Freelance Photo Retoucher

Tara Gimmer Photography/tagPHOTO

2013-present

Retouch studio headshots and on-location portrait sessions remotely. Maintain consistent exposure and color balance. Write Photoshop actions to expedite layer setup and batch saving. Even surface and tone of skin and teeth, smooth hair, remove glasses refraction, and straighten clothes. Communicate promptly, adhere to quick turnaround time, and deliver specific client requests. Receive RAW files through PhotoShelter and return completed images via Dropbox.

Communicate promptly, adhere to quick turnaround time, and deliver specific client requests. Adapt processes and provide prototypes of expanded client services in support of owner’s vision and future business goals. 

Assist on location shoots by transporting and setting up equipment, interacting with clients, and recording client concerns and post production requests.

Graphic Designer

Talking Rain Beverage Company via Robert Half

March through August 2024

(View work samples here.)

Developed and supported design solutions resulting in compelling, effective, and high-end sales and marketing materials, both print and digital. Reviewed project objectives and key visuals. Utilized brand assets to provide design options for internal review. Implemented feedback and refined presentations for client review. Packaged, delivered, and archived project files.

Projects included digital ads and banners for the launch of Popwell Prebiotic Soda in partnership with Kroger; internal campaign deliverables for incentive programs, scholarships, and corporate events; in-store displays for Sparkling Ice and its line extensions; table card and centerpiece concept for annual conference; remote control car cooler promoting MIXT mocktails.

Other deliverables included spec sheets, coupons, catalog ads, paid social graphics, cooler wraps, and product racks.

Graphic Designer

Marcus & Millichap: The Vara Group

June 2023 through February 2024

(View work samples here.)

Graphic Designer for the marketing team of The Vara Group within Marcus & Millichap’s Seattle office.

Contributed to The Vara Group’s commercial investment property specialist team by effectively presenting their research and analysis on behalf of their clients. Created marketing packages including print and digital collateral: proposals, offering memorandums, research reports, emails, and social graphics. Assisted with the team’s rebrand and social media foundation. Edited copy and proofread written content. Sourced and retouched photos. Printed and assembled proposals.

Freelance Photo Retoucher

Rad Power Bikes via Creative Circle

2023

Retouched and clipped out product images for the ebike customizer shopping experience. Aligned each edited image with bike frame to ensure accurate and consistent scale and lighting.

Senior Graphic Designer

Tori Belle Cosmetics and LashLiner Inc.

2020-2022

(View work samples here.)

Designed localized email and website banners, product spec sheets, social media content, and internal marketing collateral for both online retail companies (LashLiner Inc. and Tori Belle Cosmetics) as well as for Tori Belle’s affiliate program and their events. Using Adobe Creative Suite, edited photos and incorporated photography and design elements in representation of the Tori Belle and LashLiner brands, products, and events. Edited copy and collaborated with translators to produce Spanish and French iterations of marketing collateral. Created design templates, Adobe libraries, and style guides. Presented and implemented website and social media content format revisions in consideration of both desktop and mobile experiences.

Designed product catalog to represent product line expansions and to educate affiliates and their customers about product ingredients and benefits, packaging utilization, and purchasing options. Organized product categories, wrote and edited copy, and created imagery (retouching, color-correcting, compositing, and shooting).

Shared processes from studio team background in hopes of elevating and streamlining the collaborative potential of the Creative Team. Outlined and implemented archiving systems for creative assets and Creative Team projects. Researched design trends, brands, and voices in the cosmetics and fashion industries and presented concepts to Creative Team members and leadership with the intention of establishing brand standards and guidelines that would be thoughtfully inclusive and scalable.

Graphic Designer and Photographer

Restaurants Unlimited Inc.

2018-2019

(View work samples here.)

Utilized Adobe Creative Cloud software to concept and design print and digital marketing collateral for twenty brands nationwide within the restaurant group’s portfolio, including Palisade, Cutters, Kincaid's, and Henry's Tavern. Maintained guest engagement through email, social media, and magazine advertisements. Developed postcards, flyers, posters, and signage for display in restaurants. Built partnerships between restaurants and community organizations through creative event promotion.

Expanded asset library by shooting, editing, and categorizing new imagery, including textures, backgrounds, locations, and other stock imagery.

Created and delivered photographic assets for events including the Restaurants Unlimited Annual Leadership Conference (Cedarbrook Lodge and Elysian Taproom), National Hockey League media broadcast events (Henry's Tavern SLU), the setup and filming of an Evening Magazine segment (Henry's Tavern Bellevue), and multiple restaurant locations.

