#11- How to improve your food photography, get hired and grow your network from portfolio reviews with Shelly Waldman

11/24/21 • 66 min

If you’ve wondered whether it’s worth creating a photography portfolio, and what to do after, join me as I speak to Shelly Waldman, a commercial and editorial photographer based in the San Francisco Bay area, and get blown-away hear her talk about the power of creating portfolios and the practice of getting a portfolio review.

In this latest episode of the podcast, Shelly talks about how portfolio reviews land you in front of huge commercial clients and magazines.

She shares how portfolio reviews were a catalyst in bringing her to where she is in the photography industry today, running a photography business and a successful mentorship program.

And also, how networking with creatives during portfolio reviews can open doors to incredible opportunities & friendships.

It is an energetic episode that is loaded with pow-packed tips on how to leverage portfolio reviews to find and connect to global clients, expand networks and also, hone photography skills.

All links are in the show notes.

Previous Episode

How to grow on Instagram the right way

Do you have a love-hate relationship with Instagram?

I do.

While it’s such a fabulous platform for showcasing our work, it has also created an unnecessary race.

When we come across a photo with 2000 likes, we begin to wonder what we are doing wrong and what those accounts are doing right to get so many likes.

When we see accounts growing every day, we begin to think that our work is not good enough.

...and then begins self-doubt, comparison, and frustration.

On the other hand, when we see our numbers growing, more followers and the count on our account go up, there is a sense of celebration. True?

We all want to grow on Instagram, but the frustration and comparison can make it stressful and turn that creative space into a negative experience.

It can even suck away the joy of creating.

Which is why, in this episode I’m sharing how to grow on Instagram but with the right approach

– an approach that can help us stay way from comparison, take pride in our creativity, grow our community and bonus, even attract the right clients.

Whoop!

There’s always a right way and a wrong way. Let’s choose the right way to build our community on social media so we can stay healthy, happy and continue to create with joy without the pressure of numbers.

When we build our community with intention, purpose and positivity, our community becomes our strength.
Read more at https://myfoodlens.com

Follow Dyutima on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dyutima_myfoodlens/

Show notes available at https://myfoodlens.com/10-how-to-grow-on-instagram/

Next Episode

#12 - How to create powerful visual storytelling in food photography – every time!

How many times have you been asked, “so, what’s your story here?”

All the time.

How many times have you heard the term storytelling in photography?

Lost count.

What do most of our mentor photographers have in common?

Strong visual storytelling skills.

Apart from technical skills, which other skill has the power to differentiate us from the competition?

Unique storytelling skills.

Aside from lighting, what’s the next biggest struggle in photography?

Composition and storytelling.

I apologize for answering on your behalf, but the truth is that these answers are common to most of us in food photography, and I say that from experience.

Until a few years ago I didn’t even know what visual storytelling meant in photography.

I struggled when someone looked at my photo and asked, “What’s the story you’re trying to tell?”

And today, I hear from you all the time how you love the vivid storytelling in my photography. Clients hire me for that skill.

Having good storytelling skills is a real strength because it is one thing to be technically sound as a photographer but you’re a complete package when you can also transport your audience into a picture by telling a story with it.

Which is why, I’m sharing with you my practical, simple, and uncomplicated step-by-step approach to create powerful visual storytelling in food photography so that you can bring the concept of storytelling to your photos and replicate your vision – every time!

Stop winging it. Leave the hit and trial behind. Take full control of your art and create your vision exactly how you want your audience to experience it.

Let your photo tell the story exactly like you want it told.