Ensure your CV layout is structured to best highlight your unique experience and life situation.
Photography CV Template (Text Format)
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Dedicated sales associate with 5+ years of experience in retail environments. Recognised for ability to communicate with customers, provide exceptional service, and upsell products. Received Employee of the Year award in 2 consecutive years. Seeking retail sales position with opportunities for advancement into a managerial position.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Harbour Creative, Bristol
Lead Photographer, Dec 2019–Present
- Assist 50 customers daily in finding merchandise, while providing recommendations that have led to a 12% annual increase in sales
- Helped implement a new inventory tracking system, improving organisational efficiency
- Exceeded sales goals by 150%+ in 2 consecutive months
- Manage merchandise displays, highlighting new inventory with the goal of increasing sales
- Regularly maintain a 90%+ customer service feedback rating
- Encouraged 80 new patrons to sign up for Burberry’s newsletter
Western Models, Bristol
Assistant Photographer, September 2016–August 2019
- Coordinated with clients, scheduled photoshoots, and processed payments
- Supported senior photographers with setting up equipment in preparation for photoshoots
- Increased the number of clients by 30% by promoting the business on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
- Kept photographic equipment worth £250K in excellent working condition through regular maintenance
- Introduced process efficiencies and reduced resource wastage, saving the company £1.5K
EDUCATION
University of Leeds (2013–2016)
BA (Hons) Photography
- Upper second-class honours (2:1)
SKILLS
- Customer Service
- Client Relationship Management
- Photoshop
- Lightroom
- Portrait Photography
- Event Photography
- Lifestyle Photography
- Digital Photography
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
- Blogging
- Meditation
- Gardening
- Cycling
How to write a photography CV
Before you begin writing, make sure you know how to write a CV in a way that best emphasises your strengths.
If you’re a creative person with attention to detail and an eye for composition, photography is a great career choice.
However, you’ll need to make a CV that showcases both your creativity and your technical skills to land a job as a professional photographer.
Here’s how to write a photography CV using three tips to set you apart from the competition:
1. Highlight your photography work experience by using hard numbers
Whether you’re trying to land a job as a commercial photographer or looking for freelance job opportunities, you’ll need a CV work experience section that stands out.
Adding hard numbers to your achievements makes you appear more accomplished, and it lends credibility to your CV.
Compare the two examples below to see the difference between a statement with hard numbers:
- Increased the number of clients by 30% in 6 months by promoting the studio on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
and one without:
- Was in charge of promoting the studio on social media
In the first example, the candidate quantifies the results of their efforts, demonstrating both competence and efficiency. But the second example falls flat without any data.
By adding hard numbers to your photographer CV (for instance, number of clients, photoshoots, and companies you shot photos for), you show employers concrete evidence of what you can bring to the team and give them an idea of how you can help their business grow.
If you lack professional experience as a photographer, highlight other relevant experience and personal projects you’ve worked on. For instance, if you photographed a relative’s wedding or volunteered as a photojournalist for your school’s newspaper, mention it in your experience section.
2. Put your photography skills in focus
There’s more to being a photographer than knowing how to operate a camera. So show that you have the hard skills necessary to use equipment such as reflectors and colour correction cards, as well the interpersonal skills required to work well with clients and assistant photographers.
Here’s are lists of hard and soft skills to include on your photographer CV:
Hard skills
- Photo editing
- Composition
- Equipment operation and setup
- Colour theory
- Studio and natural lighting
- Advanced camera operation
- Film development
- Grip and electric
- Equipment maintenance
Soft skills
- Customer service
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills
- Creativity
- Flexibility
- Patience
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Organisational skills
Mention your most relevant skills at the top of your photography CV in your personal statement and include the rest in your CV’s skills section. Remember to provide employers with context by giving examples of how you put your skills to use in past roles in the experience section of your CV.
Consider making a video CV that showcases your photography to send along with your traditional CV to give employers a quick look at your best work.
3. Link to your portfolio in your photography CV
While including your experience skills on your CV is important, the best way to convince clients you’re the right photographer for them is by showing them your previous work.
Including a link to your professional portfolio website allows you to showcase your best work and gives potential employers the chance to assess if your photography style matches their needs. Here’s how to add a link to your portfolio on your photography CV:
Place the link in the contact information section at the top of your CV to ensure it doesn’t get overlooked.
Also put your contact details in a cover letter header when you make a cover letter for your photography CV. Placing your contact information on both documents is convenient for the employer, a detail they’ll appreciate.
Other Great CVs & Cover Letters from this Industry:
