Event Photographer/Booth Operator - Corporate Brand Activations (W2)

$25 to $35 per hour, plus paid travel time, mileage, tolls, and parking. W-2 employee from your first paid shift.

Pop Life Photo is a premium experiential content agency in Walnut Creek. We run corporate headshot studios, brand activations, AI trading card experiences, and event coverage for enterprise clients and experiential agencies across the Bay Area. See our work at PopLifePhotoBooth.com.

This is not gig work. It is brand execution at a premium level, with written SOPs, provided equipment, and a defined path to our Lead Photographer tier.

The Role

We are hiring polished, technically confident photographers for our on-call team. You will represent Pop Life Photo at corporate events and activations, delivering consistent, brand-aligned imagery our clients depend on. Strong manual shooting, fluent off-camera flash, and calm client presence are the baseline.

What You Will Do

Pick up and prep gear from our Walnut Creek studioArrive 15 minutes before call time, polished and client-readyShoot full manual on mirrorless or DSLR systemsAdjust flash and strobe in real time as rooms and lighting changeDirect and pose guests with confidence for headshots and portraitsCapture branded moments and activation highlightsRun activations including the AI Trading Card experience, Roaming AI Booth, GlamBot X, and branded boothsFile a post-event quality report the same dayReturn gear clean, organized, and event-readyWhat We Require

3 or more years shooting full manual at live eventsStrong off-camera flash and strobe experienceValid driver's license and a reliable vehicle for transporting gearAbility to lift and carry up to 50 lbsWeekend and evening availability, with Q4 as our peakProfessional appearance and client-facing confidencePortfolio showing corporate or event workCompensation and Benefits

Events: $25 to $35 per hour based on event type and solo performance.Paid training: $20 per hour for 3 to 5 shadow events alongside an experienced photographerTravel time paid at $17 per hour from the moment you pick up gear at the studio, plus mileage, tolls, and parkingW-2 employment, bi-weekly pay through Gusto, covered under our insurance from your first paid shiftWritten SOPs for every event typeFlexible scheduling, employee discount, professional development support, and a referral programClear promotion track to Lead PhotographerOur Hiring Process

Zoom interview, 15 minutes, recorded for internal notesIn-person studio session, about 45 minutes. We walk you through one of our setups and talk through how you would approach it. This is an interview step, not a shift, and it is unpaid.Paid shadow events at the training rate, 3 to 5 events with an experienced photographerSolo rotation at full event rate, with a 90-day mutual trialCommon Questions

W-2 or 1099? W-2. You are an employee from your first paid shift. We take AB5 seriously and onboard everyone through Gusto.

How much notice do I get for events? One to two weeks for most bookings, often longer. We schedule through ConnectTeam. You mark the dates you are unavailable, and we work around them.

How many events per month? Typically 10 to 20 across the team. Q4 runs hotter, and the first two weeks of December can reach 30-40. On-call means flexible in both directions.

Solo or with a team? Most booths and standard events are for one person. Multi-station headshot events and large productions run two to six photographers.

What gear? We shoot Canon because it integrates with our event software, and we provide all equipment for activations. For event photography and headshots, you may bring your own body if you prefer.

Do I edit? No. Our software handles enhancement and provides instant on-site delivery. Post-production is handled in-house by our Creative Lead. Your job is to get it right in camera.

How to Apply

Send a portfolio link with corporate or event work, a short paragraph on how you handle flash in fast-moving rooms, and your general availability. A 60-second video on your shooting style is optional and always welcome.

A portfolio link is required to advance.

Pay: $25.00 - $35.00 per hour

Benefits:

Employee discountFlexible scheduleProfessional development assistanceReferral programApplication Question(s):

Can you lift and carry up to 50 lbs, including photo booth equipment, lighting, and cases? (Yes/No)Please share a link to your photography portfolio, website, or Instagram. Corporate or event work preferred.Do you have a valid driver's license and a reliable personal vehicle to transport photo equipment to and from event venues? (Required)Experience:

DSLR or mirrorless cameras in manual mode: 1 year (Required)Ability to Commute:

Walnut Creek, CA 94598 (Required)Work Location: In person