Prep Stylist E-Commerce Photo Studio chez Straub Collaborative

Position Summary:

The Prep Stylist assists with trafficking merchandise through the studio. This will include the preparation of footwear, apparel, accessories, and other products for photo production. This includes but is not limited to steaming, hanging, cleaning, styling products, and moving boxes up to 50 lbs. This position works alongside other members of the prep team, as well as the merchandise coordinator to ensure internal and client standards for quality product care and presentation are met by performing the following duties.

Essential Functions

• Performs sample style preparation that could include but is not limited to hanging, steaming, cleaning, and shaping to style guide specifications.
• Documents merchandise issues such as, imperfections, incorrect article numbers, or wrong product type to Merchandise Coordinator or Controller depending on assigned project.
• Distributes merchandise to all responsible parties throughout the photo process based on photo layouts and photo schedules, as well as collects merchandise after photo process is completed.
• Executing product pulls from storage, reporting any missing product discrepancies to Merchandise Coordinator or Manager
• Performs quality check for co-workers on the processes and procedures of product preparation, to go over style guides, and steaming techniques
• Assists with large product returns
• Assists with biannual audits of merchandise
• Attends pre-production and weekly meetings as needed

Required Skills & Essential Qualifications:

• E-commerce/Studio Experience: At least 1–2 years of prior experience in an e-commerce or catalog photography studio is preferred, demonstrating familiarity with the end-to-end product photography process.
• Footwear Product Knowledge: Strong understanding of athletic shoe construction and materials. Able to recognize different footwear components (soles, uppers, insoles, laces, straps, cleats, etc.) and how each style (sneakers, cleats, slides, boots, etc.) should be supported and presented.
• Styling Tools Proficiency: Skilled in the use of standard styling props and tools (tweezers, glue dots, polyfill/filling materials, tape, cardboard inserts, scissors, etc.) to precisely adjust and secure products for photography. Knows techniques like stuffing shoes or adding support props to maintain shape in the camera frame.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous eye for detail. Ensures every shoe is camera-ready – cleaned of dust/scuffs, free of loose threads or defects, correctly stuffed or propped, and perfectly arranged. Small elements (creases, alignment, symmetry) are managed carefully, since “every wrinkle, crease, and angle counts” in product photography.
• Style Guide Adherence: Able to accurately read and follow client-provided style guides and shot instructions. Demonstrates consistency in poses, angles, and overall product aesthetics according to brand specifications.
• Studio Workflow & Organization: Comfortable working in a fast-paced studio environment and managing multiple products simultaneously. Strong organizational skills to track inventory (SKUs, labels) and to sequence tasks, ensuring on-time delivery of styled products to the photography team.
• Problem-Solving & Adaptability: Resourceful and calm under pressure. Capable of quickly adapting to changes (e.g. last-minute styling edits, unforeseen product issues) and solving styling challenges as they arise. Able to incorporate feedback from photographers or creative leads in real time.
• Communication & Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with photographers, retouchers, and art directors. Communicates clearly about product needs or issues and works respectfully in a team setting.
• Physical Stamina: The role involves performing precise handwork repeatedly. Able to comfortably handle the physical demands of using fine motor skills (e.g. tweezing small parts or taping) throughout the production day.

Culture/ EEO Statement

Straub Collaborative embraces diversity in a profound way and believes in the power of a shared table to bring people together as we are committed to building a culturally inclusive team. We see diversity and inclusion as central to our organization. This means that we stand up against discrimination and harassment wherever we operate.

Straub Collaborative is committed to providing equal employment opportunity (EEO) and equal pay to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the US. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment Visa at this time.

The above declarations are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job described, nor are they intended to be such a listing of the skills and abilities required to do the job.  Rather, they are intended only to describe the general nature of the job and may be changed as deemed necessary by the company.