Julien's Auctions Senior Photographer Gardena, CA · Full time

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Julien’s Auctions is the auction house: One of a Kind for All. Collaborating with the famous and the exclusive, Julien’s Auctions produces high-profile auctions in the film, music, art, and fashion markets. Julien’s Auctions has received international recognition for its unique and innovative auction events, which attract thousands of collectors, investors, fans, and enthusiasts from around the world. Julien’s Auctions specializes in sales of iconic artifacts and notable collections, including Marilyn Monroe, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Lady Gaga, Banksy, Cher, Michael Jackson, U2, Barbra Streisand, Les Paul, Neil Young, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Jimi Hendrix, Hugh Hefner, and many more. 

At Julien’s Auctions, we relate our success directly to the strength of our operations team. We are seeking a Senior Photographer to step into a pivotal role that will oversee the photography team’s deadlines and workflow at a premier auction house. This role is ideal for a creative individual with strong project and time management skills who can delegate and prioritize effectively to ensure competing deadlines are met while also producing high-quality images of a wide range of objects and items for sale. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Manage photography requests from multiple departments and team members, prioritize and delegate tasks to the photography team, collaborate with cataloguers, specialists, and editors to ensure photography stays on track for every auction 
• Collaborate with Head of Sale, Warehouse Manager, and Editing to prepare weekly shot lists for each photographer, prepare and deliver weekly reports on photography status, and identify any risk factors or bottlenecks 
• Ensure all photography sets are fully staffed, efficiently run, and operating at full capacity by leveraging personal and professional networks to source, train, and onboard additional contract photographers 
• Capture high-quality images of auction items, including antiques, clothing, musical instruments, collectibles, and fine art, which will be used for online listings and marketing materials 
• Photograph auction items in gallery or on-location settings, ensuring accurate representation of the items that are consistent across listing and within brand guidelines 
• Oversee and manage the quality of the photography team’s deliverables, including accuracy of images and associated metadata, and deadline management 
• Manage and troubleshoot the photography team’s repair and maintenance requests for equipment 
• Stay up to date with industry trends and best practices in photography and auction marketing 

REQUIREMENTS: 

• 5+ years' experience as a photographer in a professional commercial photography studio, including high-end and high-volume auction houses, e-commerce business, advertising, or similar setting 
• Proven experience leading or managing a team, multiple projects, and competing deadlines for various departments, teams, or stakeholders 
• Must have an existing network of freelance professional photographers and have a proven ability to leverage those connections 

SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

• Ability to work as part of a team in a creative group environment or work independently and be self-motivated as needed 
• Experience photographing objects, works on paper, fashion or costumes on mannequins is a plus 
• Must be able to follow layouts and written photo directions with great attention to detail 
• Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Capture One, and experience using Ortery Photo Bench Machine preferred 
• Good verbal, written communication, and organizational skills 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

• Individuals must be able to work in a high-volume catalog environment with extremely fast turnaround times 
• Must be comfortable working in a warehouse environment with variable temperatures and have the ability to stand and/or walk for long periods of time, and occasionally lift and move up to 50lbs 
• Must be available to work some overtime and/or weekends with the ability to maintain an established work schedule 

SCHEDULE: 

• Schedule: Full-time 40 hours/week position with the ability to work extended hours during peak auction season 
• This is an in-person position 
• Some travel may be required for off-site photography needs 

BENEFITS: 

• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance 
• 401 (k) with Company match 
• Bonus eligible 
• Paid Legal Holidays 
• Paid Sick Days 
• Paid Vacation