24 Photographer Resume Examples

Crafting a photographer resume is about more than listing skills and experience. It is your chance to show potential clients or employers your creative vision, technical ability, and unique perspective. Whether you want to freelance, join a studio, or exhibit your work, a strong resume can help you stand out in a competitive field and open the door to new opportunities and collaborations.

Creating a photographer resume can be challenging. Common obstacles include:

• Lack of proper certifications: Many photographers are self-taught, but some roles and industries may require specific certifications, qualifications, or photography degrees. If you do not have formal training, this can be difficult to present effectively.
• Communicating artistic vision: Photography is highly creative, so it can be hard to express your style and perspective within the structure of a traditional resume. Here are some creative resume tips.
• Highlighting experience across different photography genres: If you work across multiple areas such as wedding, portrait, commercial, and nature photography, it can be difficult to present that range clearly and concisely.

This guide will help you tackle these challenges and many others successfully. Let’s begin.

You may also find these related resume guides helpful:

• Cinematographer Resume
• Videographer Resume
• Artist Resume
• Journalist Resume
• Filmmaker Resume

Photographer resume example

Let’s start with an excellent photographer resume example to clarify what you should aim for.

Here’s what this applicant does well in their resume:

• Quantifiable achievements: The resume uses measurable results, such as “resulting in a 30% increase in online engagement,” to show the impact of their work.
• Skills and software proficiency: It includes relevant skills and software proficiencies that match the job description, helping present the applicant as well-prepared for the role.
• Visual storytelling and brand identity: The title and summary highlight strengths in visual storytelling and brand identity, which align with the job’s focus on creating compelling visual content.

Now, let’s look at the details of creating a picture-perfect resume.

How to format a photographer resume

Resume format is an essential consideration, and choosing the right one can make a big difference. When formatting a photographer resume, the goal is to clearly communicate your expertise, creativity, and professional experience. Here are some widely accepted tips to help your resume stand out:

• Choose a clean layout: Use a simple, elegant design that keeps the focus on your content instead of distracting graphics. Keep the layout professional and easy to read, and limit your resume length to one or two pages, not including your portfolio.
• Highlight your portfolio: Your portfolio is your strongest asset. Place a link to your online portfolio at the top of your resume, near your contact information.
• Professional experience: Use a reverse-chronological resume format to list your experience, starting with the most recent. Include your role, the company or client, and the dates of engagement. For each position, add bullet points that show key projects, contributions, and notable achievements or recognition.
• Specialize your skills section: In addition to general photography skills, include specialized techniques such as aerial or underwater photography, proficiency with specific equipment, or expertise in photo editing software.
• Education and certifications: Include formal education, workshops, and certifications relevant to photography. This can help you stand out, especially if you have credentials in specialized areas.
• Customize for the job: Tailor your resume for each application based on the job description. Emphasize the experience and skills that best match the role, and use relevant keywords.
• Use professional language: Maintain a professional tone throughout your resume. Use action verbs to describe your responsibilities and achievements.
• Proofread: Make sure there are no typos or grammatical errors, as these can undermine your professionalism.
• PDF format and fonts: Many people ask whether to submit a resume in PDF or Word. The answer is to always submit it in PDF, since it preserves the layout and design across devices and platforms. Also choose the right resume font. Rubik, Lato, Montserrat, Raleway, Exo 2, Volkhov, and other serif and sans-serif fonts are good options.
• ATS compatibility: Applicant tracking system (ATS) software scans resumes and cover letters to filter applicants based on employer-defined criteria. This may include resume keywords, design, resume layout, length, and salary requirements. If your resume does not meet the criteria, you may not be invited to interview.

A few more tips:

• Standard formatting is critical because ATS may not correctly parse, or may completely miss, important information in resumes with non-standard layouts, graphics, or unconventional section titles.

Align your resume with the market’s standards. For example, Canadian resumes may have unique layout guidelines.

Handling Portfolio Links and Diverse Experience

• If the job application platform does not support direct portfolio links, include a clear note inviting employers to request your portfolio or visit your LinkedIn profile, where the link can be shared.
• Highlight your diverse experience. Many photographers work across multiple genres, so use your summary to emphasize versatility and adaptability, then tailor the rest of your resume to match the specific job requirements.

