What's in your Portfolio?

WhiteLight

Senior Member
Revisiting this aspect...
This would perhaps be answered best by those who have a portfolio or those who know folks who do.
Am trying to understand what is considered good/bad while making a presentation of sorts.

I understand that simply put, it must be a collection of your best shots in the genres you are trying to find work.
But are there any rules or tips?
How many shots to be included, if a certain style should not be repeated, if only a website would do etc.

Lets say i want to create a portfolio for product photography, should i be emulating other print ads to show that am capable of producing the same results? Should i have a shot each of glass, metal, fabric etc?

I think it's quite evident that i need help :D
Any advice would be appreciated & if anyone can link to your portfolio or anyone's that is really classy would be greatly appreciated..

Thanks
 

carguy

Senior Member
Good thread, didn't see this until now.

I am always working with the 'portfolio' on my site. Trying to be objective and post what I think are some of the best shots.

Should I have one portfolio or one for each genre as you hinted? Events, product, portrait?

Mine is here: Joe Lopez | Portfolio
 

carguy

Senior Member
I clicked the link but get nothing but an black background with portfolio on it and the two < >. Then it just keeps loading but doesn't do anything. It's possible my blockers prevent it from loading but considering most people run them these days, it might be worth checking into.
Interesting. What device are you using? Which browser/version? Thanks.
 

carguy

Senior Member
Wow - I appreciate the love :)

I'd also appreciate any input, any shots that you may think are not 'portfolio' worthy? Thanks :)
 

carguy

Senior Member
Chrome 64 on Win7. I'm running quite some blockers else I have to clean this computer with a pitchfork each week.
OK. I use Chrome and firefox at home (win 7 on both) at home without issue. IE 9 (don't ask) and Firefox on Win 7 here at work. No issues. I'll see if I can try others as well.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Wow - I appreciate the love :)

I'd also appreciate any input, any shots that you may think are not 'portfolio' worthy? Thanks :)

Joe, the 2nd shot from the left is a tad dark on my monitor. Not sure how it appears to anyone else.
 

SkvLTD

Senior Member
@WhiteLight, I'd do it per category and then whatever you feel is enough to convince the buyer. There are lots of profuct types and each is shot differently, so I'd do at least 8-10 shots showcasing a small solid, glass, clothing, a car(?), etc. And have shots vary greatly if its the same type of subject (still bottle with mist, then say a pour of liquid into/out of).
@carguy, for that very intial front page set, i'd pick the utmost best from the strongest areas instead of the whole cascade. It's something I'm still learning as well- front page = THE very best per most relevant categories and then the rest in appropriate portfolio-per-subject albums.

Not sure what the customers would prefer looking at the whole site, but categorizing helps showcase only relevant specifics to the target audience. If I want to score a car gig, show the employer my car stuff. Club gig, club stuff. I don't see why they'd care to see flowers and birds unless they choose to do so on their own time.
 
Pick what your strongest areas are and start with that. Add to it as you go and don't be afraid to change out photos. Find 2 or 3 people that you really trust to tell you the truth, sometimes the ugly truth. Do this in private so the whole world does not share in these exchanges.

The thing I see most in photographers sites is that they don't tell us the area that they work in. That should be one of the first things I see.

Tell me what you do in words and photos.

Price is always a toss up on whether to list it or not. I have seen cases where it is listed and that might make me more inclined to use them. To cheap is a turn off and attracts the wrong clients but too expensive drives them away. To include is up to you.

What I believe about any website is keep it simple.
 

SkvLTD

Senior Member
I'd always leave the price negotiable. Like a reverse-going out to eat/drink: if service was great, you tip well. If your client is stubborn or doesn't have a huge budget, cut them some slack because this is still a service business and good CS goes a longer way.
 

WhiteLight

Senior Member
Thanks for the inputs guys.
I've just been going around looking at professional photographers profile pages to get an idea.
One thing that stood out for the 'pros', is that the quality was waaaaay more than the quantity.
This is something am gonna have to work on & build i guess, like Don noted.
Any and all inputs welcome

@carguy - For some reason, the site is not opening for me either.
I see Detroit imagery & the top frame, but the rest of the page is black.
Using chrome (and presently looking at this at work on a win7 system)
 

SkvLTD

Senior Member
@WhiteLight, another thing to consider is the general purpose of your site/folio- attract paying customers or simply showcase whatever you like to shoot for anyone out there. At least from my experience, where I live(d), nature doesn't sell at all and National Geographic is within a leg's reach. Latter can be very lenient, but former has to be very, very purpose built. I've tons of shots I upload to say, my facebook album that I enjoy showing people, but 95% of those never make it on my actual site since they're either somewhat irrelevant or not my best work in any category I'm interested in presenting.

I post misc. stuff on the blog that's never read, but that's as far as non-best shots go.
 
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