Photography portfolio book: what to include and how to prepare

A photography book (portfolio) is a person’s visual calling card: in a few seconds it tells a brand, a producer or an audience who you are, which registers you can handle and what story you can tell. I build books with artists, models and creatives, and this is what I have learned about what one should contain, how to prepare it and how to make the most of it.

Who is a book for?

• Artists and musicians, who build their image for releases, press, covers and social media.
• Models and talent, who need to show range and presence.
• Creatives and personal brands, who want a consistent image on their website and profiles.

To me, an artist’s image doesn’t just show them: it amplifies them. A well-thought-out book is identity building: it shows who you are, what you say without speaking and how you want to be remembered.

Which images it usually includes

There is no single formula, but a solid book tends to bring together:

1. A clean, close portrait with simple light that shows face and expression without artifice.
2. Mid shot or full body, to see presence and posture.
3. Character images: mood, wardrobe or a scene that shows your style.
4. A variety of registers: each image should add something different.
5. A strong closer: the image people remember most.

Want to build your book?Tell me what you need it for and we'll design the images that make it work.Write to me on WhatsApp

What the process looks like with me

1. A virtual meeting to define the concept and the goal of the book.
2. A quote with the scope of the session.
3. Date reservation with a 60% deposit; the remaining 40% is paid before the final content is delivered.
4. The session: it lasts between 2 and 9 hours depending on its type and needs. I can develop the whole concept or work from one you already have (creative direction included).
5. Delivery within 5 to 10 business days, with 15 to 150 final images depending on the agreed package, in high resolution and optimized for social media.

Editing includes light, color and framing correction, and up to 2 rounds of corrections. If the project calls for it, I also do advanced retouching (skin, background, specific details).

How to prepare before the shoot

• Define the goal: who is the book for and where will it be used?
• Gather references and tell me what you like about each one: the light, the pose, the color, the mood.
• Choose wardrobe early. Bring options, including neutral basics.
• Take care of the details: rest, hydration and a simple care routine in the days before.
• Let’s talk makeup and hair in advance, so they make sense with the concept.
• Let’s clarify usage. By default I deliver the images for social media, ecommerce and promotion; any other use is quoted separately.

During the shoot

A good session is a conversation. Ask whatever you need and don’t worry about “posing perfectly”: the best photos usually show up when you stop thinking about the camera.

Common mistakes

• Arriving without a clear idea of what the book is for.
• Including too many similar images.
• Copying a reference in detail instead of taking its essence.
• Choosing only the “most flattering” photos and forgetting the ones that show character.

Let's book your sessionWrite to me, we schedule a virtual meeting and I send you the quote.Book my session

You can see more of my work with artists and in fashion.