Who are we:
At SSA, we believe our work matters because the people do. For more than 50 years, we've helped create experiences that leave people feeling connected, inspired, and reminded that fun still matters.
Whether you're looking for your first job, building your career, or bringing years of experience to a new role, you'll be part of a team that values your ideas, supports your growth, and encourages you to make an impact. More than 54% of our leaders are promoted from within, reflecting our commitment to investing in people and creating opportunities to succeed.
Retail– Photo Focus Associate
Position Overview:
The Photo Focus Associate helps create the moments guests take home, and it starts with making the first move: greeting guests, sparking the conversation, and bringing the energy. As the face of the photo experience at the unit, this seasonal, frontline retail team member captures great photos, uses SSA's photo software to deliver them, and turns a quick snapshot into a memory guests want to keep. They are inviting, efficient, playful, and confident behind the camera, and careful with the equipment (and payments, where applicable) that make it all work. When the Photos Program is not active due to attendance or weather, the Photo Focus Associate supports Retail Associate duties on the sales floor. Working under the direction of unit retail leadership, they bring the 452 Hospitality mission to life by creating special moments that leave a lasting, positive impact on guests, partners, and team members.
Responsibilities:
Guest Engagement & Photo Capture
The Photo Focus Associate is the face of the photo experience at the unit. They make the first move, bring the fun, and make every guest feel welcome.
- Greet guests, start the conversation, and invite them to jump in - no pressure, all energy - at photo locations and special events.
- Pose, direct, and photograph individuals, families, and groups so every guest looks and feels their best.
- Adapt to changing lighting, weather, crowd levels, and backdrops, including evening and event settings.
- Keep the photo line moving and the experience positive for guests of all ages and abilities.
Photo Sales & Software Operation
The Photo Focus Associate uses SSA photo technology to capture, preview, and deliver photos, and supports accurate, secure sales where onsite sales apply.
- Operate photo software and hardware (cameras, tablets, printers, flash, and related equipment, where applicable) to capture, preview, and deliver photos.
- Share photo options, packages, and digital delivery with guests clearly and honestly.
- Process payments accurately and securely where onsite sales apply, following SSA cash-handling and payment-card procedures.
- Troubleshoot basic issues and escalate to unit retail leadership or software support when needed.
Setup, Presentation & Equipment Care
The Photo Focus Associate keeps the photo experience ready, safe, and on-brand from the first guest to the last.
- Set up and break down photo stations, backdrops, and props (where applicable), keeping the area clean, safe, and on-brand.
- Inspect, charge, clean, and secure equipment each shift, and report damage or loss immediately.
- Follow venue brand standards for logos, backdrops, and signage - and keep it fun.
Teamwork, Safety & Compliance
The Photo Focus Associate follows established training, procedures, and venue rules, and works as part of the unit team to keep guests, equipment, and information protected.
- Complete required training, including photo program onboarding and equipment training, before working independently.
- Follow safety, guest privacy, and photography-of-minors guidelines, along with venue-specific rules.
- Record all time worked accurately and take meal and rest periods as provided by SSA policy and applicable state and local law.
- Share shift notes, guest feedback, and ideas with unit retail leadership, and support teammates across SSA Operations as needed.
- Support other duties as assigned within the scope of the role.
Retail Support
When the Photos Program is not active (due to attendance or weather), the Photo Focus Associate shifts to Retail Associate duties, following the Retail Associate job description and bringing the same energy and guest focus to both.
- Greet and help guests on the sales floor quickly, taking the initiative to meet their needs.
- Merchandise product to support sales, using suggestive selling and promotional items.
- Check and stock supplies at the counter, floor displays, floor stands, and cabinets neatly, accurately, and on time.
- Let retail leadership know when item quantities are low or a special request comes in, and work with the warehouse team to pull and fill items.
- Maintain a balanced cash drawer when assigned, using basic POS systems.
- Keep the counter, floor, tables, chairs, and equipment clean, safe, and organized.
- Relay guest comments to unit retail leadership, follow company policies and procedures, and transition quickly between photo and retail tasks.
Education & Experience
- Prior guest-facing, retail, or photography experience preferred; no formal photography experience required.
- Comfort engaging with guests of all ages and abilities in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.
- Willingness to learn new technology, including photo software and basic POS systems (training provided).
- Must meet the minimum age required by state law.
- All educational levels welcome to apply; no degree or formal education requirement.
This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with this position. The People Department reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (i.e., emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments).
Position Requirements
- Seasonal, non-exempt, hourly position.
- Availability for evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events during the season, within applicable state and local scheduling and minor work-hour requirements.
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, indoors and outdoors in varying weather, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to lift up to 10 lbs frequently and 25 lbs occasionally, and up to 50 lbs occasionally with assistance, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Work Environment This role works in active, guest-facing cultural attraction environments, including photo locations, retail areas, and special events, both indoors and outdoors. Conditions change with the weather, lighting, crowd levels, and season, and evening and event settings are common. The pace is lively and guest-centered, and the role moves between the photo station and the sales floor as the needs of the day change. Team members work alongside unit retail leadership and teammates across SSA Operations to keep every guest moment fun, safe, and on-brand.
Compensation & Benefits
- Eligible for overtime pay.
- On-Demand Pay Program: Get access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
- Meal Plan & Employee Discounts at applicable locations.
- Participation in a 401(k) program with a 15% company match (must be 21 years or older, eligible after one year of employment with 1,000 hours worked, available to enroll during Open Enrollment Periods).
- Up to 8 hours of Bereavement Leave
- Holiday pay of 1.5× the regular rate is provided for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
- Paid sick leave is provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Accrual rates, caps, and usage rules vary by location. Locations include: Arizona, California, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C.. Colorado: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year, under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA). Maryland: Employees accrue at least 1 hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year, as required under the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act. Washington: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, in accordance with the Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time.
SSA Holdings and its affiliated companies, including SSA Group, A&F Souvenir, Cinchio Solutions, and Behavioral Essentials, are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. A diverse team strengthens our collective impact.
All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").
San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document for more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document.
SSA Holdings and its affiliated companies, including SSA Group, A&F Souvenir, Cinchio Solutions, and Behavioral Essentials, are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. A diverse team strengthens our collective impact.
All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").
San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document for more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document.