Portfolio

Portfolio perspective has to be our main #1 focus! How do we get our industries’ perspectives on our portfolio, as this is the core truth that will make or break our careers? Even if we are busy for the moment, this curious process of listening to those who hire us has to be a non-stop occurrence. It’s awkward, but continue asking the right people you can trust by CONFIDENTLY requesting their perspective. 

Q:

What are your thoughts on bidding on a big job for a client when your portfolio does not reflect the same exact category of work?

A:

It’s not always black or white. I’ve had experiences where a photographer’s style and the client’s confidence in that style landed them the job. In that instance, it was Toby Pederson booking an Apple campaign that included people in the images, even though he had no people in his portfolio.

On the other hand, there are instances when I can sense the photographer’s bid is in third place because their work isn’t exactly reflective of the job’s requirements. 

I would advise you to get in the mix. Your work will be on their radar and use it as an opportunity to show what you’re capable of. 

As important as marketing is for all of us, it does not come close to the importance of having an A+ portfolio. Spend 75% of your budget on upgrading your portfolio of images, such as testing.

Q:

I have a lot of new projects that I want to show on my website, but don’t want to overwhelm potential clients when visiting my site. If I get rid of some of my older projects, where could they live online without taking up precious space on my portfolio website? A blog or Behance?

A:

Websites must have a clean wave of memorable, fast, readable, and concise impact. We also want to show a story with a different vibe every now and then. The story can be just that, a story. Use a personal human vibe showcase with a unique descriptive platform that stands out as different but shows more of your personality to be the common thread.

Q:

How do you work with a client with little to no budget? Do you work with them at all?

A:

Budget is always the issue. Every level of photographer deals with it, and it always ties back to the overall marketing plan. Where are you in your career? Will this image benefit you? Could it solidify a future relationship or be a good image for your portfolio? The bottom line question is: will this “lack of budget” still allow you to create a quality image? If the answer to that question is no, I’d suggest turning down the job. 

Q:

Any advice on how to set up portfolio showings?

A:

Showing portfolios in person is not as commonplace as it used to be, especially since all your work is available online. So, let’s be honest, do they work on projects that relate to your style? Do you have some cool physical portfolio presentations they need to see? What’s the catch for them? Will you be paying for lunch or bringing in something yummy? The simplest way could be a Zoom or a paid portfolio showing event. The human-to-human level does have a purpose, but each client needs a reason, so think of this from their perspective.

Q:

You mention portfolio shows often, but I’m not sure how to set them up or make them happen. I know some companies offer them, but I’ve also heard stories of them being a waste of money, with no jobs coming from them and not being taken seriously by the viewers. Any advice?

A:

Portfolio showings are one of the few marketing options that put us in the driver’s seat. It’s difficult to grab a client’s attention, but if we have 10 minutes of their focused time, it’s invaluable. The key is to choose the right potential clients. How many portfolio showings actually feature the right clients for us? That’s the real question.

Q:

I’ve noticed a trend of photographers at every level showcasing huge online portfolios with hundreds of images. Do you think art directors, producers, and others now prefer seeing more content? I’m inclined to follow the “less is more” trend but would love to hear your thoughts.

A:

The shift to showing more images reflects today’s portfolio platforms of social media. Consistent content is how we keep ourselves out there to be seen. Be careful not to water down your style by showing too much, but stay relevant with overall wee-branded posts available to impress and attract your clients. 

Shoot tests and constantly evaluate your portfolio. 

A strong “book” is what gets your foot in the door. Images speak for themselves. 

Q:

How do I spend my time (and money) wisely to not waste time keeping my portfolio updated to get me where I want to go?

A:

Testing is the strategic core to success, but it requires you to play it smart:

• When planning your test, have a client type in mind—the more specific, the better

• Put the time in to identify who does what and who the potential clients

• What are those clients presently doing with their marketing

• Dedicate the time for research and consistent follow-up through our marketing outreach platforms

• Your test and the potential client must match up to stay on course with your website/IG/image branding