What do you do if you want to build your photography portfolio as a beginner?

Just keep capturing images, and don’t worry so much about themes, unless you are doing a specific project, which is also great. 📷

Building a portfolio as a beginner is crucial for showcasing your skills and attracting opportunities. In formal training, teachers emphasize flawless, professional-grade pictures across various sets and subjects. This initial step lays a solid foundation. For self-taught photographers, replicating established sets helps understand elements like camera settings, lighting, and composition. Select the best shots and seek feedback from mentors or professionals you admire to refine your portfolio further. Continuous improvement and learning are key to portfolio development.

Finden Sie Ihre eigenes Thema und Ihre eigene Bildsprache. Versuchen Sie nicht ein Portfolio aufzubauen, in dem es "von jedem etwas" gibt. Niemand ist auf allen Gebieten authentisch und spitze. in Ihrem Portfolio sollten sich die Fotos aufeinander beziehen und ein Gesamtbild erzeugen. Das kann sowohl inhaltlich thematisch, also beispielsweise nur Kinderbilder, als auch gestalterisch, also beispielsweise nur schwarz-weiß Aufnähmen, gelöst werden. Und erzählen Sie bloß nicht, welche Kamera und welches Objektiv Sie verwendet haben. Das identifiziert Sie eindeutig als Amateur. Ein Autor prahlt ja auch nicht mit seiner tollen Schreibmaschine. ;)

As a beginner you need to figure out what you want to shoot. Where are you most curious? Where are you most skilled? Many people will tell you to just go shoot everything and anything, but I can't get behind that. Instead figure out where you can enjoy the most success. Maybe it's weddings, maybe its headshots, maybe product, aerial, boudior, pets whatever floats your boat. Find it and double down on it. Study about it, and ask these questions. Who's the best at it and why do people think so? Who's # 2 and how does their work differ? Can you do what they do? How can you make it uniquely yours? How much are people getting paid for it? What innovations can you bring? Be critical, so you dont waste time. Then shoot it like a crazy person

Don't restrict yourself to one focal point in photography. Experiment with a broad range of styles & subjects, especially when starting out. This will help to identify where your talents and passions align. Each niche extends beyond the obvious. For example, newborn photography goes beyond a simple love of baby cuddling. It requires accommodating space for an array of props, clothes, & blankets. It also requires a great deal of patience, not just with the newborn, but also with parents & older siblings. You also need to master the delicate art of posing & wrapping safely. In portrait photography, learning to locate & capture light is crucial. You must learn how to pose & style all body types. You'll find your ideal match through practice.

My father is a college professor and always says when starting a paper to, “put the lower part of your back to the back of the chair, then the paper is 80% done.” The same is true in photography. Do not worry so much about how to get started, just get up and shoot. Whether it’s a walk in the park or going to a dinner event, always bring the camera. The quicker one can discover their particular style, then they can take the next step into more complex ideas.

By immersing oneself in various genres and styles, photographers can refine their craft while discovering their unique artistic voice. This process of experimentation and self-discovery naturally shapes the evolution of a curated portfolio, showcasing the photographer's strengths and creative vision. Moreover, this foundational exploration provides valuable insights that can inform future specialization decisions, should individuals choose to niche down. Whether pursuing a specific genre or maintaining a diverse portfolio, this comprehensive approach to portfolio development equips photographers with the skills and perspective needed to thrive in the dynamic landscape of photography.

There really is only one way of figuring out your style creatively; and that is by trial and error. Too many people are too afraid to start, of copying a style, etc. that they do not even begin. The key is to give yourself room to be what you are: a beginner. This a beautiful time in your journey where you can experiment and trial wherever you want, without a lot of eyes on you. As a person new to the game, you gotta realize that you have a lot of grace and give yourself that permission to try new things. Shoot your friends, your landscapes, your daily routine, your new skincare, etc. That is literally the only way to figure out what you like and what you don't. lastly, it's not about gear; people can find their style in unexpected tools.

Start by making a selection from your work as if you really wanted to make a physical book. The fact that you would have to print the photo and thus give it a value makes it harder to choose "which image to print and which image not to print". So, kill your darlings. That's the hardest part, I know. Then the next step is to make an edit with the chosen work: which image will be the beginning of my portfolio and which will be the end? And then what series do you need to keep things exciting in the middle of your book? By following this process, you will get to a valuable selection of photos that tell your whole story.

By my Expirence I must say shoot as much as you can explore different niche before picking yours, before being into a specific niche you must have more then basic knowledge of overall photography that includes rules to learn experiment by breaking rules after learning them.

Get out of your comfort zone, reach out to photographers who have strengths in skills you wish to improve and shoot, shoot and keep shooting. I was fortunate early in my career to be mentored by a photographer that was a master in stobes in the 80’s and 90’s. Learning that early and having access to equipment and events that I couldn’t afford gave me the confidence that when I could afford Pro tools that I would be able to use them.

As a photo editor/director and professor for 20 years, I'd say edit your strongest work down to show what you WANT to do. If you do, for example, a lot of wedding photography, but want to move into editorial or portraiture, use the best photos to reflect that. We look for what is possible in a photographer. Show us what is possible.

Engage with the photographer community wherever you are. A quick social media search will show you where there are connections from community camera clubs to professional shooters. Reach out engage and learn. Early on I learned so much from local pros and it greatly improved my shooting.

Putting together a photography portfolio is an art. Overall, the images should be your best and clearly express your style, show a variety (of locations/ subjects/ poses/ etc), and range of skills. In each category, 40-80 images are usually enough to get the message across. More than that will be overwhelming to the viewer. You can subdivide your portfolio into categories and show more work if you specialize in multiple things.

