Photographer Resume Examples & Templates
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Photographer Resume Examples and Templates
Junior Photographer Resume Example and Template
What's this resume sample doing right?
Strong introductory statement
The introduction clearly highlights your experience and passion for photography, which is essential for a Junior Photographer. It showcases your ability to use various techniques and software, aligning well with the requirements of the role.
Effective use of quantifiable results
Your experience section includes impressive metrics, like improving client satisfaction by 30%. This demonstrates your tangible impact, which is crucial for a Junior Photographer aiming to capture and meet client expectations.
Relevant skills listed
The skills section includes key tools like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, along with specific photography styles. This alignment with industry standards makes your resume more appealing to potential employers looking for a Junior Photographer.
Collaborative project experience
Highlighting collaboration with senior photographers shows your teamwork skills. This is valuable in a photography environment where working with others often leads to creative outcomes, which is important for a Junior Photographer.
How could we improve this resume sample?
Lacks a clear objective statement
Your resume could benefit from a specific objective statement that emphasizes your goals as a Junior Photographer. This can help potential employers understand your aspirations and how you fit into their team.
Limited work experience details
While you provide some details about your roles, adding more specific examples of challenges faced and how you overcame them could strengthen your work experience section. This would give a clearer picture of your capabilities.
Missing additional relevant projects
Consider including any personal projects or freelance work. Showcasing a broader range of your photography skills can help highlight your versatility and creativity, making you stand out more as a Junior Photographer.
Format consistency
Ensure consistency in formatting, especially with dates and bullet points. A uniform look enhances readability and presents a more professional image, which is vital for a creative role like photography.
Photographer Resume Example and Template
What's this resume sample doing right?
Strong quantifiable results
The resume highlights impressive achievements, such as increasing client satisfaction by 30% and boosting magazine readership by 20%. These quantifiable results demonstrate your effectiveness as a Photographer, making you a compelling candidate for the role.
Relevant technical skills
You've listed essential skills like Adobe Photoshop and Studio Lighting, which are crucial for a Photographer. This alignment with industry standards increases your chances of catching an employer's eye.
Effective experience presentation
Your work experience section clearly outlines your responsibilities and achievements, using action verbs like 'Led' and 'Produced.' This clarity helps convey your professional journey effectively.
Compelling introduction
Your introduction succinctly summarizes your experience and skills, making it easy for hiring managers to see your value. It sets a positive tone for the rest of the resume.
How could we improve this resume sample?
Lacks industry-specific keywords
While your skills are strong, consider adding keywords like 'commercial photography' or 'photojournalism' that align with job postings. This will help with ATS and show you're a great fit for the role.
More detail in education section
The education section could benefit from more details, such as specific projects or accomplishments during your B.A. in Photography. This can further strengthen your candidacy by showcasing your academic achievements.
Limited summary of soft skills
Your resume mentions collaboration and mentorship, but it could highlight more soft skills like communication and creativity. These are vital for a Photographer working with clients and teams.
Missing a personal touch
Consider adding a brief statement about your photography style or philosophy. This personal touch can help differentiate you from other candidates and give insight into your creative vision.
Senior Photographer Resume Example and Template
What's this resume sample doing right?
Strong impact in work experience
The experience section highlights significant achievements, like leading over 150 photo shoots and increasing client engagement by 30%. This showcases the candidate's effectiveness in driving results, which is essential for a Photographer.
Relevant skills listed
The skills section includes key tools like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, which are crucial for a Photographer. This alignment with industry standards helps the resume stand out to hiring managers.
Compelling introduction
The introduction effectively summarizes the candidate's experience and strengths, emphasizing a decade of expertise in commercial photography. This tailored approach immediately captures the attention of potential employers.
How could we improve this resume sample?
Lacks specific technical skills
While the skills section is good, it could benefit from more specific technical skills related to photography, such as 'drone photography' or 'photo retouching'. Adding these can improve the resume's appeal for specific roles.
