Stepping into the freelance photography scene, you've likely started applying for gigs and discovered the pivotal role of a cover letter. Unlike your resume, this isn't just a list—it's your chance to weave a compelling narrative around your proudest professional moment. Strike a balance, aiming for formal yet fresh, steering away from clichés that can sink your story into the mundane. Time to master the art of keeping it concise—capped at one engaging page. Let's dive in.
- Personalize your freelance photographer cover letter and get inspired by other professionals to tell a compelling story;
- Format and design your freelance photographer cover letter to make an excellent first impression;
- Introduce your best achievement in your freelance photographer cover letter to recruiters;
- How to make sure recruiters get in touch with you, using your freelance photographer cover letter greeting and closing paragraphs.
What is more, did you know that Enhancv's AI can write your cover letter for you? Just upload your freelance photographer resume and get ready to forward your job application in a flash.
If the freelance photographer isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
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Freelance photographer cover letter example
Michael Martinez
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Personalization and Research: The opening line in the cover letter demonstrates that Michael has researched the company, aligning his skills and achievements with the company's goals and values. This shows a genuine interest and highlights Michael's proactive approach.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Michael mentions specific metrics, such as increasing brand interactivity by 25%. Providing concrete numbers helps validate achievements and shows potential employers that he can quantify the impact of his work.
- Relevant Experience: By mentioning a successful social media campaign he led at his previous company, Michael clearly shows his capability in managing similar projects, which directly relates to the job he is applying for.
- Call to Action: The cover letter closes with a polite call to action, inviting the hiring manager to get in touch and suggesting a meeting, which is assertive without being aggressive.
Designing your freelance photographer cover letter: what is the best format
Let's start with the basics, your freelance photographer cover letter should include your:
- Header
- Greeting
- Introduction
- Body paragraph
- Closing statement
- Signature (that's not a must)
Next, we'll move to the spacing of your freelance photographer cover letter, and yes, it should be single-spaced (automatically formatted for you in our cover letter templates).
Don't go for a old-school font (e.g. Arial or Times New Roman), but instead, pick an ATS-favorite like Chivo, Volkhov, or Raleway, to stand out.
Our cover letter builder is also set up for you with the standard one-inch margin, all around the text.
Finally, ensure your freelance photographer resume and cover letter are in the same font and are submitted in PDF (to keep the formatting in place).
P.S. The Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't be assessing your [job] cover letter, it's solely for the recruiters' eyes.
The top sections on a freelance photographer cover letter
Header: This includes the photographer's name, contact information, and date, which is essential for providing the recruiter with immediate identification and means to get in touch.
Greeting: Personalizing the letter with the recruiter’s name shows the photographer has done their research and establishes a connection rather than using a generic salutation.
Introduction: An engaging opening that briefly outlines the photographer's passion for photography and specific interest in the company they are applying to captures attention from the outset.
Professional Highlights Body: This section showcases the photographer's most relevant experiences, unique photography skills, and notable achievements that align with the expectations of the freelance role.
Closing and Call-to-Action: A strong closing reiterates the photographer’s enthusiasm for the role, thanks the reader for consideration, and includes a proactive suggestion for a follow-up meeting or portfolio review.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Proficient technical skills in photography and mastery of professional cameras and editing software.
- A strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of photography styles and technical skills.
- Experience in managing photo shoots, including scouting locations, styling, and working with models or subjects.
- Excellent eye for detail and composition to capture visually compelling images.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills for collaborating with clients and subjects.
- Flexibility and adaptability to work in various environments and conditions, often with changing requirements and tight deadlines.
Personalizing your freelance photographer cover letter salutation
Always aim to address the recruiter from the get-go of your freelance photographer cover letter.
Use:
- the friendly tone (e.g. "Dear Paul" or "Dear Caroline") - if you've previously chatted up with them on social media and are on a first-name basis;
- the formal tone (e.g. "Dear Ms. Gibbs" or "Dear Ms. Swift") - if you haven't had any previous conversation with them and have discovered the name of the recruiter on LinkedIn or the company website;
- the polite tone (e.g. "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear HR Team") - at all costs aim to avoid the "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam", as both greetings are very old-school and vague.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Recipient's Name],
- Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
- Dear [Job Title or Department],
- Dear Search Committee,
- Dear Talent Acquisition Team,
Introducing your profile to catch recruiters' attention in no more than two sentences
The introduction of your freelance photographer cover letter is a whole Catch 22 .
You have an allocated space of no more than just a paragraph (of up to two sentences). With your introduction, you have to stand out and show why you're the best candidate out there.
Set out on a journey with your freelance photographer cover letter by focusing on why you're passionate about the job. Match your personal skills and interests to the role.
Another option for your freelance photographer cover letter introduction is to show you're the ideal candidate. Write about how your achievements and skills are precisely what the company is looking for.
However you decide to start your freelance photographer cover letter, always remember to write about the value you'd bring about. Making it both tangible (with your metrics of success) and highly sought out.
