For any budding photographer, having an awesome portfolio is crucial. It could be the key to landing that first big job that kickstarts your career or staying stuck in a boring gig, still trying to break into the industry.
Therefore, a portfolio is a photographer’s most valuable tool, showing off their work and skills. But with busy clients and editors who don’t have much time, you need a well-crafted portfolio that showcases your passion and stands out. So, what should a photography portfolio look like?
In this blog post, we share top tips on creating an eye-catching photography portfolio, with advice from photography pros worldwide:
1. Select Works That Best Represent You
Whether youâre emailing your photography portfolio or presenting it in person, pick only the images that make you proud â no fillers. Show your unique style, what you want to be known for, and what you want to keep doing.
After making an initial selection, get a second opinion from family or friends. As the photographer, you might be too emotionally attached to some photos. You might choose based on memories rather than quality.
Also, If you’re preparing a portfolio for a specific purpose, tailor it to be relevant. For a grant or competition, where judges see thousands of photos, make sure the first photo is very strong to grab attention. If presenting to an editor for a publication, adapt it to fit their needs. You can have a base with your best images, but tweak it depending on who you’re showing it to and for what purpose.
2. Build a Narrative
Telling a story through photos can be tricky, but try to cover all elements. Set the scene, introduce the characters, tell the story, and finish with a punchline. It doesnât always work this way with photos, but aim for a cohesive narrative.
Sometimes these stories are about places or events, and sometimes about individuals. So you can choose one person, one place or one event and capture what makes their life unique. A strong story in your portfolio will hook the reviewer.
3. Keep it Concise
Having one or two detailed stories or projects in your portfolio is ideal, but including too many can be overwhelming. It’s essential to keep your portfolio concise and focused on what you’re trying to convey. Aim for 15 images for a comprehensive story and 7-12 images for shorter ones. Even if you have years of work, prioritize simplicity and precision.
4. Curate Multiple Versions
You can create multiple versions of your portfolio, including a shorter one showcasing your best work and a longer one with more variety. However, strike a balance to leave viewers wanting more while still getting a clear sense of your style.
5. Selecting Photos for Your Portfolio
Deciding which photos to include in your portfolio is an ongoing, organic process.
Take your time, and consider the following tips:
- Variety: Avoid including similar images in your portfolio.
- Aspect Ratio: Use a consistent aspect ratio in each project to maintain cohesion.
- Consistency: Develop your photos orderly to create a cohesive project.
- Color and Black & White: Most portfolios work best without mixing color and black & white images in the same project, but this is subjective and ultimately up to your personal preference.
Remember, the goal is to showcase your unique style and vision while maintaining a clear and concise narrative.
6. Choosing Your Portfolio Medium
Now that you’ve curated your portfolio, it’s time to decide how to present it. You have three main options: a portfolio website, a photo sharing platform, or a photo book.
- Building a Portfolio Website: You can easily create a website using affordable tools like Squarespace, Zenfolio, Format, or SmugMug. Having multiple websites can be beneficial, as you can have a personal portfolio for organizing and refining your work, and a public portfolio for showcasing your best photos. Your personal portfolio is a “rough draft” where you can experiment with themes and projects, while your public portfolio should only feature your finest work.
- Using Instagram and Other Photo Sharing Platforms: While portfolio websites are excellent, they often require visitors to know your URL. To reach a broader audience, consider using photo sharing platforms like Instagram, Behance, Flickr, or 500px. Instagram is currently the top choice for most creatives, and Behance offers the added benefit of organizing photos into projects. You can use Instagram (or other platforms) in conjunction with your portfolio website. Take advantage of Instagram’s profile page layout by posting photos in sets of three, six, or nine.
- Creating a Photo Book: If you prefer a physical portfolio, photo books are a great option. They’re an excellent way to preserve your photos for posterity, but be confident in your image selection, as you can’t change the contents once the book is printed. The key focus here is selecting the right photos to include.
7. Create PDF Portfolios
In the digital age, emailing portfolios is common. PDF portfolios can be shared remotely and adjusted easily. Play with your images to present them in the best way.
Keep things simple â itâs easy to go overboard with layout experiments. Donât add too much â like typography or too many photos on one page. The layout should enhance the photos, not distract from them.
8. Don’t Overlook the Value of Print
For beginners or established photographers, a printed portfolio can showcase your work effectively. Some editors might prefer reviewing a physical portfolio over a digital one, because printed portfolios like a photo book carry a personal touch and a sense of permanence that digital ones may lack.
9. Get Inspired by Examples
Looking at other photography portfolios can spark ideas for your own. Check out portfolios from photographers in different genres to see what works. Notice how they arrange their photos, the narratives they build, and how they present their unique styles. This can help you refine your portfolio and make it more compelling.
10. Ask for Help
Learn from others. Whether peers or mentors, everyone has unique perspectives. Talking to experienced photographers helps you learn how to assemble a portfolio that represents your work and what you want to be known for.
Seek advice from people you trust. Do mock portfolio reviews and refine your selection and personal story. Remember, opinions vary, so get feedback from multiple people for a well-rounded perspective.
11. Use Tristetix
Tristetix is a top stock photography site featuring African-inspired images. Creating a stock photography portfolio on Tristetix can attract digital marketers, graphic designers, and software developers, boosting your brand visibility. Sign up on Tristetix here.
12. Make Connections and Follow Up
A portfolio is a marketing tool to build your network. Share your social media handles so reviewers can follow up, and send a follow-up email. A meeting is the start of a potential relationship, so keep in touch and build connections.
Donât be discouraged by rejections. A client or editor might not need your work now, but they could come back later. Donât go into meetings expecting immediate results. Understand what the person needs and what you can offer. Contact them when you have something to share.
Conclusion
With these tips, you can elevate your photography portfolio. Be confident, enthusiastic, and dedicated. Your portfolio is your chance to shine and make a lasting impression.
