Michael Bretz
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Michael Bretz

MICHAEL BRETZ
409 Eastlake Ave E. Apt 102
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EXPERIENCE
Sandbox Studio
Senior Photographer | Studio Manager | Photo Engineer | June 2016 - Present
? Work directly with client to revise & update confidential creative direction.
? Manage studio floor workflow for 2.5 years; have helped grow studio from 12 employees, 10 photography sets and shooting 700 shots per day to 30+ employees and freelancers, 24 photography sets, and 1800+ shots per day, with over 300,000 shots annually.
? Design, build, document, revise, and update standard operating procedures of inventory and merchandise flow, photography procedures, supply orders, and equipment repair.
? Design, update, and manage all corporate standards and procedures for inventory and studio traffic.
? Track, analyze, and resolve issues and incidents. Present results and review with client and upper management. Develop and implement new procedures for eliminating issues, and replacing outdated or ineffective ones.
? Conduct training and development of new hires and photo team on photography, art direction, and software. Ensure employee understanding of new standards and satisfaction with standard operating procedures.
? Collect, compile, and analyze data on how to improve or change the coordination of multiple departments into a more streamlined, effective, and adaptable cross functional organization.
? Manage and design all documentation of proprietary process and standards including diagrams, schematics, slide shows, flow charts, knowledge resources, and databases for training and reference for a multitude of departments, including clients’ departments outside of our organization.
? Review and ensure quality control before delivery to client.
? Work as liaison between client and upper management as well as develop effective interdepartmental procedures and standards to ensure the most effective and efficient practices are being implemented across multiple department functions.
? Constantly evolve to meet changes requested by client, studio staff, and upper management.
Lord & Taylor (Hudson Bay Company)
Photographer | December 2014 - June 2016
? Successfully completed mission (specifically hired to transform existing studio’s culture, expectations, and execution of new company standards and processes under new corporate directives.)
? Redesigned studio space and invent new protocols to integrate current overlapping standards for higher rates of efficiency.
? Conducted working interviews of potential employees.
? Trained and developed new employees and manage interdepartmental studio and production schedules.
? Improved and documented styling standards and inventory receiving protocols.
? Handled internal creative and corporate projects.
? Photographed and styled still products daily.
? Ensured quality control before delivery to site.
Saks Off 5th Avenue (Hudson Bay Company)
Digital Technician |Photo Editor | June 2013 - December 2014
? Performed digital asset management.
? Conducted equipment and supply inventory.
? Managed equipment repair.
? Performed retouching, color management, calibration, and composite imagery.
? Photographed and styled still products daily.
? Ensured quality control before delivery to site.
Michael Ryan Bretz - Independent Contractor
Freelance Photographer | Assistant | Digital Tech | Photo Editor | Grip |June 2005 - December 2015
- Performed work for: Russ Harrington, Kristin Barlowe, David Bean, David McClister, Tec Petaja, Norman Jean Roy, Jim Wright, George Holz, Frank Ockenfels 3, Brian Doben, Matthew Rolston, Alexi Lubomirski, Douglas Friedman, Nathaniel Welch, Marco Grob
EDUCATION
Hallmark Institute of Photography-Turners Falls, MA 08/2008-06/2009
Rochester Institute of Technology- Rochester NY 2005-2006
Miami Valley Career Technology Center- Clayton, OH 08/2003-06/2005
Northmont High School- Clayton, OH 08/2001-06/2005
AWARDS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
? Top ten percent of all portfolios in graduating class of 2009 from Hallmark Institute of Photography.
? One of 4 photographers featured in PRC exhibit in Boston 2009; work kept by museum.
? Finalist in Nikon Best of College Photography contest 2009.
? Skills USA class President and Parliamentarian.
? MVCTC Student Ambassador, MVCTC Advisory Board Member, and Guest Speaker.
? 2nd place in annual Woodland Photography Contest 2003 and 2 Honorable mentions in Drexel University photography contest 2003.
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