The Job in a Nutshell:

The Manager of Food Photography and Food Styling specializes in capturing high-quality, visually appealing images of food/recipes across all marketing channels. The pictures taken must evoke the delicious smell, texture and taste of the food. This role requires a keen eye for composition, lighting, and styling, as well as technical skills in using a camera and editing software. A deep understanding of food trends, presentation, and food styling techniques is a must. The photographer will also shoot products, headshots, events and lifestyle as well as manage all related food photography projects.

Applications are accepted by the date below, which may be updated if the hiring timeline is extended.

03/14/2025

Main Ingredients:

1. Manage and execute photographic services from start to finish including communication, managing photography sessions and delivery of edited final photos.
2. Use various photographic techniques, lighting equipment, props and food styling to produce visually appealing and enticing images that evoke the delicious smell, texture and taste of the food/recipe being shot and keep to our defined style guidelines. Produce multiple views of each recipe.
3. Adjust food styling and photo techniques based on feedback.
4. Analyze and plan the composition of photographs including development of inspiration boards for each recipe showing different ways the recipe could be styled.
5. Oversee the cooking and execution of recipes that adhere to NGVC nutritional guidelines and ingredient requirements.
6. Shop for food products required for recipes used in food photography sessions
7. Setup equipment and props for photography shoots
8. Style food for photography shoots
9. Maintain and manage photography equipment, backgrounds, props and studio space.
10. Choose and arrange appropriate props, utensils, backdrops, and table settings to complement the food.
11. Retouch and edit photos to meet project owner specifications in a timely manner to meet deadlines.
12. Participate in recipe planning sessions to determine seasonally appropriate recipes or special recipes
13. Discuss possible edits/changes to recipes with our editorial team and recipe developers.
14. Schedule and run pre-production meetings to ensure image themes and styling ideas/visual direction are agreed upon with the NED and marketing teams prior to the shoot.
15. Event photography as required including interior and exterior store shots.
16. Collaborate with the NED team on photographing Nutritional Health Coach headshots.
17. Photograph packaged products for the Health Hotline Magazine as required.
18. Photograph Natural Grocers Brand Products in and out of packaging.
19. Supervises and directs the work of two part time chef positions
20. Travel to photo shoot locations as needed
21. Work on special projects as requested.

Supervisory responsibilities:

1. Effectively manage team members ensuring a high level of performance to include completion of projects and meeting critical deadlines.
2. Hire and manage Food Photography team members
3. Oversee the daily workflow, work accuracy, and schedules of the department
4. Conduct performance evaluations that are timely and constructive
5. Handles discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy

Although this is a general outline of job responsibilities all employees are expected to be “hands on” and do whatever it takes to get the job done and make the company thrive.

Recipe for Success:

1. Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience, in photography
2. 10 years working as a proven food, recipe, and product photographer
3. Proficient in using professional camera equipment and editing software – Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and other industry-standard photo production tools running in MacOS Mojave
4. Demonstrated success of photographing food/recipes, lifestyle images, product packaging and head shots.
5. Prior experience successfully styling and photographing food in an appealing and appetizing way.
6. Ability to juggle multiple projects, work in a fast-paced environment and adhere to deadlines
7. Stay up to date with current food trends, styling techniques, and photography trends to keep work fresh and innovative.
8. Keen eye for detail in both food and visual presentation.
9. Excellent project management, time management and organizational skills
10. Team player with strong communication and collaboration skills.
11. Able to accept and implement feedback.
12. Can juggle multiple projects and prioritize tasks
13. Solid understanding of natural and artificial lighting and their effects
14. Experience creating content for social media is preferred (will work with the social and creative teams on overall strategy)
15. Proven experience producing content for large format
16. Comfortable taking creative directions, receiving feedback, and adjusting as needed
17. An awesome outlook and contagious attitude
18. Highly adaptable and able to quickly switch gears as any assignment may require
19. Possess a critical eye for final product and determine if reshoots are necessary
20. Excellent organizational and project management skills
21. Digital Asset Management experience a plus
22. Nutrition knowledge/passion a plus
23. Possesses excellent customer service skills and ability to develop and elevate others
24. Experience working with MS Office and Content Management System (CMS)
25. This position requires 10% travel

This job description is not an employment contract. It does not guarantee a job or that the above listed duties are the limit of responsibilities. The job and job description are subject to change with and without notice. Employees are required to accomplish any and all tasks assigned to them by their Manager and/or other Store Support managers that my not be listed in this job description.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

N = Never
O = Occasional; 1-33% of time
F = Frequent; 34-66% of time
C = Constant; 67-100% of time

Physical Requirements:
- Must have the ability to occasionally lift or carry up to 50 lbs.
- Must have the ability to occasionally push or pull up to 30 lbs.
- Must be able to constantly use the computer for mouse data entry and use of mouse.
- Must be able to constantly sit, use fine motor manipulations, and reach outward for the duration of the work shift.
- Must be able to frequently grip, bend, twist and turn.
- Must be able to occasionally walk, stand, squat, kneel, and reach above chest as needed.

Environmental Requirements:
- Must be able to work occasionally with cold, heat, noise, sharp tools/equipment, contact stress, dust, fumes and congested worksite.

Here’s an overview of the benefits we offer our good4u Crew to help ensure the health and wellbeing of you and your family, now and well into the future:

All Crew Members

• Birthday Bonus Pay 
• Vitamin Bucks (up to $2,080 earned as store credit annually) 
• Holiday Pay for 5 Holidays – Stores Closed
• Paid Time Off (sick days and vacation) that Increases with Tenure 
• Paid Nutrition Education 
• good4u Crew Member Discount  
• {N}power Program (customer appreciation and rewards program) 
• Regular, Scheduled Pay Increases  
• Advancement Opportunities and Career Development 
• Health and Wellness Program  
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)   
• Employee Referral Program

Full-Time Crew Members (30+ hours/week)

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance 
• Paid Parental Leave  
• Paid Medical Leave (through company paid short-term disability insurance) 
• Company Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance  
• Company Paid Life Insurance 
• Voluntary Benefits Including Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Term Life Insurance   
• Retirement Savings Plan (401k) with discretionary Company Match  
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)  
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with Company Match 

Diversity Statement

At the heart of Natural Grocers' commitment to our community and crew is this belief: All people should be empowered to experience health and wellbeing! We cannot be true to this conviction without honoring diversity and cultivating inclusion throughout every aspect of our organization.

At Natural Grocers, we honor our differences, embrace diversity, and cultivate inclusion because both individual and societal health are rooted in these principles. Our Crew is diverse not only in gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, abilities, and age but also in cultural backgrounds, thoughts, and ideas. Celebrating our diversity refreshes, expands, and shapes our perspective, energizing our mission of equitable access to health and wellness for all. We welcome everyone who would like to join us in this mission, with gratitude for the unique life experience each person brings to the table. We’re committed to nurturing an ecosystem of diversity and inclusion in which our Crew can continue to thrive.