Limited detail in education section
The education section provides basic information but could elaborate on relevant coursework or projects. Adding details about specific skills gained or notable projects done during the degree can enhance the candidate's qualifications.
No portfolio link provided
Including a link to a portfolio would enhance the resume significantly. As a Photographer, showcasing visual work is crucial. A portfolio can demonstrate creativity and skill effectively.
Lead Photographer Resume Example and Template
What's this resume sample doing right?
Strong quantifiable achievements
The resume highlights specific accomplishments, such as directing over 150 high-profile photo shoots and achieving a 25% increase in client sales. These quantifiable results showcase the candidate's impact, which is crucial for a Photographer role.
Effective leadership experience
Emily demonstrates strong leadership by managing a team of photographers and enhancing their performance. This leadership experience is valuable for the Photographer role as it shows her ability to guide creative projects successfully.
Relevant technical skills
The skills section includes essential tools like Adobe Creative Suite and techniques like lighting, which are directly relevant to the Photographer position. This alignment helps in passing ATS screenings and attracting employer attention.
Compelling introductory statement
The introduction offers a clear overview of Emily's experience and expertise in photography. It effectively captures her value as a Lead Photographer, making a strong first impression on potential employers.
How could we improve this resume sample?
Lacks specific photography styles
The resume mentions portrait, product, and lifestyle photography but could benefit from more detail about specific styles or techniques used. This could help better match the requirements for various Photographer roles.
Generic skills section
While the skills listed are relevant, they could be more tailored to include specific photography-related keywords. Adding terms like 'event photography' or 'commercial photography' would improve ATS matching for job descriptions.
Missing client relationship examples
Although there’s a mention of client relations, specific examples of how Emily built or maintained client relationships would strengthen her case. Including anecdotes could better demonstrate her interpersonal skills important for a Photographer.
No clear freelance or project work
The resume focuses on full-time roles and lacks any mention of freelance or project-based work. Adding this could showcase versatility and a broader range of experience, which is beneficial for a Photographer.
Photography Director Resume Example and Template
What's this resume sample doing right?
Clear leadership and team results
You show strong team leadership with concrete outcomes. At Vogue México you led 18 people and cut shoot turnaround by 30%. That links directly to directing multi-disciplinary photo teams and proves you can scale production while keeping quality high.
Quantified impact on audience and revenue
Your resume uses numbers to show impact. You cite a 45% rise in digital image engagement and 20% licensing revenue growth at Getty. Those metrics speak to your ability to drive audience and commercial results.
Relevant technical and production skills
You list studio and location lighting, Photoshop and Lightroom, and production management. Those skills match a Photography Director role and cover both creative and hands-on technical needs for editorial and commercial shoots.
How could we improve this resume sample?
Summary could be more tailored
Your intro states strong experience, but it reads broad. Tighten it to highlight the exact creative vision and strategy you offer Vogue México. Add a line about leadership style and the types of campaigns you want to lead next.
Limited mention of strategy and brief development
Your achievements focus on production and delivery. Add examples of creative strategy, concept development, and client or editorial brief shaping. That will show you lead vision as well as execution.
Few industry keywords for ATS
You list key skills, but omit terms hiring managers and systems often search for. Add keywords like "creative direction," "image licensing strategy," "vendor negotiations," and specific tools like Capture One or Bridge for better ATS matching.
1. How to write a Photographer resume
Landing Photographer roles can feel frustrating when your portfolio and resume don't clearly demonstrate your choices and outcomes. How do you make hiring managers notice your images, your process, and the business value behind your work? Hiring managers care about proof of consistent delivery, meeting deadlines, and that you've solved client visual problems. Many photographers mistakenly focus on flashy layouts, long narratives, or trendy adjectives instead of clear metrics and client results.
This guide will help you rewrite your resume so it highlights tangible shoot outcomes and workflow efficiency. For example, turn "shot product photos" into "shot 500+ product images that boosted online conversions by 12%". Whether you update your Work Experience or Portfolio section, you'll get clearer bullets and measurable metrics. After reading, you'll have a concise, measurable resume that gets your work seen.
