Beatriz Perez
New Trends for a Successful Online Portfolio in 2021 Social media has an enormous power to attract and seduce audiences. For example, a professional and well-curated Instagram account gives visitors a snapshot of you and your work in three seconds, and first impressions matter. The online portfolio has evolved with time and it follows new trends that will set you up for success. There is more competition now, but there are more opportunities too. To generate traction, you need to have a great digital presence and this starts with a clear, well-structured, functional and effective website. So, what is the role and relevance of having a photography website today? The answer is simple: discoverability, client list and monetisation (to name a few). In order to benefit from these, you need to have an active website that works for you. Traditionally, photographers’ websites functioned mainly as static online portfolios, showcasing photographic work, skills, and achievements.
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Today’s market is filled with fierce competition and photographers have to fight for attention in this over-saturated digital world. The website is the digital ‘shop’ of your business, it shows professionalism, sets you apart from amateur or hobbyists, and shows you are ready for business. Know Your Audience The first and most important consideration is not to design your website to impress or compete with your peers, but with your ideal client in mind. Who is your target audience? Galleries? Curators? Collectors? Brands? Editors? These considerations are important to define not only the look and feel, but also the content of your website. Choose Quality Over Quantity Less is more. The strength of your portfolio is not in the quantity but in the quality of the images. Editing down and sequencing your work is key. Being critical and showcasing only your best work is a must.
