Take Time for Personal Projects, Not Just Assignments, to Build a Great Portfolio
If you are a freelance or self-employed person, you may be tempted to use only projects requested by the client in your portfolio. After all, this is the job you were paid for. However, personal projects reflect your own passions and work preferences and can better showcase your skills to potential clients.
You already know it’s important to make time for your passionate projects , but they are essential for a good, complete portfolio. 99u gives an example of how this can also attract leads:
If you’re selling yourself as a creator, you need to actually create content and not just complete assignments. Seasoned photographer Tim Tadder knows this, which is why he finances several of his own shoots each year. Tadder sees them as marketing tools, a way to experiment with their own concepts and give companies more ideas on why they should hire him. Brands will surely notice. “The more personal projects I have, the better my year looks,” says Tadder.
Think about the projects you’ve had at heart, and pick a few of them that will be your top priorities this year in between paid assignments. By adding a few of your own touches to your portfolio, you will ensure that you not only get the same work more, but also attract clients who really enjoy what you are passionate about, not just the work you have paid for it so far.
5 Types Of Personal Projects (And How To Justify Them) | 99u