Photographer
About Contra Labs
Contra Labs sits at the intersection of human creativity and technology. We partner with leading product companies to improve the creative tools that professionals use every day. Our research is grounded in how top creatives actually work, studying the patterns behind what gets created, what gets chosen, and what resonates. We believe human input will always be at the center of net new creation, and our mission is to help shape technology so human creativity can be amplified to create what today is unimaginable.
By joining the Contra Labs network you gain access to paid projects with some of the most innovative companies building the next generation of creative tools.
How It Works
This is an application to join the network and be eligible for roles as they arise. Projects are staffed on an as-needed basis, typically 5 to 10 hours at a time, though some may extend into longer engagements. In unique cases, we may have full-time roles available as well. When a project matches your skill set, we'll reach out with details and timeline.
The Opportunity
The creative tools you use every day are only as good as the real-world content they're built to understand. We're looking for photographers to capture original, high-quality photos across a range of real-life subjects, settings, and styles. Your work will directly contribute to making creative software smarter, more intuitive, and better aligned with how professionals actually shoot.
This is straightforward work: follow a creative brief, capture the shots, and deliver organized files. No post-production or retouching required unless specified.
To Join the Network
Portfolio review - We'll assess your Contra profile and portfolio for strength in product design, specifically across desktop and mobile applications.
Video interview - You'll record a brief video sharing more about your experience and your approach to design.
Skills assessment - If accepted, you'll complete a short assessment aligned to the types of tasks you'd work on (e.g., evaluating AI-generated UI outputs, providing structured design feedback).
What You Will Do
Capture original photos following specific creative briefs that outline subject matter, style, lighting, and composition guidelines
Shoot across a variety of real-world scenarios including people, products, environments, textures, and everyday objects
Deliver organized, clearly labeled image files on time and to spec
Maintain consistent quality across batches, paying close attention to framing, focus, exposure, and natural lighting
What We're Looking For
Strong photography portfolio demonstrating range across subjects and settings, shared via your Contra profile
A trained eye for composition, lighting, and color, whether shooting with a professional camera or a smartphone
Ability to follow creative briefs closely and deliver content that meets specific parameters
Reliable and detail-oriented, able to deliver organized files within project timelines
Comfortable shooting in a variety of real-world environments