Interviewing for a job or introducing your freelance portfolio?

Portfolio submissions - the basics!
by Phill Snel
Deputy Photo Editor, National Post

Having been the recipient of dozens upon dozens of portfolios, for two staff photographer jobs this past year, I'd like to make a few general recommendations to those who submit material for either staff or freelance positions. Perhaps you don't realize it, but the time you spend putting together your images (whatever form), letter, package, et cetera needs to be thought out logically. What you're putting in front of someone, perhaps your hopeful employer, has their complete attention for a couple of minutes.... more if you've got great presentation and great material.

I mention material and presentation separately, as you can have great work, but it may not shine through if everything else looks sloppy. This little list of minor, indeed "basic", things is pretty much what irked me the wrong way with many applications.

MANTRA: You are your brand. Make your brand stand out with excellence at every opportunity.


OVERVIEW
1 - "Brand" yourself with a logo or information of some type
2 - neatness, consistency and accuracy count
3 - when in doubt, leave it out, or do it over
4 - have someone else review your package / portfolio
5 - the following ought to be considered "the basics" ....

ENVELOPE
- nice envelope that's properly sealed (amazing how often they're not)
- it's nicer to have a logo for your sticker / printed envelope
- a nicely printed out address sticker is better than handwritten, unless you've extraordinary printing (neatness counts)
- always have your return address information on front (that's where a logo sticker is good branding point #1)

FOLDER
- a folder is not necessary, but is great for holding everything together
- another opportunity for a logo with name and contact information!

LETTER
- spellcheck your letter
- grammar check too!
- spell the addressee's name PROPERLY (call if you have to)
- ditto for getting their title correct
- SIGN your darned letter (can't believe how often this was NOT done)

IMAGES
- good work will stand out no matter what ....
- unless it's totally technically crummy!
- please make sure your images are toned and colour-corrected properly
- also please watch out for really rough dodging and burning
- a flow to the presentation would be good; transition from one theme to another smoothly where possible

CD
- a nice cover is great, but not always necessary (especially if you've a clear front)
- a sticker would be ideal
- another chance for a logo with name and contact information!
- format is pretty flexible (web-based, jpegs in a folder, DVD, etc)
- sometimes sending two formats is okay, so as to give the recipient a choice is fine
- include instructions as to what to do ... if you need to click a certain file/folder, then please indicate that
- BUT make sure you send what your recipient asks for
(if asked for small JPEG files, please do NOT send 100MB TIFF files ... it's happened!)
- you can also include a title slide with your name, logo, contact info, etc... yes, again!

PRINTS
- a formal portfolio case can have your logo, name, etc (yes, again!) on the front / first page
(this is a taste issue, and is probably case-by-case)
- a nicely put together set of inexpensively printed inkjet prints on regular paper can be effective too
- sometimes made as a book, or even a booklet, with basic binding (find solutions at a business supply store)
- PLEASE don't make the viewer constantly turn the pages to view your alternating horizontal and verticals
(it interrupts the flow of viewing your work)
- instead, print horizontals and verticals about the same size on the vertical paper

QUANTITY
- this is the big question
- sometimes showing simply "more" will bore your viewer
- if you'd like to showcase work that you're working on as a project, then perhaps keep it as a separate (second) presentation
- if your first batch of images has impressed the viewer enough, then they'll certainly want to see more
- they'll also appreciate that you didn't try to smash them over the head with a whole ton of images right off of the top

CARDS
- a "must" for everyday meetings, etc
- the most basic of basic business tool to give our your contact information (yes, and logo again)

LEAVE BEHINDS
- can be just a card, or can be something like a postcard
- this is your chance to leave a potential lasting impression ... or at least a little longer one

THANK YOU
- send a "Thank You" card (e-mail is copping out)
- another chance to send a postcard image with logo, name, info, etc

HANDSHAKE (if visiting)
- firm (not overly squeezy) handshake while looking into the interviewers eyes
- remember their name (never say "dude" to someone to fake it)