DanceBUG Inc. - Traveling Live Action / Sports Stills Photographer (Seasonal)

Photographer is needed in Detroit, United States.

Client: DanceBUG Inc.

Location: Detroit, MI

Contract: Seasonal

Job Description

The position is focused on traveling to dance competitions throughout the United States, photographing live performances under constantly changing stage lighting, and capturing sharp, well-timed action images. Photographers will work collaboratively with DanceBUG videographers during events and will be responsible for backing up, transferring, and uploading image files after each competition. The season runs from February to June, with travel occurring from Thursday through Monday.

Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be legally authorized to work in the United States (DanceBUG does not sponsor work visas)
• Live within approximately one hour of a major airport
• Possess a valid U.S. driver’s license
• Possess a passport or REAL ID-compliant driver’s license for domestic air travel
• Be available to travel Thursday through Monday throughout the season
• Be comfortable driving 5-6 hours when required
• Be comfortable working long production days during competitions
• Be able to lift approximately 25 lbs
• Be able to successfully pass a criminal background check

Compensation & Benefits

• Starting at $25/hour
• Paid travel days
• All expenses paid: Flights, hotels, rental cars, and approved travel expenses
• Equipment stipend: Up to $700
• Meals or per diem provided
• Private hotel room
• Paid training

Relevant Photography Experience

We’re looking for photographers with experience capturing fast-moving subjects, such as:

• Sports
• Dance
• Theatre
• Concerts
• Gymnastics
• Figure Skating
• Cheerleading
• Low-light event photography
• High-volume event photography

Applicants should be comfortable shooting in manual mode using continuous autofocus (Servo/AF-C) under changing lighting conditions. Portrait, studio, real estate, landscape, product, or architectural photography alone does not qualify.

Equipment Requirements

Applicants are required to provide their own professional photography equipment, which includes:

• Two professional MIRRORLESS camera bodies (Canon, Nikon, or Sony only)
• One of the following constant/fixed aperture zoom lenses: 24-105mm (preferred), 24-120mm (preferred), 24-70mm, or 35-150mm
• Plus a 70-200mm lens (f/2.8 preferred, f/4 accepted)
• Four memory cards (64GB or larger)
• Media card reader compatible with your memory cards
• Minimum three batteries and two chargers
• Monopod

DSLR cameras and other camera brands will not be considered. Only Canon, Nikon, and Sony camera systems are compatible with DanceBUG’s proprietary photo software.

Paid Training

Every new Photographer receives:

• Virtual training during January
• A minimum of two live training events alongside experienced Senior Photographers
• Hands-on training before working independently

You’ll never be sent to your first event without real-world training and support.

Ready to Apply?

Please include the following with your application:

• A link to your live-action photography portfolio
• Your current city and state
• A brief overview of your relevant photography experience

Join one of North America’s leading dance media companies and spend your season traveling the country, capturing unforgettable performances and creating memories that dancers and their families will treasure for years to come. Apply today - we’d love to hear from you.

Additional Information

• Season: February - June
• Weekend Travel: Thursday through Monday
• Travel: Throughout the United States
• Guaranteed Minimum Daily Pay
• Guaranteed Minimum Event Pay
• All Expenses Paid: Flights, hotels, rental cars, and approved travel expenses
• Equipment Stipend: Up to $700
• Meals or Per Diem Provided
• No Editing Required: Focus on capturing great images - we handle the rest.

Why Join DanceBUG?

For nearly 25 years, DanceBUG has been North America’s leader in dance media and event technology. Join us to photograph some of North America’s largest dance competitions, create lasting memories for thousands of dancers and their families each season, and be part of the team shaping the future of dance photography.