Capturing the essence of a fleeting moment remains a persistent CV challenge for any photographer, be it amateur or professional. Our comprehensive guide offers expert tips and techniques to help you seize those transient scenes with precision and flair.
Structure, write, and edit your photographer CV to land the role of your dreams with our exclusive guide on how to:
- Create an attention-grabbing header that integrates keywords and includes all vital information;
- Add strong action verbs and skills in your experience section, and get inspired by real-world professionals;
- List your education and relevant certification to fill in the gaps in your career history;
- Integrate both hard and soft skills all through your CV.
Discover more industry-specific guides to help you apply for any role in the links below:
Resume examples for photographer
Explore additional photographer cv samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Assistant Photographer
- Career Growth and Development - The CV showcases Jack's steady career progression from a Project Assistant to a Studio Administrator, underscoring his ability to take on increasing responsibilities. This demonstrates his capability to adapt and grow within administrative and creative roles, contributing effectively to multiple high-profile organizations.
- Technical Proficiency in Design Tools - Evident from the CV is Jack's adeptness with industry-standard design tools such as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and project management software. This technical expertise allows him to streamline processes and enhance productivity, crucial for the creative and dynamic environment of a design studio.
- Impactful Achievements and Resource Management - The CV effectively highlights achievements that demonstrate Jack’s impact on the organizations he's been a part of. Achievements like implementing a new project management system, increasing productivity by 20%, and negotiating cost reductions by £10,000 annually not only highlight his initiative but also his strategic resource management skills that have a direct business relevance.
Senior Photographer
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV effectively uses a structured format that presents information clearly and concisely. Each section is distinctly categorized, allowing for easy navigation through the document. The career summary neatly encapsulates the candidate's strengths and aims, while bullet points in the experience section succinctly convey key responsibilities and achievements.
- Career Growth and Industry Expertise - Oliver Smith's career trajectory illustrates a clear path of growth and increasing responsibility, from a Photography and AV Specialist to a Creative Director at BBC Studios. This progression highlights not only his expertise in the media and broadcast industry but also his readiness to take on leadership roles. His experience in major companies showcases his adaptability to different corporate cultures and industry standards.
- Leadership and Cross-functional Collaboration - The CV highlights exceptional leadership qualities through Oliver’s roles in managing teams and cross-functional collaboration. He has led campaigns that significantly increased engagement metrics and improved team efficiency. His ability to streamline processes and foster creativity within his team demonstrates strong leadership and strategic thinking, valuable in any dynamic work environment.
Head Photographer
- Clear presentation and organization - The CV is organized into well-defined sections, each focusing on a specific aspect of Finley Robinson's professional profile. The structure improves readability and ensures that key information, such as career experience and educational background, is easily accessible to the reader.
- Diverse and upward career trajectory - Finley Robinson's career path shows clear growth and progression from a Lead Photographer to a Head of Photography at a notable company like Getty Images. This ascent across reputable organizations demonstrates a strong career trajectory marked by increasing leadership responsibilities and expertise in the field.
- Industry-specific expertise in media rights and visual storytelling - The CV highlights Finley Robinson's unique expertise in media rights, an essential aspect of photography, especially in the digital age. This, coupled with their commitment to LGBTQ+ advocacy through visual storytelling, distinguishes them as a professional who integrates industry-specific knowledge with a passion for impactful content creation.
By Role
Wedding Photographer
- Well-structured Presentation - The CV is presented with clarity and conciseness, offering a clear layout that highlights key areas such as experience, skills, education, and achievements. This structure ensures easy readability and quick navigation for potential employers.
- Progressive Career Path - Ella’s career trajectory shows consistent growth, moving from an Assistant Photographer to a Senior Photographer. This progression highlights her ability to take on increased responsibilities and leadership roles, reflecting her commitment and potential within the industry.
