REBECCA WILKOWSKI
Photographer • Producer • Photo Editor

Part story teller, part technical expert. I’m an award-winning San Francisco photographer with experience photographing and producing commercial and editorial assignments for corporate and non-profit clients in live entertainment, technology, healthcare, education and finance. With an eye towards contemporary storytelling, I create authentic images that help companies communicate their brand and mission on time and on budget. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-wilkowski-photography/

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Photographer, Photo Editor & Photo Producer                                                                                                                 
2000 – Present
Rebecca Wilkowski Photography   

• Named #1 Corporate Event Photographer in 2019 by Peerspace.com

• Produced and photographed editorial and commercial assignments for news outlets, corporate and non-profit clients.

• Photographed and produced content for advertising, editorial, public relations, journalism, branding, e-commerce and social media. Subject matter included live events, people, products, and real estate. 

• Worked closely with creative teams, marketing teams, PR firms, designers, executive staff and the media. 

• Consulted with editorial and marketing teams to brainstorm creative concepts and storyboards.

• Created budgets, production schedules, call sheets, shot lists and art direction decks.

• Sourced permits, scouted locations.

• Hired and managed photo studios, photographers, photo assistants, digital techs, videographers, retouchers, hair & make up artists, stylists and models. Managed crew on set.

• Negotiated and managed image licensing, copyright, crew fees, contracts, waivers and photo releases.

• Reviewed and selected images and final layouts, ensuring brand standards, compliance and messaging fit the goals/mission of the Client. Created and edited captions.

• Used Lightroom & Photoshop for post-production, color management and retouching of digital images.

• Researched and purchased stock photography from Getty, Shutterstock and Alamy. 

• Managed image library, created file naming conventions and added metadata for archiving and SEO.

• Purchased & maintained computers, monitors, cameras, lenses, battery packs, grip and lighting equipment.

• Created and managed company website & e-newsletter. Promoted business using Search Engine Optimization.

• Created yearly budgets and goals; managed income/expense reports; submitted quarterly/annual taxes.

• Authored content for photography magazines and websites on the topics of marketing and photography.

• Photography mentor at SF City College, guest lecturer at Berkeley High and private instructor to photographers.

Photography Producer & Video Producer (contract)                                                            
September 2019 – April 2020
DHC USA, Inc. 

• Managed $300,000 annual photography/videography budget. Produced monthly lifestyle, beauty and skincare product shoots. Created budgets, production schedules, call sheets, shot lists and art direction decks.

• Sourced photographers, videographers, retouchers, hair and make up artists, stylists, models, talent agencies, studios, locations and catering services. Negotiated vendor estimates, managed contracts and invoices.

• Cast models, including pulling files, handling go-see’s, photo releases, payroll, w9 and 1099s.

• Created image file naming conventions and best practices for image archiving.

• Worked cross-functionally with Creative Director, Art Director and Senior Marketing Director

Photographer / Communications Director                                                             
July 2016 – December 2018
Aurora School                                                                                             

• Photographed, retouched and prepped custom images for use in print and digital marketing materials.

• Hired photographers, videographers and models. Art directed shoots, curated images, oversaw retouching.

• Drafted creative briefs and mood boards. Managed budgets, estimates, contracts, timelines, schedules, props, shot lists, invoices, 1099s, licensing, copyright and model releases. 

• Curated photos weekly from Shutterstock.

• Applied metadata, organized and archived photos in Adobe Lightroom.

Image Curator / Content Producer (contract)                                                         
July 2015 – December 2015
Extractable                                                                                     

• Researched, evaluated and purchased 200+ Getty stock photos while working with a firm budget and timeline.

• Edited, renamed and applied metadata to photos and graphics.

• Built website website content matrix and photo placement lists; migrated content and imagery into web pages.

• Served as a liaison between client, developers and creative agency.

Photo Editor / Image Researcher (freelance)                                                           
July 2014 – December 2014
Palm Press

• Curated 300-500 custom photos per week for contemporary greeting card company.

• Inspected photos for subject matter and theme, composition, technical quality and commercial suitability.

• Researched photographer credits and contact information.

Photo Editor / Image Researcher (contract)                                                                    
March 2013 – June 2013
Viator.com / TripAdvisor.com                                                                            

• Curated 500-1,000 stock travel photos daily from Getty Images, Shutterstock and Alamy. 

•  Inspected stock photos for composition, technical quality and commercial suitability.

Photographer (freelance)                                                                                                                         
2011 – 2012
Tasting Panel Magazine

• Photographed high profile industry leaders (headshots, environmental portraits) and products (food, wine) for national magazine focused on the wine and spirits industry.

• Retouched images for publication in 4-color, glossy magazine and website. 

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Accolades: Dean’s List, Phi Beta Kappa, Mu Alpha Theta, Golden Key National Honor Society