For any photographer, having a strong portfolio is integral to success. It will be one of the first points of contact for anyone finding out about your work and could be the stepping stone in securing your first professional commission to kickstart your career.

When done correctly, a portfolio is the greatest asset as a photographer. It allows you to showcase your work and demonstrate your talents. With little time to impress busy editors, a perfectly curated portfolio can help you stand out in a crowd that is only getting bigger.

With this in frame, what does a great photography portfolio look like? Below, Adobe Express details everything you need to know about how to make a photography portfolio that leaves a lasting impression.

What is a photography portfolio?

A photography portfolio is a collection of your best work that embodies who you are as a photographer. However, it’s more than just a platform for displaying your work; a portfolio also reflects your brand and the essence of your business. It provides an opportunity for you to express your identity as an artist, describe the process you undertake as a photographer, and share what inspires your work.

At its core, a photography portfolio is a visual CV. It should encompass your unique style, skills, and experience. In a professional context, your portfolio shows your vision and capabilities to potential clients or employers. Alongside your photos, you can include your CV and bio to share a summary of your educational background, any qualifications or awards, and anything else that separates you from the rest of the crowd.

For freelance photographers and studios, your photography portfolio is often the core of your business – it’s key to attracting potential clients. Your portfolio should show your range as a photographer and be the canvas that reflects your unique style and vision.

What to include in a photography portfolio.

A photography portfolio is a vital tool for showcasing your skills, style, and artistic voice – whether to potential clients, galleries, or employers. It’s your visual CV, offering viewers an insight into your technical ability, creativity, and consistency.

Whether you're a commercial photographer, fine art shooter, or event specialist, a well-structured portfolio reflects your professionalism and attention to detail. The content and presentation should be carefully curated to highlight your strongest work and make a lasting impression. A great portfolio not only tells the story of your growth and vision as a creative, but also details the type of opportunities you’re after.

• Your artist statement/biography. Start with a brief introduction about who you are, your background, your influences, and what drives you as a photographer.
• A curated selection of work. Include the images that best represent you and your photography style. Quality over quantity is key - select only your finest work, making sure they align with your desired niche or audience.
• Project or series descriptions. Provide context for each project or series, explaining the concept, setting, or story behind the photos where relevant.
• Client work or published credits (if applicable). Showcase collaborations, campaigns, or editorial work that demonstrate your professional experience.
• Contact information and links. Make it easy for people to reach you. Include an email, website, and social media links.

How to make your photography portfolio in 5 steps.

Creating a strong photography portfolio doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Taking it step by step, you can create something that shows your style, skills, and versatility, whether you’re aiming to attract clients, apply for jobs, or grow your brand. In just five steps, you can build a professional portfolio that highlights your best work and leaves a lasting impression:

1. Build your portfolio website.

Your website serves as the home base for your photography portfolio. It should be sleek, easy to navigate, and optimised for both desktop and mobile users. Choose a platform that allows your images to shine. Adobe Express online portfolio builder and website page templates offer sleek, customisable options specifically designed for creatives. Be sure to include essential pages like your portfolio, bio, contact information, and possibly a blog or testimonials section for added depth.

2. Choose the work you want to feature.

Curation is key. Select 15 to 25 of your best images that reflect your style, skills, and the kind of work you want to attract. Focus on consistency and cohesion, as too many unrelated photos can dilute your message. If you work across different genres of photography (like portraits and landscapes), consider organising your work into clearly labelled categories. Remember, your portfolio should feel intentional, not like a digital dumping ground.

3. Play around with narrative and structure.

A good portfolio isn’t just a gallery; it’s your story. Think about the visual journey you want to take viewers on. Are you highlighting your evolution over time or focusing on themed series? The order and grouping of your images can help build emotional engagement and show off your storytelling ability. Arrange your work in a way that creates flow and rhythm, whether that's through mood, colour, subject, or pacing.

4. Adapt and edit your choices.

Now that you have a structure in place, fine-tune your images. Colour grading, lighting corrections, and cropping can bring your work together stylistically. For quick fixes, the Adobe Express photo editor is a great tool for polishing your images without needing advanced software.

