The Portfolio, A Valuable Photographer's Tool Posted By : Suzanne ...

Tag : photographic materials
The Portfolio, A Valuable Photographer's Tool
First question? Why do I need a portfolio, if I'm not necessarilyplanning on becoming a professional photographer? Or, possibly waydown the road that may be a consideration. But for now, I just planon continuing to be an enthusiastic amateur photographer who wouldlike to sell a few pictures occasionally. The answer. Amateur orprofessional, if you plan on trying to market you photographs, youneed a good portfolio. It's the same as a resume'. The portfolioallows you to take your best works and put them all together in oneplace.

The portfolio comes in all shapes, sizes, and materials. Theelaborate portfolios made of leather and stainless steel areappropriate for the professional photographer, who is out theretrying to compete for those high-level photographic jobs. But,these types of extravagant portfolios are very expensive and notvery practical or necessary for the amateur photographer who's juststarting their first portfolio. Concentrate more on the quality ofwhat you're putting inside the cover, than the cover itself. Spendthe money you save on a quality camera bag, which will be a muchbetter investment at this point in your photographic career.


Keep the portfolio simple and professional in appearance. Avoidturning it into a scrapbook or a family photo album. If you leantowards being artsy-crafty, resist the urge. Even though you may bean amateur photographer, you don't want your portfolio to lookamateurish. Regardless of who's going to be looking at yourportfolio, you want the cover to reflect the professional qualitythat you strive for in your photographs.

The size of the portfolio is determined by the largest photographsyou put into it. Normally, a case sized to hold 8 x 10 prints wouldbe adequate. But, some photographers prefer to use a portfolio thataccommodates up to a 16 x 20 size print. If you only do smallprints, 4 x 6 or 5 x 7, then size your portfolio accordingly. Youdon't want to have a huge portfolio, with a lot of small prints.

Now for what goes inside the portfolio. Very, very important. Ifnot for a job, for yourself. To show whoever picks it up and looksthrough it, your true talent. One of the suggestions for the coverapplies here also, keep it simple. Don't put too many photographsin your portfolio. Keep your photographs focused on one subject,especially if you are planning on trying to sell your work. If youchoose to have a few areas of interest, put together portfolios foreach subject rather than combining them in one; landscaping,portraits, wildlife, etc.

Most experts agree that no more than 20 photographs should go intoeach portfolio. Selecting your best work, to place in yourportfolio, can be a difficult task. Solicit the help of friends orfamily. Ask them to be completely honest and be prepared for theirconstructive criticism. Focus on the goal, which is to end up withyour absolute BEST WORK, not ALMOST BEST, to put in your portfolio.This isn't the time for sentiment. That cute photograph of adorablebaby Sally that's just a little out of focus, but soooo cute, needsto find its way back into the family photo album, not in yourportfolio. If you feel she warrants a place in your portfolio, takeyour camera bag and set up another portrait shot of baby Sally andget it perfect this time.

Plan ahead, so you'll have great photographs to change out some ofyour pictures. You want the photographs to be perfect and focusedon the subject you've designated for your portfolio. Select theright type of camera bag that you can pack with all the lenses andequipment you'll need the night before your planned shoot, so youcan take advantage of the early morning light. Remember, when yougo out with camera bag in hand to take those great shots, that youwant them to deserve a place in your portfolio.
By: Suzanne VanDeGrift
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Suzanne VanDeGrift has developed this article for M-ROCK.com,manufacturer of quality camera bags .
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