Preparing your portfolio

The New York Times photo blog, Lens, recently published a video, seen here, of Santiago Lyon of the Associated Press giving a talk on Preparing Your Portfolio at the New York Portfolio Review. The talk was sponsored by the New York Times and was hosted by CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.

Lyon stressed that students need to recognize that your portfolio is your calling card.

He highlighted the four main points he is looking for in a portfolio:

1. Strong News photos, 12-25, maybe 30.  They don't have to from big stories. No matter what you have to prove you can document a fast-moving situation under deadline and keep your cool.

2. Sports. In the US 75% of an AP photographers time is spent shooting sports. There needs to be a solid mix of action, fans, and atmosphere.

3. Standalone feature photos. Try to be original and show your creativity. The goal is to show the ordinary in an unordinary way.

4. Long term feature story. 12-20 photos. This shows the photographer can establish a relationship and tell a story. Find your beginning and end to the story first and them everything else will come together.

You need enough photos to show them what you're capable of doing. You shouldn't have too many for an editor to get bored but not too few to make them think you don't have enough.

Personally the note I found most helpful was to photograph passionately but edit dispassionately. Separate yourself from what you went through to make that photo. You can bring in other people if necessary so you don't become emotionally attached to your photos.

And finally you need to always be on assignment. Even for yourself. Shoot something your interested and keep yourself "visually fit:" You need to be as comfortable using your camera as a musician is using their instrument and constantly producing content.