Photographer Resume Example

Living in the digital age, photographers are wanted all over the world to help capture the perfect moment, the perfect product image or even the perfect photo for Instagram. These photographers are familiar with Adobe Creative Suite and specific cameras to get the shots they need. They can specialize in portraits, couples, weddings, events and more.

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In this article, we will discuss 7 steps to get your resume ready for any photography job you may have your eye out for. Here's what you'll find:

1. The best format for writing a photographer resume
2. How to write a resume summary
3. How to list your work experience as a photographer
4. What to do if you have no work experience as a photographer
5. How to list your skills
6. How to list your education and include certifications on your resume
7. The importance of creating a portfolio
   

1. Choose a format for writing your Photographer resume

The field of photography is a creative art. Therefore, you can get creative with your resume as well. While you may want to showcase everything you've done in your photographer career, you have very limited space on a resume. Thus, it's important to follow the format below:

1. Use reverse chronological format. To show hiring managers or those viewing your resume the experience you've gained as a photographer, list your most recent jobs first.
2. Use action verbs related to being a photographer. Verbs can demonstrate what you can do for a company and what you are skilled in. Review the following list for some powerful examples.

• Assisted
• Captured
• Contributed
• Created
• Designed
• Edited
• Executed
• Highlighted
• Illustrated
• Implemented
• Oversaw
• Photographed
• Prepared
• Trained    

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See our list of over 350 action verbs to find more  

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     3. Use 3-5 bullet points to measure your achievements. To showcase the experience you have as a photographer on your resume, it is important to do so in a.           concise, yet detailed way.

Here are some descriptions you could include in your resume, which you can customize for your specialization.

• Photographed the cover art of The Knot Magazine's 2018 issue
• Regular contributor to Love & Lavender Wedding Planners
• Shot and edited 200 weddings with 99% customer satisfaction
• Trained and managed a team of 5 freelance photographers
• Created social media content for customers
• Designed workspaces in Adobe Creative Suite to aid in the style of photography requested by the customer
• Managed photo booth at birthday parties and office events
• Edited photography to appeal to customer's event theme
• Worked directly with attendees of events to assure their picture-perfect moment was captured
• Lowered shoot costs by 10% through improved logistics
• Edited photographer to match the theme and style of the organization
• Shot high-end fashion
• Assisted in lighting and equipment maintenance
• Named and maintained digital asset files

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Take a look at our guide on how to choose the right format for your resume.                

2. Write a resume summary as a Photographer

Employers receive an abundance of resumes and job applications on a daily basis. This causes a lot of resumes with potential to get lost in the evergrowing pile. Writing a summary is an option to make your resume stand out. It is also a quick way for hiring managers to determine if you're the right candidate for the job.

Here are some things you can mention in your 1-2 sentence photographer summary.

1. Mention your previous experience. Has your photograph been featured in a magazine? Have you done a photography internship? Do you do freelance work on the side? What photography companies have you worked with?
2. Describe your greatest strengths and specializations. Do you specialize in a certain kind of photography? Are you creative, organized and punctual? Do you excel at Adobe Creative Suite? Are you part of any photography associations?

If you were a photographer that specialized on photographing weddings and couples, your resume summary would look something like this:

Creative photographer with an eye for detail and 5+ years of experience in photographing couples, maternities, and weddings, as well as any other personal events you want to remember for a lifetime.

For more information on resume summaries, check out our guide on writing resume summaries the right way with examples.

3. List your work experience as a Photographer

Showcasing your work experience as a photographer is not as simple as a corporate job. With a career in photography, working conditions, experiences and requirements may vary by specialty. Therefore, it is important to list the work experience necessary for the job you are applying for.

As previously mentioned, when listing your work experience, it is useful to list your experience in reverse-chronological order. This shows hiring managers your latest work and experience as well as when you worked this position.

It is almost important to use strong verbs and include details from the description of the job that you have.

Here's an example:

CEO, Lead Photographer, VRC Photography

Chicago, Illinois • January 2016 — Present

• Photographed the cover art of The Knot Magazine's 2018 issue
• Regular contributor to Love & Lavender Wedding Planners
• Shot and edited 200 weddings with 99% customer satisfaction
• Trained and managed a team of 5 freelance photographers
• Created social media content for customers
• Designed workspaces in Adobe Creative Suite to aid in the style of photography requested by the customer

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Take a look at our guide on how to describe work experience on a resume in 2021.  

