2026 Collections Photography Internship

Summary

This internship will provide an intensive overview and hands-on experience within the Collections Photography Department at The Corning Museum of Glass. The Collections Photography Intern will work with all members of the team to gain understanding of and competence with photographic lighting, digital capture, and post-capture image processing, as well as learn about the day-to-day operations of a busy Museum photography studio.

Responsibilities

• Assist with photographic lighting and digital capture of museum collection objects, and specifically learn how to capture highly reflective, transparent, and translucent objects effectively 
• Gain training and hands on experience with Hasselblad Camera Systems, Studio Operations, Hasselblad Phocus and Adobe Lightroom, and the Adobe Suite as it pertains to a museum and cultural heritage setting 
• Assist with and perform post-capture digital imaging work for publication quality images
• Assist with gallery and exhibition photography, including post-capture work
• Gain familiarity with the digital asset management system, Piction, as well as the collection management system, TMS (Gallery Systems)
• Supports and amplifies the Museum’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. 

Learning/Training Opportunities

• Gain knowledge about the Museum’s collections and galleries. 
• Develop an understanding of the art, science, and history of glassmaking to appreciate its techniques, materials, and cultural context.
• Attend object handling training.
• Learn about the physical properties of glass and how it reacts with light (e.g. reflection, refraction, transmission, iridescence, opalescence, dichroicism, metamerism, etc.) to better understand how to light glass objects for photography.
• Learn techniques for combining strobe and continuous lighting
• Learn software capture and post-capture techniques and gain proficiency with Hasselblad Phocus, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Camera RAW, and Adobe Photoshop 
• Learn focus stacking techniques optimized for glass subjects and gain proficiency with Zerene Stacker software
• Learn how integrated color management is implemented in a museum photography studio to ensure accurate color from cameras to monitors to printers
• Learn about our organizational communication and culture by attending One for All (all-staff), department, and team meetings.
• Improve career readiness through participation in learning opportunities provided by the Museum.
• Access to Safety, Information Security, and Institutional Wellness trainings.

Qualifications

• Respect and exemplify the values of the Corning Museum of Glass in all interactions with colleagues, staff, volunteers and the public.
• Ability to represent the Museum in a professional manner.
• Adhere to all prescribed organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate studies program (recent graduates may be considered) 
• Knowledge of manual camera settings (ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed) 
• Proficiency with Adobe Photoshop preferred 
• Strong interest in the field of museum and cultural heritage photography 
• Ability to contribute within a team setting; strong collaboration skills.  

Additional Benefits

• $2,600 Monthly Stipend
• 25% Discount in The Corning Museum of Glass Shops and shops.cmog.org.
• 25% Discount in The Corning Museum of Glass Café when on site
• Free admission to the museum for you and your guests

Application Instructions

Submit the following items to interns@cmog.org by March 1:

• Current CV/resume
• Cover letter explaining your interest in the position and how it aligns with your career goals.
• 5 images of your best work in photography (or a link to your online portfolio)