{"id":22345,"date":"2021-06-23T18:22:17","date_gmt":"2021-06-23T16:22:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cherrydeck.com\/blog\/?p=22345"},"modified":"2021-06-23T18:22:19","modified_gmt":"2021-06-23T16:22:19","slug":"make-a-photography-portfolio-for-a-job-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cherrydeck.com\/blog\/make-a-photography-portfolio-for-a-job-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make a Photography Portfolio for a Job Interview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the competitive world of professional photography, standing out from other job applicants to secure an interview with a potential employer is an achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And one of the biggest factors at your interview (besides your attitude and interview skills) is going to be the quality of the portfolio that you bring to the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve already got this far, you know what you\u2019re doing as a photographer. So here are some tips on how to present a portfolio of your best work and land the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How many photos should go into a professional photography portfolio?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

To answer this question, you\u2019ll have to understand the three things you need to communicate in your portfolio:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Your skill level<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 this requires being selective about your shots and avoiding bulking up your portfolio with less-than-stellar images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Your suitability for the job.<\/span><\/strong> Ensure your strongest images are relevant to the position and industry you are applying for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Your versatility. <\/strong><\/span>Mix up your shots, from wide-angle to close range. Also, use a small selection of images to give an idea of what you are capable of outside of the niche you are applying for. Versatility communicates talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To meet the three requirements above you\u2019re going to need to find a sweet spot where you can tick all three boxes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are fortunate your potential employer may request a specific number of samples. But if they don\u2019t, aim at using 10-15 of your strongest photos in your portfolio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unless asked to, do not submit several dozen images. You\u2019ll detract from your better images and give yourself more chances to slip up with poor images while stretching the viewer\u2019s attention span.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"make
Javier M\u00e1rquez<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Think about impact<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Put yourself in the shoes of an interviewer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photographer A brings you a portfolio of images, and during the interview has to explain to you what every image is about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photographer B brings you a portfolio of images, where each image tells a clear story and carries a strong impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are you likely to remember? Someone\u2019s explanation of their photo or an impactful image?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t want to be photographer A. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it may not be possible to make every image impactful, several of your images must demonstrate that you can capture images that are memorable and tell a story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Include a photo story<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A portfolio that features a disconnected series of images is missing something, no matter how great these images are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your interviewer needs to get an idea of how you can use a shoot to tell a coherent story with a series of related images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t need to make your entire portfolio tell a story. 4-5 images taken from a single shoot can tell a compelling story if you stick to the rule of keeping all your images impactful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"make
Nina Paliy<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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How should I present my portfolio?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Your interviewer may well answer your question by specifying how they want you to submit your portfolio in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if this is the case, you should still have your portfolio available in more than one format to ensure you can produce the goods at short notice when job opportunities come up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n