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Director of Photography Job Description

Our Director of Photography job description includes the Director of Photography responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.

Director of Photography Example


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If you need an example job description for a Director of Photography download the one below, alternatively we have many other Arts job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.

What does a Director of Photography do?

The director of photography works alongside a film director and is responsible for a film's visual elements. Their primary duties include developing a film's visual style, determining lighting and composition and planning camera angles.

Director of Photography Role

We are recruiting for creative candidates with experience in camera work and lighting equipment. You will be is responsible for ordering and testing camera and lighting equipment, supervising a camera, and lighting crew and editing a film’s visual elements in post-production, amongst other duties.

You will need to work alongside a Film Director and help determine narrative elements thru visual style.

Director of Photography Duties

  • A reel of visual work.
  • Creative visual thinking.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication.
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Good organisational skills.
  • Good technical camera operating skills.
  • Degree in Film, Art or Photography advantageous.

Director of Photography Requirements

  • Develop a film’s visual style.
  • Ascertain lighting requirements on set.
  • Decide on the best camera angles and frames for scenes.
  • Request and test lighting and camera equipment.
  • Manage a camera crew and directing camera movement.
  • Select the appropriate film stock.
  • Determine camera aperture settings.
  • Control natural or artificial lighting conditions.
  • Liaise with electricians to ensure adequate electrical supply.
  • Determine elements such as filters, shutter angles, focus, depth of field and camera distance.
  • Edit visual elements in post-production.
  • A reel of visual work.
  • Creative visual thinking.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication.
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Good organisational skills.
  • Good technical camera operating skills.
  • Degree in Film, Art or Photography advantageous.

How to write a Director of Photography Job Advert

Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.

A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.

Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.

How to write a Director of Photography Job Description

To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.

Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise a Director of Photography Job Specification

The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.

Job Description Tips - Help on formatting a Director of Photography Job Specification

When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:

Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.

Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.

Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.

The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.

Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth. 

Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources. 

Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.

Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.

Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.

How to Hire a Director of Photography

Once you have selected your Job Description download it or convert it to a Job Advert. From here you can post/advertise your job across our network of job boards. If you wish to use the job description for a CV Template click through for advice and Convert to a CV

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