A great photography portfolio can open doors for you as a professional photographer, but how exactly should you go about putting one together? Don’t worry—we’ve compiled some of the top tips for creating a job-winning photography portfolio. We’ll walk you through the best ways to plan out your portfolio, choose your photos, and assemble everything digitally to best represent your stunning work.
Steps
Community Q&A
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QuestionCan you put videos into a portfolio?Janice TiepermanCommunity AnswerDefinitely, as long as that's something you specialize in! Most website builders let you embed both pictures and videos on your portfolio website.
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QuestionIs there a specific website or software that I can use to create a portfolio digitally?Community AnswerI use PhotoSmasher, but there are many other host sites available, unless you wish to buy and create a website yourself.
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QuestionHow big should the photos be in a portfolio?Community AnswerIt all depends on the size of the book. You want to try to fill each page with one photo. You should probably not to go any bigger than A4.
Video
Tips
- It never hurts to have a print portfolio in addition to a digital one, especially if you’re meeting with a client in person. [19] X Research source Follow the same 8-12 photo rule and present your portfolio in a photo book or self-published book. [20] X Research sourceThanks
- Your photography skills are constantly evolving, so make sure that your portfolio reflects that. Update or add to your portfolio periodically so it accurately represents your skills and capabilities as a photographer.Thanks
- Ask a mentor or trusted friend to browse through your portfolio website before it goes live. They can point out any blind spots in the design and layout.Thanks
Warnings
- Keep your portfolio website as sleek, polished, and minimalistic as possible. Extra features like a music player will only slow down for your potential clients. [21] X Research sourceThanks
References
- ↑ https://www.nyip.edu/photo-articles/business/how-to-create-a-portfolio
- ↑ https://www.nyip.edu/photo-articles/business/how-to-create-a-portfolio
- ↑ https://www.nyip.edu/photo-articles/business/how-to-create-a-portfolio
- ↑ https://www.nyip.edu/photo-articles/business/how-to-create-a-portfolio
- ↑ https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-website-builder/
- ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/309735
- ↑ https://www.slrlounge.com/tips-and-tricks-for-designing-a-digital-portfolio/
- ↑ https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2007/08/80-beautiful-fonts-typefaces-for-professional-design/
- ↑ https://newengland.com/today/living/new-england-environment/photography-portfolio/
- ↑ https://www.nyip.edu/photo-articles/business/how-to-create-a-portfolio
- ↑ https://www.complex.com/style/2013/06/how-to-make-a-photography-portfolio/sequence-by-mood
- ↑ https://www.complex.com/style/2013/06/how-to-make-a-photography-portfolio/sequence-by-mood
- ↑ https://searchengineland.com/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-image-optimization-for-seo-316046
- ↑ https://accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/describe-content-images
- ↑ https://thestoryoftelling.com/10-rules-for-writing-about-me-page/
- ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/photographers.htm
- ↑ https://www.nyip.edu/photo-articles/business/how-to-create-a-portfolio
- ↑ https://newengland.com/today/living/new-england-environment/photography-portfolio/
- ↑ https://www.nyip.edu/photo-articles/business/how-to-create-a-portfolio
- ↑ https://newengland.com/today/living/new-england-environment/photography-portfolio/
- ↑ https://www.nyip.edu/photo-articles/business/how-to-create-a-portfolio
About This Article
To create a photography portfolio, choose 10-20 photographs that showcase your best work. Try to tailor your portfolio to your audience or potential employers. For example, if you want to be a wildlife photographer, you should choose photos of animals. Once you've settled on your photographs, you can either upload them to a digital portfolio using websites like Zenfolio or Smugmug, or you can make a physical portfolio. If you make a physical portfolio, mount your photographs onto backing paper or store them in plastic sleeves so they look professional. To learn how to choose the best photos for your portfolio, keep reading!
Reader Success Stories
- "I've always enjoy taking taking photos of just about anything. Recently I've started to really focus on lighting, subject matter and just overall quality of my pictures. So much so, many have asked for framed copies. I would love to put together a portfolio. This article has given me the information I need to continue and make my dream a reality." ..." more