Zajac Ranch Volunteer Photographer/Videographer

Zajac Ranch Job Description - Summer Camp Volunteer Photographer

About Zajac Ranch

Zajac Ranch is an inclusive and accessible camp located on 41 acres in Mission, British Columbia. Our summer medical camps provide children, youth, and young adults living with complex medical conditions and disabilities the opportunity to experience friendship, adventure, independence, and the joy of camp. Our onsite medical team helps make these experiences possible by providing safe, compassionate, and responsive health support throughout each camp session.

Location: Mission, British Columbia

Position Type: Volunteer

Season: Summer Camp 2027

Schedule: Selected weekday camp sessions, based on volunteer availability and camp needs

Reports To: Camp Leadership Team

Position Overview

Zajac Ranch is seeking creative, dependable, and respectful Volunteer Photographers to help capture the energy, impact, and spirit of our 2027 Summer Camp season.

Volunteer Photographers will work alongside the camp leadership team to capture high-quality images of camp activities, camper experiences, staff and volunteer engagement, special moments, facilities, and the natural environment. Images may be used in organizational communications, social media, newsletters, fundraising materials, grant reporting, donor stewardship, promotional campaigns, and the Zajac Ranch website.

This is an excellent opportunity for emerging or experienced photographers who want to build experience in camp, lifestyle, event, and nonprofit photography while contributing their skills to a meaningful charitable organization.

2027 Camp Session Opportunities

• Young Adult Camp #1: Monday, June 28, 2027 - Friday, July 2, 2027

• Autism Spectrum Disorder Camp #1: Monday, July 5, 2027 - Friday, July 9, 2027

• Mixed Medical Camp #1: Monday, July 19, 2027 - Friday, July 23, 2027

• Autism Spectrum Disorder Camp #2: Monday, July 26, 2027 - Friday, July 30, 2027

• Mixed Medical Camp #2: Monday, August 9, 2027 - Friday, August 13, 2027

• Autism Spectrum Disorder Camp #3: Monday, August 16, 2027 - Friday, August 20, 2027

• Mixed Medical Camp #3: Monday, August 23, 2027 - Friday, August 27, 2027

• Young Adult Camp #2: Monday, August 30, 2027 - Friday, September 3, 2027

Volunteers do not need to be available for every camp session. Applicants are encouraged to identify the session(s) and dates they are available to support. Exact photography schedules will be coordinated in advance.

Key Responsibilities

• Capture candid and, where appropriate, staged photographs during assigned summer camp sessions.
• Photograph a range of indoor and outdoor activities, camper experiences, staff and volunteer engagement, group moments, facilities, scenery, and special events.
• Follow shot lists, camp schedules, creative direction, and priority requests provided by the Camp Leadership Team or designated staff lead.
• Move throughout camp program areas to capture a representative range of activities and experiences while minimizing disruption to programming.
• Work respectfully and professionally around campers, families, staff, volunteers, and medical personnel.
• Confirm with designated staff which campers, staff, volunteers, activities, or situations may be photographed.
• Ensure only individuals with appropriate photography and media consent are identifiable in photographs.
• Respect requests from any individual who does not wish to be photographed.
• Avoid photographing medical care, behavioural incidents, personal care, confidential conversations, or other sensitive situations.
• Upload, transfer, and organize photographs within the requested timeframe and label files clearly by camp session, date, activity, or other requested naming convention.
• Protect all images, participant information, and organizational materials and follow Zajac Ranch policies relating to privacy, confidentiality, safeguarding, and appropriate conduct.
• Represent Zajac Ranch professionally and positively while onsite.

Photography Priorities

During summer camp sessions, photographers may be asked to capture:

• Campers participating in recreational, adaptive, and creative activities.
• Moments that reflect friendship, inclusion, belonging, confidence, independence, teamwork, and fun.
• Arts and crafts, waterfront activities, outdoor adventure, campfires, performances, games, theme activities, and special events.
• Staff and volunteers supporting campers and facilitating programs.
• Group celebrations and milestone moments.
• Facilities, activity spaces, landscapes, and the natural environment.
• Images that help tell the broader story and impact of Zajac Ranch.

