About the role
The Director of Photography will lead the visual craft of TrendyMinds' video and photo productions across our client roster. This is a senior individual contributor position for a seasoned cinematographer who is ready to own the camera department on every shoot, shape the look of the work, and collaborate closely with directors, producers, and creative leadership from pre-production through final delivery.
The production landscape is shifting fast, and we need someone who isn't just keeping up but thinking ahead. The right candidate will bring a strong visual point of view, technical command of modern camera and lighting packages, and a forward-looking perspective on how new tools and techniques can raise the quality and efficiency of what we capture.
What you'll do
- Cinematography: Owns the camera and lighting for every shoot they touch. Makes the decisions on framing, movement, exposure, and lens selection that translate the director’s vision into footage that actually delivers. The director says what the story needs; this role figures out how to capture it.
- Visual Development: Collaborates with directors and creative leads during pre-production to define the visual approach for each project. Develops look books, shot lists, lighting plans, and camera strategies that give the production team a clear blueprint for the shoot day.
- Technical Expertise: Stays current with camera systems, lighting technology, lens options, and production and post-production workflows. Makes informed gear decisions that balance creative ambition with budget realities. Knows when to push for the right tool and when to make what’s available work.
- On-Set Leadership: Manages the camera and lighting crew on set. Runs a department that moves efficiently, communicates clearly, and adapts when conditions change. Keeps the production on schedule without compromising the image.
- Post-Production Collaboration: Works with editors and colorists to ensure the final grade and finish honor the look established on set. Stays involved through post to protect the visual integrity of the work.
- AI-Forward Thinking: Champions the use of AI across production workflows to improve output quality, efficiency, and scale. Brings a forward-looking mindset to how AI tools can enhance pre-visualization, shot planning, reference building, and on-set decision making.
What We're Looking For
- Experience: 7+ years of professional experience as a DP or lead cinematographer, ideally across agency, commercial, and branded content work. Deep, hands-on expertise across all core cinematography disciplines, including lighting design, camera operation, lens selection, composition, on-set leadership, and post collaboration.
- Visual Proficiency: Advanced working knowledge of the following platforms and tools:
- A variety of cameras
- Professional lighting and grip packages
- DaVinci Resolve
- Frame.io
- Visual reference platforms
- Shot planning and pre-visualization tools
- Client-Facing Skills: Strong presentation and communication skills with the ability to represent the work confidently in client settings, explain creative and technical decisions clearly, and build trust on set and in the room.
- AI Fluency: A demonstrated comfort and capability with AI tools as part of day-to-day work, using them to improve quality, move faster, and scale output effectively.
- Collaboration: Proven ability to work alongside directors who have opinions and producers who have budgets, with the judgment to know when to defer, when to push back, and how to keep a set aligned and moving.
What makes TrendyMinds a great place to work
- Fully remote: We believe the best team is one that isn’t limited by proximity to a physical location. Whether it’s the West Coast or the East Coast, we work with team members across all of the U.S. time zones.
- Collaborative team environment: Your voice is important, and we believe the best projects include contributions from everyone.
- Great benefits: 30 paid days off and 401(k) matching. What more could you ask? Oh yeah, we cover 100% of health insurance premiums for all team members and 50% for their spouses and dependents.
- Flexible schedule: Some people are early birds who love collaborating in-person at our offices. Others are night owls who enjoy working from home. We are flexible to accommodate different work styles, times, and locations- within reason and the needs of our clients - of course!
- New equipment: In order to produce incredible work, we have to have incredible equipment. Sorry if you were hoping for a 7-year-old PC. That’s just not our style.
- Philanthropy: We like to do our part to help our community. With our philanthropy committee and donation matching system, we offer you the resources you need to make a difference.
Our Values
At TrendyMinds, we aim to hire people who share our values. They are at the center of how we treat each other and our clients, and they act as our guideposts for every decision.
Know the Why behind the What.
We aim to be as honest and transparent as possible with our team and clients. The idea of Why lives at the heart of our LOGIQ process and grounds us with clear reasons for the decisions we make. (You will learn more about our LOGIQ process if you join our team.)
Put relationships first.
We not me. For more than 25 years, we've grown a business built on strong relationships with clients. But we also know that developing trust and a collaborative spirit is equally important to cultivate a healthy team that loves having fun.
Think Ahead and push boundaries.
Our tagline isn’t Think Ahead for nothing. We bring a contagious passion to our craft, always searching for creative ways to challenge ourselves and deliver results, even though things don’t always go according to plan. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, improve, and try again.
Bring your full self.
Show up. Each of us has something unique to contribute. In all that we do, we celebrate diversity and strive to create an equitable, inclusive environment so that everyone feels a sense of belonging.