Garden Photographer

Title: Garden Photographer

Exemption Status: Exempt

Department: Communications

Reports to: Director of design and production

Year-round Full-time

Supervises: Volunteers, interns, and freelance photographers

Year-Round Full-time employees of the Chicago Botanic Garden are eligible for the following Benefits:

• 2025 Chicago Botanic Garden Benefit Guide - Year-Round Full-time

Compensation Philosophy:

At the Chicago Botanic Garden, our compensation philosophy is rooted in our core values: Growth, Understanding, Resilience, and Trust through Transparency. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and appreciated.

Our objective is to create compensation and growth opportunities for our employees that are highly competitive, internally equitable and transparent. The foundation of our efforts is a straightforward approach that can be easily communicated by managers with defined pay ranges for all positions. When posting job openings, we share the minimum salary up to the budgeted amount.

The starting salary for new staff members is determined by considering the salary range assigned to the position and by reviewing the candidate's qualifications for the job as compared with job responsibilities. Prior work experience should be considered in determining the salary offer, provided that it is relevant to the job. Additional factors such as secondary language proficiency or advanced degrees that enhance performance may also be considered. A candidate's salary may exceed the minimum amount based on factors such as experience, additional skills (e.g., secondary language proficiency), or pertinent degrees that enhance the individual's contribution to the role but are not required. Opportunities for increased compensation are provided through referral bonuses, shift differentials, Thank You Pay, promotions, and periodic pay increases based on the Garden's overall performance and financial budgets.

Our total compensation and benefits package is people centric. We prioritize employee wellness across three pillars: physical, mental, and financial. Our goal is to offer innovative total rewards that support continuous professional growth, personal development, and provide the flexibility needed to balance personal and professional commitments.

Position Overview: The official garden photographer will produce original photographic images of and for the Chicago Botanic Garden including landscapes, public and private events, school programs and off-site programs, and portraits. Photographs are for use in all Garden printed and online materials, including all forms of social media.

RESPONSIBILITIES

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

• Schedule and maintain photography calendar and fulfill a variety of photographic assignments consistent with the Garden's ongoing photographic needs:
• Seasonal vistas of the Garden
• Garden donors, visiting dignitaries, staff, and volunteers
• Students participating in school programming
• Scientists conducting research
• Garden outreach programs (off-site)
• Public events (days, evenings, and weekends)
• Sponsors and their events
• Individuals, families, and small groups participating in Garden activities, programming, or events
• Serve as a principal source of information on photographic equipment and techniques.
• Produce photographic images and, when necessary, video for all media purposes including print, web, blogs, e-newsletters, PowerPoint presentations, and any Communications and Garden needs.
• Participate in strategic and creative concept development for various collaterals.
• Determine desired images and picture composition: analyze subject material, use artistic judgment, and select the appropriate equipment, lighting, angle, and background to achieve desired results.
• Manipulate, retouch, and enhance scanned or digital images to create desired effects, using computers, specialized software, and AI-powered tools such as Adobe Photoshop's generative and neural filters for all types of print and digital media, including but not limited to magazines, advertising, web, books, newsletters, brochures, etc.
• Perform maintenance tasks as necessary to keep equipment working properly.
• Maintain, document, and monitor all ongoing photographic expenses, and plan for future budget needs, making sure to keep the Garden current with technology including archival, computer, and photographic equipment.
• Oversee the archival organization on the design server of photographic materials, prints, transparencies, and all photographic images-including all archived images.
• Assist in the execution of special projects as required by all areas within Communications: web, public relations, marketing, design and advertising, and special projects for the president's office.
• Train and teach others:
  • Mentor and coach volunteers and interns.
• Produce personalized/individualized sponsor photo books of sponsored events to recognize and thank corporate sponsors for their support of the Garden.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in photography, graphic arts, or a related field
• Two or more years of experience with a proven record of printed work
• Familiarity with all types of photography, videography, and photographic techniques, including digital and image retouching, and proficiency with Photoshop CS and Macintosh (knowledge of PowerPoint, InDesign, and video software a plus)
• Ability to interact with and provide information to individuals or groups with diverse backgrounds
• High level of customer-service skills
• Current valid driver's license (for use of golf cart)

Physical Demands: Office setting includes frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, listening, speaking, and keyboarding. Will use office equipment including computers, telephones, copiers, and scanners. There are some requirements for use of a forklift and golf cart, and for lifting, pushing, and pulling items less than 30 pounds; frequently climbing steps or raised platforms; infrequently kneeling or stooping for short periods; exposure to variation in temperatures from being outdoors about 20 percent of the time; and standing for up to two hours.

To Apply: In addition to the application and resume, please submit a sample of your portfolio of work.

Why Apply?
Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Chicago Botanic Garden does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs or activities, including in employment or admissions. Please call (847) 835-8264 to contact our Title IX Coordinator should you have questions or concerns. Please do not call this number to inquire about job postings or the status of your application, or with solicitations from companies or third-party recruiters.