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Crafting the Perfect Professional Photographer Resume for the Media Industry

Learn how to create an impactful Professional Photographer resume tailored for the media industry, highlighting essential skills and common pitfalls to avoid.

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What Makes a Good Professional Photographer Resume

Creating a compelling resume as a Professional Photographer involves artistry, technical skill, and authenticity. A standout resume should effectively showcase your portfolio, technical expertise, and unique style that sets you apart in the world of Media. Highlighting awards, exhibitions, and notable works delivers an impactful message of your capabilities and achievements.

Unique Tips for Drafting a Professional Photographer Resume for the Media Industry

  • Portfolio Focus: Your portfolio is your storytelling tool. Include a link to an online portfolio that showcases your best work with diversity in subject matter and styles.

  • Technical Skills: Clearly list technical proficiencies in software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite), hardware (e.g., cameras, lenses), and techniques (e.g., lighting setups).

  • Freelance and Contract Work: Media is fast-paced; demonstrate your versatility and self-motivation through freelance work, including high-profile clients or projects.

  • Multimedia Skills: Photographers in the media industry often need skills in related fields like videography or graphic design. Mention any additional skills that overlap.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Overloading with Text: Visual professions call for visual representation. Avoid cluttered text; prioritize concise bullet points and headings for readability.

  • Generic Statements: Avoid vague statements like "hard-working" or "passionate." Instead, use specifics like "documented over 100 events with client satisfaction ratings above 95%."

  • Ignoring Soft Skills: Creativity, eye for detail, and communication skills are crucial. Highlight moments where these skills shone, whether in collaborative projects or solo exhibitions.

Comparison and Examples of How to Draft a Good Profile Summary

Example Without Impact: "Professional Photographer with several years of experience."

Example With Impact: "Creative and dynamic Professional Photographer with 7 years of experience specializing in event and fashion photography, known for delivering captivating images with artistic flair showcased in Vogue and National Geographic."

Additional Relevant Sections

  • Exhibitions and Awards: Dedicate a section to exhibitions your work has been featured in, and any awards received. This helps establish your credibility.

  • Education & Workshops: Include any relevant formal education or workshops undertaken to advance your skills, which show commitment to learning and growing in your field.

Profile Summary

Creative and detail-oriented Photographer with over 8 years of experience in capturing stunning images and creating visual stories. Proven track record in wedding, portrait, and commercial photography, with a keen ability to adapt to different editing styles and environments. Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and various photography equipment, bringing a blend of technical acumen and artistic vision to every project.

Work Experience

Freelance Photographer|Professional Photographer

1st Jan, 2015 - Present

  • Captured over 200 wedding events, consistently receiving client satisfaction ratings of 4.9/5 stars.
  • Collaborated with fashion magazines such as Vogue and GQ, producing cover and editorial spreads that boosted magazine circulation by an average of 15%.
  • Developed a personal photography blog and Instagram that attracted over 50k followers through high-quality, engaging content.

Boston Photography Co.|Junior Photographer

1st Jun, 2013 - 31st Dec, 2014

  • Assisted lead photographers during on-site photo shoots and studio sessions, learning industry best practices.
  • Handled post-editing tasks, improving the turnaround time of deliverables by 20%.
  • Organized and managed digital asset library, ensuring easy access to all clients' photography collections.

Education

Professional Photography Course |New York Institute of Photography

1st Jan, 2011- 31st Dec, 2012

Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts |University of Massachusetts

1st Sep, 2007- 31st May, 2011

Skills

  • Adobe Photoshop,
  • Lightroom,
  • Premiere Pro,
  • Portrait Photography,
  • Event Photography,
  • Photo Editing,
  • Composition,
  • Storytelling

Notable Projects

Cityscape Photography Project

Developed a project exploring the essence of cityscapes across major urban environments, leading to a self-published book and gallery exhibition in Boston.

Certifications

Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)

Issued by Professional Photographers of America, 10th Mar, 2018

Awards

Best Wedding Photographer

Awarded by Boston Wedding Awards, 15th Sep, 2019