One of the best ways to get a better understanding of your work as an artist!
Ever had a portfolio review? It’s one of the best ways to better understand your work as an artist while bouncing ideas and career next steps with an industry professional.
We’ve put together a little guide on portfolio reviews, how to prepare for them, and when you can have your work seen.
What’s a portfolio review?
Simple: During a portfolio review, you sit down with another industry professional to discuss your work. Beforehand, you decide what you want to present and compile it into a portfolio. In the past, this used to be a physical folder of printed images, but it can also be a digital collection or even a social media profile.
Why is it so important?
Having a portfolio review means getting a professional’s opinion on your work. You get to lay out what you’re working on and how you do it and discuss how your current approach serves those goals. But more than discussing individual works with you, a portfolio reviewer will look at the overall visual language of your work and how your photos work in context.
Reviewing your portfolio means considering all of your work together, and it can be an eye-opening experience—both to see how it is perceived and to put it together in the first place.
How do I prepare?
The good news: If you are regularly producing works, you’re already prepared. You will have a body of work that you can present during a portfolio review. The only remaining challenge is to pick which works you should present. Naturally, a review doesn’t offer enough time to go over hundreds of works. Look over your work and decide which photos you’re most proud of, which ones represent your specific visual language, and put them together as a collection.
Who will review my portfolio?
Here at The Contemporary Creatives, you will be meeting with Mackenzie, our Founder.
Mackenzie will offer you informed guidance on your portfolio with tangible next steps you should consider as you further your artistic career. She has a unique perspective of having worked in both the Museum and Gallery industries before starting The Contemporary Creatives.
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The Artist’s Essential Guide to Authentic Digiatl Marketing
Step into the future of art promotion with "Authentic Digital Marketing for Artists: Social Media and Email Marketing Workbook" by The Contemporary Creatives. This comprehensive guide, crafted with artists in mind, demystifies the world of digital marketing, empowering you to elevate your artistic brand, connect with collectors, and grow your audience.
Dive into:
Marketing Essentials: From SEO to email strategies, discover tools tailored to amplify your digital presence.
Self-Audits & Exercises: Reflect on your artistic identity and refine your storytelling for maximum impact.
Step-by-Step Strategies: Build sustainable plans for social media engagement, email campaigns, and beyond.
Content Creation Prompts: Fuel your creativity and curate authentic, engaging posts effortlessly.
Metrics & Analytics: Track performance, refine tactics, and achieve measurable growth.
Perfect for both emerging and seasoned artists, this workbook is more than a guide—it’s a partner in your journey to captivate audiences and share your art with the world. Whether you're navigating Instagram, optimizing your website, or launching email campaigns, this workbook offers actionable insights to help you thrive in the digital age.
Transform your digital storytelling. Build meaningful connections.
Part I: Digital Marketing 101
Learn the foundations of digital marketing tailored to artists. Explore key concepts like email marketing, SEO, and social media, and understand how these tools can help you connect with collectors, galleries, and collaborators.
Part II: Audit Your Account
Evaluate your current digital presence with guided questions and a 90-day marketing assessment. Identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities to enhance your online strategy.
Part III: Defining Your Artistic Identity + Digital Marketing Goals
Clarify your unique artistic voice and set clear marketing objectives. Through targeted exercises, align your digital storytelling with your creative vision and business goals.
Part IV: Developing Your Digital Marketing Strategy
Create actionable plans for social media and email marketing. Build a sustainable strategy that resonates with your audience, fosters engagement, and drives results.
Part V: Creating Authentic Content
Master the art of crafting genuine, engaging content. Use prompts and best practices to create a bank of images, videos, and captions that showcase your work and inspire connections.
Part VI: Final Words
Embrace the journey of digital marketing as a tool for growth. Stay consistent, adapt to trends, and keep refining your strategies to achieve long-term success.
© 2025 The Contemporary Creatives. All rights reserved.
This workbook, including its content, layout, and design, is protected under copyright law. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations for review purposes.
The Contemporary Creatives® is a registered trademark.