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Creative Photographer

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Elena Martinez

Creative Photographer | Visual Storytelling, Travel, and Editorial Imagery

[email protected] | +1 (347) 555-0198 | linkedin.com/in/elena-martinez | elena-martinez.com | San Francisco, CA

Professional Summary

Creative Photographer with 5+ years of experience producing landscape, travel, wildlife, and urban imagery for studio, tourism, and editorial campaigns. Builds clear visual narratives from concept planning through shooting, editing, captioning, and portfolio delivery. Skilled in Lightroom, Photoshop, HDR workflows, drone-supported scouting, and workshop facilitation, with a track record of creating practical image libraries and audience-ready exhibitions.

Skills

HDR Photography, Low-Light Photography, Aerial Photography (Drone), Panoramic Imaging, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Augmented Reality (AR) Platforms, Interactive Media Software

Work Experience

Creative Photographer

09/2021

NatureView Studios

San Francisco, CA

Produced an endangered-wildlife photo series that supported a $30K conservation fundraising campaign through gallery sales, partner promotion, and online storytelling.

Delivered 150+ edited urban landscape images for tourism marketing campaigns, maintaining consistent color grading, metadata, and usage-ready file organization.

Led hands-on workshops for 50+ emerging photographers on composition, natural light, editing workflow, and portfolio presentation.

Built repeatable low-light and HDR shooting workflows that improved image consistency for dusk, interior, and weather-sensitive assignments.

Photographer

01/2020 - 09/2021

Wildlife Photography Co.

San Francisco, CA

Photographed 30+ bird species for a field guide project, coordinating shot lists, location notes, and image selection with editors.

Captured panoramic landscape sets for digital campaigns and prepared optimized exports for web, print, and social channels.

Photographer Intern

12/2018 - 06/2019

Travel Snapshots LLC

San Francisco, CA

Shot 50+ destination images for the company website, selecting visuals that supported travel guides, landing pages, and seasonal promotions.

Entered local photography contests to test new storytelling concepts, earning one award and building a stronger portfolio for client pitches.

Projects

Interactive Wildlife Web Series

Created an interactive web series featuring endangered wildlife, combining photography, location notes, and lightweight AR elements to make conservation stories easier for online audiences to explore.

Urban Lens Challenge

Organized a city photography challenge that encouraged drone-safe planning, HDR practice, and peer critique, building local photographer participation without relying on inflated performance claims.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography

09/2013 - 05/2017

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA

Focused on digital photography and interactive media. Coursework included digital imaging, interactive storytelling, portfolio development, and sustainable production practices.

Certifications

Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)

06/2023

Professional Photographers of America (PPA)

Completed CPP certification requirements and maintained professional standards in lighting, image capture, post-production, and client communication.

Sustainable Photography Practices Specialist

10/2024

Green Imaging Foundation

Completed continuing education in lower-waste production planning, efficient location workflows, and responsible material choices for photography assignments.

Why This Template Works

This resume format is specifically designed to optimize the presentation of a Creative Photographer's unique skills and projects for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). The inclusion of both technical proficiency in photography software and creative project descriptions ensures that the resume stands out while being easily readable by automated systems. Additionally, integrating social media links such as LinkedIn directly provides recruiters with additional context on the candidate’s professional network and portfolio accessibility.

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How to Write This Resume

How to Write This Resume

Expert guidelines and best practices for each section of your resume.

01

Contact

Contact

First Name Last Name City, State, Zip Code Phone Number | Email Address LinkedIn Profile URL | Portfolio URL (Optional)

General Guidelines

Your contact information is the first section recruiters see. Keep it concise and professional. Ensure your email address is appropriate (e.g., [email protected]). Include your LinkedIn profile for a comprehensive view of your professional journey. A portfolio or personal website is recommended for creative, technical, or design roles.

Avoid This

Do not include your full physical address (street number/name) for privacy reasons. Avoid including personal details like marital status, age, photo, or social security number unless specifically required in your country. Do NOT use unprofessional email addresses such as those from free email providers. For artists and designers, do NOT include GitHub links; instead, use ArtStation, Behance, or portfolio sites.