- Technical Proficiency with Industry Tools - The CV demonstrates Ella’s deep expertise in photography tools such as DSLR cameras, Photoshop, and Lightroom. These industry-specific skills are crucial as they ensure high-quality output and adaptability to different photography needs.
Fashion Photographer
- Career trajectory focused on social impact - Olivia's progression from a Marketing Assistant to a Volunteer Photographer at Cancer Research UK demonstrates a commitment to roles that drive positive social change. Her growth into leadership roles, such as leading a team of volunteer photographers, highlights her dedication to using her skills for meaningful causes.
- Technical expertise in photography and digital tools - The CV emphasizes Olivia's proficiency with industry-specific software, such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, and highlights her ability to implement advanced photo-editing processes. This technical depth supports her ability to enhance visual content, which is crucial for storytelling and engagement in charity campaigns.
- Impactful achievements with quantifiable outcomes - Olivia's achievements are well-documented, with clear statistical outcomes such as a 25% growth in online sales and a 30% increase in social media engagement for Cancer Research UK. These numbers not only validate her skills but also illustrate her capability to drive significant business results through visual storytelling.
Sports Photographer
- Structured Timeline Highlighting Career Growth - The CV integrates a clear chronological format that effectively showcases a progressive career path. This layout makes it easy to track the candidate's trajectory from entry-level positions to leadership roles, illustrating a steady climb and increasing responsibility over time.
- Emphasis on Specialized Tools and Methodologies - The document includes detailed descriptions of industry-specific tools such as Salesforce, Oracle CRM, and Agile methodologies, emphasizing technical depth and proficiency. This focus on specialized tools not only demonstrates the candidate's technical expertise but also aligns with industry needs.
- Versatility in Cross-Functional Projects - There is a strong emphasis on the candidate's adaptability across various projects, highlighting their experience in both marketing and technical domains. This versatility showcases their ability to navigate and contribute effectively in multifaceted environments, driving innovation and collaboration across teams.
Wildlife Photographer
- Clear and Concise Content Presentation - The CV stands out through its well-structured format, ensuring clarity and ease of readability. Each section is succinctly outlined, allowing potential employers to quickly identify key qualifications and career milestones. This concise presentation style highlights Louis Wood's professional journey effectively.
- Impressive Career Trajectory - Louis Wood's career progression from an Educational Content Developer at Pearson PLC to a Lead Online Instructor at FutureLearn demonstrates significant growth in responsibilities and expertise. The transition reflects a successful shift towards e-learning and virtual education, showcasing adaptability to industry needs.
- Unique Engagement Methodologies - The CV emphasizes Wood's innovative use of e-learning platforms and cutting-edge educational technology to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. His ability to integrate digital tools and methodologies tailored to various learning styles highlights a deep technical understanding of the industry's evolving landscape.
Aerial Photographer
- Exceptional Content Presentation - The CV is impeccably structured, providing clarity and conciseness in each section. The use of bullet points ensures that key information is easily accessible, making it simple for readers to quickly grasp the candidate's qualifications and achievements without wading through excessive text.
- Diverse Career Trajectory - Jack’s career demonstrates significant growth and industry relevance, transitioning from early roles as a Digital Imaging Specialist to a Senior Photographer. His ability to progress to senior roles suggests strong leadership skills and a commitment to professional advancement in the competitive field of aerial and digital imaging.
- Achievements with Business Impact - The CV highlights achievements that have a direct impact on business outcomes, such as enhancing image clarity and reducing maintenance times. These accomplishments not only showcase Jack's technical skills but also his ability to contribute to strategic goals, improving operational efficiency and public engagement.
Underwater Photographer
- Succinct and impactful content presentation - Olivia Turner's CV is structured clearly with concise bullet points that distill key responsibilities and achievements. This allows prospective employers to swiftly gauge strengths and contributions.
- Demonstrated career growth and leadership - The document highlights a clear upward trajectory from Assistant Photographer to Senior Photographer. This progression is indicative of her increasing responsibility, expertise, and capacity to lead a team effectively.
