Photography portfolio examples
A photography portfolio is an edit. The photographers who get hired from their websites show fewer, better pictures, sequenced so that each series reads like a story.
Photography portfolios, 9 ways.
Layouts made for photography, each shown with a full portfolio of work. Open one and click around; every one is a live site.
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For photography
One photograph at a time, full screen.
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Contact
For photography
A dense contact sheet of numbered frames. Built for series.
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For fashion, portraits
Tall images behind an oversized name.
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For any discipline
Your name and a list. Nothing else, until it's asked for.
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Grid
For any discipline
The classic. Even thumbnails, numbered captions, nothing in the way.
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Square
For product, still life, design
A calm, centred grid of square crops. Nothing competes with the work.
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Board
For illustration, design, photography
Works laid out as sheets on a calm grid, with clear sans-serif captions.
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Stack
For photography, illustration
Two columns of work at its natural proportions.
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Duo
For illustration, photography
Two wide columns of work at full size, edge to edge.
How to make a good photography portfolio.
Five things the best ones have in common, whichever platform you build on. More on our photography portfolio website builder.
(01) Edit hard
Twelve to twenty images per series is plenty. If you hesitate over a frame, leave it out; one weak image lowers the others.
(02) Sequence like a book
Open with a picture that sets the tone, vary scale and rhythm, and end on something that stays with people.
(03) Organise by series or by client work
Editors and art buyers look for the kind of work they commission. Keep personal projects and commissioned work in separate collections.
(04) Show images large, and sharp on every screen
Full-width images at high resolution, without watermarks across the middle. Most visitors will see your work on a phone first.
(05) Make booking easy
Where you're based, whether you travel, who you've worked for, and a contact form. That's what clients need to send the email.
Free for up to 12 works. Every theme included.
About photography portfolios
What is a photography portfolio?
An edited selection of your photographs that shows your style, your subject and the quality you can deliver. It answers one question for editors and clients - if I hire this photographer, what will I get?
How many photos should be in a photography portfolio?
Around 10 to 20 images per series, and three to six series in total. Editors rarely look at more than two series, so put your strongest work first and cut any frame you hesitate over.
What should a photography portfolio look like?
Images shown large on a quiet background, grouped into series, with a short title and line of context for each. The design should disappear so the photographs do the talking, on a phone as much as on a laptop.
Should I watermark photos in my portfolio?
Most professional photographers don't, or use a small credit in a corner. Large watermarks distract from the image and don't stop anyone determined to copy it. Sharing web-sized versions and keeping your originals is usually enough.
Do I need different portfolios for different kinds of photography?
If they're very different, like weddings and editorial, yes: at least separate collections, and sometimes separate sites. Clients want to see work like theirs without searching for it.