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How To Make A Photography Portfolio Book?
My guide on how to create a photography portfolio book today!
Look:
In the photography industry, a portfolio is essential whether you are a beginner or an experienced photographer because it is a way to demonstrate your style of work and the genre that you are in.
The images that will be included in your book will say a lot about your skills. This is also a way to see the improvements in your performance as time goes by.
And if you decide to build your photo books, you need to consider some things to make it interesting and attractive.
Now…
You’re on the right page! I will assist you to compile your work to create a summary book of your milestones.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
What Is A Photography Portfolio?
So…
What is a photography portfolio?
It is an exhibition of the photos that have been compiled in a book.
Here are some of the reasons why this is an essential accessory in your career:
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- To show off your what work can you do to your clients
- To display the kind of work you do
- To naturally convince the client to book your services
- It is a great step to be recognized
- Increase your chances of earning income from photography
So let’s get down to business, I’ll walk you through the whole process on how to make a photography portfolio book.
Steps to Create A Photography Portfolio Book
Look:
If you wish to make photography your business, creating a professional-looking and informative portfolio is the first step that you need to make because it can attract more potential clients.
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Determine your audience and know your genre
The photos that you will be shooting will determine what you can offer. It should clearly portray the kind of expertise that you do may it be landscape, product or portrait photography.
When your client would check your compilation, you don’t need to tell exactly what your genre is because it will be evident in your photos.
Determining your audience first will give you direction on what to shoot.
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Take more shots
Do you agree that taking more shots is the only way for you to create a portfolio?
The question is how, if you are a beginner?
You may not have paid gigs yet but there are opportunities out there that you can do such as doing free shots or giving discounts.
Anyway…
It is not necessary to collect photos at once because you can always add more as you go along. Just keep in mind to supply your book with photos enough for your clients to see, to begin with.
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Choose your featured images
This may be one of the most time-consuming and hardest steps in creating your portfolio because you have to judge your work and at the same time, you have to make sure that it would have an appeal to your target market.
If you can’t decide on the photos that you can include, you may ask for help from your trusted friend or family.
When choosing the images to include, try to consider photos that are not too similar to have variations in your album. If you have multiple genres, create separate photo books for each to make it more organized.
Remember, your shots are the main feature of your portfolio.
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Consider the Order of Images
Usually, clients won’t finish browsing through your entire work that is why your goal is to impress them the very first time they see it.
But…
It is not always necessary to place your excellent images on the first few pages, just make sure that momentum is still there up to the last page.
As they say, make a great first and last impression so the last pages should also make an impact.
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Produce High-Quality Prints
Aside from getting the right images, it should also be visually appealing through the use of high-quality prints.
Of course, the photos printed in high-quality will look good if the image files are in high resolutions.
How To Create A Digital Portfolio?
Truth is:
Nowadays, for you to be able to attract a wide network of potential customers, the use of the online presence is helpful.
You can just send the link to potential clients so they can browse through it conveniently using their gadgets without the need to go to your physical shop or to meet you in person.
The steps on how to create a digital portfolio are pretty much the same on how to build a photo book it’s just that you’ll have to upload it to the website directly with appealing graphics.
Here’s the kicker:
Unlike a compilation book, a digital compilation is easy to update, and filtering the needs of a specific client is easier.
An ideal digital collection book should be user-friendly where it can easily target the viewer’s focus.
Book vs Digital Photography Portfolio
Now…
Which is the best medium for you to showcase your art?
If you are to ask me, I’ll recommend you to do both printed and digital portfolios, they are both excellent ways on how you can present your creation.
Why is this so?
Not all clients can personally see and appreciate your work and not everyone has access to the internet.
If you can offer two platforms, you can reach out to your potential audience easily and there are more chances that they’ll book for your services.
Tips In Creating A Portfolio Book
Tip #1: Avoid Inconsistency
One of the reasons for having a photo book is to be able to let your client know if your work and their ideas will jive that is why you need to ensure that your style is the one that they appreciated from the very first start.
Tip #2: Don’t use images that needs explanation
In choosing an image for your book collection, no need to explain to your client whats the picture is all about, it should speak for itself. If you think they will only appreciate your art after explaining why it is great, then don’t include it.
Tip #3: Don’t be afraid to shoot for free
If you don’t have a solid portfolio, most probably you don’t have a regular paid gig yet. The best way to practice and build your profile is to offer free shoots or discounts. There’s a higher chance that your client will agree to work with you if they can see what they’re paying for.
Tip #4: Specialize in a certain genre
If you are still starting out, it is a good idea to focus on a particular category first and master it. It’s called niching down.
However, if you have shoot in multiple categories, make a separate album for each to avoid confusion on your customer’s part.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long should my book be?
An ideal workbook is between 8-15 pages. It is not a good view if you will fill your portfolio with lots of images because there is a tendency that your client will feel tired and bored browsing through it. It is better if your client would ask to see more, that means that they are interested.
Q: How to build a photography portfolio for a job interview?
If the portfolio that you are creating is for a job application, you need to give the interviewer the impression that you are versatile. You may include different genres that will possibly match what the company is looking for.
Q: What should a photography portfolio include?
It should consist of your best works that will describe what kind of photography you are doing. Make sure that all photos are inlined with your theme.
Creating a Photo Book: Your Thoughts?
Let’s face it:
There is a high competition in the photography industry that is why it is important to always stand out in terms of output.
If you are given a chance to create your portfolio, just know your style, reach out to your clients, and do your best in taking shots.
Now, I’d like to hear from YOU:
What do you think of my way on how to create a compilation of photography works?
Share your thoughts and experience with us in the comments below!
About Author
Lorraine Opeña
Photography enthusiast and content creator at Digital World Beauty. My main objective here is to create a valuable resource for you with honest tech gear reviews, course recommendations, and how-to tutorials.