Create an Amazing Photography Portfolio in 5 Steps
May 08, 2024
6 mins
This article is part of our Photography Collection.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then your photography portfolio could be worth thousands of dollars. But first, you have to do it right.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, having a standout portfolio is key to attracting clients. Here's how you can create one in just five steps.
1. Define your style and niche
The first step towards creating your photography portfolio is all about defining your unique style and niche. Think about the type of photography that truly speaks to you. Do you love capturing landscapes? Are you especially good at taking portraits? Or maybe street photography?
Identifying your niche is like finding your creative fingerprint and helps set you apart from other photographers. The key is to find something that makes your work instantly recognizable. Your style is what makes your photos distinctly yours, whether it's moody black-and-white shots, vibrant colors, or a focus on candid moments.
Power tip
If you're doing different types of photography, it's best to have two separate portfolios based on what resonates with your audience. People looking for wedding photography won't benefit much from your sports action shots and vice versa.
2. Select your best work
Once you've got your style down, it's time to pick out the best of the best. Think of creating your photography portfolio as curating an art exhibit - you want to showcase only your most outstanding pieces.
Start by reviewing your photos and selecting the ones that that represent your unique style. Then, take some time to consider the quality of each of those images. Pay special attention to sharpness, composition, and overall impact.
Your portfolio should tell a story about who you are as a photographer, so choose photos that best represent your skills and creativity. Don't be afraid to be selective – less is often more when it comes to portfolios.
Power tip
Aim for quality over quantity. Showcasing a few exceptional images will leave a more lasting impression than a sea of mediocre shots.
3. Tell a story
Now that you've selected your best work, it's time to put it all together in a way that makes sense. Think about the flow of images and how they tell a story when someone views them. Arrange them in a way that captivates the viewer's attention from start to finish.
Consider adding variety by mixing different types of photography, but ensure there is a cohesive theme throughout. This can help show your versatility while still maintaining a consistent style.
Avoid cluttering your portfolio with too many images. Use white space strategically to allow each image to breathe and stand out on its own.
Power tip
Experiment with different layouts or even add some personal touches like behind-the-scenes shots or captions that provide insight into your creative process. Don't be afraid to let your personality shine through in how you present your work.
4. Choose the right platform
There's no point in buidling a photography portfolio if nobody can see it. That's where choosing the right platform comes in. You want a platform that displays your projects beautifully and resonates with your style and brand.
When it comes to deciding on where to showcase your portfolio, you want to make sure it's a platform that resonates with your style and brand. Here are a few options to consider.
Behance
Besides being an online portfolio site, Behance also helps creatives connect. You can showcase your work, get feedback, and get discovered by clients looking for your set of skills.
Since Behance also serves as a hiring platform, its pricing depends on how much work you're getting. They charge a platform fee both to the client and you, with an added percentage depending on the total payment made.
Adobe Portfolio
Adobe Portfolio is specifically designed for creating personal portfolio websites. It comes with a range of templates and it's also a part of Adobe Creative Cloud.
Since it's connected to other Adobe tools that you most likely already use, it makes it easy to update your portfolio with new work. Compared to Behance, Adobe Portfolio gives you a more personalized and customizable format.
When it comes to pricing, Adobe Portfolio is free for anyone already paying for Adobe Creative Cloud. If you aren't, you can opt for their $9.99 or $59.99 plans depending on which Creative Cloud tools you need access to.
Build your own website
If you want total control over your photography portfolio, then your best option is building your own website. That way, you can make sure your website's look and feel is the same as the one in your photos.
If you don't know how to code, Squarespace and Wix come with layouts and templates that you can choose from. You can also hire a Squarespace web designer to get the ball rolling. And if you want a website builder designed specifically for photography, there's 22Slides.
There's a 30-day free trial, then it's $12/month or $10 if you decide to pay annually. The best part? You get a free domain name so you don't have to go through the hassle of buying it elsewhere and then connecting it to the website builder.
5. Make it user-friendly
Last, but not least, think about how user-friendly your photography portfolio is for potential clients browsing it. A clean layout and easy navigation are key factors in keeping potential clients engaged.
Make sure your contact info is easy to find and include a call-to-action for potential clients to book a session or inquire about your services. Additionally, consider including client testimonials or reviews to showcase your professionalism and quality of work.
And what about your docs?
An amazing photography portfolio gets your clients excited about working with you. The last thing you want to do is to ruin that first impression by sending them a boring proposal or contract.
So, you'll reach for InDesign or Illustrator to get your documents looking great. Or even worse, try to wrestle MS Word and get it to do what you want it to do. In the end, you'll end up spending more time getting your paperwork done than anyone reasonably should.
Instead of doing all that, how about signing up for Better Proposals? We'll get your docs looking as good as a website (and as responsive) without you having to spend hours formatting.
You can personalize the docs even further by adding your own photos inside, you know, just to remind the client why they chose you. Besides that, you can also make the docs look like they're coming from your own website by setting up your domain. All your client needs to do is sign and pay you - all from the same platform you've sent the doc from.
"I'm awesome, give me the job" doesn't work
But showcasing your skills with documents that look, feel, and sound great does. Take Better Proposals for a spin - the first 14 days are free.