I love how we perceive the value of our work. After spending many hours perfecting studio lighting, you naturally want to share every photo. You’ve put in so much effort, so why let those images gather dust on a hard drive? But have you thought about how sharing more might dilute your message? In fact, fewer photos in a photography portfolio may help you highlight your strongest work.

In a recent video, photographer Samuel Elkins explores a tough but important topic: the “ruthless edit.” He suggests that deciding which photos to discard is just as crucial. If not, more than choosing which ones to keep. I believe he has a point that could help improve your professional image and avoid the scroll-fatigue that many websites suffer from.

The Malibu Glow and the Reality of Gear

Samuel kicks things off by heading to Malibu with his long-time friend, Jake Chamsadine. He tests the Fujifilm X100VI for landscape shots but also brings out the more powerful Fujifilm GFX to capture the detailed tide pools.

It seems like Samuel wants to find out if the compact X100VI can compete with the larger medium format camera in a professional setting. Meanwhile, Jake has a Sony RX1R III with him. Samuel suggests they might do a side-by-side comparison later, which could be a great way to settle the compact versus quality discussion. This serves as a good reminder that while we enjoy talking about gear, the camera is simply a tool for telling a story.

Why Your “Selects” Are Still Too Many

The core of the discussion takes place when Samuel returns to his workspace. He faces a task that is sorting through 154 photos from three different projects. A shoot with a beekeeper, a vacation in Tahoe, and a furniture studio session. From those 150+ images, he manages to select just 30 standout photos. This is a good example of fewer photos in a photography portfolio giving more weight to each individual image.

Samuel believes that one of the toughest challenges for photographers is evaluating their own work, and I agree. When reviewing your own pictures, you recall the hard work, the chilly weather, or a funny moment the subject shared. However, clients care only about the final result, not the stories behind the photos. Samuel points out that having too many similar images in your collection can weaken your best work. You want viewers to feel amazed every time they click next.

The “Hero Shot” vs. The Collection

One of the most practical tips Samuel offers is about how he manages his beekeeper project. Instead of putting all 30 images on his homepage, he uses a tiered approach. He has a dedicated gallery for detailed views, but only features one or two standout images, or “hero” shots, on his website’s front page.

This method makes your website feel more like a curated gallery instead of a cluttered storage space. It’s like giving visitors a tasting menu on the homepage. If they’re intrigued, they can explore the “Archive” or “Project” sections for more details. This keeps your brand looking organized and thoughtful. Clearly, fewer photos in a photography portfolio can create a stronger first impression for viewers.

Organizing Your Archive Like a Pro

Samuel talks about his “Archive” system on Dropbox. He organizes his images by tags like “portrait,” “automotive,” or “motion.” He believes this is important because when his agent or a potential client needs a “treatment” (like a mood board or pitch) quickly, he can find the right work in seconds.

If you want to transition from a hobbyist to a professional, this type of organization is the boring but necessary work that allows the cool stuff to happen. You definitely don’t want to be scrambling through 2023 folders while a client with a big budget is on the line. This method makes sure he is always prepared to respond quickly.

The “One In, One Out” Front Page Rule

One important idea from Samuel’s philosophy is his “Front Page Rule.” He says that when you add a new photo to your main portfolio, you should remove one. He suggests keeping your main collection to between 30 and 50 images at most. Furthermore, fewer photos in photography portfolio design can help keep your site clean and inviting.

In my opinion, 50 might be too many. If you can’t impress a client with 20 images, having 200 won’t help either. By keeping the number small, you help viewers stay interested without feeling overwhelmed. You want them to leave wanting to see more, not feeling like they’ve just watched a long slideshow of your family trip.

Chasing the Story, Not the Likes

In a revealing moment, Samuel shares that after a month of professional and personal photography, only three images made it to his front page. Just three! That’s a huge amount of self-criticism, but it’s also what shapes his unique style. He suggests pursuing interesting stories and giving yourself personal projects to stay inspired.

It seems he’s saying that the strongest pieces in your portfolio often come from your personal interests rather than from high-budget commercial work. They might stem from niche subjects you love, like beekeeping or furniture making. When you focus on what you’re passionate about, the standout photos are more likely to come to you.

Seeing Your Work Beyond the Screen

Before finishing up, Samuel takes some time with his fiancée, Jaden, to ship out physical “Zines,” which are small self-published magazines. He expresses how rewarding it is to see his work in print.

I’ve experienced this too, there’s something real about a printed photo that you just can’t get from a high-resolution screen. Samuel says that seeing your work in a physical form helps you recognize its worth differently. It makes you think more carefully about what to include because printing isn’t free. If you’re having trouble editing your digital collection, try printing it out (even with a basic home printer) and spreading the photos on the floor. You’ll quickly notice which ones catch your eye and which ones are just there. Ultimately, fewer photos in a photography portfolio make each printed image feel much more meaningful.

The Sincere Skeptic

Samuel wraps up by expressing his gratitude to Squarespace, a platform he’s been using for ten years. Although he clearly appreciates the service, the main takeaway isn’t about which website builder to choose. It’s about the quality of the content you share.

Our portfolios aren’t just records of our past work. They’re tools for marketing ourselves. You are in charge of your own brand. If you mix subpar work with your best pieces, you send a message that you can’t differentiate between them.

So, enjoy the excitement, but also pause to reflect. If it’s the latter, save it for your Instagram stories or personal files. Your portfolio deserves high-quality work. You deserve that too.

[Most Photos Don’t Belong in Your Portfolio (Here’s Why) I Samuel Elkins; Image credits: Pexels]

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