Photographer

The Photographer will shape the visual storytelling of 1838, a cultural platform and community for creative entrepreneurs and cultural tastemakers. Through its heritage space, magazine, curated events and digital media, 1838 brings people, ideas and creative disciplines together.

Reporting to the Design Lead - 1838, the role will create distinctive photographic content across editorial features, portraits, cultural programming, events, the 1838 space and its creative community. Combining strong photographic craft and cultural sensibility with AI-enabled image creation, editing and post-production, the role will build a compelling visual identity for 1838 while improving creative possibilities, production efficiency and the adaptability of visual assets across platforms.

What You Will Do:

• Photograph and edit content featuring creative entrepreneurs, artists, designers, filmmakers and cultural producers, as well as exhibitions, performances, events and community stories.
• Create compelling imagery for editorial features, portraits, exhibitions, performances, events and community initiatives.
• Develop a distinctive visual style that reflects 1838's premium, culturally curious positioning and the character of its heritage space.
• Leverage AI-assisted visualisation and image-making tools alongside traditional photography to explore creative treatments while maintaining photographic quality and authenticity.
• Translate editorial briefs and story ideas into impactful photographic narratives for the magazine and digital platforms, in collaboration with the Creative Head and editorial team.
• Document curated events, conversations, exhibitions, salons and performances, capturing key moments and the atmosphere around them.
• Identify emerging stories, personalities and visual opportunities within the 1838 community.
• Use AI-assisted workflows to develop image variations and extend visual storytelling where appropriate, without misrepresenting people, events or editorial facts.
• Apply AI-powered tools for image enhancement, retouching, background editing, image selection, upscaling and other post-production tasks.
• Experiment with generative AI for visual concepts, image extensions, compositing and creative treatments where relevant to the brief.
• Integrate AI-assisted workflows with conventional photography and editing tools to improve quality, turnaround and creative flexibility.
• Critically evaluate AI-generated or manipulated imagery for accuracy, artefacts, consistency and suitability, ensuring responsible use and preserving editorial integrity.
• Edit, curate and adapt images for the magazine, website, social media, newsletters, event communication and other relevant channels.
• Use AI-enabled tools where useful for image tagging, metadata, searchability, categorisation and asset retrieval.
• Maintain an organised digital image library with captions, credits, permissions and usage information, enabling efficient reuse of approved assets.
• Deliver high-resolution and platform-ready imagery while maintaining visual consistency across formats and channels.
• Collaborate with editorial, events and community teams, designers, videographers and external creative partners to deliver integrated visual stories.
• Plan and execute shoots, including location scouting, lighting, equipment, schedules and coordination with subjects and contributors.
• Identify opportunities to use AI tools to streamline production and post-production while maintaining creative standards.
• Ensure appropriate releases, permissions and copyright compliance for commissioned, sourced and AI-generated imagery.
• Stay abreast of developments in photography, generative imaging, AI-assisted editing and digital asset management.
• Experiment with emerging tools and workflows to expand creative possibilities and improve production efficiency.
• Balance AI-driven experimentation with human creative judgement, transparency, authenticity and 1838's editorial and visual standards.

What You Bring:

• Typically 4-6 years of hands-on experience in photography, editorial shoots, portraiture, cultural documentation or creative production, supported by a strong portfolio.
• Proven ability to photograph people, events, spaces and creative subjects, translating briefs into distinctive visual stories.
• Strong technical skills in camera operation, lighting, composition, image editing, retouching and colour correction.
• Practical experience with AI-powered imaging tools for image enhancement, generative editing, compositing or other post-production workflows.
• Experience delivering imagery for print, digital and social platforms; exposure to art, design, culture, architecture, fashion, film or premium media is an advantage.

Education:

A degree, diploma or relevant training in photography, visual communication, fine arts, media or a related field is desirable. Practical capability, AI proficiency, visual sensibility and portfolio quality will carry significant weight.

Skills

Lighting, Photography, Retouching