How many photos should a photography portfolio have?
Fewer than you think. A tight portfolio says you have taste; a huge one says you couldn't decide.
Updated , about 5 minutes to read
The short answer
Between 15 and 40 photos in total for most photographers, split into a few clear groups like weddings, portraits or products, with 6 to 12 in each. Show only the kind of work you want to be booked for, and put your single strongest photo first.
Why fewer works better
Clients don't look at every photo. They scroll until they've decided, which is usually quicker than you'd like. Every weak photo you add is a chance for them to decide against you. Twenty great photos beat sixty good ones.
Choosing them
- Put every photo you're proud of in one folder. Don't judge yet.
- Remove anything you'd hate to be booked for again. If you don't want to shoot product catalogues, don't show product catalogues.
- Remove near-duplicates. Two similar frames from the same moment weaken each other.
- Ask someone whose eye you trust to remove five more. They'll pick the ones you're attached to for sentimental reasons.
- Pick your opening photo last. It should be the one that makes someone stop scrolling.
Arranging them
- Group by the kind of shoot, so a visitor can jump straight to what they need.
- Within a group, tell a little story: a wide shot, then details, then people. For weddings, follow the day.
- Mix vertical and horizontal photos so the page doesn't feel like a spreadsheet.
- Put a short line on each shoot: where, who, what kind of light. It helps clients picture their own day.
Keep it fast
Large photos are the main reason photography websites feel slow on phones. A good builder resizes them for you. On Foliopin, photos are compressed as you upload, so a typical photo takes about 200 KB; the free plan holds about 25 photos and Premium about 250. For video, link YouTube instead of uploading files.
If you also sell prints or offer fixed packages, list them separately from the portfolio so the photos stay the hero. The Gallery and Frame templates are made for this.