I had been dreading this day for a couple of weeks now and the day came along the portfolio Review.
Two successful photographers were arrange to sit with us individually going through our portfolio, as if in the real world and was going for an interview to prepare us and able us to improve.
The interview consisted of a 10 minute interview in front of two the photographers, Ian Beesley and Tony O'Connell showing my work what best represents me as a photographer and where I want to go after the course.
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| Chosen by both photographers as strongest image |
Of course I was the first to have an interview and due to traffic Ian Beesley was over an hour late, which made me even more nervous and with it only being a ten minute slot it put everyone behind so the class were getting nervous.
As I didn’t know until I approached the room that Ian was late I sat down with my pictures in a black portfolio box, made a couple of notes just in case as I didn’t know what to expect and I got chatting to Tony O’Connell off the record as he called it, which made me feel a lot more comfortable he was telling me about his past experiences of having interviews for jobs in the past, asking information about myself which I tried not to repeat in the actual interview, no one really wants to hear things twice.
Finally Mr Beesley turned up and I got called to come down for my review. Extremely nervous as I didn’t know what they were going to say or how they would be I sat down and shook both photographers’ hands then started to pull my work out one by one.
Personally I think the interview went great, two nice photographers don’t even know why I was so scared. They gave me some great advice and I felt totally comfortable didn’t even need to look at any notes!
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| One of Ian Beesley's favorite images. |
The advice I was given were instead of having lots of pictures pick your 6 strongest ones, that compliment one another than putting a variety in and some are a lot stronger than others and would make it a solid portfolio. Instead of showing them what I thought they wanted to see, show them what I want them to see!
Both photographers asked what I thought were my strongest then I returned the question as I wanted there opinion then asking my weakest because sometimes you need someone else to tell you so you can let it go.
The feedback I got from the photographers:
Both Ian and Tony were impressed with your presentation, images and knowledge of your subject areas. On the whole they suggested that you need to edit your images down to a more concise set – both myself and Phil suggest that you take this on board and create more images in this style. We suggest 10 to 15 images in total – these must be excellent, outstanding etc…
The feedback I got from my tutors:
Katie good start
You discussed your freelance practice well and business acumen.
Well received ideas and warmed to the panel.
You have a very warm and humorous but professional approach.
Able to talk about skills and strengths.
Explained the negotiated study very well.
Perhaps your portfolio needs to be wider ranging – don’t put everything in and don’t talk about being asked to undertake certain tasks. Perhaps the Wakefield course was a little formulaic, be a free thinker and include work you are happy with not what you have been told to produce.
Answered questions well but how truthful we're you (see above comment)?
As Ian suggested less is more. Think about sequence of portfolio.
Which I found very helpful and hopefully my next one will go just as good but be better.
