Junior photographer job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Junior photographer in details. A complete job description concludes Junior photographer key duties/responsibilities, Junior photographer job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience…KSA model) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

I. List of Junior photographer duties:

1. Independently brainstorm book cover concepts. Collect low-resolution images and typefaces, and create multiple cover directions to share with the team. Refine and revise preliminary comps until they are ready to be presented to a larger group, ultimately the publisher. Conceive ways to recreate and improve existing concepts when comp images are not available for final design.
2. Build final art files with hires art, purchased typefaces, and editorial copy, using Indesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator programs. Determine and create special effects printing masks (foil, spot UV, embossing etc), including memos with all printing specifications.
3. Explore and commission fresh talent (illustrators, photographers, hand-letterers, and retouchers) for book cover art. Search and share new stock websites, font foundries, and miscellaneous web material for inspiration.
4. Work collaboratively with photographer throughout all stages of photo-shoot and shoot preparation. Determine stylists, wardrobe specifications, studio size and location. Organize and manage model castings.
5. Work closely with design contacts at each publishing house, jointly solving design challenges based on feedback from their editorial teams, sales people, and booksellers.
6. Read each title manuscript or partial to begin independent cover brainstorm process. Determine target audience and research comparable titles in the current market.

II. List of Junior photographer qualifications

1. High School diploma or equivalent required.
2. BA in Graphic Design or equivalent work experience.
3. Experience – 7 years.
4. Must have previous experience as a cover designer.
5. Prior experience working in fiction is preferred.
6. Minimum 4 years experience in the creative department of a publishing house, working on book covers specifically.
7. Fluent in Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.
8. Strong typography skills.
9. Pre-press knowledge.
10. Strong knowledge of current book market.
11. Good time management and ability to prioritize tasks.
12. Team player.

III. Tips to write job description

1. Too-long job description:

Looking at a too-long job description can frighten the candidates off and drive the away. A job description, no matter how important the job is, should not be included in more than 3 pages. If one focuses on too many things at a time, he shall definitely lose focus on the main items and get overwhelmed by the remaining; So, keep it concisely.

2. Too-short job description:

While too-long can be a problem, too-short is more a problem. It will ruin the meaning of the job description. A too-short one means it lacks necessary details and therefore, the candidate will not be able to understand while reading it.

3. Listing unnecessary functions or job duties:

Just classifying these into the “others” category will save you a lot of effort and space. On the other hand, the job description will become more dilute and easy to be neglected.

4. Key functions

Not listing key functions as required for the job can be a fatal mistake to a job description.

5. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and having spelling errors can ruin the job description, too. Never think that as you are the employer, you may have the right to make grammar or spelling errors while requires other not to. A job description with such errors is easily to be mistaken as a fake or ghost ads; as a result, the candidate will turn away from it.

6. Not specific enough:

Be specific and concise; if you don’t address the specific, then what the job description is for. It is for the candidate to understand just exactly what he needs to do or needs to have. Lacking details can confuse the candidates very well.

7. Not having the job description reviewed by others:

This is also a common mistake. One may be subject to bias, but more than one, especially with the help of those external advisor, the job description can be more perfect.

8. Using buzzwords or abbreviations:

In fact, it is not necessary at all to use such in a job description.

9. Using slang or legal words:

Just use common wording to communicate with others and don’t do anything extraordinarily.

10. Not updating the job description:

The same job may require different duties and responsibilities in different times, so, you cannot use the same job description for 2 different times.