Whether you’re an up-and-coming food photographer or an experienced professional, curating a branded portfolio can be a daunting task. For those just starting out, you may feel overwhelmed at the thought of collecting enough work to show potential clients you’ve got what it takes. And if you’re experienced, you may find yourself sorting through endless files, unsure of which to choose. Either way, this article will help!

Here are four types of photos that will enhance your photography portfolio:

4 Types of Photos to Include in Your Photography Portfolio

Include Focal Variety

Experiment with multiple distances and focal lengths (or find recent work that displays this). Try changing up the lenses, varying your distance from the subject, and photographing multiple angles. The variety will not only keep your portfolio from becoming monotonous but also demonstrate your range and skill by showcasing different focal ranges.

To demonstrate focal variety, your portfolio should include (but not limited to):

• Close-up macro shots
• Wide shots with lots of detail
• Hero shots (strong subject and supporting props)
• Lifestyle images

Add human interaction

Even a hand can add so much to a photo. In food or product photography, human interaction provides:

• context
• proportion
• function
• application

A human aspect also makes your photos and products seem more relatable and trustworthy.

You don’t necessarily need full-scale model shots. For instance, your images might include hands, faces, or anything that shows the human interaction with the product that you’re selling. Human interaction keeps the scene as realistic and attainable as possible. Plus, it adds a level of intrigue, and it exhibits your ability to photograph models (surprisingly, it’s not always easy to get a great angle of a hand)!

Use Spec Work!

Don’t forget to hone your skills in between projects. Do your own thing now and then, and let your creativity run wild. That’s often where the most growth happens when you don’t feel restricted by project requirements.

When you have no creative limits by a client’s project brief, use that to your advantage. (The creative outlet is a great stress reliever, too!) Show potential clients that you’re innovative, creative, and trend-setting, which will set their advertising material apart from the rest.

Sometimes clients think they know what they want—until you show them something different. As the creative, build a portfolio that truly inspires. Make them feel like they’ve gotta have it! And the only way to do that is through trial and error on your own. Even if you don’t get it right at first, you’ll finally land on something that excites you!

Keep It Current

Can I let you in on a little secret? I’ve done commercial food and product photography for a while now, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come. That being said, I know there’s some old work of mine that needed to be taken down. It’s probably not the worst, but it’s not an accurate reflection of my skill and style now.

No matter if you’re an actor, model, designer, writer, photographer—if you’re a creative, you know that our styles and skills constantly evolve and change. That’s a natural part of growth. So, I recommend going through your portfolio each year to weed out some of the old stuff. Only keep your recent work so clients know what to expect aesthetically when they hire you!

Meet Your Los Angeles Food Photographer

Hi! I’m Lindsay,

I’m a Los Angeles commercial photographer specializing in Product & Food Photography, Stop Motion, and Food Styling. Connect with me here for product marketing!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram @lindsaykphoto_ for more inspiration.