THE THINGS I DO…

Here’s some more advice on building an eye-catching portfolio. As you gather your prospective portfolio photos, do so with the goal of showing potential clients your versatility as well as your creativity. This means edit with the goal of showing off your skills at handling a broad range of photo situations. I see too many portfolios weighed down with way too many portraits and sports photos. I suggest you edit your work to show only those images that are truly your best sports or portraits and give some portfolio space to, say, studio product shots or event coverage. Even experimental, personal work should be considered if done well. The main point is to show off your skills as a shooter. Remember, art directors and photo editors are busy people who won’t spend more than five minutes looking through your work, if that. Make that fleeting impression count. Show off your very best work and demonstrate your skills and artistry in shooting many different situations.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be posting my tips for building a killer photo portfolio. If you haven’t already figured it out, having a portfolio of your work handy (and online) is the best way to get work. After all, no editor in his right mind is willing to hire a photographer without first seeing examples!

One of the first decisions you’ll have to make is what sort of work are you trying to attract? Will you present a portfolio of photojournalism, portraits, sports action or an overall selection of your best work in all genres? There’s no reason why you can’t have one of each portfolio edited and ready to go!

First, gather your work and give every photo a hard, critical viewing. This is where another set of eyes comes in handy. In fact, I recommend that you get input from other photographers or, better yet, a picture editor as you determine which photos will make the “cut.” This is where you’ll lose some of your favorites…trust me.

How many photos to choose? Don’t have any set number in mind. I’d rather see a portfolio of ten killer images than forty so-so photos. Choose your photos with an eye toward showing off your creativity, technique, versatility and mastery of photography.

More to come….