Real Examples

See clear examples of how to format contact details effectively.

Don't

John Doe 1234 Random St, Apt 56 New York, NY 10001 [email protected] github.com/aliciacode Single, 28 years old

Do

Alicia Chen Los Angeles, CA (555) 123-4567 | [email protected] linkedin.com/in/aliciachen | artstation.com/aliciachen

Quick Tips

  • Use a professional email address (firstname.lastname format)
  • Ensure your voicemail is set up and professional
  • Double-check your phone number and email for typos
  • Make your LinkedIn URL custom (linkedin.com/in/yourname)
  • Use ArtStation or Behance for artist/designer portfolios

02

Summary

Summary

Professional Title Result-oriented [Role Name] with [Number] years of experience in [Key Skills/Industries]. Proven track record of [Major Achievement]. Skilled in [Key Technologies/Skills]. Committed to delivering [Specific Value] for [Target Industry/Company type].

General Guidelines

A professional summary is your elevator pitch. It should be 3-5 sentences long, summarizing your experience, key skills, and major achievements. Tailor it to the job description by using relevant keywords. Focus on what makes you unique and the value you bring to potential employers.

Avoid This

Avoid generic objectives like 'Looking for a challenging role to grow my skills.' Recruiters want to know what value you bring to them, not what you want from them. Don't use first-person pronouns (I, me, my). Keep it concise and impactful.

Real Examples

Compare a weak objective with a strong professional summary.

Don't

Objective: I am a hard-working individual looking for a Creative Photographer position where I can learn new things and advance my career.

Do

Creative Photographer with 5+ years of experience producing landscape, travel, wildlife, and urban imagery for studio, tourism, and editorial campaigns. Builds clear visual narratives from concept planning through shooting, editing, captioning, and portfolio delivery. Skilled in Lightroom, Photoshop, HDR workflows, drone-supported scouting, and workshop facilitation, with a track record of creating practical image libraries and audience-ready exhibitions.

Quick Tips

  • Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., 'Increased revenue by 20%')
  • Keep it under 5 lines for readability
  • Use strong action verbs to start sentences
  • Tailor the summary to match the job description

03

Skills

Skills

Technical Skills - Languages: [List] - Frameworks: [List] - Tools: [List] Soft Skills - [Skill 1], [Skill 2], [Skill 3]

General Guidelines

Group your skills logically (e.g., Languages, Frameworks, Tools). Focus on hard skills relevant to the job. List skills in order of proficiency or relevance. Soft skills are better demonstrated through bullet points in your experience section rather than a bare list.

Avoid This

Do not list skills you are not comfortable using in an interview. Avoid using progress bars or percentages to rate your skills (e.g., "Java: 80%"). Don't include outdated technologies unless specifically required.

Real Examples

Practical example showing do's and don'ts for skills

Don't

Photoshop, Lightroom, old technology XYZ (2015)

Do

Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom

Don't

HDR Photography: 75%, Drone Photography: Beginner level

Do

Advanced HDR Photography techniques

Quick Tips

  • Clearly distinguish between technical and soft skills for a balanced representation of your abilities.
  • Prioritize recent and relevant technologies in the 'Technical Skills' section to highlight current expertise.
  • Use action-oriented language when describing both hard and soft skills to convey proactive capabilities.
  • Avoid listing too many tools or software unless they are essential for demonstrating job-relevant experience.

04

Experience

Experience

Job Title | Company Name | Location Month Year – Month Year - Action Verb + Context + Result (Quantified) - Led [Project] resulting in [Outcome]... - Collaborated with [Team] to implement [Feature]...

General Guidelines

This is the core of your resume. Use reverse-chronological order (most recent first). Start each bullet with a strong action verb. Focus on achievements and impact, not just duties. Use numbers to quantify your impact (dollars, percentages, time saved, users affected). Show progression and increasing responsibility.

Avoid This

Avoid passive language like "Responsible for..." or "Tasked with...." Don't list every single daily task; focus on significant contributions and measurable outcomes. Avoid jargon that recruiters outside your field won't understand.

