Photographer Cover Letter and Resume Examples

As a professional photographer, creativity is your calling card – a talent you should ideally be able to express not only through images but also in the language you use to describe your photography skills when applying for jobs. Your cover letter and resume provide an excellent chance to make a positive first impression upon a potential employer by impressing them with your creative artistic background and technical skills. Before the hiring manager takes a look at your resume, he or she will read your cover letter.

Use this opportunity to highlight a few specific examples of your relevant skills and experiences, so that the hiring manager will be eager to read your resume and invite you for an interview. Below you’ll find an example of a cover letter and a resume for a photographer job.

Emphasizing Skills and Keywords in Your Cover Letter

As you compose your cover letter, keep in mind that it is, first and foremost, a marketing document that should entice a busy hiring manager to give the attached resume a serious look.

If your cover letter is too generic (the same cover letter you use for every job you apply to), is too general, or contains multiple grammatical or spelling errors, a hiring manager may not bother to even look at your resume. For best effect, your cover letter needs to target a specific employer.

Also, have a look at the keywords mentioned in the job description, then echo these in your cover letter. There are certain specific photography skills that most employers are looking for in their new employees; these include a knowledge of digital photography techniques (composition, color correcting, cropping, image manipulation, editing), how to operate a DSLR camera, and customer relations aptitude.

Hiring managers are going to pick candidates to interview based upon how closely their cover letters and resumes match the qualifications they’re seeking. Your cover letter provides you with your best opportunity to introduce yourself and to demonstrate why you, with your unique knowledge, skills, training, and professional experiences, should rank as one of their leading candidates. 

Photographer Cover Letter Example

This is an example of a cover letter for a photographer. Download the photographer cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Your Checklist

As a photographer who is seeking a new job, you should double-check that your resume includes all relevant experience, as well as awards, specialties, software knowledge, and editing skills. Your education and the management, organizational, and other soft skills you have gained are important to mention in addition to showing your portfolio. Presenting a glimpse into your background, before showcasing your work, will provide hiring managers with a better understanding of your ability and skill set.

What to Include in Your Resume

You should tailor your resume for each position to which you apply, based on the job posting and description. You will want to highlight the skills and experiences which are emphasized by the employer as required or preferred for the job. Take the time to review the skills you use as a photographer and analyze how they can best be aligned with the job description.

Candidates with a lot of experience in the field of photography can focus on showcasing the specific successes they have achieved, and list awards and recognition they have received. For entry-level positions, candidates can use classroom, internship, and volunteer experiences as well as paid positions. 

Photographer Resume Example

The following is a sample resume for a photographer to use as a guide. Adjust details and format to reflect your body of work and target position.

Sending an Email Application

If you're sending your resume and cover letter via email, list your name and the job title in the subject line of the email message so that the recipient will immediately realize that your message requires their attention:

Subject: Photographer Position - Your Name

Include your contact information in your email signature, but don't list the employer contact information.