The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s preeminent scientific and cultural institutions, and has as its mission to discover, interpret and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education and exhibition.

The Division of Anthropology is seeking a part-time Collections Photographer to work closely with the Systems Manager/Manager of Digital Imaging and collections management staff. They will photograph objects brought to the photo studio area by collections management staff/Museum Specialists or retrieve items to be photographed.

Job duties include:

• Photograph the collections.

  • Capture high-resolution, professional-quality images of artifacts, specimens, artworks and other collection items using appropriate photographic equipment and techniques.

  • Ensure accurate color representation and consistency in all photographic materials, maintaining color profiles and calibration as needed.

  • Use proper lighting setups and composition to highlight the features and details of each item, adapting techniques to various types of objects.

  • Work closely with Anthropology staff to meet their specific photography need for research, exhibitions, publications and educational materials.

• Follow Collections Management and Conservation guidelines for handling of objects for photography. Return items to trays or cabinets from which they were retrieved, as found.

• Process images and manage image data, ensuring images are processed correctly with the proper naming convention, format, pixel dimension and metadata.

• Edit and post-process images to enhance their clarity, color accuracy and overall quality. Maintain a digital archive of all images.

• Maintain detailed metadata records for each image, including object information, image specifications and copyright details.

• Keep photography studio equipment in proper working order and the workspace clean. Report any equipment problems or supply needs to the Systems Manager.

• Maintain and calibrate photographic equipment, ensuring that cameras, lenses, lighting and accessories are in optimal working condition.

The expected salary for the Collections Photographer is $24.50/hour. This position is overtime-eligible.
Pay will be determined based on several factors. The hiring range for the position at commencement is based on the type of work and the scope of responsibilities. The salary and placement offered is based on a number of individualized factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, credentials, areas of specialization and depth and scope of experience.