Cinematographer
The Creative Agency · Fort Collins, CO
Tailor my CV for this job — freeSomeone who can take a creative concept and bring it to life through thoughtful lighting, composition, camera movement, and direction.This is a hands-on position for an experienced creative professional who genuinely enjoys the production process. From developing concepts and planning shoots to building lighting setups, directing talent, and capturing exceptional footage, you'll play an important role in the creative work our agency produces.We value cinematic quality, but commercial effectiveness is paramount. The strongest candidates understand how to create visually exceptional content that supports a brand's identity, connects with its audience, and accomplishes a defined marketing objective.Our commercial production work includes:Advertising campaigns and branded video contentProduct launches, demonstrations, and commercial product cinematographyBeauty, cosmetics, fashion, and lifestyle campaignsHospitality, food and beverage, retail, and destination marketingVertical video for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and paid social advertisingWebsite hero videos and horizontal commercial contentFounder stories, interviews, testimonials, and brand storytellingPromotional campaigns, events, and experiential contentSupporting product, lifestyle, environmental, and promotional photographyKey ResponsibilitiesTranslate campaign objectives, creative briefs, and brand direction into compelling visual concepts.Develop production treatments, shot lists, storyboards, lighting plans, and shoot schedules.Plan studio and on-location productions, including camera setups, equipment, talent, props, and locations.Collaborate with strategy, design, social media, and account teams to align visual execution with campaign objectives.Anticipate production requirements for multiple platforms, formats, and campaign applications.Contribute original ideas that strengthen creative direction and elevate the overall quality of our work.Prepare thoroughly to ensure organized, efficient, and successful productions.Independently film professional commercial content in studio and on location.Operate professional camera systems, lenses, lighting, stabilization, grip, and audio equipment with confidence.Design and execute intentional lighting setups for products, people, interviews, and environments.Demonstrate exceptional technical control of exposure, focus, framing, composition, movement, and color.Capture visually engaging product footage, including tabletop and detailed product cinematography.Direct models, actors, employees, clients, and interview subjects with confidence and professionalism.Execute creative concepts while adapting effectively to changing production conditions.Capture purposeful, versatile footage to support multiple creative applications, aspect ratios, and campaign deliverables.Maintain professional standards for equipment handling, set organization, production efficiency, and client experience.Capture professional still imagery to complement commercial video productions.Produce product, lifestyle, environmental, portrait, and behind-the-scenes photography.Apply sound principles of lighting, exposure, composition, and visual storytelling.Capture complementary photography assets during scheduled productions when appropriate.Organize and prepare photo selections for internal creative use and client deliverables.Collaborate with internal creative teams to develop cohesive visual campaigns across platforms.You're a great fit for our team if you:Stay current with commercial production techniques, emerging visual trends, and evolving social media content formats.Understand social-first creative approaches, including platform-native storytelling, engaging visual hooks, vertical composition, and short-form content.Bring new creative ideas, production techniques, and visual approaches to the team.Balance creative ambition with practical production requirements, timelines, and available resources.Manage assigned production schedules, equipment needs, logistics, and deliverables.Maintain organized production assets, footage, documentation, and equipment.Communicate proactively with team members regarding project progress, production needs, and potential challenges.Take ownership of assigned productions while contributing to a collaborative, high-performance creative environment.You're a commercially minded creative professional with a strong technical foundation and an exceptional eye for visual storytelling.You understand how lighting transforms a product, how composition shapes perception, and how thoughtful camera movement elevates a commercial concept.You're comfortable taking creative direction and translating it into a compelling visual experience. You can independently build a lighting setup, operate professional equipment, direct talent, and make confident decisions on set.You understand that today's commercial content requires versatility. You can approach a polished brand campaign with cinematic precision while also recognizing the importance of authentic, engaging, social-first creative.You follow industry developments, understand emerging visual trends, and continually refine your craft.You're organized, resourceful, collaborative, and capable of delivering professional work without constant supervision.Most importantly, you understand the difference between making something look beautiful and making something work for a brand. The best commercial content accomplishes both.Required Qualifications:Minimum three years of professional cinematography, commercial video production, or related experience.Demonstrated experience producing commercial, branded, advertising, product, or social media content.Strong portfolio showcasing exceptional cinematography, lighting, composition, and visual storytelling.Advanced working knowledge of professional camera systems, lenses, lighting, stabilization, grip, and audio equipment.Ability to independently plan and execute professional commercial video productions.Strong experience lighting and filming products, people, interviews, and environments.Confident on-set directing skills and the ability to work professionally with clients and talent.Understanding of commercial advertising, branded content, and platform-specific production requirements.Familiarity with vertical and horizontal video production for digital and social media.Working knowledge of photography fundamentals and the ability to capture professional supporting still imagery.Strong organizational, communication, and production planning skills.Ability to manage multiple projects, work within established timelines, and adapt to changing priorities.Excellent attention to detail and commitment to professional production standards.Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with creative teams.Ability to work in person in Fort Collins, Colorado, and travel to production locations as needed.Reliable transportation.Authorization to work in the United States.We're especially interested in candidates with experience in:Commercial advertising and consumer brand productionBeauty, cosmetics, fashion, and lifestyle cinematographyProduct lighting, tabletop production, and macro cinematographyProfessional studio lighting and controlled production environmentsPaid social advertising and social-first content productionDirecting models, actors, and interview subjectsProduct styling, set design, and visual merchandisingLifestyle and commercial photographyAgency or in-house brand productionProducing multiple campaign assets efficiently from a single shootThe Creative Agency specializes in commercial marketing and advertising. While backgrounds in filmmaking, journalism, documentary production, or other visual disciplines can provide valuable experience, our priority is demonstrated commercial production expertise.We're looking for candidates who understand the relationship between visual storytelling, brand positioning, audience engagement, and campaign objectives.Your portfolio should demonstrate an ability to create polished, purposeful content for products, brands, services, or advertising applications.We want to see your technical capabilities, creative judgment, and personal contributions to the work.Compensation DetailsCompensation: $25.00–$37.00 per hour, based on experience, technical capabilities, and demonstrated commercial production work.Quarterly perfomance bonus opportunitiesHOW TO APPLYA portfolio demonstrating relevant commercial production experience is required.Please clearly identify your personal responsibilities on submitted projects, including creative development, production planning, directing, camera operation, lighting, and photography.A polished reel is valuable, but understanding the work you personally executed is equally important.If your portfolio is not included with your application, please email it to admin@thecreativeagencyco.com.Work Location: Fort Collins, Colorado — In Person