- Accomplishments with business impact - Her achievements, such as increasing online viewer interaction by 20% and reducing editing time by 25%, are not just metrics—they illustrate significant contributions to business efficiency and customer engagement, underscoring her value to prospective employers.
Freelance Photographer
- Clear and Organized Presentation - The CV presents information in a well-structured manner, making it easy for potential employers to quickly grasp Ivy Ward's qualifications and achievements. The use of concise bullet points for each job role effectively communicates key responsibilities and accomplishments, ensuring that critical information is highlighted without overwhelming the reader.
- Impressive Career Growth and Industry Adaptation - Ivy Ward's career trajectory demonstrates significant growth, with roles increasing in responsibility and impact over time. Starting as a Multimedia Specialist, Ivy has progressed to a Senior Content Creator and eventually a Freelance Photographer & Videographer, showcasing adaptability and success across different companies in the competitive media industry.
- Strong Emphasis on Unique Industry Techniques - The CV highlights Ivy's proficiency with industry-specific tools like Adobe Creative Suite and Final Cut Pro, along with advanced methodologies such as eco-friendly photography practices and strategic visual storytelling. These technical skills underscore Ivy's expertise and commitment to maintaining cutting-edge proficiency in the field of photography and videography.
Event Photographer
- Career Advancement and Leadership Roles - Isabella's career trajectory is marked by her rise from Content Strategy Analyst to Social Media Manager, illustrating her leadership capabilities and dedication to her field. Her progression into management roles signifies her ability to lead teams and drive digital media strategies to fruition.
- Integration of Creative Tools and Techniques - The CV highlights Isabella's adept use of industry-specific tools such as Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Figma, showcasing her technical proficiency in video production and content creation. Her skills suggest a seasoned strategist capable of creating visually compelling content that engages audiences.
- Cross-Functional and Global Collaboration - Isabella's work history demonstrates her flexibility and collaborative spirit, having partnered with international teams and orchestrated cross-functional initiatives. Her experience points to a professional who can navigate diverse work environments and contribute to cohesive, globalized brand messaging.
Commercial Photographer
- Clear and Comprehensive Structure - The CV is well-organized, making it easy to follow Noah Jones' career path. The structure clearly outlines his expertise first, followed by detailed experience sections that employ bullet points for quick comprehension. This conciseness ensures that key achievements and skills are highlighted and easily accessible to the reader.
- Demonstrates Significant Career Growth - Starting as a Commercial Photographer at McLaren Automotive and rising to a Senior Photographer at Jaguar Land Rover, Noah's career displays a clear upward trajectory, with increasing responsibilities and influence. His progress into an Automotive Content Photographer at Goodwood Motorsport showcases advancement into leadership roles and more strategic positions.
- Impressive Soft Skills and Leadership Qualities - Beyond technical abilities, the CV highlights Noah's leadership by documenting achievements like leading successful brand campaigns and increasing team efficiencies. His proficiency in cross-department communication and project management demonstrates strong leadership and collaboration skills, crucial for success in any content specialist role.
Food Photographer
- Concise and Structured Presentation - The CV effectively conveys information through a structured format, ensuring easy navigation and quick comprehension. Each section is distinctly separated with clear headers, making it simple to locate specific details such as work experience, education, and skills. The use of bullet points under each role facilitates a succinct presentation of responsibilities and accomplishments.
- Dynamic Career Trajectory - The candidate's career progression is well-documented, demonstrating significant growth from a Food Photographer to a Senior Food Photographer and eventually to leading roles. This trajectory showcases their ability to take on increasing responsibility, manage teams, and drive innovative campaigns, demonstrating adaptation and leadership within the industry.
- Technical Prowess in Photography Tools - The CV stands out by detailing proficiency in industry-standard tools like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, alongside tethering and Canva for graphics. These skills highlight the candidate's technical acumen in creating high-quality visual content and innovating in digital visualization methods, which are crucial for a professional photographer specializing in food and media.
