When it comes to photography, capturing the perfect photo takes a lot of work – from having the right equipment to getting the angles and lighting just so. However, an equally important part of the process is how you organize and display your photos, and in the age of the internet, there are more options than ever. Whilst a traditional photo album can make for a great personal keepsake, the chances are that not many people will see it; showcasing your snaps online, on the other hand, presents them in the most professional way for all to see. Whether you are an expert photographer or just starting out, here’s how you can create a great online portfolio.
Define your goal
Before you get started, it’s important to consider what – and who – your portfolio is for. Perhaps you need to attract potential clients, or simply want to create an easily manageable personal collection. Whatever your goal, it should be used to guide the design of your website. If your portfolio is for business purposes, it will need to appeal to your target audience; a wedding photography portfolio will have a completely different look to a high fashion one, for example. This will also influence how you brand yourself; you can either use your own name, or pick a business name that your target demographic can easily remember and relate to. In order to protect this brand and ensure your site looks professional, you might also want to consider buying a domain name – you can check the availability and prices of various domains by entering your desired web address here. If your portfolio is for personal use, you have a bit more creative freedom – however, the design and branding should still reflect your style as a photographer.
Keep it simple
Whichever theme you go for when designing your site, the photos themselves should always be the most central element. In order to ensure that users don’t need to navigate too much to find your work, a simple and logical layout is important. In addition to your photos, if your portfolio is for business purposes, you will also need to provide potential clients with some insight into your services and professional background. This can be done via a separate “About” page featuring your availability and contact details. However, if your site is purely for personal use, you can even keep it to one page. Ultimately, your site should be designed in a way that lets your photography do the talking; keep text to a minimum and opt for a more simplistic set-up that doesn’t detract from your images.
Quality over quantity
Once you have the framework for your website in place, you can get to the most important part: adding your photos. When it comes to filling up your portfolio, concentrate on quality over quantity. Rather than uploading every single picture you’ve ever taken, narrow it down to those that best showcase your style and range as a photographer. Always use high-resolution images, and ensure the file sizes are large enough to clearly show every detail of your work. In addition to the kinds of photos you feature, it’s also important to think about how you display them; depending on the size and diversity of your portfolio, it may make sense to organize your images according to theme or style. For more inspiration, take a look at this collection of minimal portfolio websites.