We’ve covered preferred resume formats and the sections to include. Now let’s look at each part individually.

How to impress with your photographer resume experience

The best way to present your work experience on a photographer's resume is to clearly explain your technical skills, creative achievements, and professional background. Present this information in a way that is both thorough and easy for potential employers or clients to understand.

Job title, company name, location, and dates of employment in reverse-chronological order: Start with these basics to create a clear timeline of your professional journey.

Responsibilities and duties: Briefly describe your key responsibilities in each role to provide context about your day-to-day activities.

Achievements and contributions: Highlight your achievements, such as successful projects, exhibitions, publications, or accolades. Use quantifiable results to demonstrate your impact.

Technical and creative skills: Mention specific technical skills, software proficiency, and creative competencies related to photography.

Here’s a wrong and a right way to write an experience entry:

Why this is bad

• Vagueness: It lacks specific details about the role, location, and timeframe, which makes it hard to assess experience or professionalism.
• Generic descriptions: Phrases like “did photography stuff” do not explain the scope of work, specialties, or achievements. It is better to include at least three clear bullet points.
• Lack of impact: It does not mention achievements, client growth, or any metrics that show success or expertise.

How to list education and certifications on your resume

To present education on a photographer's resume effectively, use a format that highlights the most relevant details and makes them easy for employers to scan. Include the following:

1. Degree and major: Start with the degree you earned and your major or area of focus. This shows your field and specialization at a glance.
2. Institution name: Add the name of the school where you earned your degree. This helps establish credibility, especially if the institution is well regarded.
3. Location: Include the city and state of the institution when relevant to the role or job market.
4. Graduation date: List your graduation year, or your expected graduation date if you are still enrolled.
5. Honors and achievements: Mention academic distinctions such as cum laude or Dean's List when applicable.
6. Relevant coursework or projects: If you have limited professional experience, you can include coursework or school projects that show practical photography skills and knowledge.
7. Grade Point Average: It is usually not necessary to include your GPA on a resume unless you recently graduated or the job description specifically asks for it. If it was below 3.5, it is generally better to leave it off.

Here’s a good example of an education entry:

Why it’s good:

• Clarity and relevance: This format is straightforward and emphasizes the most relevant information, helping hiring managers quickly assess your educational background.
• Highlights achievements: Including honors and achievements helps set you apart from other candidates and suggests strong competence and dedication.
• Shows practical skills: Listing relevant coursework or projects can demonstrate your practical photography skills and specialized knowledge, complementing your professional experience.

Certifications can be even more influential than formal education, so it’s important to present them carefully and choose the ones you list with intention.

Including certifications on a photographer's resume is beneficial for several reasons:

1. Professional credibility: Certifications reflect a recognized standard of photography expertise and knowledge, which can strengthen your credibility with potential employers.
2. Skill verification: They act as third-party validation of your skills, showing that you have met specific criteria and standards set by professional organizations.
3. Competitive edge: In a field with many self-taught professionals, certifications can help distinguish your resume from others.
4. Commitment to the profession: Earning certifications shows dedication to continuous learning and professional development in the rapidly evolving photography field.
5. Client confidence: For freelance photographers, certifications can build client trust in your abilities and may lead to more business opportunities.

Highlighting relevant certifications shows not only your technical skills and knowledge but also your commitment to maintaining a high professional standard.

Why it’s good

• Specificity: Clearly states the certification name, awarding organization, and the year it was achieved.
• Relevance: A brief explanation shows the certification’s significance and its relevance to photography.

How to write your photographer resume summary or objective

A strong photographer resume summary or objective should clearly present your expertise, experience, and the value you bring in a concise way. Whether you choose a summary or an objective depends on your professional background and career goals. Here’s how to approach each:

Resume summary

A resume summary is best for photographers with several years of experience. It should highlight your career achievements, key skills, and how you can benefit the employer.

Resume objective

A resume objective is suitable for emerging photographers or those changing their career path. It highlights your ambitions, relevant skills, and how you plan to grow while contributing to a prospective employer.