Medical Photographer
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV is presented with a clear structure that begins with a comprehensive header, summary, and detailed sections for experience and education. It ensures all information is categorized logically, offering a concise and easy reading experience for recruiters.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Max Wright's career shows consistent progression within the field of medical photography, moving from a Photographic Assistant to a Clinical Photographer. This upward trajectory within a specialized industry highlights both dedication and competence.
- Emphasis on Industry-Specific Tools - The CV underlines expertise in industry-specific tools such as Photoshop and digital imaging systems. Max has enhanced image quality and efficiency, demonstrating a deep technical understanding crucial for clinical photography.
Scientific Photographer
- Structured career progression in the cultural sector - Florence Knight's career trajectory demonstrates a clear growth path from a Content Editor at the Natural History Museum to a Senior Copy Editor at the British Museum. This progression illustrates her increasing responsibility and leadership within the editorial sector, particularly within prestigious cultural institutions.
- Displays strong cross-disciplinary collaboration skills - The CV showcases Knight’s ability to work across multiple departments and with various external agencies. Her role in facilitating workshops and establishing editorial processes highlights her capability to foster teamwork and enhance collaboration, a vital aspect for any editorial specialist deeply engaged in science communication and inclusivity.
- Commitment to editorial excellence and innovative methodologies - The document underscores Knight’s dedication to editorial quality through her implementation of a new House Style Guide and a digital editorial pipeline. These efforts not only improved editing efficiency but also set a standard of excellence, ensuring that content was both accurate and engaging, thereby enhancing reader engagement and clarity.
Real Estate Photographer
- Strong progression within the photography industry - The CV outlines Mia Ward's consistent career growth from an assistant photographer to a leading role at a prominent real estate agency. Her work at Foxtons and Purplebricks reflects a clear trajectory of increasing responsibility, showcasing her dedication to advancing within the real estate photography niche.
- Utilization of advanced editing software - A notable industry-specific element is Mia's proficiency with tools like Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and Metropix, which are critical for property photography. Her ability to integrate these tools into her workflow demonstrates technical depth and an understanding of industry standards that potentially increased the quality and engagement of her visual content.
- Showcasing impactful achievements through strategic visuals - Mia's CV doesn't just list numbers but articulates the business impact of her achievements. By increasing client engagement by 40% and boosting property views by 30%, she highlights how her visual campaigns directly contributed to marketing successes. This approach makes it clear how her work translates to tangible business outcomes.
Travel Photographer
- Structured and Engaging Presentation - The CV is meticulously structured, offering a clear and concise presentation of Alfie Edwards’ skills and experience as a professional photographer. Each section is logically arranged, enhancing readability and ensuring that critical details stand out prominently. This clarity helps potential employers quickly grasp Edwards' qualifications and achievements.
- Notable Career Evolution - Over the years, Alfie has demonstrated impressive career growth, transitioning from an event photographer to leading a team as a dance photographer. This trajectory showcases an upward career movement combined with a deeper specialization in dance photography, indicating a commitment to refining and mastering his craft within the photography industry.
- Exceptional Leadership and Collaboration - Alfie Edwards possesses strong soft skills, particularly in leadership and collaboration. His ability to manage and train a team of photographers to deliver consistent, high-quality results underscores his leadership skills. Additionally, the development of relationships with event organizers points to his effective communication and collaborative efforts, crucial for ensuring the seamless execution of major events.
Portrait Photographer
- Structured and Concise Presentation - The CV is exceptionally clear and well-structured, enabling easy navigation through various sections such as experience, education, and skills. Each section is concise, providing only the necessary information without overwhelming detail, which articulates the candidate’s capabilities effectively.
