How to Get the Most Out of a Portfolio Review: Do’s, Don’ts, and Why They Matter
Portfolio review season is here, and whether it’s your first or your tenth, the way you prepare and follow up can make or break the experience.
On Instagram, we shared a quick snapshot of essential do’s and don’ts — but here’s the complete guide. In this post, we’ll cover:
Why portfolio reviews matter
What to prepare before your review
The smartest questions to ask during your meetings
Common mistakes to avoid
A portfolio review isn’t just about landing work right away. It’s about building connections, refining how you present your work, and learning how others see your photography.
Why Portfolio Reviews Matter
Beyond the immediate feedback you receive in the room, portfolio reviews offer long-term value for photographers at every stage of their career. Here’s what you stand to gain:
Make valuable industry contacts
Reviews put you face-to-face with art directors, editors, agents, and buyers you might not otherwise meet. Even if a project doesn’t land right away, these connections often lead to opportunities down the road.
Expand your visibility
Showing your work to new eyes gets your name into the conversation. A reviewer who sees potential may share your work internally, mention you to colleagues, or keep you in mind for the right project.
Access new markets
Reviews often bring together professionals from a variety of industries. Meeting someone outside your usual circle can open the door to a new niche — hospitality, editorial, non-profit, or beyond. Whether you’re trying to tap into a new location, or expand into a new category, professional feedback from a client’s perspective can help you get your foot in the door.
Gain targeted feedback
Honest, constructive critique helps you see your portfolio from the client’s perspective. This can guide how you sequence images, the balance of work you show, or the way you present your story.
Stay on top of trends
Reviewers are actively hiring and commissioning work. Their feedback gives you insight into what clients are currently looking for, what visual styles are gaining traction, and how your work fits into today’s creative landscape.
Practice your presentation
Explaining your work in a concise, confident way takes practice. Reviews give you the chance to refine how you introduce yourself, describe your process, and communicate your vision — skills that carry over to client meetings and pitches.
Build confidence
Hearing both encouragement and critique can remind you of your strengths and validate the direction you’re taking. That boost of confidence can fuel your motivation and help you push your work further.
What to Do
Curate your work
Less is more. Choose only your strongest, most relevant images so your portfolio tells a clear, cohesive story.
*This part often causes the most hiccups.
For one, some reviewers may prefer viewing your website rather than a portfolio pdf - this is fine, but come prepared with a targeted pdf and give them the option. If you’re meeting with reviewers from different industries, you will probably want to have individual pdfs that reflect the work they want to see.
Within your pdf portfolio, you should aim to show the strongest images while ALSO presenting a consistent and cohesive selection. If you have 20 strong images, but together they look disconnected and jumbled, you aren’t showing your strongest presentation.
**For some, it may be beneficial to have additional materials ready to show - a folder of motion examples, or a longer-form project that isn’t on your website. Anticipate presenters showing interest in different areas of your portfolio, and being able to show them more within those categories.
Research your reviewers
Know who you’re meeting with, the clients they work with, and the kind of work they’re looking for. This shows respect and helps you tailor your presentation.
Have your intro ready
Practice a short, confident introduction that covers who you are, the type of work you do, and the clients you’d like to work with. Reviewers won’t be able to give you the best feedback possible if they don’t know what your larger career goals are, so come prepared to quickly tell them where you’re trying to go.
Ask specific questions
Go beyond “What do you think?” Instead, try:
“What gaps do you see in my portfolio?”
“What kinds of projects do you think my work is best suited for?”
“How can I make my website stronger for art buyers like you?”
“Is there anything in here that you wouldn’t show?”
“What are some current visual trends you’re seeing?”
“Are there any technical flaws you see in my work?” (If you walk away from a portfolio review with ONLY positive feedback, you didn’t do it right. This is an opportunity to receive criticism that will help you improve - if that criticism isn’t being freely offered, ask for it directly!)
For the most part, portfolio reviews are very conversational. At times, you may find that the conversation is flowing, but you’re not getting the feedback you want, because you and the reviewer are too busy vibing. Have the questions above prepared and make sure that you leave each review with answers.
Take notes
You’ll get a lot of feedback quickly. Write down key points so you can reflect later and look for recurring themes. Even better, record these sessions with a note-taking app like Fireflies.
Follow up
Send a short thank-you email after the review, then stay in touch with updates like new projects, launches, or newsletters. This consistency is how real relationships form.
Furthermore, there are often specific reasons to follow up right after a review:
The reviewer has expressed interest in seeing more of something that you didn’t have available at the time - more of a specific project, or a particular type or style of image. In this case, follow up with the specific request.
The reviewer has suggested a specific update to your presentation, which you found valuable and implemented.
Most reviewers are not compensated, and are volunteering their time and experience to provide guidance. A genuine thank you email should come quickly after the reviews are over to show that you appreciate their contribution to the industry.
What Not to Do
Bring everything you’ve ever shot
An unfocused portfolio makes it harder for reviewers to see your strengths. Keep it curated for the specific reviewer, and ensure the images presented are cohesive and show your unique visual identity.
Talk too much—or not listen enough
Remember, reviews are a conversation. Share your perspective, then pause and let the reviewer guide the feedback. And remember - if you walk away with ONLY positive feedback, you didn’t do it right!
Argue with feedback
You don’t have to agree with every note, but debating in the moment makes you seem defensive. Take it in, sort it out later. If something feels confusing, ask questions for clarity.
Walk in unprepared
Showing up without researching the reviewer wastes your opportunity. Even a quick look at their client list goes a long way.
The way you show up is just as important - position yourself in a well-lit, tidy area, and make sure you are dressed for the occasion. These events may be informal, but they should still be approached in a professional manner, especially if you have hopes of turning these into work.
Take every piece of feedback as gospel
One person’s dislike of an image doesn’t mean you should pull it immediately. But if multiple reviewers flag the same thing, pay attention—it’s a sign.
Final Thought
A portfolio review isn’t just about getting hired tomorrow. It’s about progress, not perfection. Show up prepared, stay open, and use the experience as a stepping stone to stronger connections and a sharper portfolio.
Ready to Take Your Portfolio Further?
Portfolio reviews are one step in growing your photography career — but knowing how to position your work, your website, and your marketing can make all the difference.
If you’d like tailored feedback and a strategy for your next steps, book a free 20-minute consultation. We’ll look at where you are now, where you want to go, and how to get there.