Gokhan Sakalli
Calgary,AB
Summary
Tourism Management graduate with international experience gained in Turkey and the United States across hospitality operations, customer service leadership, and creative entrepreneurship. Progressed from server to supervisor within the tourism industry, developing strong skills in guest experience delivery, team coordination, problem solving, and fast paced operations. Later founded and managed an independent photography business in the U.S., strengthening client relationship management, branding, time management, and quality focused service delivery. Recently relocated to Canada and seeking opportunities in tourism, hospitality, or creative service roles where transferable skills, cultural adaptability, and a client centered mindset can add immediate value.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Photographer
San Francisco Photography
San Francisco , California
01.2020 - 09.2024
- Captured high-quality images for surprise proposals, maternity sessions, food, real estate, and corporate events.
- Edited photos using Photoshop and Illustrator.
- Collaborated with clients to understand their vision and requirements. Provide them with guidance to achieve optimal results.
- Scout for landmarks with good lighting and stunning backgrounds to provide clients with possible locations.
- Organize and store digital photographs for client use.
- Provided a quick turnaround on edited photos. When requested by clients, I worked on rushed editing as well.
- Ensure safety of people involved in photo sessions by following all applicable laws and regulations.
- Conduct interviews with subjects of a photoshoot to ensure comfort level during the session.
- Created and maintained an online portfolio to showcase photography work and attract new clients.
- Coordinated with printing services to produce high-quality prints and photo books for clients.
- Managed social media platforms, posting engaging content to increase visibility and client engagement.
- Utilized drone photography to capture aerial shots for real estate and landscape projects.
- Reviewed sets of photographs to select best work.
- Ensure overall profitability is met by using time efficiently and providing expert guidance to clients.
Supervisor
Marco Beach Ocean Resort
Naples , Florida
03.2018 - 11.2019
- Supervised daily operations to ensure exceptional guest experiences at luxury resort.
- Trained and mentored staff on service standards and operational procedures.
- Resolved guest complaints promptly to enhance satisfaction and loyalty.
- Conducted regular inspections to ensure cleanliness and facility maintenance standards.
- Collaborated with management to improve service efficiency and operational workflows.
- Managed scheduling for staff, ensuring adequate coverage during peak times and projects.
Server
Marco Beach Ocean Resort
Naples , Florida
01.2017 - 02.2018
- Provided exceptional service to guests in a luxury resort environment.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to ensure timely food delivery.
- Managed guest orders and special requests efficiently and accurately.
- Trained new servers on menu items and service procedures.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of dining areas throughout shifts.
- Assisted in resolving guest complaints with professionalism and care.
- Supported dining room setup for special events and functions as needed.
- Performed opening and closing duties such as setting up the dining area, restocking supplies.
- Displayed enthusiasm and knowledge about restaurant's menu and products.
Event & Guest Experience
Regnum Carya Resort
Antalya , Turkey
04.2015 - 11.2017
- Provided excellent customer service in fast-paced dining environments.
- Resolved customer complaints professionally while maintaining a friendly attitude towards patrons.
- Coordinated logistics for various corporate and social events. Such as the G20 summit.
- Developed detailed timelines to ensure smooth event execution.
- Developed training programs for staff to improve service delivery and guest interaction.
Education
Certificate - Financial Markets
Yale University
San Francisco USA06-2019
Certificate - Entrepreneurship
Arizona State University
Arizona USA01-2018
Bachelor of Arts - Tourism And Hospitality Management
University of Adiyaman
Turkey04-2015
Skills
- Client relationship management
- Guest experience delivery
- Team coordination
- Staff training
- Problem solving
- Operational coordination
- Time management
- Event coordination
- Professional communication
- Cultural adaptability
- Quality control
Languages
English
Full Professional
Turkish
Native/ Bilingual
Tech Stack
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Lightroom
- Wordpress
- Canva
- MS Office
- Google ecosystem
- AI applications
Timeline
Photographer
San Francisco Photography
01.2020 - 09.2024
Supervisor
Marco Beach Ocean Resort
03.2018 - 11.2019
Server
Marco Beach Ocean Resort
01.2017 - 02.2018
Event & Guest Experience
Regnum Carya Resort
04.2015 - 11.2017
Certificate - Financial Markets
Yale University
Certificate - Entrepreneurship
Arizona State University
Bachelor of Arts - Tourism And Hospitality Management
University of Adiyaman