Portfolio

For one of my modules in University it is stated in the outcomes that I should create a portfolio, either digital or physical. I have contemplating this for a while and I have decided that I will be creating a digital portfolio only for my retouching skills as this way I can use the power of the screen to show movement and before and afters easier, it also means that I can show speed videos of my workflow and my Photoshop process.

I then looked into creating a portfolio for interviews and because I knew I needed a portfolio for my job interview with GC Photo-Grafics I looked into getting some professional prints done with different companies and how I would create this.

Portfolios are essentially a creative CV and as such potential clients and employers are judging the presentation of this not just the quality of the work being shown. I know from experience that prints which do not fit in a box properly can give a very unprofessional look and people can turn you away because they would not want to hire somebody who can not print or work to specific standards that they have.

Creating a portfolio is a costly investment, portfolios require

Portfolio Boxes 12*16	£49.90
Portfolio Books A3 Leather	£217.72
Sleeves 12*16 (10pkts)	£16.14
Prints	£11 (average per print)
Mount board A4	£7.80
Portfolio Satchel A3	£34.50

The above prices taken from Process Supplies website, except the printing costs which was gathered from printing companies such as Printspace, Digital Lab and Colour Box. I own a black 12*16 print box from Process Supplies and I also own a multitude of their print sleeves. I keep all of my current portfolio prints in this box with any prints that have not been selected stored in their sleeves in a professional archive box. I also have printed sticker labels on the reverse of these prints, as this looks professional and can help with returning my prints of they are ever misplaced when people are looking at them during portfolio reviews or job interviews.

There are other types of boxes and even carry cases, which can then be used and delivered by bike courier if I decide to mail out my portfolio (such as the portfolio satchel). I think these are a good idea however I would prefer to be delivering my portfolio in person so I can see peoples reactions and then talk and explain my work, this would personally be a better option for me as a retoucher then I can explain my Photoshop process and skills that I have used in creating my portfolio work.

My lecturer showed us his portfolio and he has his name and branding embossed into his portfolios briefcase, this is a good idea and I think this looks very professional. Unfortunately I do not think I will be able to afford this option currently so I am going to keep using my portfolio box that I own. 

I can create my digital portfolio very easy, with many professional options being available through software such as Word and PowerPoint, although these are simple options I can then save them as a PDF and embed this into my website or send it over email very easily.  I have created a digital portfolio and sent this to the manager of GC Photo-Grafics when he asked for a sample of work that I had done. He was impressed with my level of professionalism and although I did not have many photographs he liked that I had just sent the best of them rather than trying to fill it up a little with the lesser photographs. He understood that I had not had much previous experience but is willing to take me on train me up, he says that with the clients permission I am then able to use the images I take in the studio in my portfolio.

Within my portfolio as a studio photographer I included the Wedding photography, some event photographs, all of my family photographs and I also chose to include some of the Crafts by Claire photographs in and my works in progress of the studio work I am currently doing, I also included two photographs from the previous module in university as I wanted to show I had technical experience with Photoshop and editing as I am hoping to be able to create Photoshop fantasy backgrounds for the children’s photo-shoots so that we can give the parents some non typical creative portraits that will stand out from what is typically seen in studio portrait sessions.