Photographed food and beverages for upcoming campaigns. Photographed craft cocktails for Seattle Cocktail Week 2019 and RUI's seasonal beverage specials. Delivered assets fitting for 20 restaurant brands. Utilized photographic assets for digital and print collateral. Photographed menu updates for Pizzeria Fondi. Incorporated imagery within Adobe Dimension composite scene for large-scale print advertisement.

Volunteer Photographer

KEXP Radio

2015-2019

(View portfolio here.)

Collaborated with video production team to photograph live studio sessions for artists including Kamasi Washington, Brian Blade, serpentwithfeet, Moses Sumney, and NAO. Edited images and published final set on KEXP's Flickr.

Volunteer Photojournalist

Seattle Music Insider

2014-2018

(View portfolio here.)

Arranged media coverage through publicists and artists including Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo, and Purity Ring. Photographed live shows, edited images, wrote reviews, and posted content through WordPress to the Seattle Music Insider website. 

Wedding and Event Photographer

JayLee Photography

2016-2018

(View portfolio here.)

Documented weddings as second shooter for principal photographer. Adhered to company standards in composition, lighting, and thorough coverage while delivering a fantastic client experience.

Also provided event coverage for corporate clients, such as Planned Parenthood, Alaska Airlines, and the Russell Wilson Passing Academy.

Product Photo Editor, Editorial Photo Editor, and Production Artist

Zulily

2012-2016

(View work samples here.)

2012 - Joined Zulily as a Product Photo Editor and then earned a promotion to the Editorial Photo Editor team in 2013. Used Adobe Photoshop and Bridge to process and upload a high volume of product, editorial, and composite images for the daily-changing, fast-paced, commercial website. Regularly produced about 150% of peer average.

2014 - Earned a promotion to the Special Events Team as a Production Artist. Collaborated with merchandisers, stylists, photographers, and copywriters under art director leadership to design responsive shopping experiences for Zulily’s website and mobile app. Designed homepage tiles, banners, and button navigation for responsive website, mobile web, and mobile app for different devices. Used wireframes and templates in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Bridge) to incorporate visual and written assets into cohesive designs for brands such as Disney, American Girl, KEEN, and Oakley, while maintaining Zulily brand standards.

Uploaded assets and verified functionality on desktop and mobile devices. Communicated with team both in person and through Gmail, Outlook, and Basecamp.

Photojournalist and Graphic Designer

Rwanda Partners/All Across Africa

2011-2012

(View work samples here.)

My involvement with All Across Africa (formerly called Rwanda Partners) began with a Graphic Design Internship. This opportunity quickly expanded into an independent project planning and implementing a benefit concert to purchase uniforms for a school in Rwanda. I booked five artists to perform at The Triple Door's Musicquarium Lounge in Seattle. I contacted businesses and gathered donations for a silent auction. I designed digital and print promotional materials and also distributed and hung posters.

As a Volunteer Photojournalist in Rwanda, I traveled with Kigali-based staff and translators to gather interviews, photographs, video, and research about business development, education, healthcare, and post-genocide reconciliation. I completed feature articles and sent content back to the Seattle office every few days along with relevant photos and captions.

After returning to the US, as a Volunteer Photographer and Graphic Designer I styled and photographed lifestyle images demonstrating everyday uses of Rwandan baskets. I designed the initial layout for an informational book utilized to sell baskets at Costco stores throughout the country. I also worked a 10-day Costco roadshow by sharing stories and my passion for Rwanda with customers and using the book to illustrate how the baskets were made, who the artists are, everyday uses for the products, and how supporting the nonprofit contributed directly and intentionally to the artisans and their communities.

Independently, I created a 25-minute film. I wrote the script, recorded narrations, and edited the video footage and still images I had taken in Rwanda. The film was shown at the 2012 Faith, Reason, and World Affairs Symposium of Concordia College.

Graphic Designer

ChocMo Chocolate Bistro

2011-2012

Designed product packaging, print ads, and business identity materials. Photographed products, location, and events to represent all components of the new business: artisan chocolates, cafe, restaurant, and wine bar. Also worked as the business’s only employee in every capacity.

Photographer and Photo Editor

Concordia College

2008-2011

Directed and conducted a photo shoot for "Eurydice" theatrical work's promotional materials. The photo shoot took place in a swimming pool. Photographs received first place in the 2011 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

Documented events for various music programs, including the band, choir, and community outreach masterclasses.

Worked as a photographer and then as the photo editor for "The Concordian," the weekly student-run newspaper. Collaborated with writers to cover current events and profile pieces and adhered to AP style in writing photo captions. Developed leadership and communication skills by organizing coverage amongst photographers, reporters, and editing staff. Selected effective imagery for news layouts in Adobe InDesign, edited photographs with Adobe Photoshop, and followed the NPPA code of ethics.