Your CV is your personal portfolio, a detailed showcase of your skills, experiences, and the unique value you bring as a Professional Photographer. It's about striking a balance between showcasing your technical photography skills and your creative vision. Writing an impactful CV means emphasizing the aspects of your career that highlight your artistic expertise and demonstrate why you're the ideal fit for photography roles.
Whether you're aiming for a role in commercial photography, photojournalism, or portrait photography, these guidelines will help ensure your CV stands out to employers.
Highlight Your Specialization and Experience: Specify your area of expertise such as fashion, wildlife, or wedding photography. Detail your years of experience and the types of projects you've handled early on in your CV.
Showcase Your Portfolio: Link to your online portfolio or include a selection of your best work. This gives potential employers a direct look at your skills and style.
Customize Your CV to the Job Description: Align your CV content to the job's needs, highlighting relevant experiences like studio work or outdoor shoots, depending on the role.
Detail Your Technical Proficiency: List proficiency in software like Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, or Capture One, and any experience with different types of cameras and lenses. These matter.
Emphasize Soft Skills and Creativity: Briefly mention your ability to work with clients, your eye for detail, or your knack for capturing unique perspectives.
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Highly accomplished Professional Photographer with a proven track record of delivering exceptional results in high-profile advertising campaigns, product launches, and event photography. Expert in implementing innovative photography techniques and streamlining workflows, resulting in significant improvements in image quality, production efficiency, and client satisfaction. With a history of managing successful teams and enhancing brand visibility and sales through compelling visual content, I am eager to bring my creative vision and strategic approach to my next professional endeavor.
CAREER Experience
Professional Photographer• 01/2024 – Present
Pixel Analytics Solutions
Directed and executed a high-profile advertising campaign for a major fashion brand, resulting in a 30% increase in brand visibility and a 20% increase in sales.
Implemented innovative photography techniques and post-production processes, improving the overall quality of final images by 40% and reducing editing time by 25%.
Managed a team of 5 photographers and coordinated with various departments, ensuring seamless execution of projects and meeting strict deadlines 100% of the time.
Photography Director• 03/2023 – 12/2023
ContentCurve Strategies
Developed and executed a comprehensive photography strategy for a multinational corporation's product launch, leading to a 15% increase in product sales within the first quarter.
Streamlined the photography workflow, reducing production time by 20% and increasing the output of high-quality images by 30%.
Collaborated with the marketing team to create visually compelling content for social media platforms, resulting in a 50% increase in follower engagement and a 20% increase in follower count within six months.
Event Photographer• 11/2021 – 03/2023
Windward Consulting
Managed photography for a series of high-profile events, resulting in a 25% increase in client satisfaction and a 15% increase in repeat business.
Implemented a new digital asset management system, improving the efficiency of photo retrieval and editing by 30%.
Conducted photography workshops for aspiring photographers, improving their technical skills and understanding of the industry, leading to a 20% increase in workshop enrollment.
SKILLS
Expertise in directing and executing high-profile advertising campaigns
Proficiency in innovative photography techniques and post-production processes
Strong team management and coordination skills
Experience in developing and executing comprehensive photography strategies
Ability to streamline photography workflow to increase efficiency
Skilled in creating visually compelling content for social media platforms
Experience in managing photography for high-profile events
Proficiency in implementing digital asset management systems
Ability to conduct photography workshops and improve technical skills of others
Strong understanding of the photography industry
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography
Rochester Institute of Technology
2016-2020
Rochester, NY
CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)
04/2024
Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
Master of Photography (M.Photog)
04/2023
Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) in Photoshop
04/2023
Adobe Systems Incorporated
Professional Photographer CV Template
1.) Contact Information
Full Name
[email protected] • (XXX) XXX-XXXX • linkedin.com/in/your-name • City, State
2.) Personal Statement
Passionate Professional Photographer with [number of years] years of experience in [specific photography genres, e.g., wedding, portrait, commercial photography]. Looking to bring my creative vision and technical expertise to [Company Name] to produce [specific outcomes, e.g., captivating imagery, innovative visual narratives]. Committed to utilizing my [specific skills or tools, e.g., advanced editing techniques, proficiency in Adobe Photoshop] to enhance brand storytelling and exceed client expectations.
3.) CV Experience
Current or Most Recent Title
Job Title • State Date • End Date
Company Name
Worked with [clients/brands] to capture [type of photography, e.g., product, lifestyle, event], resulting in [outcome, e.g., increased sales, brand recognition], demonstrating strong [soft skill, e.g., creativity, communication].
Implemented [technique or technology, e.g., new lighting setup, advanced editing software], leading to [quantifiable benefit, e.g., 20% faster turnaround, improved image quality].
Previous Job Title
Job Title • State Date • End Date
Company Name
Played a pivotal role in [project or campaign, e.g., advertising campaign, brand launch], which led to [measurable impact, e.g., increased customer engagement, award recognition].
Specialized in [type of photography, e.g., portrait, wildlife], using [equipment/techniques] to create [outcome, e.g., compelling images, unique perspectives].
Key contributor to [task or responsibility, e.g., team collaboration, client consultations], ensuring [quality or standard, e.g., creative vision, customer satisfaction] in all photographic deliverables.