Use the right format for a Photographer resume
Pick a format that matches your career path and the job you want. Chronological lists jobs from newest to oldest. Use it if you have steady photography roles and clear growth. Functional emphasizes skills over jobs. Use it if you have gaps or freelance projects and little formal work history. Combination blends both. Use it if you want to highlight freelance projects and steady employment.
Keep the layout ATS-friendly. Use clear headings, simple fonts, and plain bullet points. Avoid columns, tables, images, or fancy graphics that break parsing.
- Chronological: best for steady studio or agency careers.
- Functional: best for career changers or those with gaps.
- Combination: best for freelancers with strong portfolios and varied gigs.
Craft an impactful Photographer resume summary
The summary tells the reader who you are and what you do. Use it to show your style, specialties, and top results. Experienced photographers should use a short summary. Entry-level candidates should use an objective that shows goals and transferable skills.
Use this formula for a strong summary: '[Years of experience] + [Specialization] + [Key skills] + [Top achievement]'. Tailor it to the job and mirror keywords from the job listing to pass ATS.
- Experienced: use a 2-3 sentence summary with clear metrics.
- Entry-level: use a 1-2 sentence objective focused on learning and growth.
- Always align skills with job description keywords.
Good resume summary example
Experienced summary
"10+ years commercial photographer specializing in product and lifestyle shoots. Proficient with studio lighting, retouching in Photoshop, and client direction. Delivered 200+ e-commerce images that increased conversion by 18% for a national brand."
Why this works
It uses the formula and shows specialization, tools, and a measurable result. It aligns with e-commerce and studio job keywords.
Entry-level objective
"Aspiring photographer with internship experience in portrait and event coverage. Skilled in DSLR operation, lighting setups, and Adobe Lightroom. Seeking an assistant role to grow studio technique and client management skills."
Why this works
It states goals, transferable skills, and eagerness to learn. It fits entry roles and mirrors common job terms.
Bad resume summary example
"Creative photographer seeking a role where I can use my skills and grow professionally. I love photography and always deliver great work."
Why this fails
It sounds vague and offers no metrics, specialties, or keywords. The reader can’t tell your experience level or match to the job.
Highlight your Photographer work experience
List jobs in reverse-chronological order. Show job title, company, city, and dates. Keep dates month and year. Use clear bullets for duties and achievements.
Start each bullet with an action verb. Use photography-specific verbs like shot, directed, retouched, managed. Quantify impact when you can. Give numbers for shoots, clients, sales lift, time saved, or turnaround speed. Use STAR when a result needs context. That helps you show problem, action, and result in short bullets.
- Start bullets with verbs: shot, led, optimized.
- Quantify with numbers: shoots per month, conversion, budget size.
- Include tech keywords: DSLR models, lighting kits, software names.
Good work experience example
"Shot and delivered 1,200+ product images per year for Buckridge Group. Standardized lighting and workflow to cut post-production time by 35%."
Why this works
It uses action verbs, exact volume, and a clear efficiency metric. It shows both technical skill and business impact.
Bad work experience example
"Photographed products and edited images for e-commerce clients. Improved workflow and worked with the marketing team."
Why this fails
It uses weak metrics and vague results. The recruiter can’t see scale or exact contribution.
Present relevant education for a Photographer
List school, degree or certificate, and graduation year. Add honors or relevant coursework if you graduated recently. Recent grads should put education near the top. Experienced pros can move it below experience.
Include photography certificates and workshops here or in certifications. Leave GPA off unless it’s strong and you are early in your career.
Good education example
"Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography, Herrmann and Sons University, 2016. Relevant coursework: studio lighting, color theory, digital retouching. Certificate: Commercial Photography Workshop, 2018."
Why this works
It lists degree, school, year, and shows practical coursework plus a relevant certificate.
Bad education example
"Photography studies, Community College, 2014. Took some courses in lighting and Photoshop."
