Want tips for how to build a photography portfolio from scratch or from when you need a new look to your business? You’re in the right place. You can read this blog post or watch the YouTube video for it.

Every photographer and artist has a portfolio that we put online to show potential clients, regardless of what type of art of work they do. As we grow as artists and business owners, our styles and ideal clients change. In addition to building up a portfolio in the beginning of our businesses, we also strategically add to them when we rebrand or want to direct our businesses towards our ideal vision.

In this blog post, I’m going to give you some tips for how to build up your photography portfolio whether you’re just starting out or you just need some fresh images: how to plan, where to get models, and what to do with the photos once you get them.

Watch the YouTube video here!

1. Figure out your ideal clients

First you need a clear idea of the kind of clients you want to attract. Do you want to photograph couples out in nature? Seniors in your city? Vineyard weddings? Take some time to write out exactly the types of clients you want to work with in the future. Who are they? How old are they? What do they wear? Where do they like to go? Do they like quiet and elegant poses or fun prompts that get genuine laughter? Really sit down and think about your ideal clients and plan out detailed sessions that will attract more of them. They can be simple sessions or whole styled shoots.

If you’re not sure about what you want, check out my post about finding your style!

2. Find models

Now you have your ideal client and ideal photo shoot in mind. Where do you get your models?

The easiest way is to recruit friends that fit your ideal profile. You’re already comfortable with each other and it would be a nice way to serve your friends.

Other possibilities: Facebook groups, posting a model call on your social media, or reaching out directly to people on social media.

Whoever it is, phrase it so that they’re helping you for a very specific task (rebranding, new lens, etc.), and that it’s an honor they’ve been chosen. Be very specific about the details, what they’re getting and how much you’re controlling (location, outfits, number of images, etc.). Have them also sign a model release.

For this rebrand, I wanted photos for my new ideal client: young, fun, adventurous, and out in Shenandoah. I created a list of locations I wanted to shoot at and brainstormed what I wanted at each. What was the feel for each location, and how would their outfits reflect it? With a solid list of about 12 shoots in mind, I put a model call in my JMU Class of 2020 Facebook group. Within an hour, I had 4 couples and 3 seniors signed up. I sent them each an email with the list of locations and my descriptions for each shoot, and I had them respond with their top three choices. I scheduled them throughout the month of July and helped them with outfits.

3. Do the session!!

The next thing is to do the session! Enjoy it! If you’re more excited than ever, then you’re completely right to be doing these types of shoots and you should continue to do them. If you’re dreading it, maybe you need to rethink what kind of clients you want to attract.

Take as many behind the scenes as you can. Once I get excited on a shoot, I tend to forget to take cell phone photos and videos, so it’s something I can get better at to let my audience in!

4. Use the images

You have the images: now how can you make the most of them? POST THEM EVERYWHERE ALL THE TIME.

Build up hype on every platform you have: update your website galleries, post on social media, make a blog post about it, pin them to Pinterest, and everything in between. Do it repeatedly so that everyone sees them. Tag locations and vendors and use hashtags to get in front of those audiences. Encourage your models to share them on social media and tag you. Do this constantly and repeatedly.

In time, and maybe a few more sessions, people will associate you with that type of photography. Clients will hire you, and those who don’t hire you will tell their friends who match your ideal client to hire you. You will be the expert in their eyes, and eventually you will be the only person they think of.

We’re always changing and getting better, so don’t be afraid to do a few shoots a year that are specifically meant to help you find your ever changing ideal client and getting them into your portfolio.

If you’re still struggling to figure out that ideal client, be sure to check out my post about how to find your style!

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