Photographer Resume Sample, Job Description & Writing Guide for 2024
As someone who wants to get a great photography job, you might use your portfolio as a way to highlight your best art. However, a hiring manager may not make it to your work if you don’t have an impeccable photographer resume to show them. Even if high-quality images are your passion, being able to put words down on the page is essential if you want a fantastic job with a company that you’re passionate about.
The good news is that you can consider crafting a fantastic resume as an art form. You have experience with art so you’re already ahead of the competition. With a job description, great skills, and an example of a creative photographer resume, you’ll be making waves in no time. The whole process can be quick and easy when you utilize guides and templates.
There are three things that you need to make it as a photographer. A heap of creative skills, a bit of luck, and an excellent photographer resume. You likely are here because you have the first and we can help with the third criteria. Taking time to build a resume that stands out could be enough to give you a little luck in the process too.
As you work through this guide, you’ll get access to sample resumes and guides about how to craft different sections. We’ll share tips on how to write a resume that makes it more likely you get an interview. Once you finish reading, you’ll be ready to turn in a great resume that could give you a chance at the role of your dreams.
Photographer resume writing guide: Where to start?
The resume for a freelance photographer needs to show off all your skills and achievements. You want to share your career highlights and stand out from the rest of the applicants. The best way to do this is by utilizing a master resume and the job description for your job-specific resume. Keep reading for more information on how to craft a stellar resume for your application so you can show off your artistic vision in various types of photography.
Master resume for photographer
The first step in this process is to build a master resume. If you already have one, you can move forward to the job-specific resume. For those who are new to the idea of a master resume, it holds information about your work history, education, skills, and achievements. Keeping all of this information in one place makes it easy to customize resumes down the road.
A master resume is for your use so you don’t have to go heavy on the design and layout for it. What matters here is that you save anything that could be useful for a job in the future. For instance, jot down your previous jobs, including your everyday tasks and what you are especially proud of. Do the same with education, skills, and other items.
When you are deciding what information to keep in a master resume, remember that this is for broad usage. If it might be useful in the future, keep it. If nothing else, it can jog your memory and give you an idea of what to include in the next resume you write. It can be challenging to remember specific accomplishments years down the road but a master resume takes care of that for you.
Job-specific resume for photographer
At this point, you have a master resume so all the knowledge is there for you to use as needed. Now you are in the stage of creating a job-specific resume. This document is going to be similar to the photographer resume examples you see here or on Google. It will be full of relevant information and formatted to look great when it comes across the desk of a hiring manager.
We recommend that you customize every resume for a specific position. One reason is because it lets you utilize keywords. All the skills and information from a job description give you an idea of what an employer wants to see from you. Using those same terms and phrases make you more competitive. It also makes certain you get past the applicant tracking system (ATS) and a human views the document.
In addition, a job-specific resume is tailored in other ways. Every photography job is going to be slightly different so you want to focus on what the company wants from someone in your role. The job description can help here. However, perusing the company website and social media to get an idea of the workplace culture is also a good idea.
The primary difference between a master resume and a job-specific one is its purpose. The master is for you while the job-specific is for a potential employer. Having both available ensures you create the best possible photographer resume, which can get you into an interview.
Above you’ll see a photography resume sample that you can use as a guide as you create your own. You’ll notice that this applicant utilizes a number of action verbs and numbers to show their accomplishments in both the work experience and resume objective sections. They also have all the other needed information and have designed it in a way to be eye-catching yet easy to read. It’s a great example of what your final resume should look like when you are finished.
What to include in a photographer resume? Writing tips and examples
Now that we’ve talked about the basics you need for a CV in photography, we want to dig deeper. This next section of the guide will go into detail about the best way to create certain sections that you will want on your resume. We’ll give you tips and tricks to ensure you get the right words down and share the things an employer wants to see.
How to write a resume objective on a photographer resume
A photographer’s CV needs to have a resume objective. This section is designed to share more about who you are, what you are capable of, and any of the achievements you are proud of. What makes this a bit challenging is that you only have a limited space to do all these things. It’s agreed that the resume objective should be no more than four sentences long.
