Careers

Start Your Career Where Your Story Began

We're not just photographing schools — we're building careers in the communities we serve.

View Open Positions
From Student to Staff

Grown Right Here

Something special happens when you photograph a community for 24 years — you become part of it. Many of our team members first met us on picture day as students. They came back as seasonal hires in high school or college, and today they run entire departments.

We've hired more people from the high schools we serve than ever before. It's not a recruiting strategy — it's what happens when you invest in your community and people want to stay.

We don't just photograph your school — we hire from it, grow with it, and give back to it.

180+
Team members across Southern California
Full-time, part-time  ·  seasonal
Where You Fit

Our Departments

Photography
On-site school photographers, studio portrait specialists, and event shooters. You're the face families remember on picture day.
Production
Image processing, retouching, color correction, and print fulfillment. Turn raw captures into polished portraits and ship them out.
Sports
Action photography, team and individual sessions, banners, and event coverage for middle school and high school athletics across SoCal.
Customer Service
Help parents find photos, resolve order issues, and keep families happy. You're the voice on the phone and the first reply in the inbox.
Marketing
Digital campaigns, social media, flyer design, email marketing, and school outreach. Tell the story of every picture day.
Operations & HR
Scheduling, logistics, payroll, hiring, and keeping the machine running. The backbone behind 300+ schools and 7 studios.
Why Cherished Memories

More Than a Job

Family-Owned Culture
No corporate bureaucracy. Leadership knows your name and your goals.
Real Career Growth
Many of our directors started as seasonal hires. We promote from within first.
7 Studios Across SoCal
Lake Elsinore, Moreno Valley, Palm Desert, Corona, La Mesa, Colton, and Cypress.
Flexible Scheduling
Full-time, part-time, and seasonal roles. Great for students and working parents.
Community Impact
Your work goes home with 400,000 families. That's a portfolio that matters.
Paid Training
No experience required for many roles. We train you on camera systems, workflow, and more.
Apply Today

Open Positions

No experience required for most roles — we provide the gear and the training. Find the position that fits and apply in just a few minutes.

Now Hiring In

Lake Elsinore Moreno Valley Corona Palm Desert Colton San Diego Cypress Los Angeles Rancho Bernardo

Seasonal · Photography Cherished Memories photographers running a picture-day studio line at a school

Seasonal Entry-Level Photographer

Part-time / Full-time Jun – Dec On-site · SoCal
Pay $17–$20 / hour · based on experience

Your first step behind the lens. Join a fun, fast-paced crew photographing students on picture day across Southern California. No experience needed — we'll train you, and there's room to grow.

Full description

We're looking for motivated, energetic individuals to develop their photography skills while helping create lasting memories for students and their families. You'll get hands-on experience with a team that values creativity, collaboration, and quality.

What you'll do

  • Travel to assigned school sites and arrive on time
  • Set up, operate, and break down portable studio equipment as a team
  • Photograph up to 250 students daily with high-quality results
  • Use Cherished Memories' proprietary software and camera equipment
  • Keep things efficient and accurate in a fast-paced environment
  • Communicate and work well with your team

What we're looking for

  • Experience working with children (preferred, not required)
  • Dependable, punctual, and adaptable to changing schedules
  • Basic understanding of photography and lighting — we'll train you
  • Attention to detail and the ability to work quickly
  • Strong communication and teamwork skills
  • Reliable transportation and a valid driver's license

Pay

Pay ranges from $17 to $20 per hour based on experience and location, with San Diego– and Los Angeles–region positions toward the higher end of the range.

Locations

Palm Desert, Moreno Valley, Corona, Lake Elsinore, Riverside, Colton, El Cajon, Los Angeles, Cypress, Temecula, Murrieta, and Menifee.

Schedule & details

  • Seasonal: mid-June through December (training begins mid-June to mid-July, depending on region)
  • Part-time or full-time hours; available Monday–Sunday as needed
  • Paid mileage if applicable
  • Employment is contingent on passing a background check
Apply for this role
Experienced · Photography A senior Cherished Memories photographer running a studio session for a graduate

Senior Photographer

Part-time / Full-time Jun – Jan Studio · SoCal
Pay $18–$19 / hour

Be the face behind the lens. Working mainly from our studios, you'll photograph high school seniors, underclass and elementary students, families, and more — bringing creativity, professionalism, and a sharp eye for quality to a high-volume environment.

Full description

This is a fast-paced, high-volume role where your skill and attention to detail will shine. You'll own the experience from check-in to the final edited image.

What you'll do

  • Greet and check in clients for a smooth, welcoming start
  • Pose and photograph seniors, children, and families to studio standards
  • Keep the studio clean, organized, and professional
  • Maintain equipment and props ready for use
  • Organize, edit, catalog, and back up client images
  • Follow guidelines to keep image quality consistent
  • Assist clients at the end of their session with next steps

What we're looking for

  • Experience photographing teens and children (preferred)
  • Background in studio or portrait photography (preferred)
  • Basic knowledge of photography and lighting
  • Strong communication and teamwork skills
  • Dependable, punctual, flexible, and eager to learn
  • Valid driver's license

Pay by location

$18/hr at Lake Elsinore, Moreno Valley, Palm Desert, Colton, Corona, and Cypress. $19/hr in the San Diego area. $19/hr in Los Angeles (on-site senior photographers only).

Locations

Palm Desert, Moreno Valley, Corona, Lake Elsinore, La Mesa, Colton, Cypress, and Los Angeles.

Schedule & details

  • Seasonal: mid-June through January
  • Part-time and full-time hours available
  • Monday–Sunday, flexible availability required
  • Opportunities for growth within the company
Apply for this role
Customer Service Cherished Memories team members at the studio front desk

Front Desk Customer Service Representative

Seasonal Jun – Jan Studio · 7 Locations
Pay $17–$18 / hour

Be the first smile families meet. You'll welcome clients, check them in, walk them through their photo package options, and keep every visit warm, organized, and running smoothly.

Full description

This role is key to a top-tier experience from the moment customers arrive to the moment they choose their perfect package. We need someone friendly, reliable, and organized for our busy season.

What you'll do

  • Greet every client and visitor with a warm, professional welcome
  • Check clients in for their scheduled appointments
  • Share current promotions, offers, and package options
  • Guide clients through package selections during sales appointments
  • Schedule or reschedule sessions and sales appointments
  • Handle cash, card, and other payments accurately, and issue receipts
  • Answer phones, respond to inquiries, and follow up with customers
  • Keep the front desk and waiting area clean and organized

What we're looking for

  • Customer service or front desk experience (preferred)
  • Friendly, patient, and confident, with strong attention to detail
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills
  • Comfortable talking about and selling photography packages
  • Able to handle cash and operate a point-of-sale system accurately
  • Reliable and punctual, with flexible hours including some evenings and weekends

Pay by location

$17/hr at Lake Elsinore, Moreno Valley, Palm Desert, Colton, Corona, and Cypress. $18/hr in the San Diego area.

Locations

Palm Desert, Moreno Valley, Corona, Lake Elsinore, La Mesa, Colton, and Cypress.

Schedule

  • Seasonal: mid-June through the end of January
  • Flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends
  • Perfect for seasonal work, with potential to return future seasons
Apply for this role
Now Hiring
Don't See Your Role?
We're always looking for talented, motivated people who care about their community. Send in the same application and tell us what you do best.
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Questions? Email [email protected]

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