Allied Maker is looking for a self-directed visual lead who operates at the intersection of art direction and photography, capable of owning and executing the full visual language of the brand. This is not a task-based photography role. This person is expected to independently identify what needs to be shot, why it matters, and how it fits into a larger system of product storytelling, sales enablement, and brand expression.

They act as a translation layer between leadership vision and tangible output: taking high-level direction and running with it, while contributing their own references, ideas, and perspective that push the brand forward.

Key Responsibilities

Authorship & Visual Direction

Own the visual language of the brand across product, campaign, lifestyle, and sales imagery
Identify gaps across collections, campaigns, and sales needs; build structured plans without waiting for direction
Translate leadership vision into shootable concepts, mood, and execution plans
Contribute references, ideas, and creative proposals; engage critically

Production & Technical Execution

Plan and execute studio and on-location photography for product releases, campaigns, and sales content
Direct lighting, composition, styling, and environment to achieve a refined, restrained aesthetic
Handle end-to-end production: pre-production, set building/scouting, capture, retouching, and delivery
Balance quality with throughput; maintain consistency without bottlenecking production

Systems, Standards & Scalability

Establish repeatable standards for lighting, composition, angles, environments, and file organization
Document visual standards so internal and external partners can produce on-brand work
Build systems that scale across a growing catalog

Visual Library & Downstream Enablement

Build and maintain a structured visual asset library for sales, marketing, and product teams
Own naming conventions, taxonomy, metadata, and version control
Ensure imagery supports all downstream uses (web, trade, print, sales, specifier tools)
Partner with sales to ensure imagery answers client and specifier needs

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with Design Direction on campaigns and storytelling
Work with Product Design to capture fixtures accurately and intentionally
Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to anticipate upcoming needs
Coordinate external collaborators (stylists, agencies, freelancers)

Required Qualifications

7+ years of experience in product photography and art direction
Portfolio demonstrating authorship and a consistent visual point of view
Strong technical control of lighting (studio and on-location)
Advanced retouching and workflow across Capture One, Lightroom, and Photoshop
Experience building scalable systems (standards, templates, asset libraries)
Strong visual taste aligned with a luxury brand aesthetic
Ability to balance quality and speed without bottlenecking
Strong communication and ability to articulate creative intent

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in lighting, interiors, architecture, or luxury product photography
Experience shooting installed fixtures in real environments
Video or motion content experience
Experience managing a DAM system
Experience working cross-functionally in a manufacturing or design environment
Familiarity with specifier audiences and their visual needs

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $115,000 – $150,000 annually (based on experience)
Discretionary bonus
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) with company match
PTO, holidays, parental leave
Employer-paid life and disability insurance
Employee assistance program
Safety shoe and eyewear allowance
Employee discount on Allied Maker products

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

Hybrid: Glen Cove studio + on-location shoots
Studio, showroom, and active production environments
Requires handling lighting equipment and fragile fixtures
Occasional lifting up to 40 lbs
Travel for on-location production

About Allied Maker

Allied Maker is an American design and manufacturing studio creating luxury-crafted lighting fixtures. Based in New York, each piece is made to order by a dedicated team of craftspeople, with a focus on authentic materials, refined form, and enduring quality.

The studio operates at the intersection of design, engineering, and manufacturing. Ryden Rizzo leads product design and form. Lanette Rizzo leads design direction, production, and client strategy. Together, they set a standard where design integrity, engineering, and performance are inseparable.

Allied Maker is widely specified by leading architects and designers and continues to expand its capabilities while maintaining a singular focus: deliver artisan-crafted, highly engineered, sophisticated yet simple lighting design solutions.

Salary Range Annually

$115,000—$150,000 USD

Allied Maker

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