Talent
often asks me what they need to have in a portfolio, what they should avoid having in a portfolio and how to best display their portfolio. Although with all certainty that this is not a complete list, it is a fairly extensive list of some things to be sure to DO and some other things to make sure you DON’T.
DO start a portfolio. Perhaps a little satirical, but I would not anticipate a lot of work coming in without having one.
DON’T take EVERY “free” photo shoot offer that comes your way. You may be in a position where a lot of up and comers are hoping to collaborate with you to mutually benefit each other’s experience. I’m not saying any offer like this is wrong. Some may be very beneficial. But be judicious. Know who is going to have the styles to help you get the looks you need.
DO handpick out photographers to shoot the styles you need to get the work you want. If your goal is as a fitness talent, then I would imagine you would be hiring fitness photographers. If you want to do a big push in the fashion industry, then perhaps you should be looking to hire those that have experience in fashion. Not only do you get the look that those types of clients look for, you potentially can work with the photographers that shoot for your target clients as well. Two birds with one stone.
DON’T shoot outside of what you are comfortable with. Set your limits of what is acceptable for your look and your brand and what is not. Do not allow others to stretch those limits. Once a photo is taken, it exists…forever.
DO be selective. Investing in photo shoots can take a lot of time, money and energy. Be picky about who you want to give those assets to.
DON’T display types of work that you don’t want to be booked for. Meaning if you are not comfortable being booked to do swimwear (ever), then a client should not see swimwear images in your portfolio.
DO print the images you get that you feel best represent you. Buy a portfolio book (or a nice looking black binder) to put them in. Make sure you can swap photos in and out. (See reason below).
DON’T put all of your printed images into your portfolio when you meet with a client. When you go to meet with a client, only put in the images that the client would care about.
DO shoot a diverse range of styles. Although having a niche and a style for what you best represent is important, a client may want to see that you can do a variety of work (and that you don’t only have one look).
DON’T rely just on putting the images online. It simply is not enough to attract enough attention. See below for another suggestion.
DO use your images to create various forms of marketing collateral. Perhaps you create an online portfolio. You also have your print portfolio book. You can use a few other images for business cards or comp cards. What if you compiled your photos into a movie as a demo reel? Think of different ways you can display the work that you do. Test methods to see which works best for you.
DON’T pitch yourself with images that no longer represent what you look like. I hear of a lot of frustrated clients who book models who do not end up looking like their portfolio, which leads to a loss of credibility.
DO talk to the photographers you work with. Find out what you are allowed and what you are not allowed to do with the photos you hire them for. All photographers are going to be a bit different in what they permit and do not permit with usage of imagery. Never assume (I suppose that could be another DON'T). A simple question solves nearly any concerns when it comes to usage.
James Patrick
www.jamespatrick.com
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James Patrick, ACS, ALB
AAFT GOLD ADDY® AWARD WINNING PHOTOGRAPHER
Photographer | Marketer | Public Speaker | Journalist | Storyteller
p. 520.409.5202
w. jamespatrick.com
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