Freelance Photographer Resume: Examples & Templates

There’s an opportunity, and it’s not just another photo op. You’ve found another freelance photographer job, and it’s a good one. Exciting, challenging, and a great fit for your portfolio. You simply have to land it. So what stops you from gearing up to apply? 

Perhaps what you’re missing is a great freelance photographer resume. No need to worry about anything except your professional equipment. With this guide, you will create an amazing resume for a freelance photographer that will help you get that job!

This guide will show you: 

• A freelance photographer resume example better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
• How to write a resume for a freelance photographer that will land you more interviews.
• Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on a freelance photographer resume.
• How to describe your experience on a resume for a freelance photographer to get any job you want.

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Freelance Photographer Resume Example

You might want to take a photo of this freelance photographer resume example, as it’s just a perfect one! Once you do that, let’s find out how to write a resume as a freelance photographer:

1. Choose the Best Format for Your Freelance Photographer Resume

Do you know that globally there are over 1.57 billion people working as freelancers? No wonder why. Being an independent contractor or a self-employed worker has many benefits. You're self-managed, you've got location flexibility, multiple sources of income, and basically, a lot of freedom!

You must still set up backdrops, equipment, and lighting, direct models, and edit all the photos. As a freelance photographer, you must also meet the specifications of your contractors. And to get to those contractors, you need to catch their attention not only with your works but also with your resume.

So let’s start with their first impression and focus on creating the perfect resume format! 

How to write a perfect resume as a freelance photographer:

• Divide your resume into sections and categories:
• Resume Header (with your name, position, and contact information)
• Career Objective or Resume Statement
• Experience Resume Section
• Education Resume Section
• Your relevant skills
• Additional sections (such as certifications you received, languages you speak, interests you have, awards you have won, professional association memberships, kudos, publications, etc.)
• Choose an ideal font for your resume and a size of 10 to 12 points.
• Keep your resume well-organized by setting one-inch margins on all four sides of it.
• Make it brief. The ideal resume length should not exceed one to two pages, depending on your experience. 
• Set the correct name for your resume. Name-Job Title-Resume is a proper way to do it, but not the only one!

Want to know even more about creating a perfect resume? Read our guide:Step-by-Step Writing Guide for Making a Perfect Resume

2. Write a Perfect Freelance Photographer Resume Objective or Resume Summary

The best way to start a photoshoot is to develop a great concept. The best way to start a resume is by creating a resume objective or a resume summary.

They are both short paragraphs at the beginning of your resume, and they explain why you should be the one your contractor will hire. They are also an amazing way to grab their attention, as they allow you to write a couple of sentences about yourself as a professional before you jump right into your experience and education.

So what’s the difference between a resume summary and a resume objective?

• Choose a resume summary if you’ve got at least one year of experience.
• Choose a resume objective if you have little to no experience.

And we’ve got a simple formula you can apply that will make it faster and better!

Adjective + Job Title + Years of Experience + Achievements + Skills + What You Want to Do for the Employer 

Simpler than selecting the perfect shot for a portfolio, right? So let’s go deeper and talk about your experience!

Pro Tip: Avoid using any personal pronouns in your resume summary or objective. So write Talented instead of I am a talented, as it’s the standard style for resume writing in the US.

3. Shine with Your Experience on Your Resume for Freelance Photographer

Showing freelance work on a resume can be tricky. But if it can help you get the job you’re after, you must know how to list them properly in your document. 

How to put freelance photography on a resume and create an ideal experience section?

• List your freelance assignments on your resume as if they were a job.
• Use the reverse chronology resume format, as it highlights your more recent activities and achievements.
• Begin every bullet point with the job title and dates. Include the name of the company that hired you for the job but not the name of a private individual (i.e., if a private individual hires you for a wedding photoshoot).
• Use professional action words, as they can help you stand out more and impress the contractor!
• Include your achievements in a resume, but try to focus on measurable ones.

These simple steps can help you convince the hiring person that you’re the perfect fit for the job. However, they might not be enough! So let’s talk about your background a bit more!

Pro Tip: Always tailor your resume to a job description. If a restaurant is looking for a photographer who will make a photoshoot of their new menu, don't highlight your sports photography too much and try to find something more relevant instead!

4. Write an Impressive Education Section on Your Freelance Photographer Resume

Some might say that talent and experience are way more important for a freelance photographer than education. But think about it this way: who would you rather hire for a professional photoshoot for your event, someone with a great portfolio or someone with a great portfolio AND exceptional education? That’s why it’s always better to include it in your resume. 

How to write a perfect education section on a resume for a freelance photographer?

• List your degree, your school name, and the date you’ve graduated, to make it as readable as possible!
• Put some extracurricular activities you’ve taken part in to prove your job-related skills.
• Include all the relevant coursework that can boost your chances of landing the job!

Want to know more about how to write about the projects you've participated in on your resume? Read our guide: How to List Projects on a Resume (Work, Personal, Academic)

Creating a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide and use content from Certified Professional Resume Writers to have a resume ready in minutes.

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When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

5. Highlight Your Skills on Your Freelance Photographer Resume 

Having a Sony a7III, mirrorless Canon R6, or Nikon D750 DSLR is not enough to be a great photographer everyone wants to hire. Not even Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 will help you get the job if you don’t have a specific set of skills!

How to list your skills on a resume for a freelance photographer?

