Freelance · Open
Headshot Photographer
Like our Portrait Photographer, for headshot and portrait studios at conferences and company events. Some days are a full day of shooting.
- Where
- Detroit-based events plus fly-out conferences and trade shows nationwide.
- When
- Half days and full days. Some multi-day conferences with travel days.
What you’ll do
- Run a headshot studio: off-camera lighting, posing, and a clean, consistent look for every person.
- Some of our headshot and portrait days are a full day of shooting. Give every single guest the same good energy, the first one and the last one.
- Nail exposure and framing in camera. Zero edits; the photo lands on the guest’s phone in seconds.
- Pick up the kit from our Detroit office before the event and drop it back after.
- Set up early and ready to go? If other event staff are still getting last-minute things done, ask if you can help. We always go out of our way to help when we have time.
- Represent Mammoth on site. If a guest asks, you freelance, and this kind of work runs through Mammoth.
- Keep the setup clean and the line moving. Take breaks we plan for.
- Be promoted by name. Clients can book you specifically through us.
Who you are
- A strong portfolio. Send it with your application.
- Already in motion: actively shooting and doing your thing. We help you get better and learn our signature style.
- Experienced with headshots and portraits: off-camera lighting and posing.
- Charismatic, with the stamina to keep going all day.
- Reliable transportation and a valid license. Cases go in your vehicle.
- A freelancer who likes being part of a bigger team. Solo headshots and studio work stay yours; live, high-paced event work is what we do together.
- Willing to record a short meet-me bio video so clients see who they’re hiring.
Not for you if
- You need to edit to get a good photo.
- Loud rooms and long days drain you.
- You’re not comfortable being on camera yourself.
What it pays
- Rates start at $700 per half day (up to 5 hours of shooting) and $1,200 per full day. Setup and pack-down included.
- Travel days (no shooting): $250 per day. Driving to events: $25/hr plus fuel. Lodging booked for you; fuel, hotel or Airbnb, and meals reimbursed.
- Agreed in writing before every event. We bring all the equipment.
Full detail in How We Pay.
The process
How hiring works
1. Apply
Fill out the short form on the role you want, with a link to your work.
2. Phone screen
A real conversation about you, not a script.
3. References
We ask for three, and we call them.
4. Offer in writing
Your role and rate in writing.
5. Onboarding and training
Paid training: the videos, a quiz and a hands-on day at the studio. You sign The Standard.
6. Shadow an event
Work an event as an apprentice.
7. Work
First event, then the next.
Apply
Sound like you? A few questions, then it’s in front of us. Before you start, read The Standard, the rules everyone signs.