4 Photographer Resume Examples & Templates for 2024

A photographer captures images that tell a story, evoke emotions, or preserve memories. They work in various settings, including studios, outdoor locations, and event venues, using technical expertise and creative skills to produce high-quality photographs. Photographers must be proficient in using cameras, lighting, and photo editing software to achieve desired results.

Let me teach you how to write a photographer's resume that’s worth a photo session!

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.

Create your resume now

Use this resume template

Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume examples here.

Photographer Resume Example

Create your resume now

Entry-Level / Junior Photographer Resume Example

An entry-level photographer assists in capturing images, setting up equipment, and editing photos under the supervision of more experienced photographers. They learn on the job, gaining experience and building a portfolio. Here’s a sample for an entry-level photographer resume:

Create your resume now

Mid-Level Photographer Resume Example

A mid-level photographer has several years of experience and is responsible for managing photo shoots, editing images, and collaborating with clients to create visual content. Here’s a sample mid-level photographer resume:

Create your resume now

Experienced / Senior Photographer Resume Example

A senior photographer leads photography projects, supervises junior photographers, and ensures the delivery of high-quality visual content. They have extensive experience in advanced photography techniques and project management. Here’s a sample senior photographer resume:

Create your resume now

Resume Templates for Photographers

After analyzing 11 million resumes made in the Zety Resume Builder, here are the top three templates photographers choose.

Cascade

Use this resume template

Picture this: a modern resume template with a two-column layout and an eye-catching design. Cascade is perfect for every photographer because it’s just as professional as it is creative. Plus, it helps you deliver all the necessary information on fewer pages!

Concept 

Use this resume template

The second most popular resume template for photographers is Concept. It’s a creative resume template, but it’s not too flashy, which is a great combination that shows your professionalism. Plus, it won’t go unnoticed, which you know well is always a bonus!

Diamond

Use this resume template

Diamond is a one-column resume template, but it’s not basic at all. It boldly uses resume icons, has a huge header containing your contact information, and includes a link to your portfolio. You’ll be remembered, and that’s the first step to getting invited for an interview!

How to Write a Photographer Resume

1. Choose the Best Format for a Photographer Resume

Just like you need the right idea of what you want to put on your photography, you need the right idea of how to make your resume. Let’s start with its formatting.

Here’s how to format your resume for a photographer:

• Select the reverse chronological order, which is a resume format preferred by the majority of recruiters.
• Use subheadings to boost the readability of your document.
• Choose the correct resume font, with an 11- or 12-point font size for text and a 13- or 15-point font size for subheadings.
• Stitch to the 1-inch resume margins on each side of your document and to the single line spacing.
• Structure your resume from the following sections:
  • Resume Header (including your contact information)
  • Resume Profile
  • Work Experience Section
  • Education Section
  • Skills Section
  • Extra Sections
• Save your resume as a PDF file, unless the job ad states differently.
• Name your resume following the “Name-Job Title-Resume” structure.

Pro Tip: Your LinkedIn profile is as important as the rule of odds. Make sure it’s great before the link goes on your photographer's resume.

2. Add the Best Photographer Resume Job Description

Did you know that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 13,900 openings for photographers are projected on average each year in the upcoming ten years? To get ahead of each and every single one of them, you need an outstanding work experience section, even if you’re writing a resume with no experience.

Here’s how to create a great photography work experience section:

• Start each entry with your job title, company’s name, location, and dates worked.
• Add some bullet points describing your impressive achievements. 
• Begin each bullet point with an action verb for a bigger impact.
• Find some resume keywords in the job offer and incorporate them into your document.
• Add an extra freelance work experience section if you’ve done some freelancing in the past.

Okay, but what are some of these action verbs?

Action Verbs for a Photographer Resume

• Captured
• Edited
• Managed
• Set up
• Collaborated
• Created
• Used
• Developed
• Conducted
• Maintained
• Produced
• Directed
• Ensured
• Handled
• Optimized

Now let’s see what these keywords can look like in a responsibility section:

Keywords for a Photographer Resume

• Captured high-quality photographs in various settings, ensuring alignment with client specifications and artistic vision.
• Edited photos using Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom to enhance visual appeal and meet project requirements.
• Managed equipment inventory, ensuring the availability and functionality of cameras, lenses, and lighting gear.
• Set up and arranged props, backgrounds, and lighting to create suitable atmospheres for photo shoots.
• Collaborated with clients to understand their needs, preferences, and vision for each project.
• Created compelling visual stories through photography that effectively communicated client messages.
• Used advanced photography techniques and equipment to achieve desired effects and outcomes.
• Developed and maintained a portfolio showcasing diverse photographic styles and genres.
• Conducted photo sessions with professionalism and attention to detail, ensuring client satisfaction.
• Maintained and optimized digital and physical archives of photographs for efficient retrieval and future use.