- Progressive Career Development - Isabelle Reed’s career trajectory demonstrates a clear upward movement from an Assistant Photographer to a Lead Photographer. This progression highlights not only her growing responsibilities and roles but also her ability to adapt and excel in increasingly complex and high-impact positions within the photography industry.
- Emphasis on Technological Expertise - The CV highlights Isabelle's advanced proficiency in industry-specific tools like Photoshop and innovative methodologies such as studio lighting systems. These elements underline her deep technical expertise and her capacity to leverage these skills to enhance client satisfaction and business outcomes, setting her apart in the field.
Product Photographer
- Strategic Content Presentation - The CV excels in organizing information logically, making it easy to follow Chloe’s career progression. Each section is clear and concise, offering detailed insights without overwhelming the reader, and the use of bullet points effectively highlights achievements and responsibilities.
- Impressive Career Growth - Chloe has demonstrated significant advancement in her career, moving from an Assistant Photographer to prominent roles like Still Life Photographer and Product Photographer. This trajectory showcases her dedication and ability to adapt and thrive within the competitive photography industry.
- Innovative Use of Photography Techniques - Chloe's portfolio includes the implementation of new photography techniques and the pioneering of organizational systems, which not only streamline processes but also enhance the quality of output. This innovative approach distinguishes her in the photography industry, showing her technical depth and creativity.
Structuring and formatting your photographer CV for an excellent first impression
The experts' best advice regarding your CV format is to keep it simple and concise. Recruiters assessing your CV are foremost looking out for candidates who match their ideal job profile. Your white space, borders, and margins. You may still be wondering which format you need to export your CV in. We recommend using the PDF one, as, upon being uploaded, it never alters your information or CV design. Before we move on to the actual content of your photographer CV, we'd like to remind you about the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS). The ATS is a software that is sometimes used to initially assess your profile. Here's what you need to keep in mind about the ATS:
- All serif and sans-serif fonts (e.g. Rubik, Volkhov, Exo 2 etc.) are ATS-friendly;
- Many candidates invest in Arial and Times New Roman, so avoid these fonts if you want your application to stand out;
- Both single and double column CVs can be read by the ATS, so it's entirely up to you to select your CV design.
PRO TIP
Incorporate a touch of colour in headers or section breaks, but keep it professional and ensure it doesn’t detract from readability, especially in more conservative industries.
The top sections on a photographer CV
- Professional Summary to encapsulate skills and passion for photography.
- Photography Experience showcasing notable assignments and clients.
- Technical Skills to highlight proficiency in photography software and equipment.
- Portfolio Link to provide instant access to visual work samples.
- Education and Training to show qualifications and photography-specific learning.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your visual storytelling skills by including links to your online portfolio or attaching samples of your work that showcase a range of styles and techniques.
- Emphasise your technical expertise with different camera equipment, lighting setups, and editing software, demonstrating your versatility and proficiency in the field.
- Detail any specialisations you have, such as wedding, portrait, or commercial photography, to give potential employers a clear understanding of your niche and expertise.
- Document your experience with project management and collaboration, showing your ability to handle logistics, work with clients, and deliver projects on time and to specification.
- Include testimonials or quotes from previous clients or collaborators to provide credible evidence of your professionalism, reliability, and the quality of your photography.
Recommended reads:
How to present your contact details and job keywords in your photographer CV header
Located at the top of your photographer CV, the header presents recruiters with your key personal information, headline, and professional photo. When creating your CV header, include your:
- Contact details - avoid listing your work email or telephone number and, also, email addresses that sound unprofessional (e.g. koolKittyCat$3@gmail.com is definitely a big no);
- Headline - it should be relevant, concise, and specific to the role you're applying for, integrating keywords and action verbs;
- Photo - instead of including a photograph from your family reunion, select one that shows you in a more professional light. It's also good to note that in some countries (e.g. the UK and US), it's best to avoid photos on your CV as they may serve as bias.