• Start with creating a master list of all your skills. Write down both hard and soft skills.
• Pick those relevant to the job. Make sure they are mirrored in your experience and education sections.
• Narrow down your list to no more than 10 skills.

So what are some skills required to be a great freelance photographer? 

Freelance Photographer Resume Skills

• Interpersonal Skills
• Creative Thinking
• Communication Skills
• Time Management
• Computer Skills
• Technical Skills
• Perceptiveness
• Digital Imaging
• Fashion, Nature, and Sports Photography 
• Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Capture One Pro 23, and Topaz

Pro tip: Putting hard and soft skills on your resume for a freelance photographer might not do the trick. List also the software skills you have.

6. Stand Out More with Perfectly-crafted Additional Sections on Your Resume for Freelance Photographer

According to research, there are currently over 50,000 photographers working in the United States, and around 64% of them are freelancers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that this number will keep growing, so you have to stand out not only with your set of skills, your education, and your experience. On your freelance photographer resume, you should use everything you have to get the job you’re after. Time to zoom in on some additional information! 

What to put in additional sections on a resume for a freelance photographer? 

• Awards are not only ego-boosting but also chance-of-getting-a-job-boosting. Use them!
• Certifications and licenses can be valuable for the job, as you can operate as a certified specialist.
• Classes (taken or taught). The first ones show that you still learn more and don’t stop improving. The second ones show that you’re basically a mentor for others, which means you’re a total pro!
• Hobbies and Interests are a great way to resonate with the contractor and to signal character traits they might be searching for!
• Kudos. There are not many things that convince a future contractor of your candidacy more than previous contractors’ good opinions of your performance! However, keep in mind that reference on a resume are best placed on a separate reference page!
• Language skills are something you should always put on a resume, because it shows you can communicate interculturally.
• Publications on a resume can work magic in helping you land the job, as they are a great way to impress your future contractor.
• Volunteer Work is something worth mentioning, especially if it’s somehow connected with photography.

As a photographer, you can make an outstanding headshot. But should you include yours in a resume for a freelance photographer? Read more: Is Putting a Picture on Your Resume a Good Idea?

7. Write a Cover Letter to Your Resume for a Freelance Photographer

You are almost ready to contact your future contractor and become their photographer. However, there is one more thing you should do before you reach out to them. It’s time to write a cover letter that will help you sell yourself! So let’s get right to it!

How to write a freelance photographer cover letter?

• Make it as readable as possible by properly structuring your cover letter. Divide it into:
• Cover letter header with a captivating cover letter opening statement
• Cover letter salutation
• Cover letter body which includes the first, second, and third paragraphs
• Cover letter closing
• Keep your cover letter consistent with your resume layout, so they can both stand out the same way!
• Write an application follow-up email every week for a month. Do that if they didn’t respond to your first e-mail. And attach your resume and cover letter in each message!

Want to learn more about formatting a cover letter? Read our guide: Best Cover Letter Formats for 2024

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

5 Best Freelance Photographer Resume Templates

You know how to make a resume that captivates the attention just as well as this one perfect shot, chosen from over 500 photos from one photoshoot. Learning how to write a freelance photographer resume with templates is done. Now it’s time to look at some great templates created by our team!

1. Cascade

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Cascade is our traditional resume template that gives you a lot of space to fill with information that will make the contractor want to contact you ASAP. With an impossible-to-miss dark bar on the left-hand side and plenty of space on the rest of the page, Cascade is a perfect template for freelance photographers who want to deliver a smart-looking, modern resume! 

2. Initials

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That’s a creative resume template you can’t skip. It's not too flashy, yet it stands out a lot with a big circle containing your initials right next to your name. Minimalistic icons give a more graphic approach to this document and catch the eye immediately. Initials is our creative template that will make it impossible to miss your resume among other documents! 

3. Influx

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Influx starts with a mighty dark line at the top of the resume. It contains your name, job position, and contact details. The rest of the document is rather classic, so it's not too flashy, yet it gives a strong impression and an elegant feeling. Very easy to navigate through and allows a reader to get all the necessary information with one quick look at this minimalistic resume template.

4. Muse

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Influx starts with a mighty dark line at the top of the resume. It contains your name, job position, and contact details. The rest of the document is rather classic, so it's not too flashy, yet it gives a strong impression and an elegant feeling. Very easy to navigate through and allows a reader to get all the necessary information with one quick look at this minimalistic resume template.

5. Valera 

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Now that's something you want to choose to get remembered. It's a bold move, but as a freelance photographer, you have to be quite bold, right? A unique typography combined with a classic structure makes it stand out among other documents while remaining a highly readable modern resume template.

Key Takeaway

Your resume for a freelance photographer is ready. That was almost as fast as the shutter speed in your camera, right? Here are some things you need to remember:

• Select the best format for your resume and put your photography experience in reverse-chronological order.
• Choose a perfect resume template that will help you stand out among your competitors.
• Write a resume summary or objective that will start your resume perfectly.
• Include some additional information, like awards, languages, references, portfolio, and anything that will help you impress your potential client.

• Add a cover letter to boost your chances of getting hired. Make it consistent with your resume to show your attention to detail from the top!

Now switch your focus from learning to creating and make a resume that will land you every freelance job you want to get!

Thank you for reading this guide! Let’s talk about it in the comment section below!

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