, lighting and audio equipment
- Experience working with RAW file format
- Strong organization and communication skills and able to understand and convey ideas
- Ability to learn and adapt to existing image management process
- Impressive digital portfolio of prior projects
- Navigates within a broad matrix structure
- Juggles multiple and diverse projects and priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Effectively manage external service partners
- Ability to convey complex ideas in simple, relevant manner
- Presents to senior executives, product and sales leadership
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Advanced knowledge of video production software
- Time management
- Creative team player able to create engaging content and purposeful storytelling
- Strong organization and communication skills and able to understand and convey ideas
- Up to 20% travel requirement.
The Perks (and these are just a few!):
- QRest Sabbatical
- Employee Stock Purchase
- QTS scholarship for dependents
- Eagle Club award trip eligibility
- Paid volunteer days
- Tuition assistance, parental leave and military leave assistance
Total Rewards:
This role is also eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and HSA accounts; paid holidays; paid time off; paid volunteer days; employee assistance program; tuition assistance; parental leave; military leave assistance; QTS scholarship for dependents; wellness program, and other company benefits.
This position is Bonus eligible.
We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or discrimination claim.
The "Know Your Rights" Poster is included here:
QTS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to talentacquisition@qtsdatacenters.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
Who We Are:
It's pretty exciting, to find yourself standing in a pivotal moment in time. It’s even more exciting to be out front leading it. At QTS, our world-class data centers are supporting our customers most strategic growth initiatives, positioning us at the forefront of today’s dynamic digital transformation.
As AI and cloud drive the demand for increased speed, capacity and capability, QTS has emerged as the global digital infrastructure leader, committed to connecting the world for good. Driven by purpose and fueled by a spirit of innovation, QTS designs, builds and operates some of the world’s most advanced, forward-thinking data centers. QTS is a portfolio company of Blackstone.
QTS is Powered by People. People who play a vital role in our company’s culture, innovation and growth. People who are committed to contributing to the communities where we operate and work. People who are knowledgeable, resourceful and mission driven. Together, we do great things.
Who You Are & The Impact You Will Have:
The QTS Photographer is responsible for producing high quality and emotional multi-media assets for the QTS. The Photographer's work is key to bringing the QTS brand story to the world. As a key member of the Brand + Marketing team, the Photographer works closely with internal QTS teams and external service partners to accomplish their duties.
The ideal candidate is an innovative storyteller with a passion for designing and producing photoshoots, graphical and interactive content that inspires audiences to engage and take action. They have a broad, yet deep expertise in the latest techniques and technology needed to design quality creative media.
The Photographer will consistently think outside of the box to provide photo and video production (pre-production, production, post-production editing) and a wide range of multimedia design services, including photography, photo compositing, artwork, multimedia presentations, animation, motion graphics, visual effects, social ads, infographics, web, email, podcast and print design.
What You Will Do:
This role will have autonomy to manage and coordinate both internal and external resources while working closely with the central marketing and product teams. Duties include but not limited to:
- Think creatively and produces marketing, product, sales, and customer testimonial videos following brand standards
- Work with marketing team to create a vision and conceive designs for innovative videos to promote QTS
- Plan, produce and edit videos, from conception to final product, including development of story boards, shot list, on-site personnel coordination, sound editing and graphical elements
- Production of motion graphics including: text animations, special effects, 2D and 3D images for use in all marketing materials including, web and digital displays
- Ensure Brand alignment across all projects
- Recommend enhancements to QTS’ video media content, including production, placement techniques, approaches, tools and equipment
- Organize, manage and curate QTS’ digital media library
- Provide support, formatting, production, distribution and placement for QTS videos
- Work with team to ensure vendor-driven assets are consistent with internally created assets
What You Will Need to be Successful:
- BA or BS in Marketing, Photography, Video Production, Visual Design, Broadcast Journalism or other related major or equivalent professional experience
- Three to five years of experience with professional video production, photography and/or digital animation
Nice to Have:
- Advanced knowledge and understanding of video production, editing software and animation tools including Adobe CC - Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro or equivalent
- Intermediate knowledge of color grading
- Intermediate knowledge or higher of Adobe Premiere, Photoshop and Lightroom
- Additional knowledge and aptitude of adjacent or complimentary software such as SketchUp 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, or others
- Understanding of digital cameras, cinema lenses, lighting and audio equipment
- Experience working with RAW file format
- Strong organization and communication skills and able to understand and convey ideas
- Ability to learn and adapt to existing image management process
- Impressive digital portfolio of prior projects
- Navigates within a broad matrix structure
- Juggles multiple and diverse projects and priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Effectively manage external service partners
- Ability to convey complex ideas in simple, relevant manner
- Presents to senior executives, product and sales leadership
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Advanced knowledge of video production software
- Time management
- Creative team player able to create engaging content and purposeful storytelling
- Strong organization and communication skills and able to understand and convey ideas
- Up to 20% travel requirement.