What do other industry professionals include in their CV header? Make sure to check out the next bit of your guide to see real-life examples:
Examples of good CV headlines for photographer:
- Freelance Event Photographer | Expert in Portrait & Lifestyle | Adobe Certified | 5+ Years Experience
- Senior Fashion Photographer | Studio Lighting Guru | Brand Storytelling | BA Hons Photography | 10 Years
- Lead Wedding Photographer | Memorable Story-Capturing | Drone Certified | Editing Wizard | 8 Years Expertise
- Junior Wildlife Photographer | Nature & Conservation Focus | Award-Winning Shots | Extensive Travel Experience | 2 Years
- Headshot Specialist Photographer | Corporate & Performers | Studio Management | Advanced Retouching | 7 Years Professional
- Architectural Photography Director | Urban Design & Interiors | Large-Scale Projects | MA Photography | 12+ Years Excellence
Opting between a photographer CV summary or objective
Within the top one third of your photographer CV, you have the opportunity to briefly summarise your best achievements or present your professional goals and dreams. Those two functions are met by either the CV summary or the objective.
- The summary is three-to-five sentences long and should narrate your best successes, while answering key requirements for the role. Select up to three skills which you can feature in your summary. Always aim to present what the actual outcomes were of using your particular skill set. The summary is an excellent choice for more experienced professionals.
- The objective is more focused on showcasing your unique value as a candidate and defining your dreams and ambitions. Think about highlighting how this current opportunity would answer your career vision. Also, about how you could help your potential employers grow. The objective matches the needs of less experienced candidates, who need to prove their skill set and, in particular, their soft skills.
Still not sure about how to write your CV opening statement? Use some best industry examples as inspiration:
CV summaries for a photographer job:
- With over a decade of capturing vivid imagery, I am an award-winning photographer acclaimed for outstanding portrait and landscape photography. My technical mastery of DSLR and mirrorless systems, paired with my keen ability to encapsulate emotion and tell compelling stories through the lens, culminates in a profound portfolio that has adorned several national publications.
- Accomplished in commercial photography, I possess 8 years of professional experience specialising in product and brand representation. My expertise ranges from studio lighting design to high-speed photography, feeding into my pursuit to create influential visual narratives that have significantly boosted client sales and market presence.
- Transitioning from graphic design, I bring a robust aesthetic sensibility and 5 years of visual communication expertise. My design background aids in developing innovative photographic concepts, and my growing proficiency with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop ensures high-quality image production suitable for digital and print media.
- As an ex-marketing professional looking to refocus on a passion for photography, my 7-year tenure in advertising has endowed me with a unique perspective for crafting images with mass appeal. My transition is backed by an acute understanding of branding, fresh creative vision, and a recently completed diploma in Professional Photography.
- Seeking to leverage an inherent eye for beauty and compelling composition, my beginner status is offset by a dedicated practice with various camera systems and a portfolio burgeoning with potential. I am eager to refine my skills and contribute fresh, innovative perspectives to the field of professional photography.
- Adept at visual storytelling and hungry to expand my technical repertoire, I aim to establish myself within the world of photography. Through dedicated mentorship and innovative project involvement, I hope to develop a distinct photographic style that resonates with audiences and exemplifies the essence of contemporary visual arts.
The best formula for your photographer CV experience section
The CV experience section is the space where many candidates go wrong by merely listing their work history and duties. Don't do that. Instead, use the job description to better understand what matters most for the role and integrate these keywords across your CV. Thus, you should focus on:
- showcasing your accomplishments to hint that you're results-oriented;
- highlighting your skill set by integrating job keywords, technologies, and transferrable skills in your experience bullets;
- listing your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with the latest and most senior, to hint at how you have grown your career;
- featuring metrics, in the form of percentage, numbers, etc. to make your success more tangible.
When writing each experience bullet, start with a strong, actionable verb, then follow it up with a skill, accomplishment, or metric. Use these professional examples to perfect your CV experience section:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Delivered high-quality wedding photographs for over 100 couples, creating memories with a blend of traditional and candid shots, ensuring client satisfaction and repeat business.
