ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHER JOB DESCRIPTION

Product pages drive purchase decisions. When imagery is inconsistent, off-brand, or delayed, conversion rates drop and weekly drops fall behind schedule. The Assistant Photographer keeps the studio pipeline moving, from equipment setup and prop sourcing through first-pass quality checks on finished assets, so every SKU reaches the storefront shoot-ready and on time. This role sits within the creative or e-commerce content team, working daily alongside photographers, stylists, and marketing staff who depend on a steady, reliable output of retail-grade images.

As the Assistant Photographer, you support the end-to-end production of product and lifestyle imagery that directly drives web sales performance and brand consistency across digital channels. You work within a fast-cycle studio environment where weekly content drops set the pace, and your output feeds both the e-commerce storefront and social media editorial pipelines.

Career Impact: Hands-on experience across ghost mannequin technique, flat-lay styling, and e-commerce image production builds a portfolio that translates directly into senior photographer and visual content roles within retail.

Business Impact: The images you produce and quality-check are the primary visual touchpoints customers encounter before purchasing, making your work a direct input to web conversion rates.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to the full studio production cycle, from prop sourcing and lighting tests to post-production QC and front-end monitoring, accelerates progression toward an independent photographer or content lead role.

• Set up lighting configurations and conduct test shots to ensure each product category is captured consistently to brief.
• Photograph products using ghost mannequin and flat-lay techniques, maintaining brand aesthetic across all SKU categories.
• Perform first-pass image selection during and after shoots, screening for sharpness, color accuracy, and alignment with the weekly drop schedule.
• Edit and retouch images to a production-ready standard and upload finished assets to the e-commerce platform with correct category tagging.
• Monitor the live storefront to identify presentation issues or missing products, resolving discrepancies through weekly inventory checks.
• Source and order props, rental equipment, and backdrops in advance of scheduled shoots to avoid production delays.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to produce supporting visual content for social media and editorial use.
• Maintain the studio in clean, organized, shoot-ready condition at all times.

• Bachelor's degree in Photography, Visual Arts, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 1 or more years of photography experience in an e-commerce, fashion, or retail content environment.
• Demonstrated ability to photograph products consistently using ghost mannequin and flat-lay styling methods.
• Competence in professional camera operation, lighting equipment setup, and exposure management.
• Experience performing image quality control, including sharpness, color accuracy, and brand-consistency checks.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage prop inventory, equipment orders, and weekly shoot schedules concurrently.
• Ability to work at pace in a high-frequency content environment where shoot priorities and sample arrivals shift on short notice.

• Experience uploading and tagging product imagery within an e-commerce platform or content management system.
• Familiarity with inventory or EPOS systems used to cross-reference product availability against shoot schedules.
• Working knowledge of market research techniques applied to product presentation, such as competitor visual benchmarking.
• Proficiency communicating across a multilingual team environment, particularly in markets where English plus a second language is standard practice.

• Image output volume per week, measured against the scheduled weekly drop cadence.
• First-pass approval rate, reflecting the proportion of images accepted without rework after QC review.
• Storefront gap rate, tracking the percentage of live SKUs missing approved imagery at any given time.
• Turnaround time from shoot completion to uploaded asset, measured in hours against the agreed production SLA.
• Prop and equipment order lead time compliance, measured by on-time availability for scheduled shoots.
• Typical tools: image editing software (commonly Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One); e-commerce CMS for asset upload and product tagging.

• Base Salary Range: $38,000 to $52,000 per year, depending on experience and market
• Bonus: Discretionary performance bonus, typically up to 5% of base salary
• Equity: Not typically offered at this level in retail e-commerce
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution varies by company size
• PTO: 10 to 15 days annually, plus public holidays
• Common Perks: Employee product discount, studio access for personal projects, professional development budget for software training

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background check completion is a condition of employment for this role. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States before their start date.

The Assistant Photographer owns the end-to-end image production process, from setting up lighting plans and making test shots to conducting first-pass quality control checks on edited images from both internal and external sources. Working alongside stylists within a studio environment, this role directly supports the brand's visual output by ensuring all deliverables meet brief requirements for sharpness, accuracy, and quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Set up lighting plans for shoots and make test shots as required.
• Make the first selection of images during and after shoots, ensuring the brief is fulfilled and the schedule is maintained by watching for sharpness, accuracy, and quality.
• Work with stylists to ensure the studio is in pristine condition, presentable, and ready for use at all times.
• Order rental equipment and large props such as furniture and backdrops as required.
• Assist with the first quality control check of all edited images, both internally and from external partners.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Photography or a related field.
• Minimum 1 year of work experience, preferably in an e-commerce or fashion environment.
• Knowledge of CaptureOne and experience with Adobe CS, especially Bridge and Photoshop.
• Ability to follow creative input, adapt to direction, and accept feedback.
• Ability to work flexibly in a fast-paced environment with rapidly changing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Availability of at least three days per week.

Embedded within a retail store environment, the Assistant Photographer delivers product and lifestyle photography for the Wristcheck website and social media platforms, including conducting market research on timepieces to determine the most effective photographic approach. Working closely with retail and editorial teams, this role shapes the brand's visual identity by producing imagery that aligns with the established aesthetic across online channels.

Core Functions

• Conduct market research on timepieces to determine the most effective approach to photographing them.
• Source props that enhance and complement products.
• Shoot and edit images to match the brand aesthetic.
• Stay current with the latest image-editing techniques and software.
• Organise and set up camera and lighting equipment.
• Maintain a clean and organised studio.

Qualifications & Experience

• Previous experience as a photographer assistant preferred.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Familiarity with professional cameras and lighting equipment.
• Working knowledge of English and Cantonese preferred.
• Creative sensibility with a strong eye for colour and style.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Good communication skills and a punctual, hardworking, and responsible approach to work.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently.

Reporting to the marketing and e-commerce team, the Assistant Photographer leads ghost mannequin garment photography and post-production editing in Photoshop and Lightroom, uploading final assets to the website with accurate department tagging. Partnering with team members and the marketing function, this role builds a consistent product presentation standard that directly supports web sales growth and social media content output.

Primary Duties

• Style garments and photograph them efficiently and consistently on a ghost mannequin.
• Edit images using Photoshop and Lightroom to a high standard and upload them to the website, tagging the correct departments for each item.
• Conduct weekly checks to ensure no product has been missed.
• Monitor the front end of the website to ensure products are presented correctly and no issues have occurred.
• Work closely with team members to meet business requirements for increasing web sales through accurate photography and editing.
• Work with the marketing team to create social media posts.
• Manage the e-commerce content writer.

Skills & Qualifications

• Extensive experience with all aspects of camera and photography equipment.
• Experience with an e-commerce platform and an inventory management system.
• Proficiency in Photoshop.
• Creative flat-lay styling experience.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Strong work ethic, trustworthy, efficient, and willing to assist in other areas of the business as needed.