To write a good photographer cover letter, focus on how you can take clear, striking images for the client or organization that posted the job. Link to your online portfolio and emphasize your related skills, such as subject lighting or equipment troubleshooting.
This guide will help you write a cover letter that gets you interviews for your next job as a photographer.
Photographer Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
How To Write a Photographer Cover Letter
A great photographer cover letter usually has five sections, outlined below. When possible, connect each section back to your defining skills and the employer’s photography needs. The following advice and examples show what to include in your cover letter so it’s optimized for each job application.
1. Heading
At the top of the page, include your resume contact header, the date, and any basic details you have about your recipient (as in the example below). To set a clear focus, add the title Photographer to your contact header and provide a link to your portfolio or online work samples. You can then modify your title to align with each job posting. For instance, you could use the title Travel Photographer if that’s closer to the role in question and still true to your experience.
(Note: Feel free to omit this section if you send your letter by email and your contact details are part of your signature.)
Example
Derek Smith
Photographer | [email protected] | (876) 429-7462 | Virginia Beach, VA 18573 | Portfolio
May 7, 2024
Jaime Nguyen
Senior Hiring Manager
Classic Photographers
(746) 7593-1836
[email protected]
2. Salutation
Whenever you can, address your recipient by name – it’s the quickest way to signal you’re sending a job-specific letter and not a boilerplate. If you can’t find the recipient’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager” so your greeting is still tailored somewhat to each job application.
Examples
Dear Ms. Oppenheimer,
Dear Classic Photographers Hiring Manager:
3. “Hook” or introduction
Catch the reader’s attention by starting your letter with a clear example or measure of your success. What’s a key way you’ve been recognized for taking unique, creative, or insightful photos? For instance, maybe you recently won an arts festival award for outstanding portraits. Your cover letter intro should leave no doubt as to your relevant photography skills and interests.
Example
In my first year as a newborn photographer, I exceeded my individual sales targets by 76%. My warm and sensitive interpersonal style and ability to adapt my service according to each family’s needs allowed me to achieve this result. I am excited to demonstrate the same outstanding customer care as a photographer at Mom365.
4. Body paragraph(s)
Use the main section of your letter to tell why this photography job opening suits you. For example, maybe you identify with the company’s mission around visual storytelling. Or perhaps the role uses lighting techniques or photo-editing software in which you have advanced expertise.
Following this explanation, cite a few more of your main skills or achievements, possibly as bullet points.
Example
As a creative professional with over two years of experience shooting weddings, I am drawn to Classic Photographers’s reputation for superb customer service. My passion for combining cutting-edge techniques with diligent client care makes me the ideal fit for your company. My recent accomplishments include:
- Leading a team of three newly graduated photographers to shoot a week-long wedding celebration in Bali
- Receiving a 100% client satisfaction rating in 2023
- Consistently scoring in the top 2% of photographers at my agency for image quality and efficiency
5. Call to action
Finally, request an interview for the position. Consider briefly restating your ability to generate compelling images. To end your cover letter, use a simple closing like “Sincerely” or “Best regards” and then your name.
Example
Please get in touch to arrange a suitable interview appointment. I look forward to exploring how I can leverage my skills to create unforgettable memories for your wedding clients.
Sincerely,
Derek Smith
Photographer Cover Letter Tips
1. Highlight your varied skill set
As part of your letter’s body text, add a short list of bullet points to show your expertise in key work areas such as image editing, technical troubleshooting, or cross-team collaboration. This is a great way to emphasize you have the well-rounded skill set required by many photographer jobs.
Example
These projects helped me develop key skills, including:
- Connecting with photographic subjects
- Using color to create atmosphere
- Adjusting light and shadow to draw the eye
2. Point to your overlapping experience
Based on the job posting, have you worked in similar media, subject matter, or photography styles? Feature that related work on your cover letter so the hiring manager sees you’d be a great fit.
Example
As a creative and passionate individual with specific expertise in capturing images of babies and children, the chance to work for an industry leader like Mom365 is irresistible to me. My latest achievements show I have the technical and soft skills to fit perfectly into your organization.
3. Focus on client relations
Many photographer jobs require you to work closely with clients. When applying to a customer-facing position, give one or two examples of your related success to show you have the communication skills and emotional intelligence the role requires.
Example
Last year, I created a client referral scheme that boosted my bookings by 43% in a single fiscal quarter. My high-quality portfolio and talent for building a quick rapport with clients helped me achieve this result. I look forward to generating impressive revenues as a freelancer at Classic Photographers.
Photographer Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Maria Mongaraz
Photographer | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | Nashville, TN 12345 | Portfolio
August 8, 2024
Melissa Oppenheimer
Director of Human Resources
XYZ Creatives
765-432-1987
[email protected]
Dear Ms. Oppenheimer,
In 2018, my portfolio project “Scenes of Hope” won first prize in the portrait photography category at the Savannah Arts Festival. The judges described my work as unique, creative, and insightful. They also praised my talent in using focus and lighting to create attention-grabbing portraits. Those are skills I want to bring to XYZ Creatives as a staff photographer.
The mission at XYZ Creatives is to use photography to tell a story. My portrait techniques can help your business achieve this mission. Since graduating from the photography program at Savannah College of Art and Design, I have spent the past two years taking headshots, graduation photos, and other portraits as a freelance photographer. In my free time, I volunteered my photography skills to take professional headshots for women fleeing domestic violence who needed to find employment.
These projects helped me develop key skills, including:
- Connecting with photographic subjects
- Using color to create atmosphere
- Adjusting light and shadow to draw the eye
Portrait photography is my passion. I look forward to discussing how my work can benefit XYZ Studios with you.
Sincerely,
Maria Mongaraz
Photographer Cover Letter Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most important part of a cover letter?-
Any explanation you give for why this photography job or employer interests you. These details distinguish the cover letter from your resume and other application materials and can help you get past applicant tracking systems (ATS). They also set up a good interview discussion about how you fit the role and/or the organization’s work culture.
Do hiring managers read cover letters?-
Some don’t, but many do. And all hiring managers seek fast ways to reduce a large pile of applications to just a few promising candidates. One common way they do this is by focusing on applications that include cover letter and then on cover letters that speak to their hiring needs. Send a custom cover letter with your resume, and you can be confident you’d make that select group.
Should I say “My name is…” on a cover letter?-
No. As long as your name appears in the letter’s closing section, you don’t need to state it otherwise.
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