Whether you’re a photographer, hoping to showcase your engagement sessions — or you’re a designer, hoping to showcase your wedding stationery designs, having a portfolio is a key, foundational element of your business, and specifically, your web design. Over the years, we have learned, there are a few misconceptions about portfolios and what they should be. Today, we’re sharing how to build your portfolio in a beautiful, client-connecting way.

How to Build Your Portfolio

• Create the work you’d like to be paid for. When Andra and I started our business journey, we had no portfolio. So, we created one! We created sample work — work aligned with the aesthetic we’d like to be paid to produce. We wanted to specifically serve creative business owners, so we created sample work aligned with our Ideal Client. After awhile, we were hired to produce the work we loved and believed in, so we replaced our sample work with actual Client work. As our business gained momentum, our portfolio cycled on and on, and we were able to add our best work.
• Be selective about the quantity of work you add to your portfolio. At With Grace and Gold, we are firm believers in less is more. That’s why we often recommend for our Clients to create a single slideshow of their best work, rather than several albums or galleries of their work. (This isn’t a solution for everyone, but it is something we recommend frequently!) The reason is: It only takes a sampling of your work to show your Ideal Client what you’re made of – from your style to your quality. (Best yet? You don’t need to have a ton of work to showcase!)
• Be selective about the quality of work you add to your portfolio. Often times, we as business owners add a lot of diverse work to our portfolio out of fear — fear that a prospective client could overlook our business and choose another business over our own. The truth is, if you honor your niche and your style, and you stick to producing your best, favorite work — the right clients will come along. Your Ideal Client will choose you, because the work you’re showcasing is aligned with their vision and goals, too!

Summed Up:

• Build your portfolio slowly and steadily. It’s better to build a strong portfolio slowly than a weak portfolio quickly.
• Don’t add everything you’ve ever created, especially if it’s not aligned with your business, vision, and goals.
• Be selective about the quantity and quality of work you’re adding to your portfolio. Add work your Ideal Client will connect with most.

Since 2014, With Grace and Gold has provided brand and web design for creative small business owners. Hire With Grace and Gold or shop With Grace and Gold’s pre-made designs and Showit website templates – and come away with an elevated brand and web design for your small business!