Director of Photography

Role Overview

Tarte Cosmetics is looking for a highly inventive Director of Photography to lead the brand’s photography direction across every customer-facing channel. In this position, you will partner closely with the VPs of Creative Marketing and Global Marketing, along with other creative teams, to build compelling on-model and campaign imagery that advances business goals and deepens brand storytelling.

This is a hands-on, strategically minded role for someone with strong experience in beauty, fashion, and lifestyle photography. You will help turn marketing goals into visually powerful content, making sure every image reflects Tarte’s identity while pushing the brand’s creative expression forward. You will work with Creative, Marketing, Social, Product Marketing, Design, and Production teams to deliver cohesive campaigns and a consistent global visual presence.

Creative Partnership and Vision

• Work alongside the VP of Creative Marketing, Global Marketing, and international teams to shape and execute photography ideas for major campaigns, product launches, seasonal programs, social activations, influencer initiatives, events, and integrated marketing efforts.
• Help evolve Tarte’s photographic style so it stays consistent while also feeling fresh, modern, and inventive across every channel.
• Turn marketing goals and campaign plans into strong visual stories that connect with consumers and build brand value.
• Support the creation of photography concepts, shot lists, mood boards, casting guidance, and storytelling direction.
• Stay current on industry shifts, new visual trends, cultural moments, and leading practices in beauty, fashion, and digital content creation.

Campaign and On-Model Photography

• Lead the creative execution of on-model photography across campaign, lifestyle, editorial, social, e-commerce, and promotional formats.
• Partner with Marketing and Creative teams to support key product launches, hero campaigns, retail programs, influencer partnerships, brand events, and major seasonal moments.
• Direct all parts of the shoot process, including lighting, composition, talent direction, posing, and final image selection.
• Make sure the imagery clearly communicates product performance, brand narrative, and opportunities for consumer engagement.
• Coordinate closely with Creative Leadership, Producers, Production, Design, Social, and Video teams so creative output works seamlessly across formats and platforms.
• Work with the Global Marketing team to ensure assets meet international market needs while staying aligned with the brand.

Team Leadership and Collaboration

• Guide, mentor, and motivate photographers, freelancers, and creative collaborators while encouraging a collaborative and innovative culture.
• Give creative direction and feedback throughout production and post-production.
• Help define photography standards, workflows, and best practices that support efficient, high-quality content creation.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships so creative execution stays aligned with business priorities.

Production and Operations

• Partner with Creative, Marketing, and Production teams during pre-production planning, including concept development, casting, location scouting, budgeting, scheduling, and resource planning.
• Work with Production teams to deliver shoots efficiently without compromising creative quality.
• Support photo budget oversight and vendor management to maximize both creative value and operational efficiency.
• Oversee image review, retouching guidance, asset organization, and final delivery of photography files.
• Ensure all photography assets are delivered accurately, on schedule, and in line with brand expectations.
• Bring strong live event photography capability, including the ability to deliver brand-ready retouched images on site.

Brand Stewardship

• Act as a key creative partner in protecting and advancing Tarte’s visual identity through photography.
• Ensure imagery consistently reflects the company’s values, aesthetic, and consumer positioning across social, e-commerce, retail, PR, paid media, influencer content, and marketing materials.
• Drive innovation in photographic techniques, tools, and creative processes to keep brand storytelling and consumer engagement moving forward.

Qualifications

• 10–12+ years of professional photography experience, ideally within beauty, fashion, lifestyle, or consumer brands.
• Demonstrated experience creating photography for large-scale campaigns, product launches, brand marketing efforts, and social-first content.
• A strong portfolio showing excellence in on-model photography, beauty imagery, portrait work, and visual storytelling.
• Experience working with senior creative and marketing leaders on integrated campaigns and brand programs.
• Prior experience mentoring creative teams, freelancers, agencies, and outside production partners.
• Advanced knowledge of lighting, composition, color theory, retouching direction, and photography production workflows.
• Strong grasp of integrated marketing, digital content creation, social trends, and consumer engagement.
• Experience using AI-enhanced creative and retouching tools to improve production speed and refine assets while preserving authentic model representation and accurate product depiction.
• Excellent creative judgment with the ability to balance consistency and innovation.
• Proficiency with professional photography equipment, capture software, Adobe Creative Suite, and asset management systems.
• Strong communication, presentation, organization, and project management abilities.
• Comfort working in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial setting while managing several high-priority projects at once.
• A portfolio and social media handles are required for consideration.

Work Arrangement

This is an in-office role based in New York, NY, with a five-day onsite schedule. Travel may be required.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected salary range for this role is $120,000 to $160,000 per year. Final compensation will depend on factors such as skill level, relevant experience, and education.

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus a 401(k) plan and access to health and wellness programs.
• Paid vacation, holidays, summer Fridays, birthday time off, volunteer time, and more.
• Makeup gratis, employee discounts on tarte.com, and team give-back initiatives.
• A friendly, fun, creative, and collaborative workplace.

Equal Opportunity

Tarte is an equal opportunity employer.