How to select your best achievement for the middle, or the freelance photographer cover letter body
You probably feel exhausted by this point in your application: you've dived into all the details of your success and skills in your freelance photographer resume.
What else can you include in your freelance photographer cover letter body?
Well, for starters, the next three to six paragraphs should show you further value as a professional. Or, why should recruiters choose you?
Think back on a noteworthy achievement that answers key job requirements and dive deep.
Structure your freelance photographer cover letter middle as you'd a story: following chronological logic and highlighting outcomes, thanks to skills.
At the end of the day, you'd want recruiters to be able to see you as the best candidate for the role and understand more about who you are and what makes your success unique (and valuable to the role).
Time to wrap up your freelance photographer cover letter
Writing the closing paragraph of your freelance photographer cover letter is just as important as the salutation.
You have to make it personalized to the job advert and recruiter.
Experienced professionals advise candidates to end with a request or reminder for follow-up. Write that you're grateful for the opportunity, and, at the same time, hint that you're available for the next steps of the process.
Otherwise, you could also conclude your freelance photographer cover letter by facing the future. How do you see yourself, as part of the team? In particular, how would you settle in your new role in the first six months to a year?
Lacking experience: here's how to write your freelance photographer cover letter
As a candidate with no experience, it's important to be honest from the get-go of your application.
Use your freelance photographer cover letter to sell your unique talents. Choose an accomplishment from your academic background or your volunteer work to show the skills that are relevant to the role.
Focus on your career objectives and how you see the job to align with them. Be specific and, at the same time, realistic about where you picture yourself in five years.
Key takeaways
Turning your freelance photographer cover letter into a success is all about staying authentic to yourself and relevant to the job:
- Be creative with your freelance photographer cover letter introduction by stating something you enjoy about the company (that is genuine) or about your skill set (to get the recruiters' interested);
- Use single spacing and have a one-inch margin wrapping all around the content of your freelance photographer cover letter;
- Select just one past achievement from your career or life to tell a story of how you've obtained job-crucial skills and how they'd be beneficial to the role;
- The finishing paragraph of your freelance photographer cover letter doesn't necessarily have to be a signature but could be a promise of what you plan to achieve in the role;
- Instead of focusing on your lack of experience, spotlight your transferable skills, one relevant achievement, and career dreams.
Freelance Photographer cover letter examples
Explore additional freelance photographer cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Junior Freelance Photographer
- Role-Specific Skills: The cover letter mentions the use of advanced photo editing techniques with Adobe Creative Suite, which is essential for a Real Estate Photographer, highlighting the candidate's technical proficiency.
- Quantifiable Achievements: It includes specific metrics such as improving workflow efficiency by 30% and increasing client engagement by 40%, demonstrating the candidate's impact in their current role.
- Alignment with Company Values: The cover letter opens by recognizing and aligning with the company's innovative approach, showing the candidate's genuine interest and fit for the company culture.
- Clear Contact Intent: The candidate effectively closes by expressing readiness for further discussion and interview, showcasing proactivity and eagerness for the opportunity.
Senior Freelance Photographer
- Demonstrating a clear alignment with the studio's mission, such as a passion for capturing authentic moments which resonates with the studio's ethos.
- Highlighting specific achievements, such as improving processes or client satisfaction, to showcase problem-solving skills and direct impact on previous roles.
- Emphasizing relevant technical skills in photography and editing software (e.g., Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop), which are critical for portrait editing efficiency.
- Mentioning unique strengths like outdoor photography and visual storytelling, which can set the applicant apart in a child portrait photography role.
By Role
Freelance Wedding Photographer
- Specialization and Experience: Highlighting over five years of experience in wedding photography and a specialization in creative storytelling demonstrates the candidate's expertise and alignment with the specific role requirements.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Mentioning a 25% enhancement in client satisfaction and consistently achieving a 95% client satisfaction score provides tangible evidence of past success, strengthening the candidate’s credibility.
- Client-Focused Approach: Emphasizing the ability to meet and exceed client expectations through tailored compositions and high-quality images showcases a commitment to personalized service, vital for roles that demand excellent customer service.
- Alignment with Company Values: Expressing appreciation for the company's dedication to capturing authentic moments shows research and alignment with the company’s mission, which can be compelling to hiring managers.
Freelance Event Photographer
- Quantifiable Achievements: The cover letter highlights a specific accomplishment by stating the 30% increase in client engagement and repeat contracts, showcasing the applicant’s ability to make a measurable impact.
- Technical Proficiency: Mentioning proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom emphasizes the technical skills essential for an Action Sports Photographer, demonstrating the capability to produce high-quality work.
- Experience with High-Volume Work: Managing over 150 events annually shows the candidate's experience in handling a fast-paced work environment, an important aspect for a role in sports photography.
- Storytelling Ability: Emphasizing the ability to enhance storytelling through imagery underlines the candidate’s understanding of visual narratives, crucial for engaging audiences in the field of sports photography.
