In order to be competitive in today's photography job market, you have to have an outstanding portfolio. While the photography field is expected to remain strong, its popularity makes it fiercely competitive. Keeping your portfolio updated is vital to having a successful career.
What to Include
Include every genre in your portfolio. Landscapes, portraits, architectural and photo journalistic samples should be represented in your portfolio. Employers are looking for diversity. Do not include outdated pictures. A trained eye can spot a picture that is out of date. You want to show that you are taking relevant pictures and that you are taking pictures all the time.
Shoot A Lot, but Be Selective
Take a lot of pictures so that when you need to update your portfolio, you'll have an abundance to choose from. Even the best photographers don't get the "money" shot with the first click. You can save your photos onto a disk or a flash drive until you have time to edit them.
Your Portfolio Format
Create a printed portfolio as well as a digital gallery. You should have a hard-copy portfolio as well as one on CD so your prospective employers can have the format they prefer.
Most office supply stores sell portfolio folders or cases that are appropriate for photographs. Be sure to choose one that has covered pages so your photos are protected from fingerprints and dirt.
