When you create a photography portfolio for college, your goal is either to get into an arts college or a photography course or display the skills you've gained from a course. Although your acceptance or final grade might not depend solely on your portfolio, it doesn't hurt to showcase your work as attractively as possible. That means defining a theme for your portfolio and choosing images that show your skill and your individual vision as an artist.
Buy a high-quality portfolio. Select a hardback portfolio book with a cloth, vinyl or metal cover. It doesn't have to be exceptionally durable because you'll be handing it to one or two professors rather than dozens of potential clients. Choose a size based on the size of your photos. For most photographers, 11 x 14 inches will suffice.
Choose a theme by defining the unique aspect of your work. Decide what gives your photography its individual flair. Consider your passion and the artistic goals you want to reach after college. What kinds of images would you love to create for a living? Use these ideas to develop a theme for your portfolio. For instance, if your specialty is portraits of kids that express each child's silly side, you can use the themes of children and humor.
Sort through your current collection of work. Get out at least 100 photos you've taken in the last two years. Set aside those that relate to your theme. From those, select 15 to 30 images you consider your best. These images should demonstrate your range of technical skills and showcase your unique vision. Leave out potentially controversial images that involve nudity, violence or religion.
Take more photos to fill in the gaps. Some colleges and photography courses require specific types of photos, such as available light photography, portraits or commercial product photos. If you don't have any truly high-quality photos of required subjects, it's worth taking some. Likewise, if you want to highlight a particular skill you have, but none of your current work does your ability justice, take some photos that do. Add these to the photos you've already selected, but keep no more than 30 photos total.
Prepare your photos. Check if the college requires a certain format for the portfolio. If not, it's your choice whether to use prints, transparencies or even tear sheets. Mat your prints to create a finished look. Mats in portfolios are usually all the same size to produce a sense of unity, but a variety is also acceptable.
Arrange the photos in your portfolio to show your skills as as well as your artistic and professional goals. Start with one of your most striking and memorable photos. This image should clearly express your goals. For example, if you want to specialize in macro work, lead with an impressive macro shot. Arrange subsequent photographs in a logical order. If you want to be an architectural photographer, you might start with images of old buildings and end with newer ones.
Check the college's or course's requirements before you start creating your photography portfolio for college. They might have requirements for subject matter, number and format of the photos. If you're applying to a distant college, check whether you can submit a digital portfolio on a CD. Make your portfolio as professional as you can. College professors and administration can be wary of accepting students they suspect might not take their studies seriously. Find an expert photographer to critique your portfolio. A professional can catch mistakes a student might overlook.
Warning
Never leave your only copies with anyone. Always make duplicates of the images in your portfolio before you entrust the portfolio to anyone.
FAQs
Curate your photography portfolio for college by taking an objective approach, stressing the technical elements that make a good photograph. Even if you love a photo, it doesn't necessarily belong in your university portfolio. Don't include things that you like if they're not an example of your most high-quality work.
How to make a photography portfolio for college? ›
Curate your photography portfolio for college by taking an objective approach, stressing the technical elements that make a good photograph. Even if you love a photo, it doesn't necessarily belong in your university portfolio. Don't include things that you like if they're not an example of your most high-quality work.
What should be included in a photography portfolio? ›
How to create a photographer portfolio
- Determine your goals. ...
- Choose photos that showcase different techniques. ...
- Choose a portfolio format. ...
- Choose the order of your photographs. ...
- Determine how many photographs to include on each page. ...
- Add small details. ...
- Write a biography and choose a self-portrait. ...
- Review your portfolio.
Another way to organize your photo portfolio is to use folders and subfolders to group your photos by categories and subcategories. For example, you can create a main folder for each year, and then create subfolders for each month, event, genre, or client.
How many photos should a photographer have in portfolio? ›
The general rule of thumb for the number of images in your portfolio is 10-15 photos. It's okay to have a few more or a few less.
How many art pieces do you need for a college portfolio? ›
Your portfolio should be a selection of your best 12 to 20 pieces of art. Fewer than 12 doesn't allow you to show the breadth of your skills; more than 20 may dilute your overall portfolio submission. At least four of those pieces should be observational drawings.
How do you structure a college portfolio? ›
Students who want to highlight their strengths in several areas may want to organize their portfolio by category. For example, they may want to organize by different sports, extracurricular activities, and community service projects. Organizing a college portfolio by date is another way to make a college portfolio.
What should not be included in a portfolio? ›
Never include real or sensitive information about you or others. Do not include passwords, URLs, trade secrets, unreleased features, personal information, or other such items. Avoid including long samples, as those reviewing portfolios are unlikely to read them.
How long should a photography portfolio be? ›
Best Work. Put only your best work into your portfolio, the adage “when in doubt, leave it out” should be very much on your mind. It's far better to have a portfolio with 20 great images, then one with 10 ok images and 20 great ones. Your portfolio is only as strong as the weakest image.
What does a photo portfolio look like? ›
Your portfolio should flow smoothly to showcase your photography and tell a story. You might organize your images by theme or style. For instance, if you specialize in landscape photography, you can have a section dedicated to mountains, forests, and beaches, allowing clients to see the breadth of your talent.
It serves as a calling card for clients and carefully curated virtual space for inspiring other photographers. No matter where you are in your photography career, your portfolio serves a key purpose of helping your business grow at the same pace as your ambition.
What is the #1 rule of photography? ›
Use the rule of thirds.
It involves evenly dividing the frame between two equally spaced horizontal and vertical gridlines, creating a three-by-three grid. In order to create balance and flow within the image, compositional elements should be placed where these lines of the grid intersect or segment your image.
What is the 1 3 rule in photography? ›
The rule of thirds is a composition guideline that places your subject in the left or right third of an image, leaving the other two thirds more open.
What is the number one rule in photography? ›
Photography Composition Rule #1: Use the Rule of Thirds
You should have two lines running top to bottom, and two lines running left to right. Take a look at where those lines intersect: you should place your main subject on one of those points.
What would photography be under in college? ›
Students interested in a photography degree can choose from bachelor of arts, bachelor of fine arts, and bachelor of science photography programs. Bachelor of science degrees and bachelor of fine arts degrees feature more professional and technical courses in photography.
What should I put in my college portfolio? ›
Here are some examples of what to put in a portfolio for college:
- résumé
- statement of goals or purpose.
- articles, essays, or opinion pieces written for student publications.
- creative works, such as paintings, poetry, or musical performances.
- a photo or video essay about personal interests, clubs, or activities.
Most schools will want the focus of your portfolio to be on your personal artwork that reflects your imagination, style, process and willingness to experiment, in addition to your exploration and mastery of your mediums (through skills such as good composition, design and use of color) – so typically these works should ...
Do colleges look at art portfolios? ›
Admissions counselors at many art schools offer free portfolio reviews too. Your art portfolio is an important part of your college application because it tells your personal story and your relationship to art-making.
