Remember when photos were physical? The one-hour photo booth is long gone. Although the art
of developing photos is still alive, the way we deliver and view images has moved online.

If you’re a photographer, the presentation of your work needs to be out there on the internet. To
have a chance of getting new clients and pushing your career to the next level, your online
photography portfolio must be top notch.

Competition in the photography industry is fierce. It’s not enough to just throw your photos
online. Your portfolio needs to pop.

There is a huge number of resources online for the photographer looking to create a portfolio.
But before you begin, you need to do a little prep work.

Let’s look at a few important things to consider before creating a photography portfolio.

Know Your Audience

The look and feel of your portfolio depends heavily on who your target client is. A portfolio for a
wedding photographer should look nothing like one for a photographer working with rock bands.
Think about the type of person you’re trying to attract.

You probably have an idea of where you want to be in your career a year from now. Targeting
the correct audience from the beginning will help steer the type of work you do in the future.

Only Present Your Best Work

When choosing what photos to showcase on your portfolio, you must be picky. Before starting
construction on your site, you need to choose what work best represents your style. The photos
need to show lots of emotion. For instance:

  • Wedding photos – show couple madly in love
  • Families Portfolio – images should show having fun
  • Children – think Anne Geddes
  • Sports – think trading cards, magazine covers, 3D images

This is the first impression, so make it count. Think about what they want. They want their
family to have a great time and great pictures afterword. Bride wants to be madly in love. Show
her couples that are madly in love and if it's at the same location the brides getting married at,
price will not matter. This works amazing if they feel you'll give them that feeling of "I want to
be like them", your business will blossom!

Building Your Portfolio The Right Way

Whether you’re using a template or custom website design, there are some important things to
keep in mind. Consider the points below while building your site.

  • Navigation – Keep the navigation simple and prominent. Avoid too many buttons and
    pages on your portfolio.
  • Minimal Design – Your photos are the centerpiece. The design must not distract from the
    message.
  • Image Display – Your photos need to be large or clickable so the user can see detail in
    your work.
  • Bio and Contact Info. – It's crucial that a potential client knows who you are and how to
    contact you. A short bio and prominent contact information is a must.
  • Optimization – A photography portfolio is useless unless people can find it. Use search
    engine optimization techniques to enhance visibility. Back links and meta information is
    essential.
  • Keep it Updated –  Once your portfolio is online, keep it updated with your latest works.
    This will also help with optimization.

Get the Best out of an Online Portfolio

Your online photography portfolio is the flagship of your artistic work or career. Building your
portfolio the right way is essential to attracting new clients. Make sure you fully prepare before
making decisions regarding your portfolio.

We offer a wide range of services that will help get your photography online in tasteful and
unique ways. Sign up to get started.