Photographer - Work Camper

Schedule: 24 hour (3 days / week) commitment

Compensation: Full‑hookup campsite; Forest Service vehicle use during work days and laptop for official duties (must bring own hard sided RV or trailer and photography equipment)

Campsite Location: Russell Pond Campground Volunteer Village (Admin Loop) OR Campton Campground (Volunteer exclusive site) Thornton, NH - based on FS availability

Position Overview

The White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) is seeking a skilled photographer documenting Forest landscapes, recreation sites, facilities, staff, volunteers, and stewardship projects across the entire WMNF. The volunteer will reside at Russell Pond Campground OR Campton Campground in a full‑hookup site and use a Forest Service vehicle for official travel.

This assignment is ideal for an outdoor‑oriented photographer who enjoys visual storytelling, exploring public lands, and working alongside Forest Service staff in both frontcountry and backcountry settings. Once trained, this role operates with a high degree of independence, making self‑motivation and initiative essential. We prioritize authentic, documentary-style photography that captures candid motion, natural light, and environmental storytelling showing both people and place.

Primary Duties

• Capture high‑quality, edited photographic images showcasing WMNF scenery, recreation activities, facilities, wildlife, seasonal conditions, and conservation work.
• Travel extensively throughout the Forest to document forest infrastructure, programs, projects and field operations.
• Shadow Forest Service staff and volunteers in real-time, photographing active work projects, stewardship activities, and community events.
• Hike to remote and backcountry locations to document facilities, trail work, wilderness conditions, and resource management projects.
• Organize and upload photo collections using Forest Service naming conventions and Pinyon (Box) folder structure.
• Coordinate with Supervisor and Forest staff to identify ongoing project needs and plan field assignments.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Experience using DSLR or mirrorless systems, shooting in RAW, and working with outdoor lighting conditions.
• Preferred minimum camera resolution of 16 megapixels to ensure flexibility in cropping and final use.
• Basic photo editing skills to deliver clean, polished final images when necessary.
• Comfortable in the backcountry - ability to hike several miles on forest trails with photography gear and work in variable weather.
• Comfortable approaching, engaging, and shadowing field crews to document active work without disrupting operations.
• Personable, respectful, and able to connect well with staff and volunteers in field settings.
• Strong self‑starter mindset: able to work independently, manage time, and complete tasks with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work independently and maintain consistent communication with the supervisor.
• Strong organizational habits and willingness to follow digital file‑management standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience photographing outdoor recreation, public land management, conservation programs, or field crews.
• Familiarity with Lightroom, Capture One, or similar editing software.
• Useful (but optional) gear such as a telephoto lens or tripod.
• Understanding of Leave No Trace principles.

Photo Management & Workflow

The photographer will use a Forest Service‑issued laptop and upload images into Pinyon (Box) according to WMNF standards, including:

• Organizing images by category (landscapes, recreation, facilities, staff, volunteers, wildlife, seasonal projects).
• Using consistent file naming (location_subject_date).
• Uploading curated and edited sets on a weekly or bi‑weekly basis.
• Training will be provided.

Media Ownership

All photographs created during this assignment become Forest Service property. Volunteers may retain personal copies for portfolio use.

Position Benefits

• Full‑hookup campsite at Russell Pond OR Campton Campground
• Be a part of the volunteer community - the volunteer village is a close knit group of volunteers that share stories, camaraderie and engage in recurring potlucks
• Forest Service vehicle for official travel during work days across the WMNF.
• Forest Service laptop for photo editing and uploads.
• Opportunities to explore and document a wide range of WMNF landscapes and field projects.
• Experience working alongside trail crews, wilderness rangers, wildlife technicians, botanists, and volunteer teams.
• Build a strong professional portfolio in outdoor and conservation photography.
• Self exploration - visit a beautiful landscape and truly become familiar with all three districts of the White Mountain National Forest

Ideal Candidate

A self‑motivated photographer who enjoys outdoor adventure, is comfortable engaging with field personnel, and can seamlessly fit into active field-work environments while capturing compelling images of the Forest and its stewardship mission.

How to Apply

Submit your application below. Please include a brief description of your photography experience and a link to your portfolio or sample images.