Creating a good resume for a freelance photographer can make job hunting easier. This article will share proven examples and tips. Learn how to highlight skills, showcase a portfolio, and use industry-specific terms to get noticed. Keep your resume strong and focused to stand out in a crowded field.
Next update scheduled for
Here's what we see in successful freelance photographer resumes.
Show Impact With Numbers: You should use numbers to show your impact. Some metrics include
Include Relevant Skills From The Job Description: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are
Highlight A Specialized Portfolio: You should include a portfolio link that shows your specialty. Sample phrase:
Want to know if your freelance photography resume stands out? Our resume scoring tool gives you a clear picture of how your resume performs. It checks for key elements that hiring managers in the visual arts industry look for.
Upload your resume now for an unbiased assessment. You'll get a score and tips to make your resume stronger, helping you land more photography gigs.
When you prepare your resume, think about what stands out most for you as a freelance photographer. If your education in photography or a related field is recent and strong, place it near the top. This shows employers your commitment to mastering the craft. Employers often look for specialized skills or education in the visuals arts field.
If your work history is more impressive and tells a better story of your experience, lead with that. As a freelance photographer, highlight the variety of projects and clients you have worked with. If you have a degree, certifications, or significant coursework in photography, visual arts, or media, mention them after your work experience to add credibility.
The key is to present your information in a way that quickly shows why you are a good fit for the job. Use simple language and be direct. Remember to also include any workshops or continued learning experiences that have specifically enhanced your photography skills.
Unlike other fields, your portfolio is your strongest asset in photography. Include a link to your online portfolio at the top of your resume. Mention highlights of significant projects or clients you have worked with.
Briefly describe the style and types of photography you specialize in, such as portrait, landscape, or commercial photography, to give potential employers a clear idea of your expertise.
For freelance photographers, your resume should be concise and impactful. You aim to fit your most relevant work onto one page. This helps you highlight your best assignments and photography skills. If you have more than 10 years of experience, you can use two pages. Ensure each page shows your strong points and skills clearly.
Your resume should be easy to read. Use a layout that allows for more space and clear section headings. Prioritize your latest, most relevant work. Details from older jobs can be shorter. This helps you keep to the ideal page count while making sure the important information is easy to find. Remember, hiring managers may only look at the first page for a short time. Use it to show your strongest qualifications and photography examples.
Photography is a technical field. List the camera equipment, software, and other tools you are proficient with. Break these into categories like cameras, lenses, and editing software.
Mention any advanced skills relevant to the industry, such as photo retouching, lighting, or even video production if applicable. This shows your versatility and technical knowledge.
When applying for jobs, your resume might first be read by a machine, not a person. These are known as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). To get your resume seen by a human, you need to pass the ATS.
Here are some tips:
To get noticed, show you know what the job needs. Think about the skills and the work you've done that speak directly to the freelance photographer role. Highlight the right parts of your past work to show you're a good choice. Try to be as clear as possible.
As you build your resume, focus on the skills that show your ability to capture and edit high-quality images. Below is a list of important technical skills you should consider. Not all may apply to you, but include those that do, and are relevant to the jobs you're targeting.
Include these skills in a dedicated section for easy scanning. Many hiring managers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. These systems look for keywords that match the job description. By including these skills, you ensure your resume passes through these filters and reaches a human reader. Remember, you don't need to list every skill you see here. Choose those that best match your expertise and the job you want.
For example, if you specialize in event photography, highlight your
As you showcase your work as a freelance photographer, numbers can tell a strong story. They give clear facts to the hiring manager about your impact and success. Here's how you can use them:
Think about the jobs you've done and the feedback you've received. Even if you're not sure about exact numbers, estimates based on your records can still showcase your value. Remember, clear and simple numbers can often speak louder than words.