I know. We hear the phrase “highlight reel” and it leaves an icky taste in our mouth. At least, it does with me.
In the age of authenticity, no one wants to admit that what people see online is a highlight reel. So here is the thing, I am not talking about your social media feed. You can be as real as you want over there. In fact I have written about how important it is to share about yourself online.
What I am talking about, is your online portfolio. I am talking about your website.
You are a professional photographer and your website needs to reflect that. Yes, your website needs to be the home for your best work. It should 100% be your highlight reel.
Here is the thing though, your website can’t just be your best images. Nope. It needs to be an extremely curated version of your best images. You need to be extremely picky with which of your best images makes the cut.
Why?
Are you ready for this bomb I am about to drop?
Have your pen and paper handy so that you can write this nugget down.
Stick it on a post it note that lives on your computer screen as a daily reminder.
Why do you need to curate your best images in order to determine which ones go on your website?
Because you don’t want to shoot everything. You don’t want to be everyone’s photographer. You want to be selective in what kind of work you do.
The images on your website should ONLY reflect not only your best work but also what type of sessions you want to shoot in the future. You are only putting out the work that you want to receive in the future.
What does this mean?
If you have some gorgeous images from a styled wedding shoot you did last month BUT you don’t want to shoot weddings… You better not put those anywhere on your website.
What if you photographed your best friends birth as a favor but you don’t want to offer birth photography? Then don’t you dare put those images on your website.
Did you go to a workshop or conference last year and get some cool images from a small group shoot out? Great! As long as they are in line with what type of sessions you want to offer, then you can share the heck out of them. If they aren’t, they need to stay hidden.
Here is the takeaway that I want you to remember: If you share it, they will come.
Period.
End of story.
If you want your dream clients to find you then you need a clear, focused website of your work.
If you want to specialize in a certain type of photography, then only those types of images should be shown on your website.
If you want to steer clear of certain types of photography then don’t you dare even consider putting those images onto your website.
If you want to have a clear voice that is recognizable, then stick to those images on your website and cull the rest.
When I mentor other photographers, this is one of the biggest things that I teach them. And I really drive it home because it is HUGE to the direction of your business. Trust me, this method works. Share your best but also your most concise body of work on your website. Do this and you will continue to get inquiries to shoot more of the same.
Want to hear more about the educational resources that I have to offer photographers? You can check those out here.
