Melissa A. Genson
Park Ridge, Illinois
 (330) 647-0280
melissa.gaug@gmail.com

OBJECTIVE: 
 Obtain an entry-level position in studio and commercial photography, 
while utilizing strong and creative interpersonal skills within a dedicated work force. 
Willing to relocate. 

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Science, May 2006
Journalism and Mass Communication Department
Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
Major: Photo Illustration

Academic Diploma, 2001
Champion High School, Warren, Ohio

SIGNIFICANT COURSEWORK:
 Visual Design for Media - Principles of design and content
 Advances Visual Design – Design concepts using various layout software programs
Graphic Communications Technology – Layout, composition and press operations

PROGRAM SKILLS:
Adobe Photoshop CS5
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3.2
 iRiver
News Edit Pro
Audacity
QuarkXpress for Macintosh  
Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Works
Final Cut Pro for Macintosh
Soundslides for OS X

PHOTOGRAPHY COURSEWORK:

Photo-Design Techniques
Use of unusual photographic materials and 
 techniques in design of images for multiple artistic and aesthetic purposes.
Videography
Put sound to video images and framed images using Final Cut Pro
Photography Lighting
 Strobe lighting, studio lighting, and using multiple flash techniques
Advanced Photography 
Specialized skills with a 4x5 medium format camera
Photo Illustration Technique
 Creative photography for advertising and editorial uses.
 Assignments made in an art director/photographer relationship.
Fashion Photography
  Studio lighting, filters, special effects. 
Emphasis on editorial/advertising fashion, 
Worked under Lisa Burroughs, former Creative Photography Director for Newsweek 


WORK EXPERIENCE:
 Studio Manager, CPI Corporation, Chicago, Illinois
 I manage photography and sales for a professional portrait studio outside of Chicago. 
My daily tasks include calibrating camera rooms, making work schedules for my employees, 
providing excellent customer service and discovering the customers’ needs, 
capturing amazing digital portrait photography with studio lighting, 
maintain great sales with a high profit margin for the company.
 I also train new employees in sales and photography. 
(2009 – present)

Photographer and Web Editor, The Daily Journal, Kankakee, Illinois
I worked alongside reporters, editors and designers for a newspaper that covered five counties. 
My photography skills were used to capture social and news events 
and design my own color photo page that ran in the Life section twice a week.
 I would also shoot for news events that ran throughout the Metro sections. 
As web editor I created weekly slideshows by choosing photographs and editing music and audio to post on the website.
 I also was constantly updating the website and making new additions to create better traffic flow among our readers. 
(2006 – 2009)


Wedding Photographer, S1 Photography, Chicago, Illinois
I worked alongside the owner taking portraiture, photojournalistic work 
and posed photographs throughout the entire day of the wedding.
 I organized group photographs, handled and set-up lighting equipment, assisted with lenses and cameras, 
and made sure the clients were enjoying themselves and well taken care of.  
(2007 - 2009)

Studio Photography Assistant, Williams Photography Studio, Warren, Ohio
I worked in the studio alongside the photographer, set up props, posed customers
 and helped with photography equipment. I went on several wedding shoots, 
worked in the studio for high school seniors, families, and engagement portraits 
and assisted for sports team pictures.
 In the office, I worked on Photoshop, answered phones, organized orders and office equipment, 
helped with advertising and handled customers.
 (2002-2006)

Photo Editor, The Burr, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
I worked on assignment as the photographer for the main story, proofread captions, 
edited photographs and hired my staff of student photographers.
 I met all deadlines on time and worked well with editors, writers, and my staff of photographers. 
(Fall 2005 issue)
Assistant Photo Editor (Spring 2005 issue), 
Photographer  (Fall 2003, Fall 2004 issues)


Photo Editor, Daily Kent Stater, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
I assigned photographers work, proofread captions, selected and edited photographs,
 set up weekly meetings with entire photography staff and organized the workload.
 I met deadlines with precision and made good contacts with the photographers, editors, and writers.  (Spring 2006)
Assistant Photo Editor (Fall 2005), 
Full-Time Photographer (Fall 2004, Spring 2005)

INTERESTS:
Theater, volunteering at local animal shelters, sketching, music, writing, and business.

REFERENCES: 

 Mr. Michael Voss
Chief Photographer 
The Daily Journal (815) 530-2640
mvoss@daily-journal.com


Mr. James Williams
Owner and Studio Photographer
James Williams Photography Studio 
(330) 847-0927
james@jwilliamsphoto.com 

Mr. Oscar Setiawan
 Professional Wedding Photographer, Business owner
S1 Photography
(847) 830-2536
www.s1photography.com
osetia@gmail.com