Not sure if this is allowed but this post isn't about anyone's specific portfolio.
I 'd like to hear from you what are the things that make a good photography portfolio? What are the things that make a portfolio stand out for you?
Depends who the audience is, I like to see a selection of images showing different lighting, good composition, something a bit edgy and something with a wow factor. However, as a fellow photographer, my view on a good portfolio is irrelevant when the principle aim is to get models to work with you. In that instance Do you make the model look good would I suspect be high up on priorities of the model looking to work with you.
Variety, impact and careful editing to leave things natural. Not a manipulator so I can't speak for that side of things.
Marccus nail on head re who is portfolio aimed at.
I think as photographers we tend to post photos that we think are technicaly good. However i have found when "non photographers" view photos they view them on a more emotional level. This also shows when models choose phots from a TF shoot. Very often they are not the shots that i would have chosen.
Wot Marcus said.
My aim is to show pics that say "if you work with me, you won't have to run away with a paper bag over your head".
Yes you are absolutely correct. Depending on the target, everyone is looking for something different. I am sure you wouldn't present a portfolio for review to an agency looking for a car photographer with a bunch of fine art nudes. Just for the sake of hearing different opinions, let's say the target/audience is the person responding to this post.
What are the things that make a portfolio stand out to YOU?
Edited by Henry LaMour
When I'm looking at a photographer's portfolio I actually enjoy looking more at how they use light. It impresses me a lot more when a photographer is adept at changing the mood/texture/etc of an image, I suppose because I want to know that the photographer gives a lot of attention to the set up. How I look on set is largely down to me and I want to know that the outcome is a collaboration rather than serendipity.
To be more specific; an image may beautifully capture something of the model but it's the set up that the photographer is totally in charge of so it's that I'm looking for when I'm viewing portfolios.
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