Since the space is limited, you want to make this impactful, clear, and free of fluff. Use the resume objective to share the most impressive things about yourself and your work. It’s okay to list the basics and go into more detail in other sections of the resume. Rather than stating past duties, go into when you went above and beyond while focusing on your high-quality photographs.
You don’t have to simply list achievements. It’s good to do so but it’s also okay to lean into any training or education you have that might make you a good candidate. In addition, you can include what kind of position you’re looking for or what you want in the future as a photographer. This is where you win over a manager and get them to read the rest of your resume.
Tips to include work experience on a photographer resume
Work experience is another big section of a photographer resume. Most applicants will use most of their resumes for this block of information. After all, showing what you did in the past and how you stood out is a great way to indicate you’d do well with a new company doing similar things. Add any work experience you have that is relevant to the position.
Reverse-chronological style is the most common choice here. We recommend it for most photographers who are penning a resume. The only real exception is if you have little to no experience. In that case, you should feature your skills and education. Otherwise, place your most recent work experience and then go back from there.
For each work experience you list, make sure you include the basics. The hiring manager wants to know what company you were with, when you worked there, and what your role was. These are all great to include in a heading with extra information underneath. A bullet list is a great way to share your accomplishments and typical tasks at an organization.
Keep in mind that you do not have to include every job you’ve ever had. This is especially important for those who might have a long work history. Pick the most relevant. It’s okay to have some gaps in a resume, especially if you can explain them if you end up getting an interview. Sharing similar experiences is the best thing you can do.
Skills to list on a photographer resume
There are all sorts of skills for a photography resume, which might make it challenging to pick which you should focus on. This is another situation where the job description will be a huge source of help. The skills mentioned throughout should be used whenever possible. Think about what you do well and how it aligns with the description to have a good idea of how to move forward.
As you look through skills on your master resume and try to decide what to include, consider a mix of hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are abilities you are trained for (technical skills). Repetition and work are needed to excel at these skills. Soft skills, on the other hand, tend to be more innate and associated with working with others. Adding a few of each is the best method for your resume.
Photographer resume skills should always be customized for the job. What you want to list for a wedding photographer job is going to be different than for a job taking shots of animals or landscapes. Tailor your resume for the best results. That said, some resume skills are more common than others.
Use the skills you are best at that pertain to the job. Below are a few ideas for hard and soft skills for your photographer resume:
· Detail oriented
· Adaptable
· Physically fit
· Self-motivated
· Perceptive
· Interpersonal skills
· Color correction
· Collaboration
· Portraits
· Digital imaging
· Real estate photographer
· Editing software
· Nature photography
· Editorial photography
· Fashion photography
· Processing of images
· Photo editing
· Customer satisfaction
· Video editing
· Adobe Photoshop
· Perfectly Clear
· Gimp
· PhotoScape
· Lightroom
· Paintshop
· PicMonkey
Do you need a photography resume template to add a touch of creativity and color to your document? CVMaker has a number of options so you can choose one that meets your specific needs. Choose a style, pick colors you like, and add your information. It’s an easy way to make the resume creation process easier than ever.
Key takeaways
Now that you have tips and a sample resume for a photographer, you can create your own and get that job you’ve been thinking about. Put all the pieces together for a great resume to go with your application and cover letter and you have a great chance of succeeding. Follow the final tips below and you’ll be on your way. Good luck!
Tips for a photographer resume:
· Keep the photographer job description nearby so you can easily pick out keywords and make sure you emphasize the right skills. This is a great way to show you paid attention to what the employer is looking for.
· Once you finish writing the resume, make sure you go over it for errors. While a misspelling or two won’t put you out of the running, it can seem unprofessional. If it occurs in the contact information, it may be impossible to reach you.
· The resume as a whole should be a very professional document. Use clear wording and simple terms without much jargon. No matter who picks up your resume, they should be capable of understanding it.
· Slang and colloquial terms are best to avoid in a photographer resume. It makes the document seem more casual than it is expected to be. Speak less like you are talking to a friend and more like you are speaking with a boss.
Next steps?
