Photo Studio Manager

About the role

The Photo Studio Manager will lead and oversee the photo studio team responsible for all photography and video production across eCommerce, digital marketing, wholesale, and print. This role partners closely with Production, Marketing, Merchandising, Design, eCommerce, and external vendors.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of the photo studio, ensuring projects are planned, tracked, and delivered efficiently.
• Establish and maintain clear production calendars, timelines, and priorities across multiple workstreams and various deadlines. Ensure proper resources are always available.
• Act as primary administrator for Global Edit/Creative Force, including file management, asset tracking, reporting, and any related workflows.
• Identify inefficiencies and proactively propose solutions to improve speed, quality, and scalability using tools such as Creative Force and Monday.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, training, performance development, and management for both internal and external studio teams.
• Manage budget: create, forecast, and track fiscal year and monthly production budgets.
• Source freelance crew and talent who fit and match the brand’s standards.
• Onboard, manage, and maintain strong relationships with creative vendors such as agencies, photographers, stylists, HMU, and set designers.
• Collaborate with the creative production team for model casting and manage the selection process to fit the brand’s aesthetic.
• Lead weekly status meetings with internal studio teams and cross-functional partners (Production, Marketing, Design, and eCommerce) to align on priorities, deadlines, and resourcing.
• Cultivate a collaborative work environment and create best standard practices for the studio team.
• Lead contract and rate negotiations for models and freelancers. Ensure proper documentation such as SOWs, NDAs, and Professional Service Agreements are maintained.
• Support photoshoots based on selective creative asset requests and needs in partnership with Marketing, Sales, and Merchandising.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in the Arts, Business Management, or similar field.
• 4-7 years of experience in managing a photo studio or high-volume production environment.
• Demonstrated experience building and managing production workflows.
• Strong budget management and negotiation skills.
• Existing network of modeling agencies, freelancers, and creative vendors.
• Hands-on experience with Creative Force, Global Edit, or comparable studio management software.

Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to adapt as business evolves.
• Operational mindset with the ability to create and implement scalable workflows.
• Self-starter who thrives in fast-paced, growth-oriented environments.
• Knowledge of the brand’s aesthetic for model casting and sourcing new freelancers.
• Proficient in Creative Force, Global Edit, Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and CaptureOne.
• Proficient with Monday, Asana, Airtable, or similar project management tools.