Creating a photography portfolio might seem like a task reserved for professionals, but it can be important even if you’re just an amateur. It’s not just about showcasing your work. It’s about growth, self-evaluation, and keeping your passion alive.
Coming to you from Justin Mott, this insightful video breaks down why having a portfolio is crucial, even if you don’t plan on becoming a professional. Mott argues that a portfolio isn’t just for impressing others; it’s for yourself. It gives you something tangible to work toward, a way to stay accountable and motivated. Regularly updating your portfolio forces you to review your work, helping you become a better self-editor. This ongoing critique process sharpens your skills and helps you understand your strengths and areas that need improvement.
Mott also touches on the importance of organization. Whether you’re into street photography, portraits, or landscapes, categorizing your work can make your portfolio more cohesive and easier to navigate. This isn’t about following trends or copying what others do. It’s about showcasing your unique style and how it evolves. A portfolio can be as simple as a folder on your desktop or as elaborate as a full-fledged website. The key is to make it a living document that grows with you.
Another valuable point Mott makes is about tracking your progress. By periodically reviewing your portfolio, you can see how your style and techniques have changed over time. It’s a visual record of your journey, helping you understand your creative evolution. This reflection can be incredibly motivating, especially when you’re feeling stuck or unsure about your work. It’s a reminder of how far you’ve come and a guide for where you might go next. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Mott.
There are two very different methods of creating a portfolio. The first and most popular is what Mott recommends; go through your existing work and edit according to subject, niche, or whatever you think are just your best images. But creating a portfolio from existing images is like trying to make a gourmet meal from whatever leftovers you find in the fridge.
I would offer that the more traditional method of creating a concept, then photographing to build a body of work around that concept is more effective and more rewarding. It will give you a more educating experience, motivate your work and thought process, and in the end, creates a more cohesive body of work.
But whatever floats your boat.
You bring up a very good insight, Mark.
However, you wrote,
"But creating a portfolio from existing images is like trying to make a gourmet meal from whatever leftovers you find in the fridge."
This is not necessarily so. Some of us, perhaps many of us, shoot everyday with this thought in our minds: "I want to make images that fit in with those I already have, and with those that I plan to shoot in the future."
I have been thinking this way for years and years, so my body of work is not just a bunch of mismatched pics. Some of us go through life thinking about how what we do today will contribute to our overall body of work, so when we make selections from our existing images, they already have a cohesive and unified theme, or look.
If you are shooting with the thought of placing the work in your portfolio then you're doing what I suggested, thoughtfully building up a coherent body of work. But "our overall body of work" is not a defined portfolio.
Making a "hero portfolio" of just our best existing shots regardless of how they fit together (as Mott suggests around 1:37) is pretty much working with leftovers. Shrimp, pickles, and ice cream may be great separately, but they make for a lousy lasagna...