Why this fails
It feels vague. The school and specifics matter. This entry gives less credibility than named degrees or certificates.
Add essential skills for a Photographer resume
Technical skills for a Photographer resume
Soft skills for a Photographer resume
Include these powerful action words on your Photographer resume
Use these impactful action verbs to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities:
Add additional resume sections for a Photographer
Add sections that support your candidacy. Projects, certifications, exhibitions, and awards all help. List freelance projects and a link to your portfolio. Include languages and volunteer work if relevant.
Pick sections that match the job. A commercial role benefits from client projects. A creative role benefits from exhibitions and publications.
Good example
"Project: ‘Urban Textures’ commercial series for Fay. Shot 60 images optimized for mobile ads. Tests showed a 14% higher click-through for assets I produced. Tools: Sony A7R IV, Profoto B10, Photoshop."
Why this works
It lists scope, client, measurable result, and tools. Recruiters see direct business impact and toolset.
Bad example
"Exhibited photos at a local gallery. Created personal photo series about the city."
Why this fails
It shows activity but lacks scale, client names, outcomes, or tools. It feels less relevant to commercial roles.
2. ATS-optimized resume examples for a Photographer
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) parse resumes and score them against job listings. They look for exact keywords, job titles, skills, and dates, and they may discard resumes with unreadable formatting.
For a Photographer, ATS looks for skills like DSLR, studio lighting, flash, strobe, tethering, color grading, RAW workflow, Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, retouching, portrait, commercial, photojournalism, drone operation, composition, exposure control, aperture, ISO, and shutter speed.
Follow these best practices:
- Use clear section titles: "Work Experience", "Education", "Skills", "Certifications".
- Include job-specific keywords naturally from listings, like "studio lighting", "retouching", "Adobe Lightroom", and "commercial photography".
- Avoid complex formatting such as tables, columns, headers, footers, images, or text boxes.
- Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman and simple bullets.
- Save as PDF or .docx unless the job asks for one specific format.
Common mistakes photographers make include swapping exact keywords for creative synonyms, which ATS may not match. They also hide dates and job titles in headers or footers, so ATS misses them. Many applicants attach portfolio images inside the resume file, which can confuse parsers and reduce keyword visibility.
Keep each section short and labeled. Put certifications like "Adobe Certified Expert" and camera models like "Canon EOS 5D" in the skills or certifications sections. Tailor each resume slightly to match the job's keyword list.
ATS-compatible example
Work Experience
Photographer, Gulgowski and Effertz — 2019–2024
- Shot commercial product campaigns using Canon EOS 5D, studio lighting, and tethered capture.
- Edited and color graded images in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop; delivered retouched files for print and web.
- Managed client shoots for e‑commerce, portrait, and lifestyle projects.
Why this works: This example uses a clear job title and company name. It lists concrete tools and skills like "Canon EOS 5D", "studio lighting", "tethered capture", "Lightroom", and "Photoshop" so ATS matches key phrases.
ATS-incompatible example
Creative Snapshot Artist
| Photos | Links |
| See portfolio image | portfolio.example.com |
- Did a lot of cool shoots for small brands and influencers.
Why this fails: The header uses a non-standard title, and the table can break ATS parsing. The bullet lacks keywords like "Adobe Lightroom" or "commercial photography" and hides important details.
3. How to format and design a Photographer resume
Pick a clean layout that highlights your images and credits, but keeps text parsable. Use reverse-chronological order for work history so hiring managers see your recent shoots first.
Keep length tight. One page fits early-career photographers. If you have extensive editorial or commercial credits, use two pages and only include directly relevant work.
Choose an ATS-friendly font like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Use 10–12pt for body text and 14–16pt for section headers to guide the eye.
Leave plenty of white space around images and text blocks. Add consistent margins and 6–8pt spacing between lines to avoid clutter.
Link to an online portfolio near the top. Put the portfolio URL on the header, with a clear label so reviewers click the right gallery.