4. What to do if you have no work experience as a Photographer

If you have no work experience as a photographer, don't panic. If you have done a photography internship, you can include this as work experience. Don't forget to use strong verbs to describe the work you did and include when you completed the internship.

Here's an example:

Photography Intern, The Aparecio Foundation

Chicago, IL • January 2012 — June 2013

• Edited photographer to match the theme and style of the organization
• Shot high-end fashion
• Assisted in lighting and equipment maintenance
• Named and maintained digital asset files

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You can also check out our guide on how to write a resume with no work experience.

5. List your skills as a Photographer

When it comes to listing your photography skills, be sure to include what specific kinds of photography you would consider yourself skilled in. Don't forget to also include what artistic abilities you have as well as business and interpersonal skills.

Here are some examples:

• Wedding Photography
• Maternity Photography
• Couples Photography
• Customer-Service Skills
• Creativity
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Time Management
• Organizational Skills
• Accuracy and Attention to Detail
• Communication Skills
• Analytical Skills
• Artistic Abilities

Tip: It is important to let hiring managers know what types of photography you have experience in and excel in. It is also important to note any computer and editing skills you may have so that employers know where your strengths lie.

Having trouble identifying your skills? We have a guide with 100+ key skills you can include in your resume.

6. List your education as a Photographer

To become a photographer, it is not always necessary to have a degree in photography. However, if you did get your Bachelor of Arts in photography, this is something you should showcase on your resume. This will show hiring managers that you have educational experience in the field as well.

Don't know if to include your high school education on your resume? We have a guide on listing your education that can help.

Include certifications on your resume for a Photographer

While not always necessary, photographers can also complete certifications to further present their skills. Adding these certifications to your resume can help it stand out, especially when there are a lot of independent photographers out in the field. Some certifications you can get are the following:

• Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)
• Adobe Certified Association

Tip: Different colleges and universities can also provide certifications in digital photographer for their students.

Here's our guide on how to correctly list certifications on your resume.

8. Create a portfolio as a Photographer

Being a photographer, it is crucial to have a portfolio that showcases your work. Having your portfolio online is a quick and easy way for hiring managers to see visual examples of what kind of photography you have experience in and if it meets their needs.

Many individuals and up-and-coming photographers will often stock their portfolios with photography they took while in college for classes or during internships. Instead of filling your portfolio with these samples, select 10-15 pieces that best showcase your work. You can still use your student work, but just make sure it truly represents all you can do as a photographer.

Portfolio Tips:

• Select 10-15 photographs that showcase your best work
• Make your portfolio stand out by implementing your own style and creativity
• Use high-resolution images to truly show hiring managers your skills and attention to detail
• Spend time reviewing your work and your portfolio. Proofread everything in your portfolio to avoid spelling, grammar or technical errors.
• Use a website builder or code your own site. Living in a digital age, having your portfolio easily accessible online is not only convenient for hiring managers, but is a good way to organize your work. You can use sites like Wix, SquareSpace, WordPress and more to highlight your best photographs.

Requirements for hiring may vary from job to job, but generally, they include the following:

• High School Diploma
• Background Check
• Knowledge of photography equipment
• Technical knowledge and understanding of photography
• Certifications in editing software, such as Adobe Creative Suite

Photographer Career Overview

Job Outlook
The job outlook for photographers is declining by 4% per year due to the fact many individuals have begun to take their own photographs will high-quality cell phones and cameras. In 2019, the Occupational Outlook Handbook listed that there were 133,500 photography jobs available.

Average Salary
On average, photographers make $41,280 per year and $19.85 per hour. This salary, however, can vary depending on location, experience and specific industry.

Top Paying Salaries by State (in 2018)

• $65,090 -- Massachusetts
• $54,800 -- Rhode Island
• $54,150 -- Minnesota

Search for Photographer Jobs

• Indeed
• Linkedin
• ZipRecruiter

Key Takeaways

We've covered a lot, and we know it can be a lot to take in.

Here's a summary of what you'll need to capture the picture perfect resume as a photographer:

1. Select the best format for your resume that showcases who you are as a photographer
2. Include a resume summary to help your resume stand out and show hiring managers why they should hire you
3. List your work experience, showcasing your best work in reverse-chronological order
4. Include internship experience if you have no work experience to include
5. List your key skills that will make you stand out from the competition
6. List your education and any photography certifications you may have
7. Create a portfolio that not only displays your best work to hiring managers, but represents who you are as a photographer

Following our photography resume guide, you're sure to have the perfect shot at landing a new job!

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