My goal is to find a position where my expert skills in photography and videography, plus my experience in journalism, can be used to fill a company’s marketing and social media channels with engaging content.
Video Sampler
Skills
Management
- Experience supervising employees and coworkers
- Developed systems for reducing redundant tasks
- Experience in procurement and resource allocation
- Very strong written and verbal communication skills
- Experience with cash, payables, receivables, collections and payroll
Interpersonal and communication
- Easygoing manner with coworkers and customers
- Strong skills in developing rapport with a variety of people
- Highly customer service oriented
- Comfortable presenting to groups of people
- Experienced writing large quantities of content to meet deadlines
Marketing
- Excellent capabilities in photography and videography
- Highly skilled in graphic and design production
- Knowledgeable in HTML, CCS and WordPress websites
- Experienced with major social media platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest
- Knowledgeable about using email automation with MailChimp
- Experienced with Buffer to schedule social media posts across several platforms
Technical
| ••••••••••• | Commercial & Heashot Photography |
| ••••••••••• | Promotional Video Production |
| ••••••••••• | Adobe Photoshop (since Version 2) |
| ••••••••• | Adobe Creative Suite |
| ••••••••••• | Adobe Lightroom |
| •••••••• | Quark XPress |
| ••••• | HTML / CSS |
| ••••••••••• | WordPress websites |
| •••• | Microsoft Office |
| ••••••••••• | Logic Pro X (Audio editing) |
| •••••••• | Final Cut Pro (Video editing) |
| ••••••••••• | Mac OS |
| ••• | Windows OS |
| ••••••• | Facebook Advertising |
| ••••••••• | Buffer (Twitter automation) |
| ••••••• | Mailchimp (email automation) |
Work Experience
WORK EXPERIENCE
Freelance Photographer
Self employed; Calgary, AB – 2000 to Present
- Created a system for completing head shots at the client’s location within 45 minutes from setup to teardown, including delivery of a retouched digital business portrait
- Established a high level of rapport with clients to help them relax and present their best self in front of the camera
- Developed systems for capturing, sorting, editing, retouching and backing up large quantities of images
- High level of proficiency in videography and video editing for projects ranging from independent short films to business promotional videos and music videos
Graphic Designer
Self employed; Calgary, AB – 2000 to Present
- Created strong marketing driven designs for clients using print, social media and web based solutions
- Provided technical correct file for printing which often resulted in discounts from printers
- Provided graphic design for a complete marketing package promoting a tourist attraction in Skagway, Alaska – which increased the attraction’s customer visits by 400%
- Created client websites using WordPress, which they can modify, edit and expand as needed
- Excellent knowledge of typography to support and enhance clients’ marketing message
Guitarist / Recording Artist
Self employed, 1977 to present
- Have written, recorded and released one full-length album, two five-song EPs, and two singles
- Distributed music through online sources including iTunes, Amazon and Spotify
- Highly skilled as a guitarist with good knowledge of several other instruments
- Advanced skills in sound reinforcement with PA systems, as well as recording live performance and in studio
- Skilled in recording voiceover for video productions
- Perform solo acoustic shows as well as guitarist for blues and old school R&B band The Big Heat
Sales Associate, Key Holder
Lifesport Calgary Ltd.; Calgary, AB – November 2001 to March 2016
- Became one of the top performing sales people, selling cross-country skis and bicycles, as well as related parts and clothing
- Key holder, as well as supervisor for staff as needed
- Responsible for handling cash, closing till and reconciling with credit / debit transactions
- Developed strong skills in helping people to discuss their sporting goods needs when initially reluctant to talk with a sales person
- Helped customers find the right solutions for their needs using detailed product knowledge and technical skills
Portrait Studio Owner / Manager
Alberta Portrait Inc.; Calgary, AB – March 2008 to November 2015
- Created high-quality family portraits as well as baby and children’s portraits
- Primarily market was to mid and upper income clientele
- Developed routines for responding to initial calls, booking sessions, and managing expectations throughout the life cycle of a portrait session
- Became highly proficient in helping clients purchase the best quality enlargements and packages along with up-sells to meet their needs
- Ran two locations with staff including photographers, studio manager, retouchers
- Established strong rapport with clients to help them be comfortable in front of the camera
- Sourced material suppliers and services at best prices while maintaining highest level of quality
Instructor / Educator
Online instructor, photography; Brighton College
2015 to 2016
- Created a full online training curriculum and content for an ‘introduction to photography’ course
Graphic application and digital imaging instructor, CTC Calgary
2007 to 2009
- Instruction in photography and digital retouching
- Instruction in and maintenance of the Macintosh OS
Owner and creator of the educational website BestPhotoLessons.com
2013 to present
Editor / Reporter
Crowsnest Pass Herald – News Editor; Crowsnest Pass, AB – 1998 to 1999
Municipal Monitor – Managing Editor; Airdrie, AB – 1997 to 1998
- Responsible for sourcing news and writing stories
- Wrote 10 to 15 stories of 200 to 1000 words each on a weekly basis
- Edited stories and articles by freelancers, other staff and off of the newswire
- Created layouts for stories, features and photographs in the newspaper
- Responsible for darkroom developing and printing of the majority of photos used in the newspaper
Volunteer Positions
Drop-In Centre – 2016 – Sound engineer
National Music Centre – 2015/2017 – Event setup and technical support
Four Feet Companion Foundation – 2012-2014 – Video production
Professional Photographers of Canada – 2012 – Calgary area Chairman
Habitat For Humanity – 2007 – Photographer
Childfind – 2003 – 2004 Graphic designer
Crowsnest Pass Allied Arts Association – 1998/1999 Board Member at Large
Education & Links
Graphic Design, Desktop Publishing
SAIT – Calgary, AB 1999 to 2000
Arts and Science Diploma – 2 year, Journalism
Mount Royal College (now MRU) – Calgary, AB 1981 to 1983
Workshops
30 Day Social Media Marketing Challenge – 2017
Workshop and 30 Day exercise to build up Twitter followers and create content across several social media channels
Music Ads Workshop 2.0 – 2017
In-depth course on Facebook advertising
What is SEO – 2018
Introduction to Search Engine Optimization
LINKS
SpeersPhoto.com
CalgarySoundsGood.com
Twitter.com/HardwireSpeers
Instagram.com/n_speers
Facebook.com/CalgaryPhotography
Facebook.com/groups/BestPhotoLessons
Pinterest.ca/NeilSpeers
Youtube.com/user/CalgaryPix
CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES
Craftsman Of Photography designation – MPIO