Avoid decorative layouts with split columns, background images, or embedded photo files in the document. Those elements often break ATS parsing and slow reviewers.
Use clear section headings like Contact, Portfolio, Experience, Education, and Skills. List camera systems, software, and licensing experience in a short, scannable skills row.
Well formatted example
HTML snippet:
<h1>Michel Wolf — Photographer</h1><p>New York, NY • michel.wolf@email.com • (555) 555-5555</p><p>Portfolio: https://michelwolf.photos</p><h2>Experience</h2><ul><li>Kessler Group — Commercial Photographer, 2021–Present. Shot product campaigns for e-commerce clients. Managed studio lighting and retouching workflows.</li><li>Fahey and Sons — Event Photographer, 2019–2021. Covered corporate events and headshots. Delivered images within 48 hours.</li></ul>
Why this works:
This layout keeps contact and portfolio links at the top so readers click quickly. The simple headings and bullets help ATS and human reviewers scan your credits fast.
Poorly formatted example
HTML snippet:
<div style="columns:2; font-family: 'SomeHandwrittenFont'; color:#3b5998;"><img src="embedded-photo.jpg"/><h1>Dianna Hackett</h1><p>Portfolio: embedded images inside the file</p><p>Runolfsdottir-Christiansen — Freelance, 2015–2022. Lots of images, long captions, small margins, tiny text scattered across two and a half pages.</p></div>
Why this fails:
Columns and embedded images confuse ATS and often hide text. The irregular spacing and nonstandard font make the document hard to skim for hiring teams.
4. Cover letter for a Photographer
Writing a tailored cover letter matters for Photographer roles. Your letter fills gaps your resume cannot cover. It shows your eye, your process, and why you want this job.
Header: Include your name, phone, and email. Add the company's name and the date if you can. Keep this short and clear.
Opening paragraph: Start by naming the Photographer role you want. Say why you like the company and the role. Share one strong qualification or where you found the listing.
Body paragraphs: Connect your work to the job needs. Show specific projects, tools, and results. Use one clear example per paragraph.
- Project highlight: Describe a project, your role, and one measurable result, like audience growth or sales lift.
- Technical skills: List camera systems, lighting techniques, or editing software relevant to the job.
- Soft skills: Note collaboration, communication, and time management with short examples.
Use keywords from the job description. Match terms like commercial, portrait, or retouching if they appear. Keep each sentence direct and short.
Closing paragraph: Restate your interest in the photographer role and the company. Offer to discuss your portfolio or recent shoots. Ask for an interview or a short call and thank the reader.
Tone and tailoring: Keep your voice professional and warm. Write like you are talking to one person. Customize every letter. Swap details for each company. Avoid generic lines that could apply to any job.
Final tip: Proofread for clarity and errors. Send a link to your portfolio and include 2–3 project filenames that match the job brief.
Sample a Photographer cover letter
Dear Hiring Team,
I am applying for the Photographer position at National Geographic. I admire your storytelling through images and want to join your visual team.
I have seven years of professional photography experience focused on editorial and wildlife work. I shot a 12-page feature for a regional magazine that increased subscriptions by 18 percent. I handled all shooting, lighting, and post‑production for that story.
My technical skills include medium-format cameras, natural light techniques, and advanced retouching in Capture One. I also shoot with Canon R-series bodies. I deliver images that meet strict color and print standards.
I work well with small crews and editors. On a recent field shoot, I coordinated logistics for a four-person team and kept us on schedule despite weather delays. My calm planning helped us capture three publishable sequences in two days.
I can bring strong editorial judgment and reliable workflow to National Geographic. I would welcome the chance to discuss how my portfolio aligns with your upcoming features. You can view recent work at ava-martinez-portfolio.com and contact me at (555) 123-4567 or ava.martinez@email.com.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to your visual storytelling.
Sincerely,
Ava Martinez
5. Mistakes to avoid when writing a Photographer resume
When you apply as a Photographer, small resume slips cost you interviews. Recruiters want proof you can shoot, edit, and manage shoots. Be clear, show work, and make your resume easy to scan. These tips help you avoid common mistakes that hide your talent.
