Special Event / Commencement Photographer

Experienced Event Photographer – Graduation Ceremonies | Pittsburgh, PA

$30 per hour | Paid Training | Seasonal Opportunities

Island Photography is seeking experienced event photographers to capture college commencement ceremonies in the Pittsburgh area. This role is ideal for photographers with a background in live events, graduations, stage photography, or high-volume shooting environments.

Required Dates (Must Be Available for ALL):

Paid Training: Evening of May 14
Event Days: May 15 4PM & May 16 10AM
Additional Event: Winter commencement December 12

Why This Role

These are fast-paced, high-energy ceremonies where timing, consistency, and awareness are critical. You’ll be capturing a once-in-a-lifetime milestone for each graduate—making precision and professionalism essential.

This is a great opportunity for photographers who:

Thrive in structured, high-volume environments
Have experience with stage timing and candid capture
Are looking for reliable seasonal income with repeat opportunities

Responsibilities

Photograph each graduate crossing the stage with consistent timing and framing
Capture key ceremony moments (speakers, processional, audience reactions)
Deliver clean, accurate image sets with strong attention to detail
Collaborate with a team of 2–4 photographers to ensure full event coverage
Complete post-event notes accurately to support processing

Typical commitment: ~5 hours per event (includes ~2 hours pre-ceremony setup)
No editing required – all post-production handled internally

Compensation & Perks

Starting at $30 per ceremony
Mileage or 50 miles covered
Equipment and SD cards provided
Opportunities for ongoing annual work

Preferred Experience

Prior experience with:
Graduation ceremonies / commencements
Live events, concerts, or stage photography
High-volume portrait or school photography
Ability to anticipate moments and shoot with precision under time constraints
Strong understanding of exposure, focus, and consistency in changing lighting conditions

Requirements

Must own a DSLR camera
Professional attire required (dark suit)
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Highly reliable, punctual, and detail-oriented
Reliable transportation required (events throughout Pittsburgh area)
Must be available for ALL listed dates

About Island Photography

Island Photography is the largest independently owned commencement photography company in the U.S., covering 2,500+ events annually and processing over 3 million images each year.

For over 25 years, we’ve specialized in graduation, portrait, sports, and event photography, delivering high-quality images with fast turnaround times.

How to Apply

Please apply with your resume and a brief introduction highlighting your event photography experience.

⚠ Important: Only candidates available for May 14–16 and December 12 will be considered.

Job Type: Part-time

Work Location: In person