The best quality to have on a resume as a photographer is diversity of work. I’ve gotten a lot of jobs with bigger companies because they see variety in my work.

Pro Tip: If you’re new, job networking and cold calls to studios can quickly build experience. Eventually, you’ll find a business that needs you like air. Try rubbing elbows with assistant photographers, too.

3. Mention Your Education on Your Photographer's Resume

Does your education section really matter on a photographer’s resume? Here’s the logic:

Every resume has to have an education section. If you don’t use it to sell, it’s like owning a 1DX Mark II and only using it for selfies.

Start with:

• School Name and Location
• Years in School
• Your Degree

Add:

• Relevant Coursework
• High GPA
• Extracurricular Activities

Consider adding:

• Latin Honors
• Dean's List
• Phi Beta Kappa
• Study Abroad

Pro Tip: A link to your professional portfolio might be the most important part of your resume. Always put it underneath your resume header so it stands out.

4. Put Skills on a Resume for a Photographer

Did you know that 91% of recruiters look mainly for soft skills on a resume? While you’ve got some amazing hard skills and are proficient with tons of photography software, you must not forget about them. 

Photographer Resume Skills

You won’t include them all on a resume if you want to keep the right resume length. 

Here’s how to find your key skills for a resume:

• Revisit the job ad and search for some skills it mentions.
• Create a list of your hard and soft skills.
• Search for skills that overlap.
• Include those skills on your resume.

Promote your skills and experience in social media marketing, web, and print marketing. Most importantly, put a link to your online portfolio in your resume. Make sure the portfolio is well-polished because it’s the true showcase of your work.

Pro Tip: Haven’t worked as a photographer before? Add some transferable skills to your resume.

5. Add These Things and Put Your Photographer Resume Above the Stack

All the sections mentioned before are your must-haves. But there’s something more to add to your resume. Add "other" resume sections to put you in the foreground of your competitors.

You can add:

• Licenses and Certifications (such as CPP, or CDP)
• Professional Association Memberships
• Conferences
• Kudos, Commendations
• Relevant Publications
• Classes Taken or Taught
• Relevant Awards
• Volunteer Activity
• Hobbies and Interests
• And anything else that shows your dedication to the craft.

Pro Tip: Should you add a resume photograph to a resume for photographers? Not in the U.S. Save self-portraits and headshots for your online portfolio.

6. Write a Photographer Resume Summary or Resume Objective

Most resumes get six seconds of eye time, according to our HR statistics report. That’s only a few frames, so a well-written resume objective or resume summary can really make a difference.

But what’s the difference between these two types of resume profiles?

• A resume summary shows relevant experience when you’ve got more than 2 years of it.
• A resume objective shows passion when you’re in the early stage of your photographer’s career.

Plus, there are some formulas to follow to make your life even easier!

A Formula for a Summary Statement for a Photographer

A Formula for an Objective Statement for a Photographer

Want to learn more about those opening lines for your resume? Read our guide: Resume Introduction.

7. Add a Cover Letter to Your Photographer Resume

Who says you need to send a cover letter with your photographer's resume? Well, 40% of hiring managers think it’s important. Don’t skip your cover letter, or you’ll be only posting your photos on your personal Instagram.

Here’s how to write a photographer cover letter:

• Make sure to select the right format for a cover letter before you write it.
• Use the client’s name if you can find it.
• Catch your client’s attention at the start of your cover letter.
• Mention your skills and most impressive achievements. 
• State your passion for photography and why you want to work for or with this specific client.
• Finish your cover letter strongly, offering a precise date and place for your interview. Seems bold, but works!

Your goal is to distinguish yourself from thousands of other talented photographers. Describe your technique and let your personality shine through. Describing your technique in writing shows you’re experienced. Exposing your personality will let the editor or hiring manager see you’re fun to work with and enjoyable to be around.

Pro Tip: Should you make a creative photographer resume, like printing it on a self-portrait? No. Save the art for your portfolio and keep your photography resume professional.

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:

Create my cover letter now

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Are you more than “just” a photographer? See our related guides here: 

• Marketing Resume
• Graphic Design Resume
• Artist Resume
• Artist CV
• Filmmaker Resume
• Cinematographer Resume
• Video Producer Resume
• Fashion Resume
• Animator Resume
• Illustrator Resume
• Resumes for 500+ Jobs

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/photographers.htm
• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-recruiters-really-want-see-your-resume-2024-sudipta-sarkhel-dtbtc/
• https://your.yale.edu/sites/default/files/maximizing_your_coverletter_guide_2016.pdf