- Expertly managed photo shoots from planning to execution for fashion editorials, collaborating with stylists and makeup artists to produce visually striking images that increased magazine sales.
- Consistently met tight deadlines for a major news outlet as a freelance photojournalist, capturing compelling images that told stories and enhanced articles.
- Specialised in portrait photography, providing guidance on poses and expressions to clients to create engaging and flattering images for portfolios and personal use.
- Pioneered a travel photography blog, attracting 20,000 monthly visitors with stunning visuals and location insights, while partnering with tourism boards for sponsored content.
- Integrated advanced editing techniques using Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom to enhance final photo sets, delivering superior image quality and creative effects.
- Successfully scheduled and conducted over 300 real estate photography sessions, resulting in improved property listings and a 30% faster sale rate for client properties.
- Developed and taught photography workshops for beginner and intermediate levels, focusing on technical skills, creative composition, and post-processing, with excellent participant feedback.
- Implemented a digital asset management system for efficient storage, categorization, and retrieval of over 15,000 images, significantly reducing search time and improving workflow efficiency.
Work Experience
Wedding Photographer
Elegant Lens Studio
04/2016-08/2019
- Developed and executed a comprehensive wedding photography strategy for over 35 weddings, enhancing brand reputation and customer satisfaction.
- Managed editing and retouching for event photos, delivering on average 150+ photos per event within strict deadlines, ensuring timely delivery to clients.
- Implemented an innovative social media campaign for sharing highlight reels, which increased client referrals by 20% within the first year.
Work Experience
Lead Press Photographer
Capital News Imagery
02/2012-12/2018
- Led a team of 5 photographers in a fast-paced news environment, securing up to 30 photo credits in top-tier publications per month.
- Pioneered a digital archiving system that streamlined the retrieval process, cutting down search times by 50% for historical imagery.
- Cultivated relationships with local authorities and event organisers to gain exclusive access to high-profile events and news scenes.
Work Experience
Fashion Photography Specialist
Vogue UK Edition
06/2013-05/2017
- Orchestrated large-scale fashion shoots, managing budgets up to £20,000, which directly contributed to a 15% increase in magazine sales.
- Curated a network of fashion designers and models, ensuring high-quality resources were available for seasonal shoots.
- Utilized advanced lighting techniques to create distinctive looks that became part of the magazine’s signature style.
Work Experience
Real Estate Imaging Expert
Prime Property Visuals
01/2011-06/2014
- Captured over 300 property images for real estate listings, which aided in a 20% quicker sale rate compared to non-professionally photographed listings.
- Provided virtual tour photography, significantly elevating the online presence and engagement of listed properties by 40%.
- Initiated a proactive client onboarding process, which improved client preparation and efficiency during the photoshoots.
Work Experience
Corporate Event Photographer
Events Captured Ltd
07/2009-03/2013
- Successfully documented over 150 corporate events and conferences, delivering professionally edited images for marketing and PR use.
- Built and maintained robust relationships with corporate clients by consistently meeting high standards of professionalism and quality.
- Created customised branding photography packages that led to an increase in return business by 25% over a two-year period.
Work Experience
Travel Photography Guru
Destinations Framed
09/2020-Ongoing
- Collaborated with local tourism boards to capture the essence of various destinations, resulting in a 30% increase in brochure and online engagement.
- Managed aerial drone photography projects that showcased landscapes from unique perspectives, earning a feature in National Geographic.
- Conducted photography workshops for travel enthusiasts, further establishing the company’s commitment to the photography community.
Work Experience
Portrait Photography Artisan
Tiny Toes Portraits
05/2015-10/2020
- Directed artistic newborn and family photo sessions for over 400 clients, creating memorable portfolios that received overwhelmingly positive feedback.