Pick only best shots You took. Its better to have 10 images in Your portfolio than 100, because even one bad photo could be a deal breaker for Your potential client. Clients judge Your skill not by best, but by worst photos in Your portfolio. So pick few great, and stick with them. Make sure they are similiar in colors, mood and consistent with Your vision.

After a tight selection of your best images, it is time to edit the sequence. The order in which each image follows the other needs to be thoughtful and intentional. Try to tell a story. Have a designated page where you show only the best of the best, and that can be your opening statement. Divide the rest by theme, story, or project. In each subpage include the best of each section. As you will grow and evolve, so will your photography. Don't be afraid to revisit your portfolio and change what has grown out of you. At the same time, if you have an image defining your photography, don't exclude it just because it is old. A strong photo leaves on to be right forever.

So, apart from Project 365 which I mentioned I have in Flickr, you can create albums to do with different genres. If you have a website, or blog, you can do the same as well. Just helps direct people to what you do.

It makes sense to have a separate page on your website for each genre you photograph. On each page, also include all the relevant information your potential client would want to know before hiring you.

One good example to start off with is using Instagram grids to arrange your photos. You can have 3 of your best photos and then followed by your next 3 photos. There are so many examples on Instagram for you to follow. Another good one is to use Adobe Portfolio to organize. Remember to scale your images down to web-size images so that the loading of your portfolio is fast. Categories are your best friends in organising your portfolio. It will help you to nagivate your best works and also help viewers to easily browse your photos online.

Building a portfolio begins with identifying your niche, focusing your practice on areas that excite you. Select your best work, emphasizing quality over quantity, to showcase your skills and artistic vision. Organize your portfolio logically, categorizing work if necessary, and ensure it tells a coherent story or theme. Keep it updated with new images that reflect your growth. Include brief descriptions to add context to your images. Choose a user-friendly platform for your digital portfolio, considering both aesthetics and functionality. Regularly seek feedback from peers or mentors to refine and improve your presentation. A well-curated portfolio is crucial for demonstrating your unique style.

If you want to improve your photography it's no good keeping it away from the eyes of others. Getting feedback and commentary is essential to help you grow in what you're doing. And looking back through what you've done helps too. So, I recommend you also keep folders of your work on your computer. I use Lightroom and keyword tag my photos, but also file them per year/month/day so I can keyword search, or go direct to a date to see my photos.

Building a portfolio is one thing, keeping the portfolio updated in another. Procrastination has actually made a lot of people not even update or keep up with their portfolio. I decided to always update my portfolio every month. One can decide to do this every week not every 2 weeks. It all depends on you, if you create the habit of updating your portfolio it will become part of you to always update your portfolio.

Actualiza tu portafolio en función al cliente, o por ahí esta bueno tener la posibilidad de mover el tipo de fotos según el perfil que se busca. No es obligatorio armar uno y dejarlo como esta. Si el perfil de búsqueda esta orientado mas para "foto deportiva", por ejemplo, usa esas fotos como portada. Hay que variar y actualizarlo según el requerimiento.

Photography is a dynamic field, and your portfolio should reflect your growth and evolution as an artist. Regularly revisit your portfolio to replace outdated or weaker images with new ones that better showcase your current skills and style. Keep abreast of industry trends and incorporate fresh ideas and techniques into your work. Updating your portfolio demonstrates your commitment to continuous improvement and keeps your audience engaged with your latest creations.

When updating your portfolio, remember it's probably not just your website! Think of all the places you have galleries - social media accounts, third-party websites, album samples, wall art samples, etc.

Practice, Practice, Practice: Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a killer portfolio. Hone your craft, and experiment with different styles, lighting setups, and editing techniques. The more you click, the closer you get to photographic nirvana. Quality Over Quantity: Remember, it's better to have a few mind-blowing shots than a mountain of mediocre ones. Curate your portfolio like a fine art gallery—each image should be a masterpiece that tells a story and leaves viewers in awe. Feedback is Your Friend: Don't be afraid to seek feedback from fellow photographers, mentors, friends, or even your cat (hey, they've got good taste!). Constructive criticism can help you grow faster than a well-fed houseplant.

Watch YouTube tutorials, enroll in online photography courses, or explore websites dedicated to photography education. Connect with your local community: Join photography clubs or groups to meet other photographers, share experiences, and learn from each other. Invest in workshops and courses: Seek guidance from experienced photographers through workshops and specialized courses to deepen your knowledge and skills. Practice consistently and experiment: The more you practice, the more comfortable you'll become with your camera and different techniques. Don't be afraid to experiment and explore your creative vision. Remember, success in photography requires dedication, patience, and a passion for the craft.

Beware of social media gratification - Your friends and family are not buying your images - Find selected groups (on social media or boards) that have the purpose of constructive criticism. Don't backlash at negative critique - ask yourself if there is some truth in it - and use it to improve your skills. When you look at an image you love from one of your favorite photographers l analyze it. Not to copy, but to see what makes it good. Deduct what you can't control within the photo's framework (a large set, a supermodel, expensive jewelry, Grand Canyon). Understand the light and composition they used. Implement that into your photography combined with your style.

Shoot as much as you can but be ruthless with what to include in your portfolio. Often it helps to get an outside perspective as photographers can get very attached to their work. Once it's in a good place where every single photo is showing your best work, it would be a great idea to find a portfolio review place to get some professional opinions.

As a beginner your portfolio is probably only going to impress your mother. My advice is to first find a job as an assistant to an already established photographer. Carry the cameras and lights for a while. Help in setting up the studio and/or the location. And just generally do whatever the photographer you are working for tells you to do. A few years of being an assistant to an established photographer or photographers, will teach you more than you can learn from any school or books/YouTube videos. The portfolio will come later, when you have done some actual work.