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How to Impress a Photography Rep

As an advanced amateur photographer, you've worked for years perfecting your craft. You've trained your shutter finger, spent hours in your home darkroom and have burned through hundreds, even thousands, rolls of film. You've even made the switch to digital for the sake of convenience and client satisfaction. When you finally have a chance to meet with a representative from a photography agency, you'll want to impress them with your body of work as well as your professionalism.

Things You'll Need

Portfolio folder
Scanner
Web host (optional)

Instructions

Build a Portfolio
- 1
  Sift through your photographic archive and select 15 to 20 examples of your very best work. The shots you select should convey not only competence behind the lens, but also your own particular shooting style. If you're having trouble narrowing down your body of work, ask for input from fellow photographers or friends who know your style well.
- 2
  Make high-quality prints of the images you select. While some images may benefit from enlargement, standard 8-by-10 prints will suffice. Opt for prints from a professional lab instead of your local one-hour shop.
- 3
  Arrange your prints. A portfolio can be organized chronologically, by subject matter or by shoot location. Select an arrangement that is cohesive and flows well.
- 4
  Place your prints in a high-quality portfolio folder. The folder should protect your enclosed images and be able to handle frequent transportation.
- 5
  Scan your prints and create a complementary online portfolio if desired. A number of portfolio hosting sites, such as Carbonmade, Behance and Photoshelter provide easily navigable interfaces for their users. If you have a web host and are experienced with web design, you may build your own portfolio site.
During the Meeting
- 6
  Answer any questions the representative may have about your resume. Explain what it was like to work with a past client or clarify your duties as a former studio employee.
- 7
  Flip through your portfolio together. Allow the representative to quietly observe your work, but be ready to answer any questions he might have. Depending on the representative's style, he may ask for a lot -- or very little -- of your input during this step.
- 8
  Explain your ambitions as a photographer. Your preferred shooting style, whether it's artistic, fashion-based or photojournalistic, will help decide whether you're a right fit for the representative's agency.
- 9
  Exchange contact information, including the URL to your online portfolio, and thank the representative for his time.

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