Professional Experience
I am a passionate photo editor, photo director and photographer with invaluable hands-on journalism and editorial experience. I'm versatile and reliable. I nurture strong relationships with stock photo agencies, photo editors, photographers, as well as editors and designers. I'm an award-winning visual storyteller who is comfortable with a fast-paced environment and calm under pressure. I'm a clear communicator with a thorough understanding of intellectual property usage rights and licensing terms. I'm a thoughtful manager with talent for building a cohesive and productive team dedicated to meeting deadlines and budget requirements while exceeding client demands.
STANDOUT SKILLS
- Clear Communication
- Color Correction
- Cost Control
- Cross-Team Collaboration
- Decision Making
- Digital Photography
- Licensing & Usage Rights
- Photo Research & Curation
- Team Management
- Quality Control
- Vendor Relations
- Visual Storytelling
- Visual Branding Consistency
EXPERIENCE
Photo Manager
The Walt Disney Company, National Geographic Kids Books
January 2021 – Present
- Manage an annual photography budget of ~$1M and ensure high-quality visual deliverables across 30+ children’s books annually.
- Supervise a team of 3 photo editors and freelance staff of up to 12, providing training, guidance, and motivation to produce award-winning visual content.
- Direct visual branding and identity to create compelling books that consistently earn prestigious awards and achieve strong business results.
- Spearhead the development and expansion of photo tracking databases and digital asset management systems (DAMs).
- Oversee all aspects of photo department operations, including studio and on-location shoots, stock agency negotiations, and color corrections.
Photo Director
National Geographic Partners, National Geographic Kids Books
January 2016 – January 2021
- Directed visual identity and photographic content for 50+ books annually, contributing to the department's national accolades.
- Managed a $1M annual budget while optimizing processes for procuring and curating visual assets.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align photo content with brand strategy, enhancing public outreach and educational impact.
- Produced and directed video and photo shoots, ensuring high-quality output within budget and on deadline.
Senior Photo Editor
National Geographic Society, Kids Media
January 2009 – January 2016
- Led procurement, curation, and tracking of visual assets for hundreds of publications, including books, magazines, videos, and web platforms.
- Strategically directed photographers to capture dynamic imagery aligned with publication objectives.
- Managed stock photo licenses, payments, and contract negotiations, ensuring legal and financial compliance.
- Produced and shot video shorts and GIFs for social media to help market books
Photo Editor
National Geographic Society, Children's Books
July 2005 – January 2009
- Researched and edited thousands of photos for 85+ books annually, ensuring adherence to project goals and deadlines.
- Managed all aspects of stock photo licensing and payments.
Assistant Director of Photography
Barnes & Noble Publishing
January 2000 – July 2005
- Assisted in daily operations of the photo department, producing on-location photo shoots and negotiating rates with stock agencies.
- Conducted extensive research and editing for high-profile coffee table books and wall calendars.
Photographer's Assistant
Portfolio Books
January 1995 – January 2000
- Supported all aspects of a small publishing company, from photo editing to overseas print supervision.
Freelance Photographer
Lori Epstein Photography
January 1995 – Present, variable
- Launched and managed a successful photography business specializing in editorial, wildlife, travel, and portrait photography.
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism
- Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
SKILLS
- Project Management: Budget oversight, staff training, team leadership.
- Expertise: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Premier Pro, Lightroom, InDesign), digital asset management systems (DAMs), DSLR cameras, Intellectual Property Rights
- Creative Direction: Visual branding, color correction, photo shoot production.
- Software Proficiency: Mac OS, FileMaker Pro, Tipalti, Jira, MediaGrid.
PUBLICATIONS & AWARDS
- Published works include:
- Dolley the Fire Dog
- Stella the Search Dog
- Willow the Therapy Dog
- Tiger the Police Dog
- Cadi the Farm Dog
- National Geographic Kids Cookbook
- Master George's People
- Christmas in Williamsburg
- 1862: Fredericksburg
- 1776: A New Look at Revolutionary Williamsburg
- Contributed to award-winning projects recognized for excellence in children's media.
WEIRD BUT TRUE
- Visited 45 of 50 states
- I’m allergic to chocolate.
- I’ve been in a Subaru commercial.