What Does your Portfolio Say about You?

All creative artists either have or need a portfolio of some sort, so this post does not only apply to models or photographers.

• Do you have a printed portfolio?
• Do you have a business card, postcards, mailers, brochures,  comp card, example portfolio, folio or show reel on CD or DVD, to anything to leave behind for reference?
• Do you have a website which showcases your work?
• Or does your portfolio only exist on Modelling/photographer sites such as Starnow, or ModelMayhem or any of those similar sites.
• Or, better than nothing (almost), are you one of those Facebook only models, photographers, artists?

It seems that portfolios broadly fall into one of four categories:

1. Full Steam Ahead: those which show of a definite individual style, creative, tightly edited, technically excellent, and highly focused on the artist and future development. The product for sale or hire is you.
2. Steady as She Goes: those which are varied, and confident, but still showing creativity and untapped potential, professional and competent in tackling all assignments made available.
3. At Moorings, in Ballast: the general majority which show a limited range , low to average quality, and exhibit a sameness with so many other portfolios: no challenges attitude, just give me more of the same thankyou.
4. Under Tow to the Breaker’s Yard: those who spring about in all directions, chase trends, follow every piece of poor advice and bad information, worship false gurus, jump at every casting call which promises that “this will be great for your portfolio”

Amongst these broad categories only Category number One shows any understanding of the proper purpose of a portfolio to an artist:
Portfolios are not meant to document the past: they are to represent what you want to achieve in the future.
Family and friends look at a portfolio to feel proud of what has been accomplished: an industry professional looks at a portfolio to ascertain just how well your individuality, personality, creativity,knowledge, ability technique, professionalism and flair will be able to make his future project the best it can be, and to single you out from all the other portfolios he will be looking at in relation to enhancing his own image and reputation.
So take a second look at your portfolio, or when you are assembling your first portfolio, (as the case may be) look objectively at every image you wish to include, not as an artist, not as a photographer, and not as a model but as a prospective client, a future employer of your skills, as a prospective buyer of your services.

1. Does your portfolio tell prospects what you do – the subjects you cover well and how you do it with effective creativity, technique and individual style?
2. Do your visuals have marketability? Are they saleable?
3. Are the images geared to specific markets? Specific clients? Or able to fill an existing or niche need?
4. Is your book well edited and do the images have a relationship to one another?
5. Do the images flow well as the viewer progresses through your portfolio?
6. Does your folio “sell” you, your abilities, your creativity and your individual style?

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Interesting Links:
My Photography Webpage
Facebook page for Professional Photographers and Models
The Definite Article Photography and Video on Facebook
My Pond 5 Page
The Definite Article at Publicise Me