Professional Experience
Photo Retoucher & Product Coordinator, Things Remembered 03/2018 – Present
Enhance digital photographs for email, social media, web, eCommerce, and print catalogs as well as direct mailers and in-store signage using photo retouching best practices. Handle creative retouching requests and assess image editing needs. Help the marketing and eCommerce teams execute successful marketing campaigns. Ensure compliance with style guidelines for brand and eCommerce photography. Directed photo shoots for optimum compositing. Utilize photo-editing software, including Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign, Illustrator, After Effects, and Bridge.
- Facilitated product photoshoots and ensured 100% adherence to creative direction and guidelines. Assisted photographers with lighting, styling, and optimal product showcasing. Overcame challenges for capturing images of reflective objects.
- Met stringent 7-week deadlines for the photography lifecycle, from conception and photography to digital editing and publishing.
- Expedited and standardized the photo retouching process by documenting processes from scratch. Increased efficiency by creating a knowledge base for new employees; utilized MS Excel.
- Co-initiated style guide revamp while ensuring strategic alignment. Currently modernizing product presentation.
- Facilitated post-merger operations and re-organization by training resources on photo retouching; empowered temporary workers to be retained as full-time workers.
- Manage digital assets by adhering to and maintaining digital naming and archiving conventions. Eased image access and retrieval.
Freelance Graphic Designer & Photographer 10/2014 – Present
Helped an ad agency fulfill clients’ graphic design and photography needs. Met design and business needs for multiple clients. Created full color ads, performed photo retouching, and developed marketing material, including invitations, signs, logos, and video graphics for use across YouTube and eCommerce websites. Performed IT troubleshooting. Ensured user satisfaction by meeting requirements.
Medical Equipment Manufacturer: Transformed marketing strategy; updated advertisements after generating client buy-in.
Restaurant: Revamped menu design; managed trade-offs between content, readability, and length. Met client requirements.
Political Candidate: Helped client get elected by refining graphic design for election campaign. Images still in use.
Owner, Whale Sales 05/2008 – 03/2018
Established and nurtured an eCommerce business revolving around the sale of Pokémon merchandise. Sourced Pokémon products directly from Japan and sold them online and at Pokémon events. Attended Pokémon events; created superlative customer experiences. Enhanced marketing by conducting giveaways and sales.
- Enabled worldwide resale of Pokémon products by creating a WordPress website from scratch; developed graphics and performed website maintenance. Optimized pricing and maintained a competitive edge.
Social Media Photo Retoucher (Contract Assignment),Flourish 10/2017 – 03/2018
Retouched lifestyle brand imagery for use across multiple social media platforms. Met brand standards by selectively coloring images, removing and adding elements, performing color correction, and creating composite images. Used Adobe Photoshop and Bridge.
Digital Media Associate (Contract Assignment),Universal Windows Direct 06/2017 – 08/2017
Catalyzed sales and helped prospective customers visualize outcomes by taking before-and-after photos of key product’s installation. Increased social media advertising impact. Generated customer buy-in for pre- and post-installation product photography; singlehandedly managed all photoshoots. Edited and archived all images according to brand and archiving guidelines.
- Filled resource gaps by creating infographics, videos, and motion graphics for print and social media. Supported key graphic design initiatives. Went above and beyond job duties; collaborated with the marketing and design teams.
Pokémon Brand Manager, Alter Reality Games 02/2017 – 06/2017
Directed all aspects of the Pokémon brand at this card store. Monitored and controlled inventory, product pricing, and purchasing. Ensured customer satisfaction by providing excellent service both in-store and at business events.
- Spearheaded 100+ hours of livestreaming of tournament series for company’s pro Pokémon trading card game; led team, signed new talent, and liaised between players. Handled Twitch channel. Seamlessly executed livestreams by fixing technical issues.
- Managed livestream production of Pokémon product unboxing and card openings. Sourced and recruited talent for livestreams; developed engaging content. Boosted number of viewers per event.
- Developed coupons and social media images by leveraging graphic design mastery.
Photographer & Social Media Manager, Sohar’s & RCPW.com 07/2016 – 02/2017
Developed photographs for all product marketing and social media needs. Assisted in customer service by packaging products; unboxed and inventoried incoming products.
- Marketed goods to consumers by taking high-quality photographs of all incoming products for the company website. Adhered to style guidelines and quality standards by editing images.
- Developed unique, relevant, and informational web and social media content; increased business reach organically. Researched current trends and product information.
Collections Photography Intern, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 11/2013 – 06/2014
Produced polished photographs for internal databases and external media use. Inventoried, photographed, and filed new memorabilia. Eased product access. Independently designed stylized product shots for induction ceremony booklets and other marketing materials.
- Co-managed 4 celebrity interviews; set up lighting and cameras. Optimized sets for video.
Projects & Activities
Pokémon Trading Card Game Producer, CriticalHit.gg 01/2017 – Present
Recruited by 8 Pokémon tournament organizers to attend and stream 15+ live events and 300+ hours of trading card game and video game events; created pitch decks and maintained excellent production quality to attract organizers. Acted as on-screen talent while working on event production simultaneously. Facilitated sourcing of on-screen talent; managed talent hotel stays. Adhered to budget. Kept tournament organizers apprised of progress. Generated revenue by locating and bringing on advertisers. Utilized Twitch and YouTube. Ensured production was continuous; used graphic design best practices to improve quality.
Education
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Photo-Illustration (Minor: Visual Communication Design), Kent State University 2014
International Courses Weeks, Sichuan University 2013 – 2014