At a Glance
- Tasks: Create stunning imagery and lead studio operations for a luxury knitwear brand.
- Company: Join John Smedley, a globally recognised British heritage brand.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, benefits package, and a creative work environment.
- Other info: Collaborate with passionate teams in a fast-paced, creative studio.
- Why this job: Make your mark on brand perception and commercial success through your photography.
- Qualifications: Proven photography experience, strong portfolio, and excellent organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 28000 £ per year.
Create world-class imagery for a British heritage brand. At John Smedley, photography is more than product imagery; it’s how we tell our story, honour our craftsmanship and connect with customers around the world. As a globally recognised British luxury knitwear brand, our visual standards are central to how we present ourselves across e-commerce, wholesale and brand channels.
We are now looking for an experienced Photographer & Studio Lead to take ownership of our photographic output and studio operations. This is a hands-on, creative and operational role, combining technical excellence with strong planning, collaboration and commercial awareness. If you thrive in a fast-paced studio environment, care deeply about detail and quality, and enjoy seeing your work directly influence brand perception and sales, this could be the role for you.
The Role:
As Photographer & Studio Lead, you will be responsible for the creation, delivery and continuous evolution of photographic assets across our digital and marketing platforms. You will lead all aspects of studio photography — from product flats and model shoots to still life, editorial and event imagery — ensuring output is on-brand, commercially effective and delivered on time.
Reporting to the Head of Marketing, you will work closely with Marketing, Buying, Merchandising, Digital and E-Commerce teams to align creative execution with trading priorities, production timelines and seasonal launches. Alongside shooting and editing, you will manage studio operations, equipment and resources, ensuring the studio runs efficiently, safely and to the highest professional standards. This is a role for someone who enjoys balancing creativity with structure, ownership and delivery.
What You’ll Do:
- Lead the preparation, shooting and editing of all product imagery (flat and model) for web and wholesale platforms.
- Capture still life and editorial-style imagery for marketing, campaigns and brand storytelling.
- Photograph events, factory activity and key moments to support brand communications.
- Ensure all imagery aligns with brand guidelines and commercial objectives.
- Respond confidently to ad hoc photography requests as business needs evolve.
Shoot Planning & Management:
- Plan and deliver product flat shoots in line with production schedules and web drop dates.
- Work with the Head of Marketing to plan and deliver seasonal model shoots on time and within budget.
- Lead on-site shoot execution, maintaining quality, efficiency and safety.
- Manage the studio calendar, resources and workflow to maximise productivity.
Studio & Equipment Leadership:
- Own the day-to-day running of the photography studio.
- Maintain all equipment and facilities to the highest operational and safety standards.
- Identify opportunities to improve studio processes, workflows and technical capability.
Quality, Assets & Team Support:
- Deliver all assets on time and in line with critical path deadlines.
- Maintain consistently high standards of image quality, retouching and file management.
- Ensure assets are correctly formatted, archived and accessible for multi-channel use.
- Support and guide interns or assistants where required.
Who we’re looking for:
You’ll be a confident, experienced photographer with a strong commercial eye and the organisational skills to run a studio effectively. You’ll care deeply about quality, take pride in ownership and enjoy collaborating with others to deliver outstanding results.
You’ll bring:
- Proven professional photography experience, ideally within fashion or lifestyle.
- A strong portfolio covering product, model and still-life photography.
- Advanced technical expertise across camera systems, lighting, set design and post-production.
- Strong working knowledge of Capture One and Photoshop.
- Excellent planning and organisational skills, with the ability to juggle multiple deadlines.
- A creative mindset balanced with the discipline to follow brand guidelines precisely.
- Clear communication skills and confidence working cross-functionally.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach in a fast-paced studio environment.
Why Join Us:
- Be part of a globally recognised British heritage brand.
- Take ownership of a key creative function within the business.
- See your work directly influence brand perception and commercial performance.
- Collaborate with passionate, skilled teams across the organisation.
- Work from our Derbyshire base, surrounded by craftsmanship and heritage.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
Photographer & Studio Lead in Heanor employer: John Smedley Limited
At John Smedley, we pride ourselves on being a globally recognised British heritage brand that values creativity and craftsmanship. As a Photographer & Studio Lead, you will enjoy a collaborative work culture where your contributions directly impact brand perception and sales, all while working in the picturesque setting of Derbyshire. With competitive salaries and a commitment to employee growth, we offer a unique opportunity to thrive in a fast-paced studio environment that celebrates quality and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Photographer & Studio Lead in Heanor
✨Show Off Your Skills with a Killer Portfolio
As a graphic designer, your portfolio is your secret weapon! Make sure it's not just a collection of your work but showcases your creative process too. Use platforms like Behance or Dribbble to share your designs and gain visibility within the design community.
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We think you need these skills to ace Photographer & Studio Lead in Heanor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Portfolio:Your portfolio is your visual CV! Make sure to include a link to your best design projects that showcase your creativity and versatility. Tailor it to include works that relate to the kind of design work John Smedley Limited does, so they can see you in action.
Tailor Your CV for Design:When crafting your CV, highlight your design skills and software proficiencies, like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch. Mention any relevant experience you have with branding, UI/UX design, or typography, as we want to see how you fit in with the creative team at John Smedley Limited.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at John Smedley Limited. Let us know how you approach your design projects and any specific campaigns or themes that resonate with you, showing we’re not just a good fit but a perfect match!
Highlight Collaboration Skills:As a graphic designer, you often work with various teams and stakeholders. In your application, mention experiences where you've collaborated with others to bring a project to life, whether it's with clients, writers, or developers. This shows you can thrive in a team environment, which is key at John Smedley Limited.
How to prepare for a job interview at John Smedley Limited
✨Get Your Portfolio Ready
Your portfolio is your secret weapon in graphic design interviews! Make sure it's showing off your best work, with a variety of styles and projects that highlight different skills — from branding to digital illustration. Be prepared to talk through each piece, focusing on your creative process and the tools you used.
✨Know Your Design Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with software like Adobe Creative Suite is a must! Brush up on your skills with Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, as interviewers might dive into specific technical questions or ask for your workflow. If you’ve worked with any innovative tools or techniques, don't hesitate to showcase that expertise!
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Some companies may throw a design challenge your way during the interview! This might involve sketching out ideas or solving a branding issue on the spot. Practising these quick thinking exercises beforehand can help us show off our creativity and adaptability.
✨Passion Counts
For a full-time position, showing genuine enthusiasm for design is key! Talk about your inspirations, the projects you're excited about, and why you're drawn to John Smedley Limited. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.
