Creative: How to Prepare for a Portfolio Review

If you are serious about being a photographer, at some point, you are going to need to show your work to someone who knows about photography. Most of the time, this comes in the form of an editor, agent, art buyer, gallerist, curator, or other industry professional. They will look at your work with a critical eye. This is a GOOD thing, not a bad thing. They often know in the first few minutes whether you are at a level of interest to them.

Whether or not you make the cut, showing your work is key to getting jobs and getting an honest opinion on where you stand. The online world isn’t built for this, but the in-person world certainly is. It might be more difficult to find an in-person review, and it might cost you an entry fee, but it’s well worth the expense, because what price is too high for honesty? I see so much subpar work being promoted by folks who don’t know what good is. They refuse to study the past because they are so focused on the future, and also don’t want to face the fact that they might not be as original as their followers believe.

Attending a portfolio review comes with preparation. I’m at the age where I sit on the other side of the table. I’m a reviewer. When I was on your side of the table, some of the most important moments of my career took place, so I don’t take my position lightly. Early in my career, there was a review with a National Geographic photographer who gave me advice I still adhere to today. Later, I reviewed my work with two Los Angeles gallery owners, and later still, I showed my work to an advertising agent who made me see it in an entirely new way. None of these people are active in the online world, so you gotta get them in real life.