Vague descriptions of work
Mistake Example: "Handled event photography for multiple clients."
Correction: Be specific about your role, tools, and outcome. Instead, write: "Shot and edited 50+ wedding photos per event using Canon EOS R6 and Adobe Lightroom. Delivered galleries within 72 hours and increased client referrals by 20%."
Missing or broken portfolio links
Mistake Example: "Portfolio: www.myphotosite.com" (link leads to a 404 page)
Correction: Test links and point to a curated gallery. Instead, write: "Portfolio: https://myphotosite.com/weddings — curated 40-image gallery showing composition and editing style."
Including low-quality sample images
Mistake Example: "Attached sample.jpg" that is grainy and badly cropped.
Correction: Only show your best, high-res work. Instead, note: "Attached: high-res portfolio samples (studio portrait, editorial, landscape)." Host images on a fast site to avoid compression.
Listing irrelevant or excessive details
Mistake Example: "Hobbies: Chess, cooking, collecting stamps, freelance web design" on a one-page resume.
Correction: Remove unrelated items. Focus on photography skills and client work. Instead, write: "Skills: studio lighting, Nikon/Canon systems, retouching in Photoshop, client management."
Typos, bad grammar, and inconsistent formatting
Mistake Example: "Photgrapher at BlueLens Studio — shot product, eventss, and portrait" with mixed bullet styles.
Correction: Proofread and keep format consistent. Instead, write: "Photographer, BlueLens Studio (2019–2023): Shot product, event, and portrait work. Edited images in Lightroom and Photoshop." Use one bullet style and date format.
6. FAQs about Photographer resumes
If you're a Photographer, this page helps you craft a resume that highlights your technical skill, creative eye, and client experience. You'll find quick answers to common questions and practical tips to make recruiters notice your work and portfolio.
What key skills should I list on a Photographer resume?
What key skills should I list on a Photographer resume?
List technical skills like DSLR, mirrorless systems, Adobe Lightroom, and Photoshop.
Mention soft skills such as composition, lighting, client communication, and time management.
Which resume format works best for a Photographer?
Which resume format works best for a Photographer?
Use a reverse-chronological or hybrid format.
- Reverse-chronological shows work history clearly.
- Hybrid highlights skills and selected projects up front.
How long should a Photographer resume be?
How long should a Photographer resume be?
Keep it to one page if you have under ten years of experience.
Use two pages only if you have extensive freelance work or many published projects.
How do I show my portfolio on my resume?
How do I show my portfolio on my resume?
Include a short portfolio link near your contact info.
List 3–6 featured projects with a one-line context for each.
Pro Tips
Lead with Visual Proof
Put a clear portfolio link at the top so hiring managers open your work first. Add 3 captions that explain your role, tools used, and impact for key images.
Quantify Deliverables
Use numbers to show impact. Say how many shoots you handled, client retention rate, or prints sold. Numbers make freelance and studio results believable.
Tailor Skills to the Role
Match the job description terms like product, portrait, or editorial photography. Remove unrelated skills and highlight relevant software and gear you actively use.
7. Key takeaways for an outstanding Photographer resume
In short, these takeaways will help you craft a Photographer resume that gets noticed and read.
- Use a clean, professional, ATS-friendly layout with clear headings and simple fonts.
- Lead with a brief summary that names your photography focus, years of experience, and top strengths.
- Highlight technical skills like camera systems, lighting, and editing software that match the job.
- Show relevant experience with concise role lines and project names.
- Use strong action verbs like shot, directed, edited, and delivered.
- Quantify results when you can: client conversions, exhibit attendance, sales, or turnaround time.
- Optimize for ATS by weaving job keywords naturally into descriptions and skills.
- Include a portfolio link and label sample images clearly for quick review.
Now go update your resume, try a template, and upload your best portfolio pieces for the next application.
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