Do the portfolios on your website open doors for you… or slam them shut? Here are 3 simple steps to ensure you’re not only publishing your best work, but the work that makes the most *sense* for your photography goals.
Create a stand-out website with strategically curated portfolios
You put a LOT of work into your photography website. From the design itself to the hours of choosing which photos to show off on it, you pour your heart and soul into this virtual space.
That’s because you know just how important a polished website is to make a strong impression on visitors.
It’s the FIRST place people go when they want to know more about you, evaluate your skills, and decide if they’re going to take the next step (which, in many cases, involves handing over 💰. Yes, please!)
Your website is where you gain an audience, make sales, sign clients, score assignments…
So, is your website working FOR you?
One of the most important areas of your website that helps open doors (or slams them shut) is your portfolios – the galleries of curated images that show off your expertise, style, and skills.
Whether you’re starting a website from scratch or revamping one you’ve had up and running for years, there’s one thing that’s certain:
You need to think strategically about which portfolios you include.
This article walks you through three questions to ask that, when you answer them in sequence, will make the decision-making process so much more streamlined and clear.
And most importantly, you’ll KNOW that your website is looking its best and helping you achieve your photography goals.
Three Steps to Select the Best Portfolios for Your Website
1. Define Your Website’s Goal
First things first, what is the primary goal of your website? Is it to highlight your skills and interests as a photographer? To showcase your photography as art? Maybe your website’s purpose is to attract potential clients for assignments or projects. Or perhaps it’s to sell photo tours, workshops, prints, or other products.
Getting clear on the purpose of your website is crucial. It will guide all your decisions moving forward, including the next step.
2. Determine the Visitor Experience
Next, think about the kind of experience you want your visitors to have. This will vary based on your website’s goal:
- Showcasing Art: If your goal is to display your photography as art, you might want visitors to have a fun, exploratory experience, clicking around different galleries or projects.
- Attracting Clients: If you want to get hired for assignments, you’ll want to guide visitors directly to your most impressive published work or your best project portfolios.
- Selling Products: If your website is for selling, ensure visitors can easily see and understand what you’re offering, whether it’s workshops, tours, or prints.
Imagine someone visiting your site for the first time. What do you want them to see? Where do you want them to go? Make sure the experience aligns with your website’s goal and leads visitors to the next step, whether that’s following you on social media, hiring you, or making a purchase.
3. Choose Your Portfolio Categories
Now, considering your website’s goals and the desired visitor experience, think about the best categories for your portfolios. Your portfolios could be organized by:
- Projects: Highlight specific projects you’re working on or have completed.
- Published Work: Show off tear sheets or links to your published articles and photos.
- Geographic Locations: If you offer tours or workshops, feature portfolios based on the locations where you operate.
- Subject Matter: Focus on the types of animals, landscapes, or artistic styles you specialize in.
It’s important to keep your portfolio categories cohesive and easy to navigate. Avoid having a chaotic mix of unrelated categories. For example, instead of having portfolios that jump from vacation photos to mammals to flowers, ensure each portfolio has a clear theme and stands apart from the others.
By narrowing down your categories to what makes the most sense for your goals and the visitor experience, you’ll create a more streamlined and enjoyable browsing experience. This approach will help you showcase your best work in a cohesive and polished manner.
Wrap-Up
So, to recap, when deciding on portfolios for your photography website, ask yourself these three questions:
- What is the goal of my website?
- What kind of experience do I want my visitors to have?
- What makes the most sense for categories of portfolios, considering my website’s goals and the desired visitor experience?
Answering these questions will make creating your portfolios a fun and focused task, resulting in a website that effectively showcases your work and engages your audience.
I hope you find this strategy helpful as you build or refine your photography website. Happy shooting and good luck with your portfolios!
