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Resume example

Photographer resume example

A professional photographer produces images to order or for sale, and the job looks very different depending on the market. A wedding and portrait photographer meets couples, scouts locations, shoots a full day and then spends long evenings editing.

A product photographer works in a studio with lighting setups, styling props and shooting packshots for e-commerce catalogues. A press or event photographer works fast on site and sends images while the event is still running. Whatever the specialty, a large part of the week goes into things clients never see: quoting, retouching in Lightroom and Photoshop, managing backups, delivering galleries, invoicing and finding the next contract. In France most photographers are self-employed, while salaried posts exist in studios, retail chains, newspapers and photo labs.

Resume example

[First name Last name]

Product and E-commerce Photographer | Studio Lighting, Packshots, Retouching

[City] · [phone] · [email]

Profile

Photographer for [x] years specialising in e-commerce and catalogue work. I shoot and retouch product, flat lay and model images for brands and retailers, set up lighting for consistent series and manage file delivery to their online platforms.

Experience

Studio Photographer, [Company], [City]

[month year] to present

  • Shot and retouched product images for the online catalogue of a home decor brand, following its visual guidelines
  • Set up lighting templates that allowed different photographers to produce consistent series
  • Directed models and stylists during fashion shoots for seasonal collections
  • Organised image delivery and naming conventions with the e-commerce team
  • Trained a new assistant on tethered shooting and backup procedures

Resume headlines

  • Product and E-commerce Photographer | Studio Lighting, Packshots, Retouching
  • Event and Corporate Photographer | Conferences, Portraits, Fast Delivery
  • Photographer's Assistant | Studio Setup, Digital Tech, Capture One

Summaries for your profile

Entry level

Photography graduate (BTS Photographie) with internships in a fashion studio and with a freelance wedding photographer. I handle studio lighting, tethered shooting in Capture One and retouching, and I am looking for an assistant or studio photographer position.

Experienced

Photographer for [x] years specialising in e-commerce and catalogue work. I shoot and retouch product, flat lay and model images for brands and retailers, set up lighting for consistent series and manage file delivery to their online platforms.

Career change

Former events coordinator who has been shooting corporate events for my employer and its partners for several years. I now work as a professional photographer for conferences and company portraits, with a clear sense of how clients plan and run events.

Tips

  • Lead with a portfolio link adapted to the job: product images for a studio, people for an event agency.
  • Name your gear only when relevant (medium format, specific lighting), and the software you master.
  • Describe the type of clients and volumes in a way that shows you can handle their pace.
  • Mention whether you have your own equipment and a driving licence for location work.
  • Keep the portfolio short and recent: twenty strong images beat a hundred average ones.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Sending a portfolio that mixes weddings, landscapes and products without focus.
  • Using images you do not have the right to show.
  • Forgetting retouching skills, which clients often value as much as shooting.
  • Over-describing equipment instead of the results for clients.

Working as a photographer in France

Search for 'Photographe', 'Photographe studio', 'Photographe packshot' or 'Assistant photographe'. The profession is not regulated, but French law gives photographers authors' rights over their images, and many freelancers are affiliated to the artist-author social security scheme for sales of image rights, alongside or instead of the micro-entrepreneur status for services. Clients expect a written licence specifying usage, duration and territory, and model releases are essential because of the strong right to one's image in France. Common training routes are the BTS Photographie, ENS Louis-Lumière and the national photography school in Arles.

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Frequently asked questions

Is a photography degree necessary in France?

No, the profession is open without a diploma, and experience and portfolio decide most hiring. A BTS Photographie or a school such as ENS Louis-Lumière or the École nationale supérieure de la photographie in Arles helps for studio and assistant positions.

Should I put my portfolio on the CV itself?

Add a link and perhaps a QR code, plus three small images if the format allows. The CV should remain light and readable; recruiters will look at the full portfolio online.

How do I show freelance work on a CV?

Group it under one entry as a freelance photographer, list the types of clients and assignments, and mention long-term clients by name if they agree. This avoids a fragmented list of short jobs.

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