Tips and Tricks for Creating a Strong Print Portfolio

Whether you're looking to create your first portfolio or you're a print veteran thinking about some updates, this webinar may help to move you in the right direction.

I hope that everyone out there is doing well today and that things are moving in a positive direction for you. This webinar brought to you by Moab Paper and led by photographer Les Picker has a lot to offer and may answer many of the questions that you have regarding creating a print portfolio. At almost an hour long, this video is a great presentation that you'll want to spend some time with, so grab a coffee, pen and paper, and be prepared to either take notes or re-watch the specific sections that address your needs.

One of the important points that's stressed is the benefits of keeping it focused and just brief enough to show your work and show your story without becoming overwhelming. Picker does a great job of laying out what makes for a strong foundation when you get started. That's something that I know I personally struggle with when I set out to craft a collection. I find it too easy to pull way too many images and the culling process becomes a lengthy one but is one that I've ultimately found enjoyable.

I'll be the first to tell you that yes, even in 2020, everyone should have a printed portfolio regardless of whether you shoot professionally or as a hobby. There are many different formats and options, so you'll have a lot of choices and which format is right for you will depend on your goals; your portfolio should tell the story that you want to tell. If not for potential business purposes, create one for yourself so that you have something other than a cell phone and computer screen to view your work on. Let the process of creating one be a process of passion and craft; there is no reason the print collection shouldn't be a labor of love.

I'd love to know who has a current portfolio or has printed one in the past. I have two that I made about one year apart and am hoping to update at some point later this year (hopefully). I'll also admit that I think my first portfolio was more successful than my second; I think that format I opted for the second time around was ultimately an unwise decision for a few reasons. If you do have one, what format did you choose and do you think it was a success? If you've never done so before, do you see yourself creating one in the future?