Director of Photography / Camera Operator – Volunteer Role

Job Position(s): Director of Photography / Camera Operator - Volunteer Role

The Donovan’s Venom, a nonprofit arts organization based in the Atlanta, GA area, is seeking a volunteer Director of Photography / Camera Operator to lead the visual side of their live and recorded productions. This role sits at the center of the camera department, responsible for image acquisition, lighting design, and visual consistency across the organization’s performance and educational content. It suits a cinematographer or camera operator with experience in live production, videography, or digital content who wants meaningful ownership of a production’s look from prep through wrap.

About the Role

The Director of Photography / Camera Operator works directly with the Show Producer and creative team to define and execute the visual approach for each production, covering everything from music performances to fine arts programming. Day-to-day work includes camera prep and testing, designing lighting setups for live and studio environments, and operating cameras during shoots. This is a hands-on role in a volunteer-led production environment that is actively building its camera and lighting standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate cameras across live production and recorded formats, managing setup, framing, focus, exposure, and camera movement throughout each shoot.
• Design and execute lighting setups that establish the correct mood and visual quality for performance and educational content.
• Determine shot composition, camera angles, and overall visual approach in collaboration with producers and directors during pre-production.
• Prep, test, and maintain cameras, lenses, monitors, and lighting equipment before each production day.
• Troubleshoot camera and lighting issues on set in real time to maintain image quality and keep the shoot on schedule.
• Help establish repeatable camera operation and lighting standards as the organization expands its video production workflow.

What You Bring

• Hands-on experience in cinematography, camera operation, videography, livestreaming, or episodic or digital production.
• Working knowledge of cameras, lenses, exposure, focus pulls, and shot composition across production formats.
• Experience designing and executing professional lighting setups for live or studio environments.
• Comfort operating in live production settings where conditions and timing shift quickly.
• Ability to take creative direction from producers and directors while contributing confident visual recommendations.

Why This Role

The Donovan’s Venom is a 501c3 nonprofit with a clear focus on expanding access to music and fine arts education for underserved communities, and this role puts a Director of Photography / Camera Operator in a position to shape how that work looks on screen from the ground up. Because the organization is building its production standards now, the person in this seat will have real influence over the camera and lighting approach across all future productions. This is a volunteer position with no financial compensation.

If you are a Director of Photography or Camera Operator looking to contribute your skills to arts education content in the greater Atlanta area, apply now to join The Donovan’s Venom production team.