Do you want to be sure your document looks as good as the sample photography resume in this guide? If you’re worried you won’t get the wording right or want someone to look for inconsistencies, CVMaker offers experts who can assist. Sign up for our Resume Writing Services to get a fantastic resume that shows you in the best light.
FAQs
How do I write a resume for a photographer with no experience?
A beginner photographer resume can be very similar to one for someone who has spent decades in the industry. It all depends on what focus you want for the document. You may find you have less to write in your experience section but there are ways to make up for that.
For instance, if you’ve had jobs unrelated to photography, those can be included. Just make sure to highlight the tasks you did that are similar to the job you want to get. If you’ve volunteered or done internships, that can also be included. Making your education or skills a priority can work well for those with less experience.
What to include in a photographer resume?
Whether you’re creating a nature or wedding photographer resume for the job search, certain sections are all but mandatory to include. For instance, all resumes need to include contact information, including a phone number and email address. Other sections to include are a resume objective, education, experience, and skills.
If you have extra room on your resume, there are other things you can include. For instance, you might list the languages you speak, what your biggest accomplishments are, or any certifications and courses related to photography you’ve gained or completed. There are tons of options depending on the job you are applying for.
What is the objective of a photographer resume?
A strong resume objective is one of the most crucial sections of any photographer resume. This is essentially where you sell yourself to a hiring manager or recruiter. It holds your largest impressive achievements and gives insight into your most in-demand skills. It can also give information about your goals for the future.
Every good modern photographer resume needs to have an objective. It’s a short block of text that contains two to four sentences about you and why you’d be a great photographer for a specific company. Use action verbs and talk up what you’ve done in the past at other jobs or as part of your coursework at university.
How do you describe good photography skills?
Curious about which photography resume skills are the best to include? It’s going to depend on a few factors. First, you need to look at what skills are desired by the employer. You also want to be sure the skills you list are things you are very good at. If they match up in both areas, they’re a good choice to include.
This is going to vary since photographers are in charge of doing different things depending on their role. However, it’s a good idea to include about five to 10 skills and use a mixture of soft and hard skills. This shows you can handle photography and all the tasks that might be a part of the position.
How long should my photographer resume be?
While writing a photographer resume, you want to share details that show you’re a good candidate for a position. However, you don’t want to be overly verbose in the process. This is meant to be a short document that gives the basics. Anything beyond that can come out in a future interview. As such, the resume should be one to two pages in length.
What writing style is best for a photographer resume?
As you write your photographer resume, it’s important to think about how it will look to a hiring manager. All resumes should be written in clear language. Avoid slang and jargon which some people may not understand. It also should be entirely professional, no matter how casual a company might brand itself.
Avoid being ambiguous in your writing and include strong action verbs whenever possible. The resume objective is an ideal place to start with this. Incorporate keywords from the job description where relevant, too. Keep in mind that you are writing a formal document and it needs to sound that way from top to bottom.
How is a photographer resume formatted?
If you have implemented a traditional structure and have a great layout, the last step is handling the formatting of a photographer resume. There is no single way to format a resume so you can let your creativity go wild – to an extent. Using too many fonts or colors can make it overwhelming, but otherwise, feel free to do what feels right.
As you create a photographer resume, there are several things to consider. What font do you want to use? What size should it be? Do you want spacing between the sections? As you do this, think about length, as well. Try not to make the resume longer than two pages even with all of the formatting you add to it.
What layout is best for a photographer resume?
There are many different layouts to choose from when creating a photographer resume. However, one of the basic distinctions involves choosing a one or two-column design. If you have limited experience, a one-column design will likely be fine. Those with a lot to say will have more space for it by choosing two columns.
Of course, the layout goes beyond how you set up your resume columns. You need to be sure your sections follow traditional rules. For instance, you start with your contact information and follow that up with the resume objective. Work experience, education, and skills should always be highlighted.
Right now you have all the insight you need to build a resume that gives you a chance at your dream job. But putting in the right information is only half of the battle. Especially for creative jobs, the design of the resume matters. There’s no need to worry, though. CVMaker offers a wide assortment of options so you can find the photographer resume template that is right for you.