The Perks (and these are just a few!):
- QRest Sabbatical
- Employee Stock Purchase
- QTS scholarship for dependents
- Eagle Club award trip eligibility
- Paid volunteer days
- Tuition assistance, parental leave and military leave assistance
Total Rewards:
This role is also eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and HSA accounts; paid holidays; paid time off; paid volunteer days; employee assistance program; tuition assistance; parental leave; military leave assistance; QTS scholarship for dependents; wellness program, and other company benefits.
This position is Bonus eligible.
We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or discrimination claim.
The "Know Your Rights" Poster is included here:
QTS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to talentacquisition@qtsdatacenters.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
See all 88+ OPT Photographer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Photographer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Photographer
Document your degree-to-role alignment clearly
USCIS requires OPT work to be directly related to your major. A degree in photography, visual arts, or media production maps cleanly to photographer roles. Be ready to explain the connection in writing if your employer or DSO asks.
Target employers who regularly hire creative professionals
Commercial studios, advertising agencies, news organizations, and e-commerce brands hire photographers on a recurring basis. These employers are more likely to understand OPT work authorization and have processes in place for onboarding international students.
Build a portfolio that does the visa conversation work for you
Employers who are genuinely excited about your work are far more willing to navigate OPT paperwork. A strong, specialized portfolio in product, editorial, or portrait photography signals professional value before sponsorship even comes up.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront with small studios
Smaller studios may not know what OPT is. Come prepared with a one-paragraph explanation covering your authorization period, who issues it, and what the employer needs to do, which is typically very little beyond verifying your EAD.
Consider freelance and contract roles carefully
Self-employment is not permitted on OPT. Photographer positions structured as W-2 employment are fine, but 1099 independent contractor arrangements are not. Confirm the employment classification before accepting any offer to protect your immigration status.
Start your H-1B conversation early if your role qualifies
Photography roles can qualify as specialty occupations if they require a specific bachelor's degree, such as commercial or technical photography. If your employer is open to long-term sponsorship, begin the H-1B visa discussion well before your OPT expiration approaches.
Photographer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a photographer on OPT?
Yes, as long as the photographer role is directly related to your field of study. If your degree is in photography, visual arts, film, or a related discipline, most full-time or part-time photographer positions will satisfy the OPT employment requirement. Your DSO can confirm whether a specific role qualifies before you accept an offer.
Does photography qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
Not typically. STEM OPT extensions require a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, and photography programs are generally not on the STEM designated degree list. Students with degrees in areas like computational media or digital imaging technology should verify their CIP code with their DSO, as some programs may qualify.
Can I work as a freelance photographer on OPT?
No. Self-employment and independent contractor arrangements are not permitted on OPT. You must work as a W-2 employee for a U.S. employer. Photographer roles at studios, agencies, media companies, or corporate employers structured as standard employment are fine, but accepting 1099 freelance work puts your OPT authorization at risk.
How do I find photographer jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers open to work authorization. Searching there saves you from applying to roles where OPT is a dealbreaker. When reaching out to employers, having a short explanation of your EAD and what it requires from them, which is typically nothing beyond I-9 verification, removes a major hesitation.
Can a photographer role lead to H-1B sponsorship?
It depends on how the role is defined. H-1B eligibility requires the position to be a specialty occupation, meaning it normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. A photographer role requiring a degree in photography, commercial imaging, or visual communication can qualify, but generalist roles where no specific degree is required typically do not. An immigration attorney can assess your specific situation.