PORTFOLIO REVIEWS
When you're learning photography, and about the editing process, it's often hard to get genuinely useful feedback - especially when family and friends tell you that all your shots are 'amazing', but you know that probably isn't the case!
The other alternative it to ask online, in various groups and forums, but the people who often have an opinion are not necessarily best placed to do so, or equipped with the right communication techniques to provide feedback in a positive and encouraging way! All of which can leave you feeling a little discouraged, and not really knowing where you should go next in order to progress.
Why listen to me?
This is a fair question, as any feedback or critique tends to be subjective at best, especially where an art form is concerned. I believe that I can add value, as I've been shooting for 50-odd years now - professionally for the last 10 - and I have also taught photography and post processing to hundreds of people over that time. Please visit my About page for more information.
​
Added to this, I also worked as a copywriter for 15 years, so if you prefer to receive feedback in writing, then I am able to articulate this clearly and concisely, in a way that will enable you to understand, and to act upon it.
​
Giving what is known as 'constructive criticism' is also a bit of an art form in itself - my aim is always to be encouraging and supportive, but also to give guidance and advice on where an image could be improved. That could be advice on how it was shot - both in terms of the settings used and the overall composition - or it could be advice on what has been done with the image afterwards. From my perspective, how you edit an image is equally important as how you captured it initially!
How it works
I offer two different types of Portfolio Review session, as each of these tends to suit different people:
1. Face to face
The first option is a face-to-face review (either in-person in and around Milton Keynes, or via Zoom). I will ask you to send me six images a few days in advance of the session - including the original file, the edited file and the settings used. These can be on any subject you like, and either ones you are happy with, but would like a second opinion - or ones you are not happy with, and would like to know what you could have done differently.
“Thank you so much Gill. I found it really interesting what you have pointed out in each shot. I feel like I notice these types of things in other people’s shots but for some reason they are so much less obvious in my own! I’m going to take some time to go through your feedback carefully and think about what I will do differently going forward. I’m already thinking about things I might try next time. Thank you so much again for this. It’s so helpful to have this kind of feedback!”​
Hannah C.
“Just wanted say how much I appreciated your constructive feedback. Your communication style and evident experience would make it possible to teach a novice without shattering their confidence. Well done! I appreciate you've taken the time to carefully assess each photo. I found your generosity inspiring and heartwarming. Thanks for brightening my day!”
Caroline S.
2. Via email
For this type of review I will ask you to send me six images in exactly the same way, but then I will provide detailed feedback in writing, along with recommendations on what could have been done differently, if I think this is relevant. I may also ask questions and then follow up with additional information after you have answered those. This will take me the same amount of time to complete as a face to face session would do.
​
Portfolio Review costs
For both options, a one-hour review is £60, based on six images as outlined above. Additional images can be reviewed at the same rate, with a minimum extra of three images or half an hour. If you would like to go ahead and make a booking, or if you have any other questions, please email me and I'll be happy to chat further.
​
Portfolio Reviews are payable in advance, on booking. If you need to change the date of a booked face-to-face session I am happy to be as flexible as possible. You can also change a face-to-face session to an email review if you need to, or vice versa.