Who We Are
Swig Life is a woman owned and operated lifestyle brand. We design and produce premium insulated drinkware and coolers with women in mind. We believe that your water bottle, travel tumbler and insulated cooler are a reflection of your personal style, and this inspires us to design products that women love, whether for themselves or for a gift.
Swig Life is growing rapidly and we believe our people are our strength. It truly is an exciting time to be a part of our journey and we are seeking smart, innovative, creative, and experienced individuals to join our talented team!
Key attributes and qualities we are looking for in candidates for all open roles: embrace an entrepreneurial spirit, innovative and solution-oriented, adaptable and resilient, best-practices methodology, team oriented with a lean-in attitude, highest standards for execution, and a high level of accountability.
About the Role
We are seeking a highly experienced senior photographer and studio leader to run our Richmond-based photography studio. This person will be responsible for both hands-on photography and the day-to-day management of our creative studio operations. From lighting setups to team scheduling, this role blends art, production, and leadership and will support marketing and retail teams with top-tier product and lifestyle imagery!
Please note: A portfolio must be submitted alongside this application. Applications without an attached portfolio will not be considered.
What You’ll Do
- Manage a small but mighty internal team of photographers, stylists, and retouchers. Provide direction, feedback, and mentorship to ensure continuous strong performance for the team as a whole.
- Execute high-end product and lifestyle photography that supports our full retail and marketing lifecycle including ecommerce, packaging, social, and promotional campaigns.
- Oversee the daily operation of our on-site photo studio, maintaining an efficient workflow and creative excellence.
- Own the studio calendar including scheduling shoots, assigning resources, and ensuring timely delivery across projects.
- Develop and manage shot lists in collaboration with marketing and merchandising teams. Provide creative input during pre-production.
- Oversee shoot budgets from pre-production through post, balancing creative ambition with fiscal responsibility.
- Coordinate off-site shoots, including location scouting, hiring freelance talent (photographers, stylists, models), and managing logistics to ensure smooth, on-brand execution.
- Apply deep knowledge of lighting techniques and photography principles to maintain consistency and elevate image quality.
- Conduct quality assurance checks to ensure consistency, clarity, and accuracy across all image assets.
Who You Are
- 6+ years of professional photography experience, with a strong emphasis on product and lifestyle work
- Proven experience managing or supervising a photography or content studio
- Advanced knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (especially Lightroom, Photoshop, and Bridge), and experience with tethered capture workflows (Capture One or Lightroom)
- Expert knowledge of studio and natural lighting, grip equipment, and digital photography tools
- Excellent project and time management skills with the ability to juggle priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Strong understanding of the retail marketing lifecycle and how photography supports key moments (launches, promos, etc.)
- Collaborative and communicative approach to cross-functional work
- Preferred experience with styling or retouching workflows, or motion/video capture
Benefits at Swig Life
- 15 days Paid Time Off your first year, and an additional day each year thereafter (up to 25 days), as well as company paid holidays and parental leave options
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as additional voluntary benefits
- A 5% 401k match for all eligible employees
- Summer Fridays - from Memorial Day to Labor Day enjoy half days every Friday
Note: Swig Life is currently operating under an onsite work model, and this position will report on site to our Richmond office at least 3 days per week. Additional ad-hoc in office days may be required based on business needs. Please do not apply if you are not comfortable with an on site-work model. #LI-Hybrid
Swig Life is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, training and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, and make all employment decisions without regard to any protected status. Please note, we are unable to offer sponsorship or relocation for this position, and all new hires will be required to verify their employment eligibility.