Content Producer (Photo and Video)

About Us:

Mid-States Distributing is the leading Farm, Ranch, and Home Retail Organization. Our 71+ year old company is owned by 29 independent Farm, Ranch & Home retailers (“Members”) who operate approximately 700 stores across the US and Canada with combined annual sales in excess of 7.5 billion dollars. Our member/owners retail items such as agriculture parts & supplies, petroleum products, hardware & tools, pet food, lawn & garden, animal health supplies, apparel & footwear, sporting goods, and various other products for the Farm, Ranch, and Home.

We are looking for enthusiastic people who like to win! We place a tremendous amount of emphasis on creating a dynamic and positive company culture. Most of our employees will tell you that Mid-States is the best place they’ve ever worked. We value high-energy people with positive mental attitudes who believe in the concept of “serving to wow”! Our consumers are primarily rural people raising kids, pets, cows, and crops so traditional values like God, family, and patriotism are important virtues. So, if you are enthusiastic, competitive, have a great attitude, have excellent written and verbal communication skills, like to build strong relationships, like to win, and refuse to eat meat grown in a lab – Mid-States may be the place for you! If you are not, please apply with our competitors!

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Content Producer (Photo and Video) is responsible for creating high-quality product photography, lifestyle imagery, and short-form video content across multiple brands. This role requires a strong understanding of lighting, composition, and storytelling, along with the ability to produce content efficiently and at scale.

This is not a limited production role focused on basic studio setups. This position requires someone who can think creatively, execute independently, and produce content that performs across digital channels.\

This role also requires strong working knowledge of artificial intelligence tools used in modern content production. The Content Producer should be able to leverage AI to enhance, extend, and scale photo and video content, including generating realistic visuals that integrate seamlessly with in-camera work.

• Portfolio Requirement

Candidates must submit a portfolio that includes:

• Product photography (required)
• Short-form video examples (required)
• Lifestyle photography (preferred)
• Examples of AI-assisted or AI-generated content are strongly encouraged

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Product Photography (In-Studio)

• Capture high-quality, consistent product photography across multiple categories including apparel, hard goods, and packaging
• Set up and manage lighting to enhance product appeal, maintain realism, and ensure consistency across all brand assets
• Deliver assets optimized for e-commerce, packaging, marketing, and internal use
• Maintain consistency across large product assortments and ongoing updates

Lifestyle Photography and Video

• Plan and execute lifestyle shoots that align with brand positioning and campaign objectives
• Capture both photography and video content during shoots to maximize production efficiency
• Translate product features and benefits into compelling visual content
• Travel as needed to support on-location lifestyle shoots, including planning, setup, and execution in a variety of environments

Video Production (Short-Form Focus)

• Shoot and edit short-form video content for social media, web, and paid campaigns
• Develop content that aligns with platform best practices (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts)
• Capture dynamic footage that goes beyond static or studio-only setups
• Edit video content including pacing, sound, and basic motion elements
• Capture and manage high-quality audio for interviews, testimonials, and on-location shoots, ensuring clean, professional sound that meets production standards

AI-Enhanced Content Creation

• Utilize AI tools to generate and enhance product and lifestyle imagery that aligns with brand standards
• Create realistic photo and video assets that supplement in-studio and on-location shoots
• Integrate AI-generated elements into existing footage and imagery without compromising authenticity
• Stay current on emerging AI tools and workflows to improve content speed, scale, and efficiency
• Partner with creative and brand teams to ensure AI-generated content maintains consistency and quality

Content Production and Workflow

• Manage high volumes of content production while maintaining quality standards
• Organize and maintain digital asset libraries for cross-functional use
• Collaborate with brand, digital, and creative teams to align on priorities and timelines
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, output, and content performance

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Proven experience in product photography with a strong portfolio
• Strong understanding of lighting techniques for both photography and video
• Experience capturing and editing video content, with a focus on short-form formats
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite including Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premiere Pro
• Experience working with DSLR or mirrorless cameras and studio lighting equipment
• Experience shooting lifestyle or on-location content
• Demonstrated experience using AI tools for image and video generation
• Ability to create realistic, production-ready assets that integrate with traditional photography and video
• Experience capturing and managing audio for video production, including use of lavalier, shotgun, and basic field recording equipment
• Comfortable traveling and working in varied environments, including outdoor locations, retail settings, and active job sites

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with After Effects or basic motion graphics
• Experience working across multiple brands or product categories

Skills and Competencies

• Strong visual eye for composition, lighting, and detail
• Ability to produce content efficiently without sacrificing quality
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Ownership mindset with the ability to execute from concept through final delivery
• Understanding of how content performs across digital channels
• Strong understanding of how to apply AI in content production without sacrificing realism or brand integrity
• Strong understanding of audio fundamentals including mic selection, placement, and sound quality control

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Generally, the job requires 80% sitting, 10% walking, and 10% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean environment. The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping and significant fine finger dexterity.

TRAVEL:
Some travel involved

OTHER DUTIES:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

A few words from our COO:

I have had the pleasure to work for some incredible companies during my career, but Mid-States is truly the best company I have ever worked for. Lead by our dynamic CEO, Tom Mahlke, our team strives to provide a unique, exciting, fun, and fulfilling work environment for our staff. Things like drama, laziness, and entitlement have no place in Mid-States, which makes Mid-States a refreshing place to work. We offer competitive salaries, have a fantastic benefits package, and believe in rewarding those who produce. We serve a wonderful industry, and we are financially sound and growing rapidly. If you are an enthusiastic, high-energy person with a positive attitude and the skills described above, you may have just found the last job you will ever apply for! I look forward to meeting you. – Jeff Rash, COO