Creative Director, Photo - Pottery Barn

About the Photo Direction Team

Housed within Pottery Barn’s Creative department, the Photo Direction team translates the brand’s creative

vision into compelling photography and videography that inspires our customers to decorate, entertain, and 
live beautifully in a home that reflects their individual style.
 

Supporting Pottery Barn’s omni-channel business, the team concepts, develops and executes the photographic vision for each season, creating beautiful, distinctive and consistently on-brand imagery across digital, social, print, marketing, advertising and in-store channels. We foster a highly collaborative, creative and positive environment and partner closely across Creative, Product Development, Merchandising, E-Commerce, Video and Social Media.

Overview of the Creative Director Role

The Creative Director is a senior creative leader responsible for driving and creating Pottery Barn’s seasonal

photographic vision, ensuring that the brand’s visual expression is distinctive, inspiring and consistent

across every customer touchpoint.
 

Working closely with the Senior Vice President of Creative and Vice President of Creative and Photography,

the Creative Director translates brand, product and seasonal direction into compelling visual concepts and

establishes the creative framework that guides photography, video and related content.
 

This role sees the big picture and is also responsible for executing the details. You are a 
sophisticated visual storyteller with a strong point of view on interiors, decorating, photography, styling and 
culture—and understand where Pottery Barn sits in that intersection. 

You also understand how to translate product and brand ideas into imagery that creates emotion, 
communicates a clear point of view and ultimately builds desire for the Pottery Barn brand. You have the ability to
create compelling individual images while simultaneously knowing how to create cohesive images that form a campaign.
 

The Creative Director leads and inspires Art Directors and extended creative teams while partnering with

photographers, stylists, producers, set designers and cross-functional leaders to bring seasonal campaigns

and ongoing brand storytelling to life.

You will report to the Vice President, Creative and Photography and work closely with the Senior Vice

President of Creative.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the SVP and VP of Creative to establish the overarching photographic and visual direction for seasonal campaigns, brand initiatives and key storytelling moments.
• Participate in seasonal concept showroom walk-throughs and Product Development meetings to understand the product vision, key stories and priorities for each season. 
• Translate seasonal product and brand direction into a clear creative vision that establishes the overall mood, storytelling approach, visual language and photographic point of view. 
• With oversight from Vice President, Creative and Photography, lead the development and 
  review of seasonal Creative Briefs, ensuring concepts reflect the intended brand vision and provide clear direction for Art Directors, photographers, stylists, producers and other creative partners. 
• Establish and maintain Pottery Barn's photographic standards and overall visual "look and feel," ensuring consistency while continually evolving the brand's imagery. 
• Provide creative leadership across multiple campaigns, shoots and seasonal chapters, maintaining a holistic view of how individual assets work together to create a cohesive customer experience. 
• Guide Art Directors in developing decorating concepts, styling direction, camera approaches, lighting, set design and other visual elements that bring the approved creative direction to life. 
• Partner with the VP Creative on photographer, stylist and creative talent selection based on the needs and visual objectives of each campaign. 
• Review and guide set concepts and environmental storytelling to ensure rooms and spaces communicate a strong Pottery Barn point of view and appropriately showcase product. 
• Provide senior-level creative direction during key photography and video shoots, guiding mood, tone, composition, lighting, styling and overall visual execution. 
• Inspire and develop Art Directors and broader creative teams, providing clear feedback, mentorship and creative guidance while fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment. 
• Build productive creative partnerships with photographers, stylists, producers, digital artists, set builders and other external and internal creative talent. 
• Partner closely with Merchandising and Product Development to ensure creative storytelling and product representation are aligned while maintaining the integrity of the creative vision.
• Collaborate with E-Commerce, Social, Video, Marketing and other channel partners to ensure the photographic vision translates effectively across customer touchpoints. 
• Partner with Pagination and Creative teams to ensure imagery supports compelling layouts, storytelling and seasonal content needs.
• Review photography and video throughout the creative process, providing senior-level direction on image selection, color, retouching, backgrounds, cropping, layouts and overall visual consistency.
• Anticipate creative challenges and proactively identify solutions that balance brand vision, product priorities, production realities and business needs.
• Champion a culture of creativity, collaboration, curiosity and excellence while helping evolve Pottery Barn's visual expression and brand relevance.

Criteria

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in a visual or creative discipline such as advertising, interior design, interior architecture, graphic design, fine art or photography.
• Significant progressive creative leadership experience within photography, art direction, styling, editorial, advertising or related visual disciplines.
• Deep experience within home furnishings, lifestyle, interiors, retail, editorial or a similarly design-driven industry strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and communicate an overarching creative vision and translate brand-level concepts into compelling visual storytelling.
• Exceptional visual judgment with a sophisticated understanding of interiors, decorating, styling, composition, photography, color and design.
• Proven ability to lead, inspire and develop Art Directors and multidisciplinary creative teams.
• Experience directing photographers, stylists, producers, digital artists, set builders and other creative partners.
• Strong conceptual thinker who can move fluidly between high-level creative strategy and detailed visual execution.
• Ability to articulate creative ideas clearly and persuasively to creative teams, cross-functional partners and senior executives.
• Highly collaborative, with demonstrated success partnering across Product Development, Merchandising, E-Commerce, Social, Video and other functions.
• Resourceful and solutions-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple creative initiatives and changing priorities while maintaining a consistently high visual standard.
• Strong understanding of the home furnishings and décor landscape with knowledge of current and emerging trends in interiors, photography, design and culture.
• Proven proficiency working within a digital-first creative environment, including familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite and contemporary creative workflows.
• Above all, you bring exceptional taste, strong creative instincts and a clear point of view, paired with the leadership skills to inspire others and translate Pottery Barn's brand vision into imagery that feels relevant, beautiful and unmistakably Pottery Barn.

Our Culture & Values 
We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success, and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing. 
 
People First 
Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available: 
 
Benefits 
- A generous discount on all WSI brands 
- A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities 
- Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer 
- Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits 
- Tax-free commuter benefits 
- A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health 
 
Continued Learning 
- In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University 
- Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities 
- Resources for self-development 
- Advisor (Mentor) program 
- Career development workshops, learning programs, and speaker series 
 
 
WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration).

This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.

The expected starting pay range for this position is $140,000-$175,000. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.