Lens on Life How to Create a Photography Portfolio

> LENS ON LIFE

BUILD YOUR PORTFOLIO

Capture what you love.

Create a photography portfolio in 10 steps.

01

Know your goal

First up, determine the purpose of your portfolio. What do you hope to achieve? Is your intention to attract certain clients, spotlight a cause or capture photographic themes? Think about the person who will view your portfolio and what your target audience wants to see.

02

Get snapping

Build your repertoire by photographing what you love. Is it food, fashion, weddings, portraits, landscapes, wildlife or the sea? Make sure your photos tell a story or evoke an emotion. Take loads of shots and zoom-in for details. Check your lens is always clean.

Create collections

If you want to share multiple photo series, divide them into separate collections around photographic themes. Ensure your creative vision and style is consistent throughout each collection. Demonstrate versatility through different concepts and techniques.

04

Brainstorm titles

What inspired you to shoot a certain photo series? How do you want your viewers to feel? Brainstorm titles that are evocative, link photos togethers and set the tone for each collection. A good title elicits a certain feeling that encapsulates the mood.

05

Pick the best

Now, narrow down your work. Be picky and only showcase your best. Aim for 8-12 images per collection. Ask yourself – which are my strongest, most impactful photographs? If you were curating a photo exhibition, which images stand out amongst the rest?

06

Brand each image

Branding each photo provides context. Names help establish a connection and add to a photo’s worth. Some photographers like to write short statements on the story behind their photographs. Such descriptions are handy when it comes to talking about your work.

07

Order your photos

You want to give careful thought to the flow of your images. So, tie different shots together to see which combinations look the best. Arrange pictures in a sequence that captivates people from start to finish. Pick first and last images that pack a mighty punch.

08

Choose a format

Options range from a dedicated page on your website to showing in print or on other digital platforms like Adobe Print or Behance. Whatever you decide, make your portfolio visually striking, clean and user friendly. Give each photo space to stand out on its own.

09

Write your bio

Your bio should reflect your philosophy as a photographer. Keep it authentic, tell your story and describe your approach. Share contact and website information so potential clients can easily find you. Include testimonials that illustrate your quality of work.

10

Show off shots

To drum up awareness you can post on social media, start a photography blog or invite family and friends to view your portfolio and share around. Why not hand out postcards and photo business cards? Lastly, keep things fresh by regularly updating your body of work.

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> LENS ON LIFE

BUILD YOUR PORTFOLIO

01

Know your goal

First up, determine the purpose of your portfolio. What do you hope to achieve? Is your intention to attract certain clients, spotlight a cause or capture photographic themes? Think about the person who will view your portfolio and what your target audience wants to see.

02

Get snapping

Build your repertoire by photographing what you love. Is it food, fashion, weddings, portraits, landscapes, wildlife or the sea? Make sure your photos tell a story or evoke an emotion. Take loads of shots and zoom-in for details. Check your lens is always clean.

Create collections

If you want to share multiple photo series, divide them into separate collections around photographic themes. Ensure your creative vision and style is consistent throughout each collection. Demonstrate versatility through different concepts and techniques.

04

Brainstorm titles

What inspired you to shoot a certain photo series? How do you want your viewers to feel? Brainstorm titles that are evocative, link photos togethers and set the tone for each collection. A good title elicits a certain feeling that encapsulates the mood.

05

Pick the best

Now, narrow down your work. Be picky and only showcase your best. Aim for 8-12 images per collection. Ask yourself – which are my strongest, most impactful photographs? If you were curating a photo exhibition, which images stand out amongst the rest?

06

Brand each image

Branding each photo provides context. Names help establish a connection and add to a photo’s worth. Some photographers like to write short statements on the story behind their photographs. Such descriptions are handy when it comes to talking about your work.

07

Order your photos

You want to give careful thought to the flow of your images. So, tie different shots together to see which combinations look the best. Arrange pictures in a sequence that captivates people from start to finish. Pick first and last images that pack a mighty punch.

08

Choose a format

Options range from a dedicated page on your website to showing in print or on other digital platforms like Adobe Print or Behance. Whatever you decide, make your portfolio visually striking, clean and user friendly. Give each photo space to stand out on its own.

09

Write your bio

Your bio should reflect your philosophy as a photographer. Keep it authentic, tell your story and describe your approach. Share contact and website information so potential clients can easily find you. Include testimonials that illustrate your quality of work.

10

Show off shots

To drum up awareness you can post on social media, start a photography blog or invite family and friends to view your portfolio and share around. Why not hand out postcards and photo business cards? Lastly, keep things fresh by regularly updating your body of work.

GET MORE TIPS

Start your journey as a photographer.

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