4.) CV Skills
Expertise in directing and executing high-profile advertising campaigns
Proficiency in innovative photography techniques and post-production processes
Strong team management and coordination skills
Experience in developing and executing comprehensive photography strategies
Ability to streamline photography workflow to increase efficiency
Skilled in creating visually compelling content for social media platforms
Experience in managing photography for high-profile events
Proficiency in implementing digital asset management systems
Ability to conduct photography workshops and improve technical skills of others
Strong understanding of the photography industry
5.) Education
Official Degree Name
University Name
City, State • State Date • End Date
Major: Name of Major
Minor: Name of Minor
6.) Certifications
Official Certification Name
Certification Provider • State Date • End Date
Official Certification Name
Certification Provider • State Date • End Date
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In the field of professional photography, the way you format your CV can greatly influence your chances of landing an interview. A well-structured CV not only reflects your creativity—a key trait for photographers—but also makes your CV easier to read and more appealing to potential employers. Proper formatting can effectively showcase your skills, experience, and unique perspective, setting you apart from other candidates.
Start with a Compelling Profile
Begin your CV with a compelling profile that encapsulates your photography style, areas of expertise, and career goals. This should be a concise summary that gives potential employers a glimpse into your creative vision and professional aspirations. A well-crafted profile can intrigue the reader and encourage them to explore the rest of your CV.
Showcase Your Portfolio
As a professional photographer, your portfolio is your strongest selling point. Include a link to your online portfolio in a prominent place on your CV. If you specialize in different types of photography, consider organizing your portfolio into categories and providing separate links. This allows potential employers to easily access and evaluate your work.
Highlight Relevant Experience and Projects
Detail your professional experience, including freelance work, collaborations, and notable projects. Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements, focusing on assignments that demonstrate your technical skills, creativity, and versatility. Be sure to mention any experience with photo editing software, lighting techniques, and other relevant skills.
Emphasize Skills and Equipment Proficiency
In addition to your creative abilities, highlight your technical skills and familiarity with various types of photography equipment. Include a section that details your proficiency with different cameras, lenses, lighting equipment, and editing software. This demonstrates your technical competence and adaptability, showing potential employers that you're capable of handling a variety of assignments.
Include Testimonials and Awards
If you have received any awards or recognitions, or have testimonials from clients or collaborators, include these in your CV. Positive feedback and accolades can significantly enhance your credibility and give potential employers confidence in your abilities. This section can serve as a powerful testament to your skills, professionalism, and the quality of your work.
Personal Statements for Professional Photographers
Professional Photographer Personal Statement Examples
Strong Statement
"Artistically-driven Professional Photographer with over 7 years of experience in capturing high-quality images for diverse clients. Proven ability to create compelling visual narratives that enhance brand stories and drive engagement. Skilled in various photography techniques, including portraiture, landscape, and commercial photography. Seeking to leverage my creative vision and technical expertise to contribute to a dynamic photography team."
Weak Statement
"Dynamic and innovative Professional Photographer specializing in commercial and editorial photography. With a strong foundation in both digital and film photography, I excel at creating impactful images that resonate with audiences and meet client objectives. Eager to contribute to a forward-thinking company by providing expert visual content creation and robust creative insights."
Strong Statement
"Dynamic and innovative Professional Photographer specializing in commercial and editorial photography. With a strong foundation in both digital and film photography, I excel at creating impactful images that resonate with audiences and meet client objectives. Eager to contribute to a forward-thinking company by providing expert visual content creation and robust creative insights."
Weak Statement
"Experienced in various photography tasks, including commercial and editorial shoots. Familiar with digital and film photography. Looking for a role where I can use my photography knowledge and improve visual content creation."
What Makes a Strong Personal Statement?
A strong personal statement for a Professional Photographer CV seamlessly blends artistic vision with technical expertise, clearly demonstrating the candidate's ability to create compelling visual content. It stands out by being highly tailored to the photography field, highlighting expertise in areas like commercial photography, editorial shoots, and visual storytelling, directly addressing how these skills meet the needs of the prospective employer.
Compare Your CV to a Job Description
Use Matching Mode to analyze and compare your CV content to a specific job, before you apply.
How long should Professional Photographers make a CV?
The ideal length for a Professional Photographer's CV is 1-2 pages. This allows enough room to showcase your skills, experience, and portfolio highlights without overwhelming the reader. Prioritize information that demonstrates your proficiency in photography, such as notable projects or clients, and tailor your CV to align with the specific photography roles you're pursuing. Remember, quality over quantity is key in a CV.
What's the best format for an Professional Photographer CV?
The combination format is ideal for a Professional Photographer CV. It allows you to highlight your creative skills and technical expertise upfront, followed by your work history in reverse-chronological order. This format showcases your unique style and proficiency in various photography techniques, while also demonstrating your professional growth. Tailor each section to emphasize photography-specific skills, awards, and notable projects, aligning closely with the job description.
How does a Professional Photographer CV differ from a resume?
To make your Professional Photographer CV stand out, highlight unique projects, diverse photography styles, and technical skills. Showcase your proficiency in different photography software and equipment. Include quantifiable achievements, such as increased client satisfaction or awards won. Tailor your CV to each job, reflecting the language used in the job description. Emphasize any specialized training or certifications, and include a link to your online portfolio to provide tangible evidence of your work.
