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How to Assemble a Print Portfolio for Photography Guidelines

The first step to landing any photo job is to be able to show your prospective client a well laid out print portfolio. While a number of editors will happily look at an on-line gallery of your work, many still like to look at physical prints of your work. A good portfolio should contain a cross section of your work displaying your ability to shoot any type of assignment your client may send to you. If you are applying to shoot for a newspaper, the portfolio should demonstrate proven ability in shooting news, sports, features and portraits.

Things You'll Need

Portfolio album
Portfolio storage box if prints are mounted

Instructions

- 1
  Print your photos at the same size. Portfolios are traditionally printed at 8x10 or 11x14 inches. Either is fine, but the most important point is to keep all the prints in your portfolio the same size.
- 2
  Include color and black and white photos as well as horizontal and vertical pictures in your portfolio.
- 3
  Insert your printed pictures into a portfolio album if the prints are not mounted. If the prints are mounted to board, you can use a print case to store your photos. Either is fine, as some photographers prefer mounting prints so a number of them can be laid out on a table for viewing at one time by more than one person.
- 4
  Update your portfolio regularly. You may get a call to show your work at any time. Keeping your portfolio updated with the most current and only your best work will allow you to respond to a request quickly and will demonstrate your professionalism to your craft.

Photography