Staff Photographer, Wirecutter Store

About The New York Times and Wirecutter

The New York Times is dedicated to independent journalism that seeks the truth and helps people understand the world. Wirecutter, a part of The Times, focuses on product testing and recommendations, bringing trustworthy and service-oriented content to readers through various platforms, including a digital store.

Role Overview

Wirecutter invites applications for a staff photographer dedicated to handling product and hero imagery for the Wirecutter Store, as well as providing photographic support for major editorial events when capacity allows. This position plays a pivotal role in crafting a reliable and engaging visual experience for the Store, reflecting the same integrity and style as Wirecutter's editorial content.

Based in the Long Island City studio in New York City, the photographer will collaborate closely with editors, designers, and cross-functional teams to bring to life Wirecutter's distinctive testing insights and recommendations through compelling imagery.

Key Responsibilities

• Create hero images and collection photos for the Store's homepage and critical landing pages.
• Produce detailed and lifestyle shots for product detail pages that emphasize how products are used in everyday environments.
• Maintain editorial photographic standards and ensure consistency with Wirecutter's broader imagery.
• Develop and standardize a visual system related to angles, lighting, backgrounds, and cropping for a unified Store aesthetic as the catalog expands.
• Collaborate with creative and product teams to enhance photography presentation for readability, accessibility, and user trust.
• Contribute to the upkeep and advancement of a Store photography style guide aligned with brand principles.
• Support large editorial projects requiring new photography, including seasonal collections and key calendar events.
• Coordinate with marketing and audience teams to create photography adaptable for use across various channels such as newsletters and social media.
• Align visual strategy with Store goals by partnering with commerce, marketing, and product teams while safeguarding editorial independence.
• Advise on opportunities where original photography can supplant vendor images to better represent Wirecutter’s standards.
• Organize and maintain photographic studio equipment, lighting, sets, and props in Long Island City.
• Manage post-production tasks such as editing, color correction, and basic retouching consistent with the brand’s style.
• Systematize file management ensuring easy access and reuse of photographic assets across teams.
• Uphold the organization's commitment to journalistic independence and mission-driven storytelling.

Candidate Qualifications

• Three to five years of professional photography experience, preferably in editorial, ecommerce, or product-centric environments.
• A portfolio demonstrating an expert grasp of composition, lighting, prop styling, and storytelling, with a strong product or lifestyle photography emphasis.
• Skilled in studio and location shoots using both natural and artificial lighting.
• Experienced with professional camera gear, studio lighting setups, Mac-based post-production workflows, and proficient in software such as Capture One, Adobe Lightroom, and Photoshop.

Preferred Skills

• Ability to develop and adhere to comprehensive visual style guides across extensive photography collections.
• Strong teamwork and communication capabilities to collaborate with editors, designers, and diverse stakeholders to meet creative objectives and deadlines.
• Exceptional organizational aptitude to manage multiple projects and maintain high quality amid varying priorities.
• Genuine interest in Wirecutter’s mission, upholding rigorous standards of independence, accountability, and service in all photography endeavors.

Additional Information

This position is represented by the NewsGuild of New York and entails on-site work at the Long Island City studio in New York City. The position reports directly to the Creative Director of Wirecutter.

The annual salary for this role is $75,316.80 USD. Eligible employees may also receive variable compensation such as bonuses and restricted stock, alongside benefits including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) matching, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and professional growth programs.

The New York Times is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks to foster diversity in its workforce. The company complies with all relevant laws concerning non-discrimination and provides reasonable accommodations throughout its hiring process. Applicants are encouraged to report fraudulent job postings and exercise caution regarding offers that request financial information.