5. Add the finishing touches and review.

Before you hit publish, you must review everything. Adding an artist statement to give context of your work and CV will help you greatly when looking for jobs or gallery submissions. Double-check your image resolution, spelling, and website functionality.

Include your contact details, links to your social media or channel for behind-the-scenes content, and consider adding any client testimonials, press coverage, or a downloadable PDF portfolio for flexibility. Finally, get feedback from teachers, mentors, or a trusted friend to review and spot anything you may have missed.

Final photo portfolio tips.

Keeping your portfolio sharp and up to date is a constant process. Once your initial version is live, there are some key tips that can help you to maintain a consistently standout portfolio. These tips will help you stay relevant, and keep you aligned with your creative goals.

• Ask for feedback. Share your portfolio with peers, mentors, or even former clients. Constructive feedback can reveal blind spots, help refine your image selection, and guide improvements in layout or storytelling.
• Keep narrative in mind. Your portfolio should tell a cohesive story, not just display images. Think about the visual flow, tone, and how each project or section aligns with your larger creative vision.
• Update regularly. Refresh your portfolio with new work at least every few months. Remove outdated or weaker images to ensure you’re always putting your best foot forwards.
• Tailor to your audience. If you're applying for jobs, grants, or exhibitions, customise your selection and structure to suit each opportunity. A portfolio for a wedding client should look different than one aimed at a gallery.
• Don’t forget functionality. Many visitors will view your portfolio on a phone, tablet or desktop. Test your digital portfolio on different devices to make sure your layout, text, and images display properly across all screen sizes and formats.

How can Adobe Express help you create your photography portfolio?

Adobe Express offers a fantastic, all-in-one toolkit designed to help photographers create professional-standard portfolios with ease. From templates to AI editing tools, here’s how we can support you with every step of the process.

1. Use free online portfolio templates.

Kickstart your portfolio with online portfolio templates designed for photographers. These templates are fully customisable, allowing you to showcase your work in a more refined way that lets your individuality shine.

2. Build your own photography website.

With Adobe Express, you can easily create your own photography website for free using stylish, drag-and-drop templates. These layouts are designed to put your images front and centre and help you promote your personal brand or business.

3. Experiment with image editing and design tools.

Easily edit your photos in Adobe Express using our free online image editor. Give your portfolio a professional edge with the easy-to-use tool that allows you to crop, resize and create captivating content like social posts and so much more, all in one place. No experience required.

4. Add a CV to your photography portfolio.

Stand out from the crowd and complete your portfolio with a CV using the Adobe Express free CV maker. Design your CV using free, visually engaging templates and fonts to help your credentials shine and align with the creative aesthetic of your portfolio.

5. Build your own photography portfolio on social media.

Put a spotlight on your work by sharing it on social platforms. Use Adobe Express to create captivating social media posts that match your brand, and schedule them with the built-in social media content scheduler to stay connected with your audience.

Resize photos to fit your portfolio in seconds with the Adobe Express AI tool.

Formatting images across different platforms or screen sizes can be a time-consuming and fiddly process, but not with the Adobe Express AI image resize tool. Easily create alternative versions of your photos, designs, or social posts in different sizes using the AI resize image tool, without sacrificing quality. Your images deserve to shine without awkward cropping, stretching, or losing detail. The innovate tool is designed to integrate with the original image, so no one will be able to identify where your design ends and the AI steps in.

Try Adobe Express for free now

Good to know.

How can I start a photography portfolio?

Begin by choosing your best work, defining your niche, and making use of tools like Adobe Express to optimise your collection. Organise your images with care, write a strong artist statement, and include essential info like your bio and contact details.

How many photos should I include in a photography portfolio?

Aim for 15 to 25 high-quality images, focusing on consistency and relevance to your target audience. It’s better to shine a light on a few stronger pieces of work than overload your portfolio with average content.

How long should a photography portfolio be?

There’s no fixed length, but your portfolio should be long enough to demonstrate your range and depth, without losing the attention of the reader. A refined collection of 15 to 25 images is ideal for keeping it engaging and impactful.

Is Adobe Express free?

Yes, our free plan offers many core features including thousands of templates, photo editing and effects, animation, and 5 GB of storage. See our pricing page for details and to compare plans.