WHY VESNA?

VESNA is a global commerce, design & technology agency for premium brands in fashion, beauty, and wellness.

Alongside VESNA, we are developing Santa Barbara Rooftop, an editorial interview series with founders, executives, designers, investors, and cultural leaders.

We are looking for a Lead Videographer / Director of Photography who can own the visual execution of the series from setup to final capture.

THE ROLE

As Lead Videographer / Director of Photography, you will be responsible for the visual quality, camera setup, lighting, technical preparation, and on-set execution of Santa Barbara Rooftop.

This is a 6-month contract role for someone who can work as a full-stack production lead: operate cameras, build and break down equipment, manage lighting, understand audio setup, coordinate cables and signal flow, supervise assistants, and keep the shoot technically clean and visually consistent.

You should be comfortable working on editorial interviews, branded content, founder interviews, luxury/lifestyle content, and small professional production sets.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Lead camera and visual setup for Santa Barbara Rooftop shoots.
• Operate camera for editorial interviews, branded content, and short-form video.
• Build and break down camera, lighting, audio, monitor, tripod, rigging, and production equipment.
• Set up lighting for premium interview environments, rooftop locations, indoor locations, and natural-light conditions.
• Manage cable routing, power, adapters, batteries, media cards, monitors, and basic signal flow.
• Coordinate with production assistants, second shooters, audio operators, photographers, and other crew members.
• Prepare camera settings, framing, lenses, exposure, white balance, focus, and shot composition.
• Maintain a consistent visual style across episodes and filming days.
• Troubleshoot technical issues on set quickly and calmly.
• Support multi-camera interview setups when needed.
• Coordinate with the founder / producer before each shoot to understand the visual direction, schedule, guests, and location.
• Help plan equipment needs, rentals, shot lists, and technical setup before filming.
• Ensure all footage is captured safely, organized properly, and handed off correctly after the shoot.
• Support short-form content capture for reels, BTS, social clips, and promotional materials.
• Maintain a professional, calm, and efficient set environment.

WHAT YOU BRING

Essential:

• Experience as a lead videographer, director of photography, camera operator, cinematographer, or production lead.
• Strong knowledge of camera systems, lenses, lighting, exposure, framing, composition, and visual storytelling.
• Experience shooting interviews, branded content, editorial content, documentaries, podcasts, or luxury/lifestyle content.
• Ability to build, manage, and break down camera, lighting, audio, and production equipment.
• Strong understanding of lighting for faces, skin tones, interviews, indoor/outdoor spaces, and changing natural light.
• Comfort with cable management, power setup, monitors, batteries, media cards, adapters, tripods, stands, and production logistics.
• Ability to manage or coordinate a small crew.
• Ability to work independently without constant technical direction.
• Strong problem-solving skills on set.
• Professional communication and calm presence with guests, founders, executives, and production partners.

Nice to have:

• Experience with rooftop, hotel, luxury, fashion, beauty, wellness, or editorial shoots.
• Experience with multi-camera interview setups.
• Experience with audio basics, lav mics, boom mics, mixers, and clean interview sound capture.
• Experience with gimbals, sliders, teleprompters, monitors, lighting modifiers, flags, diffusion, reflectors, and grip equipment.
• Experience working with Sony, Canon, RED, Blackmagic, ARRI, or similar professional camera systems.
• Experience preparing footage for editors, including file organization, backups, camera reports, and handoff notes.
• Understanding of YouTube, Reels, Shorts, TikTok, BTS, and social-first content capture.

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

We are a collaborative, open-door, best-idea-wins environment that fosters personal and company growth and has fun doing it. Here is a snapshot of our  benefits package:

• • Fun & Challenging Projects
  • 6-month contract role.
  • Offsite Team Events
  • Collaboration with a team working across media, fashion, beauty, wellness, luxury, design, and brand storytelling.

WE SUPPORT YOU BEING YOU

VESNA is open to candidates with different production backgrounds and career paths.

We care about visual taste, technical reliability, preparation, problem-solving, communication, and the ability to lead a clean, professional set.

If you can own the camera, lighting, setup, crew coordination, and visual quality of a shoot, we would like to hear from you.

Travel, meals, and approved production expenses are covered.

US Range
$65–$150/hour