Portfolio Questions

[davidlicious]

Hi All...

I'm trying to finish up my retouching portfolio and had a question as to what to include to have a complete book. (beauty, composite, jewelry, etc.) I know that you switch up your book according to the specific job, but as a general book, what should it consist of?

I'm just curious as to what people will be looking for in a professional portfolio.

I'd appreciate any suggestions and professional tips.

Thanks... David

[Godmother]

It's a really personal decision David.

Some people will say that having a bit of everything is the "right" way to go, because you get more potential clients that way. Others will say that if you try to be Jack of all trades you end up looking mediocre in everything.

The truth is: Decide your portfolio based on your target.

If you want to work for fashion/Beauty photographers, then have fashion and beauty in your port.

If you want to work with Still life - then have still life

If you don't care about specialization, then have everything

If you have only done 2 beauty images, don't do a separate category for it - same for everything else.

Don't have everything together: Fashion, beauty, Glamour, still life, landscape, architectural - That's confusing and it never works

Don't ever mix up fashion and Glamour - because those are very distinctive markets and they don't necessarily like eachother :P

Your portfolio should be your BEST work so sometimes, less is more.

And one more thing to remember: Dress for the job you want.

If your portfolio is filled with crappy originals that turn into great compositions you won't get a serious/great photographer you will get a lot of mediocre photographers wanting you to make them great

Good luck!

[cyeh01]

Originally Posted by Godmother

It's a really personal decision David.

Some people will say that having a bit of everything is the "right" way to go, because you get more potential clients that way. Others will say that if you try to be Jack of all trades you end up looking mediocre in everything.

The truth is: Decide your portfolio based on your target.

If you want to work for fashion/Beauty photographers, then have fashion and beauty in your port.

If you want to work with Still life - then have still life

If you don't care about specialization, then have everything

If you have only done 2 beauty images, don't do a separate category for it - same for everything else.

Don't have everything together: Fashion, beauty, Glamour, still life, landscape, architectural - That's confusing and it never works

Don't ever mix up fashion and Glamour - because those are very distinctive markets and they don't necessarily like eachother :P

Your portfolio should be your BEST work so sometimes, less is more.

And one more thing to remember: Dress for the job you want.

If your portfolio is filled with crappy originals that turn into great compositions you won't get a serious/great photographer you will get a lot of mediocre photographers wanting you to make them great

Good luck!

QFT! I know several photographers/retouchers that have separate books for different clients depending on their respective markets. You're better off being the best at 1 thing than being just average at everything. Your portfolio(s) should reflect this philosophy

Cheers!

_____________________________________
Charles Lucima
www.lucima.com
Fashion | Editorial | Beauty
Fashion B&W Workshop February 26th, 2011!