Photography must always be camper-centred and respectful. The safety, dignity, comfort, privacy, and participation of campers will always take priority over capturing an image.

Privacy, Consent & Use of Images

All photography must be completed in accordance with Zajac Ranch's privacy, consent, safeguarding, and media requirements.

• Follow all media-permission and photography instructions provided by Zajac Ranch staff.
• Never photograph an identifiable individual when consent has not been confirmed.
• Immediately stop photographing when requested by a camper, participant, staff member, family member, or designated staff lead.
• Do not post, publish, share, distribute, sell, or otherwise use Zajac Ranch images for personal, commercial, social media, portfolio, or promotional purposes without prior written authorization from Zajac Ranch.
• Transfer all photographs created as part of the volunteer assignment to Zajac Ranch using the approved method.
• Delete organizational content from personal devices or storage when directed.
• Maintain the confidentiality of campers, families, staff, volunteers, and organizational information at all times.

Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, photographs created as part of the volunteer assignment will be provided to Zajac Ranch for its organizational use.

Qualifications & Skills

• Genuine interest in photography, visual storytelling, communications, or content creation.
• Experience using a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or other suitable photography equipment.
• Ability to capture clear, engaging, well-composed photographs in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Comfort photographing people in active, fast-paced settings while remaining unobtrusive and respectful.
• Ability to take direction while also identifying natural and meaningful moments.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organization, and time-management skills.
• Reliable, punctual, professional, and respectful of privacy, confidentiality, boundaries, and media consent.
• Comfort working around children, youth, young adults, staff, volunteers, and diverse communities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of the camp team.

Experience photographing camps, events, recreation, children, families, or nonprofit programs is considered an asset. Basic photo-editing experience is also an asset. Applicants may be asked to provide a small portfolio or examples of previous photography work; formal professional experience is not required.

Equipment

Volunteers are encouraged to use their own photography equipment where available. Suitable equipment may include a DSLR or mirrorless camera, appropriate lenses, additional batteries, memory cards, and other accessories needed for a full day of photography.

Any available Zajac Ranch equipment or specific equipment requirements will be discussed before the assignment. Volunteers are responsible for the care and security of their personal equipment while onsite.

Volunteer Requirements

• Complete a volunteer application and interview.
• Provide references where requested.
• Complete a satisfactory Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search.
• Complete orientation before the first volunteer assignment.
• Review and sign applicable confidentiality, privacy, media, safeguarding, and volunteer agreements.
• Follow all Zajac Ranch health, safety, and camp policies.
• Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for an active indoor/outdoor camp environment.
• Maintain professional boundaries with campers, families, staff, and volunteers.

Working Conditions & Time Commitment

Volunteer Photographers may support a full camp day, half-day, or scheduled activity block depending on the needs of the session and volunteer availability. Assignments may involve walking throughout a large rural property, standing for extended periods, moving between activities, and working indoors and outdoors in changing weather conditions.

Volunteers should be comfortable working around water, animals, recreational activities, uneven terrain, and active, energetic camp environments. Reasonable accommodations can be discussed as part of the volunteer placement process.

What Volunteers Will Gain

• Experience in camp, lifestyle, event, and nonprofit photography.
• Experience working from creative direction, shot lists, schedules, and organizational storytelling priorities.
• An opportunity to contribute directly to Zajac Ranch communications, fundraising, and community storytelling.
• Exposure to inclusive recreation and accessible camp programming.
• The opportunity to develop portfolio-quality skills, subject to Zajac Ranch's written approval for use of specific images.
• A meaningful volunteer experience with a mission-driven organization.

Volunteer Position

This is an unpaid volunteer position. Meals may be provided during scheduled volunteer shifts depending on the length and timing of the assignment.

How to Apply

Interested parties should submit a resume by following the link provided.