Ask Yourself These 3 Questions Before Your Next Shoot

When I first started in photography, I was told that I should shoot as often as I could. 

However, instead of the results being a fantastic portfolio, I ended up with a lot of very mediocre shoots.

So, instead of going as fast as I could, and producing as much as I could, I decided to slow my pace right down. Before I planned any future shoots, I asked myself these three questions:

1. What sort of imagery is my portfolio currently missing? 

2. What skills do I have as a photographer that I'm not demonstrating?

3. What would be the most creatively fulfilling shoot that I could produce?

When I began to be guided by questions like these, I produced work at a much slower pace, but the work was good. 

That work lead to more paid bookings. 

I still produce work for my portfolio on a very regular basis. I think that as a photographer, and as an artist, I always will. My personal work is what fills me with joy, and excites me!

But it also gives me a chance to experiment, show off new things that I've learnt, and push myself. 

You too, should work to produce as much portfolio work as you can, but make it intentional.

If that means creating something new for your portfolio once every two months, as long as it's the best that that work can be, then that's ok! 

Next time you start to plan a portfolio shoot, make sure to ask yourself the same questions as I do. That way, you'll always be producing something you love but that will also go toward helping your career.