- Enhanced the studio’s workflow efficiency through the introduction of cutting-edge photo editing software and training sessions for fellow photographers.
- Developed a referral program that increased new customer engagement by 35%, significantly boosting the studio's growth and market presence.
Work Experience
Product Photography Maestro
MarketSnap Studio
03/2019-Ongoing
- Spearheaded advertising campaigns by producing striking product imagery, generating a marked improvement in online ad click-through rates by 22%.
- Cultivated a partnership with a local ad agency to deliver consistent, high-quality content for diverse clientele across sectors.
- Introduced a monthly analytics review to better understand image performance, allowing for strategic adjustments that drove a 12% increase in client satisfaction.
What to add in your photographer CV experience section with no professional experience
If you don't have the standard nine-to-five professional experience, yet are still keen on applying for the job, here's what you can do:
- List any internships, part-time roles, volunteer experience, or basically any work you've done that meets the job requirements and is in the same industry;
- Showcase any project you've done in your free time (even if you completed them with family and friends) that will hint at your experience and skill set;
- Replace the standard, CV experience section with a strengths or achievements one. This will help you spotlight your transferrable skills that apply to the role.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Include examples of how you adapted to new tools, environments, or work cultures, showing your flexibility.
Hard skills and soft skills to showcase your unique skill set on your photographer CV
Did you know that your CV will mostly likely be assessed by recruiters based on skill alignment? And that means that the way you feature your key skills across different CV sections will play a crucial role in landing you that first interview. We recommend you add your:
- technical capabilities or hard skills in your CV experience, certificates, projects, etc. Use your past accomplishments to prove your technical capabilities. List up to a dozen different software or hardware in your dedicated skills section to match the job keywords;
- personal and communication skills or soft skills in your CV strengths, achievements, summary/ objective, etc. Soft skills are a bit more difficult to prove. How do you define your aptitude in active listening? So, instead of just listing the skill name, include a tangible metric to show your success.
On a final note, when you're in a hurry to create your profile, you may misspell a particular technology or soft skill. That's why we suggest you copy and paste the particular skill name (or keyword), directly from the job advert. This would also help you to pass any initial Applicant Tracker System (ATS) tests.
Top skills for your photographer CV:
HARD SKILLS
Digital Photography
Photo Editing
Adobe Photoshop
Lightroom
Studio Lighting
Colour Correction
Portrait Photography
Event Photography
Product Photography
Camera Operation
SOFT SKILLS
Creative Vision
Attention to Detail
Patience
Flexibility
Effective Communication
Time Management
Client Relations
Problem Solving
Collaboration
Passion for Art
PRO TIP
Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
Listing your university education and certificates on your photographer CV
The best proof of your technical capabilities would be your education and certifications sections. Your education should list all of your relevant university degrees, followed up by their start and completion dates. Make sure to also include the name of the university/-ies you graduated from. If you happen to have less professional experience (or you deem it would be impressive and relevant to your application), spotlight in the education section:
- that you were awarded a "First" degree;
- industry-specific coursework and projects;
- extracurricular clubs, societies, and activities.
When selecting your certificates, first ask yourself how applicable they'd be to the role. Ater your initial assessment, write the certificate and institution name. Don't miss out on including the completion date. In the below panel, we've curated relevant examples of industry-leading certificates.
PRO TIP
Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
Recommended reads:
Key takeaways
Here are five things you need to remember about writing your photographer CV for success:
- Sort your experience based on the reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent career items, to showcase how you've grown your career;
- Include within your CV header your relevant contact details, a headline that could spotlight your unique value, and a photo - if you're applying for roles outside the UK or US;
- Decide to use the CV summary, if you happen to have more professional experience, and an objective, if you want to showcase your career goals;
- Within the experience section, write your bullets using action verbs, skills, and success, instead of just merely listing your on-the-job responsibilities;
- Prove your technical skills, using your education and certificates, and your soft skills, with your achievements and strengths sections.
