The onboard photographers and videographers are for the most part recruited through the third party vendors called, concessions. For example, Image Photo is one of these concessions, recruiting for a number of different cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, NCL and Cunard Line. Alternatively, some cruise lines prefer to manage their photography department in house such as Princess Cruises.
Photo and Videographer Manager
Job Description: Manages the over operations of the Photo department including Video; Supervises photographers and videographers; Exceeds sales budgets.
Experience and Skills Required: Photo managerial experience required. Shipboard photography experience preferred.
Average Salary: $3,500 to $5,000 per month
Assistant Photo and Videographer Manager
Job Titles: Assistant Manager, Sales (Image Group), Assistant Manager, Production (Image Group)
Job Description: Assistant Manager (Sales) is responsible for the operations of the retail shop; Assistant Manager (Production) is responsible for the photo lab.
Experience and Skills Required: Strong customer service skills; Experience in photo developing and printing; Photography experience required; Shipboard experience is preferred.
Average Salary: $2,500 to $3,500 per month
Senior Photographer
Job Description: Duties include portrait photography and photo event photography; Senior photographers are responsible for developing and printing of photos; Photographers must exceed sales targets as directed by Photo Manager.
Experience and Skills Required: Senior photographers are normally promoted from within once a Junior Photographer has proven onboard experience. Candidates wanting to work for Image Group must own a Nikon body D70 camera or higher.
Average Salary: $1,000 to $2,500 per month
Junior Photographer
Job Description: Duties include working in the photo gallery selling retail products and guest photos; Expected to exceed sales targets; Other duties include shooting gangway photos and restaurant table photos; Photographers are also expected to pose with guests in costume at restaurants and gangways; Set up studios for portraits.
Experience and Skills Required: A Junior photographer must have at least 2 or more years of photography experience using a DSLR; Education in photography is an asset. Candidates wanting to work for Image Group must own a Nikon body D70 camera or higher (or, you can purchase one at cost once onboard).
Average Salary: $700 to $2,500 per month
Videographer
Job Description: Most ships have at least one videographer and possibly a videographer’s assistant. The Videographer’s main role is to shoot footage throughout the cruise covering as many events, shore excursions and port video as possible. The videographer also edits the footage into a DVD for sale to the guests.
Experience and Skills Required: Related videographer experience required.
Average Salary: $1,000 to $3,500 per month