011 - Building a Stronger Photography Portfolio

A portfolio is a necessity for any working photographer, but it can be challenging to build one well. This week we are talking about ways to build a strong portfolio to represent your work.  

This is a sneak peek into you as a photographer, your abilities, and your style. Let all that shine through!

1. Decide on your Goals for the Portfolio

   • You need to understand why you are building this portfolio. Who is it intended for?

   • Decide which photography genres you are reaching out to with your portfolio. Are you looking for portrait work? Adventure work? Working with brands?

   • Build separate portfolios for each genre.

   • This will mean understanding your target audience for your portfolio.

2.  Select your Best Images

   • This can and should be a challenging process

   • Chose images that have an impact

   • You will need to be very critical and think carefully about why you include each image 

     1. There will be images that have a lot of meaning to you because of the story behind them or the purpose in your life but aren’t compositionally or technically good photos. They will need to go.

   • Ensure you have a diversity of images

3. Decide on the Design of your Portfolio

   • The way you choose to show off your portfolio matters. And the way you choose to do that depends on your target clients.

   • There are many ways to show off your work both in print and digital

     1. Print

        1. 8x10 prints in a portfolio binder

        2. A portfolio book

        3. Smaller prints in a specially designed box

        4. Larger prints that take over a meeting

     2. Online

        1. You can build different galleries that prospective clients can look at and click-through

        2. Build whole slideshows that take them through at your pace

4. Consider the order of your images

   • You want to think about the story your portfolio tells. Don’t just toss the photos in random order. The order matters, so put a lot of time into how people will see the images

5. Produce high-quality offerings

   • Don’t skimp out on the printing quality of your portfolio. Your portfolio shows your very best work, present your photographs in all their glory!

   • This also shows your dedication to having a high-quality product beginning to end. It’s not just about showing you can take good photos. It’s also about showing you know how to finish a project well

6. Get a second opinion

   • Find a photographer you trust to look over your portfolio and talk with you about the images in it

   • Need someone willing to be critical and honest about your work

   • Try and find a photographer who works in the field you want to work in

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