9 Freelance Photographer Resume Examples for 2024

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.

  Compiled and approved by Diana Price
  Last updated on See history of changes

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At a Glance

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 photos delivered per week, client satisfaction rate, projects completed on time, increase in client base.

  • 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 Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, photo editing, portrait photography, lighting techniques. But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

  • Highlight A Specialized Portfolio: You should include a portfolio link that shows your specialty. Sample phrase: link to product shots.

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Decide on the placement

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.

Showcase your portfolio prominently

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.

Ideal resume length

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.

Detail your technical skills

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.

Bypassing resume screeners

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:

  • Include keywords from the job posting. For a freelance photographer, use words like 'photography,' 'editing,' and 'portfolio.'
  • Format your resume simply. Use clear headings and avoid tables or images that the ATS can't read.

Customize for the job

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.

  • Show your ability to capture a variety of subjects by specifying, for example, 'captured 500+ events ranging from weddings to corporate functions'.
  • Mention specific photography software you're good at like 'proficient in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom' to show your technical skills.
  • If you're moving from another career, link your past work to photography. For example, if you were in marketing, write about how you 'used photo content to increase social media engagement by 30%'.

Essential skills for photography jobs

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.

  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Lightroom
  • Digital SLR cameras
  • Photo editing
  • Lighting techniques
  • Color correction
  • File format knowledge
  • Lens selection
  • Image composition
  • Visual storytelling

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 lighting techniques and visual storytelling. If you're into product photography, emphasize your color correction and file format knowledge. Tailor your skills to the job and you'll stand out to hiring managers.

Show impact with numbers

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:

  • Count the number of photography projects you've completed to show your experience. For example, 'Completed over 250 diverse photography assignments.'
  • Include the percentage of repeat clients to demonstrate client satisfaction. For example, 'Maintained a 60% client return rate.'
  • State the size of events you've covered, like 'Photographed events with up to 500 guests.'
  • Estimate the reach of your work by mentioning social media statistics, such as 'Photos featured on Instagram with over 10,000 likes.'
  • Mention the number of prints sold if you sell your work, 'Sold 300 prints in a year to various clients.'
  • Highlight any time-sensitive projects you've completed to show efficiency, 'Delivered wedding albums within a 2-week turnaround time.'
  • Include the range of photography styles you’re skilled in, like 'Proficient in 7 different photography styles.'
  • Measure the breadth of your work by listing the types of clients you've worked for, such as 'Worked with clients across 5 different industries.'

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.

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