Photographer and Videographer Resume Guide
Photographers and videographers take pictures and videos of people, places, things, and events. They use cameras to capture images and record video footage. They may work in a studio or on location. Their work may be published in magazines or newspapers, shown on television, or exhibited in galleries.
Your photography and videography skills are top-notch, but potential employers don’t know who you are. To get your foot in the door, you need to write a resume that catches their attention and makes them want to learn more about you.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Photographer and Videographer Resume Sample
Katarina Lind
Photographer and Videographer
[email protected]
535-803-4673
linkedin.com/in/katarina-lind
Summary
Well-rounded photographer and videographer with a bachelor’s degree in art and design and over 12 years of experience. Skilled at using a variety of photography equipment, including digital SLRs, point-and-shoot cameras, and drones. Experienced in post-processing software such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.
Experience
Photographer and Videographer, Company ABC
Corona, Jan 2018 – Present
- Captured natural, candid moments of people and events using a DSLR camera, producing high-quality photos that met or exceeded customer expectations.
- Introduced new photo editing software to the team, which resulted in a 20% decrease in editing time per photo.
- Confidently directed photoshoots with up to 15 subjects, including positioning them and providing guidance on how to pose for the best results.
- Presented finished products to customers (e.g., albums, prints, digital files), ensuring that they were happy with the results before leaving the studio.
- Compiled video footage from various events (e.g., weddings, concerts) into highlight reels that told a story and captured the essence of the event while meeting all customer specifications..
Photographer and Videographer, Company XYZ
Chandler, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Planned, developed and prepared photography/videography concepts, themes and storylines for a variety of events, including weddings, birthday parties and corporate functions.
- Improved efficiency in the set-up and tear-down of photoshoots by 20%, thereby reducing cost incidences by $500 on average.
- Competently operated DSLR cameras, camcorders, audio recorders & editing software to capture high-quality photos/videos; edited raw footage to produce final products that met customer expectations.
- Exhibited excellent team management skills while leading a team of 2 assistant photographers/videographers during complex shoots; ensured that all equipment was properly used & well-maintained at all times.
- Demonstrated outstanding customer service when dealing with clients; resolved complaints in a timely & professional manner whilst upselling additional photography/videography services where necessary.
Skills
- Photography
- Digital Photography
- Video Editing
- Videography
- Video Production
- Portrait Photography
- Editing
- Event Photography
- Commercial Photography
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and Videography
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
Certified Professional Photographer
Professional Photographers of America
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
The summary/objective at the top of your photographer and videographer resume should be like a teaser – it should give the employer an outline of who you are and why you excel in your field.
Here is where you can showcase your best qualities. For example, you could talk about the types of photography/videography you specialize in, the awards you’ve won, and the clients you’ve worked with.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Seasoned photographer and videographer with 8+ years of experience capturing memories for a wide range of clients, including weddings, corporate events, family functions, and more. Well-versed in all aspects of photography and videography, from equipment setup to post-production editing. Creating beautiful images is my passion; I am excited to bring my skills to ABC as your next lead photographer/videographer.
Proficient photographer and videographer with 7+ years of experience in a wide range of photography fields. Specialties include weddings, portraits, commercial/event photography, and photojournalism. Established excellent working relationships with clients to produce stunning results that exceed expectations. Proven ability to capture the perfect moment through extensive knowledge of lighting techniques and camera settings.
Diligent photographer and videographer with an extensive background in capturing memories and moments for a wide array of clients. 8+ years of experience working in photography studios, wedding venues, and on-location shoots. Achieved a 98% client satisfaction rating. Equipped with high-end DSLR cameras and video equipment to produce quality results.
Determined and passionate photographer and videographer with 2+ years of experience in a wide range of settings, including weddings, corporate events, music festivals, and more. Skilled in handling DSLR cameras as well as editing software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. At XYZ, increased social media engagement by 400% through consistent posting of high-quality photos and videos.
Accomplished photographer and videographer with 8+ years of experience in commercial, event, and product photography. Seeking to use creative eye and technical skillset to produce high-quality content for ABC’s marketing initiatives. At previous companies, increased social media engagement by 15% through originality and attention to detail when crafting posts featuring photos and videos.
Passionate and experienced photographer and videographer. I have worked on a wide range of projects, from weddings to music videos and photo shoots. My work has been featured in numerous publications, both online and offline. I am always looking for new challenges and opportunities to push my creative boundaries.