Real Examples

Practical example showing do's and don'ts for experiences

Don't

Managed a project that required the use of drone technology to capture stunning aerial shots of urban landscapes, which were later used in marketing campaigns.

Do

Led a project capturing 150+ high-resolution images of urban landscapes using drones, resulting in increased city tourism and improved branding.

Don't

Taught photography techniques to new interns at the company's workshops.

Do

Hosted workshops for 50+ aspiring photographers, boosting skill levels and community engagement through interactive sessions.

Quick Tips

  • Highlight specific projects that demonstrate your ability to integrate technology like drones or AI in creative ways.
  • Showcase your leadership skills by mentioning instances where you led teams or initiatives.
  • Quantify the impact of your work, whether it's through audience engagement metrics, financial gains for clients, or contributions to community growth.
  • Focus on achievements that set you apart from other candidates. Emphasize innovative storytelling and unique visual approaches.

05

Education

Education

Degree Name | University Name | Location Month Year – Month Year - Relevant Coursework: [Course 1], [Course 2] - Honors/Awards: [Award Name] - GPA: X.X (if above 3.5)

General Guidelines

List your highest degree first. If you have significant work experience, keep the education section brief. Include your GPA only if it is above 3.5 or if you are a recent graduate. Highlight relevant coursework, academic projects, honors, or leadership roles.

Avoid This

Do not include high school details if you have a college degree. Avoid listing every single course you took; select only the most relevant ones. Don't include graduation dates from decades ago if age discrimination is a concern in your field.

Real Examples

Practical example showing do's and don'ts for educations

Don't

Bachelor of Arts | University of San Francisco, CA September 2013 – May 2017 - Coursework: Introduction to Photography, Art History I & II, English Composition I & II, Calculus III - Graduated Magna Cum Laude

Do

Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts (Photography) | San Francisco State University, CA September 2013 – May 2017 - Coursework: Digital Imaging, Interactive Storytelling, Sustainable Practices in Photography - Graduated Magna Cum Laude

Quick Tips

  • List your education starting with the highest degree and include relevant coursework.
  • Exclude high school details if you have a college degree to keep the resume concise.
  • Include GPA only if it is above 3.5 or indicates recent graduation status.
  • Highlight honors, awards, or leadership roles within academic settings that showcase additional value.

06

Projects

Projects

Project Name | Tools/Technologies Used - Briefly describe what you created and its purpose - Highlight specific challenges you solved - Link to portfolio or demo if available

General Guidelines

Projects are excellent for demonstrating practical skills, especially if you lack work experience or are changing careers. Include a link to your portfolio or demo if possible. Focus on projects that show problem-solving skills and relevant tools for the target role.

Avoid This

Don't include trivial tutorials unless you significantly expanded on them. Avoid projects that are outdated, incomplete, or irrelevant to the role you're applying for. Don't just list technologies—explain what you created and why it matters.

Real Examples

Practical example showing do's and don'ts for projects

Don't

Built a simple webpage using HTML/CSS, demonstrating basic layout techniques.

Do

Created an interactive wildlife web series using augmented reality and AI, educating the public on endangered species conservation efforts. Tools: JavaScript, ARKit, TensorFlow.

Quick Tips

  • Highlight projects that showcase your ability to solve unique challenges in photography.
  • Provide context for each project by explaining its purpose and impact.
  • Ensure every project listed demonstrates a blend of technical proficiency and creative vision.
  • Include links or references to viewable content to give recruiters a clear understanding of your work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this role and how to best present it on your resume.

Highlight the skills that connect directly to the work you want: shooting style, lighting, Lightroom or Photoshop, drone or HDR experience, portfolio development, client communication, and the ability to deliver usable image sets for campaigns or publications.

Use concrete scope instead of vague praise. Mention the type of assignment, the number or range of assets delivered when accurate, the audience or client need, and the workflow you owned from planning through editing.

Yes. A portfolio link is usually essential for creative photography roles. Keep the resume concise, then use the portfolio to show finished work, project context, and your strongest visual style.

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