Photography Portfolios

Photography portfolios represent images at their very best. The very versatile thing about the photography portfolio is the fact that the range of possibilities is endless, depending on what is necessary and/or preferred by the composer and/or those who will be viewing the portfolio(s). Portraitures, nature shots, architecture, sports activities, models, thematic presentations, colored, black and white, vintage, techno, modern-age, futuristic, historical, emotional . . . whatever the case might be, a portfolio can be designed to revolve around it to represent a professional’s photography skills, insight and interests.

The purpose of the photography portfolio determines its organization. Image arrangement can either be thematic, generic-oriented variety, or commercial diversity. The prepared professional would likely have a number of portfolios, each one focusing on a different subject or job-preference.

Thematic photography portfolios progress through the development of some emphasized idea, feeling or motif, such as emotive, color scheme, nature, human behavior, beaches, beasts of the wilderness, haunted places, crime scenes, photography itself, or, as a personal touch, the composer’s favorite places to visit. This type of portfolio should take viewers on an exploratory journey, from one point to another and then to another . . . All the images should connect, or be tied together, in some logical or reasonable fashion that suggests a progression through shades and hues; chronology by day, month, or year; alphabetical order of title or subject identification; or some kind of thought or mood development. Summaries should quite often accompany the portfolio to serve as clarification and/or explanation of the overall concept or each image individually and how they connect. Anywhere from 10 to 20 images should be appropriate for this portfolio—too few might reflect vagueness or sparseness, and too many might be overwhelming; a night balance of images would provide viewers with a comfortable idea what the professional has done and can do.

The emphasis of generic-oriented variety in photography portfolios represents eclecticism, diversity, and versatility—all great qualities that are important for jobs that revolve around culture, the arts, and human studies. Public relations editorial photography portfolios of various kinds, consisting of approximately 7-to-15 images, can be organized in this fashion.

Commercial photography portfolios are well-focused and diverse in nature. The above-mentioned public relation editorial photography portfolios can fit well here, too. Those who are experience or interested in commercial or advertising photography should compose a number of portfolios, each to demonstrate a different skill or accommodate the requirements of the particular job.