Detail-oriented photographer and videographer with an extensive background in capturing memories and milestones for both personal and professional occasions. 5+ years of experience shooting, editing, and producing high-quality photos and videos. In 2019, won second place in the North American wedding photography contest. Currently seeking to join the team at ABC Studios as a lead photographer/videographer.
Dependable and passionate photographer and videographer with over seven years of experience in the industry. In-depth knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, lighting, composition, and photo/video editing. Looking to leverage my skills and experience to help grow the brand of ABC company.
Skilled photographer and videographer with 6+ years of experience in the wedding industry. Adept at working with natural light to capture candid moments as they happen. Seeking to join ABC Wedding Studio to hone my skills and contribute to a team of passionate professionals who strive for excellence. In 2017, won “Best Wedding Photographer” at the XYZ Awards.
2. Experience / Employment
In the experience/employment/work history section, you will detail your past jobs. This section should be written in reverse chronological order, with your most recent job at the top.
When describing what you did in each role, use bullet points and be as specific as possible. You want to include not only duties but also results achieved. For example, instead of saying “Shot photos and videos,” you could say, “Captured high-quality photos and videos of weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and other special events; often received positive feedback from clients.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Captured
- Edited
- Filmed
- Produced
- Directed
- Shot
- Selected
- Arranged
- Composed
- Created
- Innovated
- Imagined
- Planned
- Visualized
- Dreamed
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Assessed
- Compiled
- Coordinated
- Demonstrated
- Developed
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Optimized
- Participated
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Spearheaded all aspects of wedding photography and videography, from pre- to post-production, including editing and album design; completed an average of 12 projects per month.
- Composed original shots and utilized natural lighting to produce beautiful, high-quality photos and videos that accurately captured the feeling/mood of each event.
- Coordinated with other vendors (e.g., venue staff, caterers) on the day of weddings/events to ensure smooth execution and capture key moments without disruption.
- Efficiently edited wedding footage down to 1-2 minute highlight reel while still maintaining the integrity of the original video for each client.
- Streamlined communication with clients by creating an online portal where they could view their photos/videos, provide feedback, and make requests for edits – saving 10+ hours per month in email back-and-forths.
- Reduced time editing video footage by 30% by formulating a more efficient workflow.
- Shot and edited promotional videos for the company website, social media channels and trade shows; increased web traffic by 10%.
- Formulated new strategies for shooting in low light conditions and reduced number of blurred or unusable photos by 75%.
- Optimized post-processing procedures to speed up delivery times without compromising quality; delivered final product to clients an average of 2 days sooner than before.
- Reliably produced high-quality results regardless of challenging shooting conditions; received positive feedback from 98% of clients.
- Independently photographed and edited 200+ weddings, corporate events, family portraits and other special occasions, using a range of digital SLR cameras and lenses.
- Advised clients on ideal photo locations, lighting conditions and camera settings to capture the best possible shots; increased customer satisfaction ratings by 12%.
- Structured shoots around specific themes or ideas provided by clients, while also incorporating creative elements to produce unique results.
- Facilitated communication between clientele and other event vendors (e.g. caterers, florists) to ensure that all details were accounted for prior to the day of the event.
- Selected photos for editing based on technical quality as well as artistic value/appeal; delivered high-resolution files and prints within 2 weeks after each event date.
- Innovated new methods for editing photos and videos, resulting in a 20% increase in productivity.
- Assessed customer needs and recommended appropriate photography/videography packages.
- Demonstrated exceptional customer service by accommodating special requests and going above and beyond to meet customer expectations.
- Utilized state-of-the-art equipment to produce high quality photos and videos.
- Consistently met deadlines while maintaining the highest standards of workmanship.
- Mentored and trained 4 new photography assistants, helping them to develop their skills in lighting, composition and post-processing.
- Produced a portfolio of 200+ original photographs and 30 videos that have been published on various online platforms, reaching over 1 million people worldwide.
- Filmed and edited 3 promotional videos for local businesses, increasing their social media following by an average of 20%.
- Dreamed up creative concepts for photo shoots which resulted in 10% higher customer satisfaction ratings compared to the previous year.
- Meticulously retouched every photograph to remove blemishes, correct exposure levels and enhance colors before delivering them to clients.
