If you’re considering working full-time as a food photographer, you will need a portfolio that exhibits your work and skill set. It is a significant property you must have reason being that people who are willing to work with you will have a visual understanding that aids their decision of whether you can bring their vision to li
fe. A portfolio serves as a guide to clients when they seek the right food photographer for a project, and it can either be digital or printed.
In this new age, the digital portfolio has taken precedence. It is easier to find a food photographer through several digital means like a website and social media page. As a beginner, you can decide to have both a website and social media page. There is a whole dynamic as regards handling a website portfolio, but with social media, it is easier for potential clients to find you. On social media, your followers get the opportunity to like, comment, and share your work to reach a wider audience. You can either update your portfolio daily or weekly as you evolve.
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A lot of food photographers use Instagram as their portfolio. Instagram’s grid layout gives your photos more visual appeal as potential clients or followers surf through your page to have a glimpse of your work. Some food photographers go the extra length to have a synchronized theme for aesthetics but remember your goal is to showcase your work and not focus on aesthetics because Instagram aesthetics doesn’t determine your style. Your style is an outward reflection of your personality, and that should come through in your images.
Before I started uploading my work to Instagram, I was so confused about certain things like “what would people think? will they click the like button? What if they don’t share it?” I became worried about the kind of images I had. Then I read an article that discussed how a portfolio should display your versatile skill. Your portfolio will attract whoever, but it is you that determines if they fit your target audience goal. For instance, if you’re looking to acquire a potential Nigerian client, your online portfolio should showcase images that appeal to your Nigerian clients whether it’s a bowl of Jollof rice or a pounded yam dish or a Nigerian salad, and so on.
Remember that your portfolio is your voice as a food photographer. It will either speak for you or against you, and this is due to several factors, but a great portfolio would always attract the right people that will engage your services.
