The 4 Tips for Creating a Beautiful Custom Portfolio

A portfolio is a compilation of the most striking work of a professional, often used in the world of photography, fashion, or professional makeup. It generally consists of limited prints grouped into a single book to create a kind of magazine that will showcase the artist's work. Over the years, one builds a portfolio through experiences, unique characteristics, and new skills that have been acquired.

As mentioned earlier, it is a true window into the work and world of the professional, and it is this same portfolio that will help gain visibility and secure projects and contracts with new clients. It is also a sign of professionalism, and the better the portfolio, the higher the chances of being recognized.

The First Impression is Crucial

The first impression is often the one that external observers will remember for a while. Indeed, an individual can learn to truly understand and appreciate your work over time, but when it comes to securing a contract or applying for an important project, it is essential that the client immediately grasps the nature of your work and its potential. Therefore, the creation of the portfolio as a whole holds paramount importance in the future of your work. Here are some tips to make your portfolio book stand out and highlight your works. 

Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

Minimalism is key here, as you should prioritize your finest works over the number of them. Not just because the reader might get lost if there are 5 snapshots per page, but also because placing a single photograph on a blank page will bring out all its beauty more clearly.

To compose your portfolio, arm yourself with your most beautiful creations and those that have thrilled you to ensure that the passion emanating from your work is reflected in this book.

Prefer Simple and Clean Designs

In the same vein as the previous tip, the overall design of the portfolio is intended to be simple and clean to showcase your work above all else. The human eye is easily distracted and the main thing is to ensure that the reader's attention is captured by what you want to convey and nothing more.  For this, there are some methods that will help you achieve the desired effect:

• Neutral colors
• Avoiding fanciful patterns
• A clear and readable font
• Large-format photos

However, the design and arrangement as well as all the components of the portfolio are still your initiative, nothing stops you from allowing some whims if they are beneficial to the enhancement of your shots.

The Portfolio and Its Content in More Detail

Although we have seen that it is better to prioritize quality over quantity and minimize extra content as much as possible, there must still be content, since the images can only speak to a certain extent. Only words can convey the ultimate message you wish to communicate. Therefore, to go into more detail about the contents of the portfolio, you will see that text areas and even the arrangement of all the elements that make up this medium are critical.

Text Areas

Because indeed, to transmit without missing a beat, all information related to your creations and your projects, do not hesitate to add text areas here and there. Of course, these are not essential on each page of the booklet and can be placed only in certain strategic locations, or at least where you deem necessary to add certain elements explaining in more detail your inspirations, the context in which the work was carried out, and more.

For example, prefer a piece of text to introduce a new theme or to present a relatively important client and the way you approached your work instructions to stand out and demonstrate your capabilities of adaptation and listening to each client's requests.

A Clear Layout and Smooth Reading of the Content

In short, to captivate the eyes of amateurs and professionals who will review your work, your portfolio must be easily readable and your artistic identity, personal touch, and the nature of your job must be immediately highlighted. To achieve this while making the task easier for you, FlexiLivre is a company that offers services perfectly suited for the realization of a portfolio with intuitive modules for completely customizing your work support.

To create a harmonious whole, match snapshots by theme and do not put more than one or two snapshots on the same page. When text areas are needed, pay attention to the font, which should be simple and readable, and we also advise you to center your concise summary in the middle of a blank page to capture the reader's attention.