- Accurately captured images of people, landscapes and objects using DSLR cameras and resolved any technical issues that arose.
- Reorganized the photo library, saving over 10 hours per week in search time for specific images; also revised metadata for accuracy.
- Represented the company at industry events and created video content that received over 500,000 views within the first month.
- Expedited post-production processes by learning basic image editing techniques and color correction in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.
- Participated in 5 photography and videography shoots per week, working with a variety of clients to capture memories or promote products/services.
- Imagined creative concepts for each shoot and successfully executed them within the given budget and timeframe; received positive feedback from 98% of clients.
- Edited raw footage using Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects to create polished final videos that met client expectations; completed projects ahead of schedule in 80% of cases.
- Successfully arranged lights, props and equipment on set to achieve desired results; minimized disruptions and downtime between shots by 20%.
- Arranged photographs into cohesive albums/slideshows that told a story and conveyed the right message to viewers; delivered final product within 24 hours after each shoot.
- Directed and photographed over 50 weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, and other special events; edited and produced final video products for clients.
- Visualized client requests and created innovative photography/videography concepts to capture the event’s atmosphere and emotion.
- Resourcefully managed budgets of up to $10,000 per event; negotiated contracts with vendors to obtain discounts on equipment rentals & services.
- Achieved customer satisfaction ratings of 95% or higher in post-event surveys; generated positive online reviews that led to an increase in bookings by 20%.
- Created custom marketing materials (e.g., website content, promotional videos) that increased brand awareness and helped attract new business inquiries from potential customers.
3. Skills
Skills requirements will differ from employer to employer – this can easily be ascertained from the job posting. One company may specialize in still photography while another focuses on video production.
One size doesn’t fit all; therefore, you want to tailor the skills section of your resume to each job that you are applying for. This is essential because a large number of employers use applicant tracking systems these days, which are computer programs that scan resumes for certain keywords and then pass them on to a human.
Once listed here, you can further elaborate on your skillset by discussing it in more detail in other areas such as the summary or experience section.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Adobe Photoshop
- Commercial Photography
- Digital Photography
- Editing
- Event Photography
- Film
- Final Cut Pro
- Graphic Design
- Image Editing
- Lightroom
- Photography
- Photojournalism
- Portrait Photography
- Social Media Marketing
- Video
- Video Editing
- Video Production
- Videography
- Wedding Photography
4. Education
Mentioning your education on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you’re just starting out, it’s helpful to include information about your degree and/or relevant coursework. However, if you have years of experience under your belt, you can leave this section off altogether.
If you do choose to include an education section, be sure to mention any photography or videography courses you took as well as any other relevant coursework. For example: “Courses included still photography, motion graphics, and video production” or “Projects involved filming and editing a short documentary.”
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and Videography
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications show that you have taken the extra steps to become proficient in your field. They are also proof that you are constantly updating your skills and keeping up with industry changes.
If you have any certifications related to photography or videography, make sure to include them in this section of your resume. Doing so will demonstrate your dedication to your craft and give hiring managers a better idea of what you are capable of.
Certified Professional Photographer
Professional Photographers of America
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Katarina Lind, this would be Katarina-Lind-resume.pdf or Katarina-Lind-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
Including a cover letter with your job application is a great way to show off your personality and give the hiring manager a better sense of who you are. A cover letter is usually made up of 2 to 4 paragraphs, and should include information that isn’t already mentioned in your resume.
While not all jobs will require you submit a cover letter, it’s always worth doing so. Not only does it give you an opportunity to stand out from other candidates, but it also allows you to connect with the hiring manager on a more personal level.
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Emmet,
I am writing to apply for the photographer and videographer position at your company. As a creative professional with over 10 years of experience in the industry, I am confident I can be an asset to your team.
In my previous role as a freelance photographer, I worked with clients in a variety of industries, including fashion, event planning, and real estate. I have also had the opportunity to work as a videographer on multiple projects. My experience has taught me how to be adaptable and resourceful in order to get the best results for my clients.
I am knowledgeable in both traditional and digital photography techniques, as well as video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. In addition, I have my own equipment that I can use for shoots if necessary.
Please find attached a portfolio of some of my recent work. I can be reached anytime via email at [email address] or by phone at [phone number]. Thank you for your time and consideration; I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
[Your name]