The Huntington seeks a dynamic, enthusiastic, and collaborative Botanical Projects Photographer responsible for producing high-quality digital images of the Huntington’s botanical collections, which include plant specimens, herbarium vouchers, and slide and photographic materials, for research, access, exhibition, and preservation use. Working as a member of the Imaging Section, Digital Collections and Imaging Services (DCIS), and reporting to the Principal Photographer and Imaging Manager, the Botanical Projects Photographer will be an integral part of the team responsible for The Huntington’s Strategic Priority to “expand access, engagement, and education for a broader public, digitally and in-person” for the Botanical Gardens living and non-living collections.

This position is part-time (28 hours per week) for a limited term of one year, with the goal of creating baseline content from the Botanical Division’s Core Living Collections for The Huntington’s Collections Online. An average work week may include 60% photographing the Botanical collections (including habitat and copy stand photography), 40% post-processing and metadata. Maintains goals as set by the Principal Photographer and Imaging Manager in consultation with Botanical Department stakeholders. Will also work closely with the Digitization Projects Manager in DCIS and the Botanical Content Specialist, Botanical Gardens Administration on image priorities devised to fulfill those goals. In addition, this role will perform minimal post-production processing to crop and color correct and basic metadata description for access and searchability in The Huntington digital asset management system RAIL.

The ideal candidate will have a high degree of organizational skills and motivation to learn more about botanical/horticultural research. Familiarity with copy stand photography and cultural heritage imaging standards is preferred but not required. This position requires on-site presence and work in an outdoor environment under all weather conditions. Carrying, lifting, and bending of equipment up to ten pounds is required as is visual acuity including color vision.

S/he/they will demonstrate a background of working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, using a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible approach.

Essential Duties

Performs digital capture of botanical materials using specialized camera systems, studio lighting, digitization equipment and tools to DCIS specifications.
Performs post-processing and standards-based quality control of digital images, working with digital asset management.
Prepares and organizes digital files for ingest into digital repositories or delivery to other destinations utilizing file naming and tracking protocols.
Work with Botanical Gardens curators and staff responding to ongoing and special project needs.
Maintain photography equipment.
Maintains a safe working environment.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Candidate Requirements and Experience

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

B.A., B.F.A. in photography, or equivalent training and experience.
Detailed-oriented approach to projects.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Demonstrate effective time management with the ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Familiarity with post-production, color management, profiling, and software applications; Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Bridge, and image stitching software required.
Willingness to learn current imaging and cultural heritage technologies, standards, and best practices.
Competent in light photographic set-ups, especially outdoors, and working knowledge of sensitometry.
Visual acuity including color vision.

Preferred:

Demonstrated expertise in digital photography methods and equipment, ideally within a digitization context with specialized knowledge of scientific botanical imaging.
Familiarity with garden plants and botanical nomenclature.
Experience working with a digital asset management system, applying consistent metadata and descriptive information for multiple plant accessions.
Experience with a studio based tethered workflow to meet professional work standards (Capture One).

Working Conditions

Work in office and garden, conservatory, and support nursery environments in all weather conditions.
Work with organic materials including pollen, dust, and fungus.
Frequently twist/bend/stoop/squat, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, sort/file materials and files, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
Schedule will vary according to weather conditions and project requirements, and may require early mornings, weekends, and some evenings for photo shoots.

Working Environment

Work is performed primarily outdoors in all weather conditions and may encounter loud noises. This position requires regular on-site presence.

Compensation & Benefits

We provide competitive compensation, generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees including:

Pay Range: $27.00- $29.00/hr. Commensurate on experience.
Medical, Dental, Vision
403(b) retirement plan and matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
Hybrid remote work schedule available for applicable positions
Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and holidays
Discounts for staff in The Huntington Store and restaurants
Free admission to various museums and cultural institutions
Free passes each month to welcome family and friends to visit the grounds

The Application Process

Please submit a cover letter and CV/resume as a single PDF attachment. 

You will have the opportunity to submit additional documents on the “My Experience” section of the application.

About the Role

This position is part-time (28 hours per week) for a limited term of one year, with the goal of creating baseline content from the Botanical Division’s Core Living…