Internship, Automotive Photographer & Retoucher, Design Studio (Winter/Spring 20

What to Expect

Consider beforesubmittingan application:
This position is expected to start around January 2027 and continue through the entire Spring term (endingapproximately May 2027or later, if available). We ask for a minimum of12 weeks, full-time (40 hours/week) and on-site, for most internships. Our internship program is for students who are actively enrolled in an academic program.Recent graduates seeking employment after graduation and not returning to school should apply for full-time positions, not internships.
International Students: If your work authorization is through CPT, please consult your school on your ability to work 40 hours per week before applying. You must be able to work 40 hours per week on-site. Many students will be limited to part-time during the academic year.
Internship Program at Tesla
The 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.
About the Team
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, CA
What You'll Do

Photograph 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

What You'll Bring

You have enough photography skill, taste, and "eye" to capture clean, intentional images with minimal hand-holding
You care deeply about the finish-detail, polish, consistency, and making an image sing in post
You're motivated by craft quality, not just being on set
You're reliable with deadlines, feedback, and fast-turn studio workflows
Candidates who only want to shoot, or who only retouch with little photographic judgment, are not the right fit.
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 and Benefits

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 HSA
Healthcare 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/hour + 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.