Attention Photographers! We have the secret to preparing a portfolio that will get you hired

Getting started on a freelancer journey can be intimidating for many, especially if you don’t have the proper know-how as to where to take the first step. Undoubtedly, the first step is a portfolio, the bridge between you and your first gig that seals the deal. This is probably where a lot of photographers struggle, building a portfolio that is a holistic mix of experience and the creative potential you bring to the table. Wondering how you can create a portfolio that makes you stand out and brings you a step closer to your dream gig? After screening hundreds of photographer portfolios we finally have a recipe to help you out.

Develop your Niche

Every photographer has a unique taste and a unique style of photography. Understanding where lie your strengths and interest is important if you are trying to sustain your freelancer journey. The easiest way to do this is to shoot more and explore different styles and genres. Even if the paid gigs are not in abundance, consider doing a couple of shoots for cheap or some with your friends and family to give you a stack to work with. Once you break down your style, it would be easier to put that in the forefront while making a portfolio and is sure to catch the eye of the employer. If you think your niche lies in fashion portrait or travel photography, exhibit a lot of that in your portfolio.

Decide on a platform

With the abundance of social media platforms and easy to host websites, it is now of utmost importance to circle in on a platform to host your portfolio. The easiest way is to make a google drive folder with your photographs neatly arranged in subfolders. Remember to make the folder visible to anyone with the link. Alternately hosting your services on a website also gives a more polished, professional look to your portfolio. It is easier to list your rates as well as your contact details on the website and as a bonus, you can customize the website in a way that best represents you. 

We would strongly advise you to not use your social media handles as your only portfolio. Social media helps to bring in the reach and put the work out in front of an audience but having a portfolio for professional gigs is imperative.

Show you are versatile

It always helps to include some diversity in your portfolio, but we advise you to tread carefully in this domain. If you are good with fashion portraits, chances are you can work on an outdoor shoot or a family shoot. Include little snippets of work from other genres to exhibit the best of your creative potential. But be careful to not overdo it or else it will take away from your niche. A good portfolio boils down to the choice of photographs you put in it. This brings us to the next point.

Choose the photographs in the portfolio wisely

Your portfolio is your best chance at securing a gig, hence the photographs that go in there need to be scrutinized and picked carefully. The obvious is, to remove photographs that are out of focus (unless that was intentional), shaky, or not framed properly. Don’t post-process your photographs too much, there should be a balance in the frame you clicked and the tweaks that were done to it. Also, choose high-quality jpegs so that it doesn’t pixelate much when viewed on a big screen. Lastly, choose photographs that best represent your style to make an impact.

Simplicity is key

There is a famous saying ‘Too many cooks spoil the broth’ which holds when you are making your portfolio as well. We know how tempting it is to include all of your photographs on it, but making a sound judgment on which photographs are better than others is fundamental for a photographer. Keep the portfolio simple with a couple of shots from one style or genre to make your work shine. Simple is better in this case.

Keep Your Audience in Mind

Lastly, always keep in mind the kind of gigs you are aiming for when you craft your portfolio. Remember that as you click more, you are bound to add or remove from your portfolio. If you wish to get a wedding shoot and include only landscape shots, it is likely to not impress anyone. 

These are a couple of things that can help you create a stunner portfolio, second from your awesome photography skills. Your portfolio is constantly evolving as you learn and grow more as a photographer. Keep creating and experimenting, circle in on a niche and you are bound to impress people.