Photographer

The Montana Historical Society (MTHS) invites applications for a full-time Archival Photographer. The successful candidate will perform photographing and imaging of MTHS Library & Archives collections and MTHS Museum art and artifacts collections. The images created are used for the Society’s online research tools, as well as books, magazine publications, film and media productions, and other public reproduction requests. The photographer also photographs Society events, historical buildings and sites, and provides other original photography required for documentation, publication, and publicity.

The MTHS, guardian of Montana’s memories is in beautiful Helena, Montana. We work to preserve the past, share our stories, and inspire exploration, to provide meaning for today and a vision for tomorrow.

Duties:

1.    Uses flatbed scanners, high-resolution digital imaging cameras and specialized imaging software to make master scans of Library and Archives materials including fragile photographs (glass negatives, film negatives, and vintage prints), maps, journals, and documents in accordance with the Library and Archives digitization guidelines to produce archival quality prints and high-resolution digital images.

2.    Photograph art and artifacts in the museum collections in a studio setting using high-resolution camera, various lenses, and strobe lighting system.

3.    Using specialized imaging software, adjusts and manages scanned digital images to create reproductions that represent as accurately as possible the visual information in the original object.

4.    Plans, organizes, and executes photographic location shoots to document events, places, buildings, or historic sites for publicity use, Photo Archives collections, or for publication.

5.    Uses printers, software, and photographic papers to produce high-quality prints for patron orders, specialized exhibits, reference prints, and for the collections.

6.    Reviews prints to select the best image for each purpose and to assure accurate representation of original materials and images.

7.    Manages the various operations of the photographic lab which includes ordering supplies and equipment, maintaining existing equipment, keeping lab and studio area organized and clean.

8.    Supervises the work of student interns and volunteers in the lab.

Competencies: 

Knowledge of:

·       Photography including the processes for capturing and duplicating images using cameras and other digital equipment.

·       Historical photographic materials and their care and handling.

·       Digital scanning equipment, digital imaging techniques, and software for scanning historical materials to produce high-resolution digital images.

Skills in: 

·       Operation of high-resolution digital cameras, scanners, and lighting systems to create professional quality images of historical collection materials.

·       Organizational skills and attention to detail.

Ability to:

·       Carefully handle and digitize glass negatives, photographic prints, and nitrate and other film negatives to produce high-quality and historically accurate reproductions.

·       Communicate both simple and complex ideas effectively, both orally and in writing, to people with various degrees of knowledge of photography and digital imaging.

·       Use a variety of printers and photographic papers to produce high-quality prints both for the public and for the collection.

·       Use professional image editing and management software to produce and maintain high resolution digital images.

·       Plan and organize large scale projects of in-house digitization, museum art and artifact photography, and site-specific photography in the field for book publications, museum, and photo archives collections.

Minimum Physical/Mental Requirements: 

·       Some travel required.

·       Visual acuity required.

·       May require lifting or carrying heavy equipment.

·       May require standing, sitting, or remaining still for long periods of time. 

Typical Work Environment: 

·       Work occurs at various locations, indoors and outdoors.

The following documents must be submitted to be considered for this position (be sure to mark each attachment as relevant): 

·       Cover Letter

·       Resume

·       State of Montana Application (online)

·       Digital Portfolio – 6 – 12 images – examples of documentary photography of events, buildings, and/or sites along with images of commercial photography of products, art, artifacts, or objects.