Automotive Photographer & Retoucher Intern at TeslaThe Internship Recruiting Team is driven by the passion to recognize and develop emerging talent. Our year-round program places the best students in positions where they will grow technically, professionally, and personally through their experience working closely with their Manager, Mentor, and team. We provide an experience that allows the intern to experience life at Tesla by including them in projects that are critical to their team's success. As an Automotive Photographer & Retoucher Intern at Tesla, you will both capture and finish imagery of Tesla vehicles and products. You will be part of the content team that creates world-class work across photography, retouching, branding, video, and design. This role is a true hybrid. You will shoot when the work requires it, and you will spend significant time in post bringing images to a polished, brand-ready standard. The ideal intern is someone with a real photographic eye—taste, composition, light, and judgment on set—whose deepest craft passion and strongest technical depth is digital retouching.
Locations:
Fremont, CAResponsibilitiesPhotograph Tesla vehicles and products (e.g., Solar Roof, solar panels, merchandise, vehicle accessories, lifestyle) in studio and on location as needed Apply strong fundamentals in lighting, composition, camera operation, and on-set problem-solving Support pre-production, scouting, and on-set assistance for photo (and occasionally broader content) productions Collaborate with producers and cross-functional partners so capture sets up successful retouching and final delivery Retouch vehicle and product imagery to a high, brand-consistent standard Execute cleanup, color/tonal work, perspective and reflection control, composites, and finishing Manage multiple retouch jobs and revision rounds in parallel under tight timelines Identify issues in digital imagery early and solve them with the right tools and techniques Maintain organized files, versions, and handoff standards Work with design, engineering, factory, sales, and other partners as projects require Participate in discussions on timing, process, and visual standards related to brand and design principles Occasionally support adjacent design or content needs based on skill set and team priorities
Requirements:- Currently pursuing a degree in a relevant field (e.g., photography, digital imaging, design, or related)
- Solid photography fundamentals: lighting, camera hardware, composition, studio and/or on-location experience
- Strong digital retouching ability, clearly demonstrated in a portfolio (this is the depth we weight most heavily)
- Proficiency in industry tools (Adobe Photoshop required; Lightroom, Camera Raw, Capture One, and/or similar tools preferred)
- Strong visual taste and the ability to make sound on-set and in-post judgment calls
- Ability to manage multiple parallel projects and deliver under tight timing constraints
- Clear visual and verbal communication; receptive to detailed creative direction
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and dependable in a fast-paced environment
- Automotive photography and/or automotive retouching (interior and exterior)
- Complex product or commercial retouching at a high finish level
- Experience shooting with retouching in mind (clean plates, lighting for post, efficient capture for finish work)
- High-volume or batch retouching workflows
- Color management and working to brand/style guides
- Exposure to hybrid photo–CGI workflows (a plus, not required)
- Retouching work with clear craft quality (before/afters strongly encouraged)
- Photography that shows taste and fundamentals—not only volume of images
- Automotive and/or rigorous product/commercial work when available
- Brief notes on your role (capture, retouch, or both) and tools used, when helpful
Compensation & Benefits: As a full-time Tesla Intern, you will be eligible for:
- Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
- Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
- Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans. Both have an option with a $0 payroll contribution
- Company Paid (Health Savings Account) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Medical Plan with HSAHealthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
- Company Paid Basic Life, AD&D, and short-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions), and Paid Holidays
- Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
- Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
- Commuter benefits
- Employee discounts and perks program
- Expected Compensation $20.00 - $50.00 + benefits
Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
