Professional Photography portfolio
This page offers detailed information about what's required in your portfolio as part of your application to the Professional Photography program. Information on the program itself can be found on the Professional Photography program page.
Applying to the Professional Photography program? The program’s admission requirements include a portfolio submission. Your portfolio helps NSCC evaluate your abilities to ensure you have a reasonable probability of success in this program.
Portfolio contents
Your portfolio consists of the following items, to be submitted digitally:
- Personal works – submit 8 of your strongest images
- Photo essay – submit 10 images that work together to create a visual narrative
Note that images for each component of your portfolio must be original work created by you and should consist of images that represent your best work. Using a DSLR or Mirrorless camera to create the work for this portfolio is strongly recommended.
Personal works
Submit 8 of your strongest images. These should each be unique, stand-alone images (not part of a series), and should capture your current, unique way of seeing and creating images.
A wide variety of images is required in this section. Personal work should reflect your technical proficiency, photographic exploration and experimentation, creativity and personal vision. Work must include posed and candid portraits. Additional suggested subject material includes (but is not limited to) editorial, commercial, night photography, events, travel, scenic and nature photography.
Photo essay
Submit a photo essay consisting of 10 images that work together to create a visual narrative.
A photo essay is a storytelling method with images, not words. Successful photo essays have a strong, powerful message and evoke emotion and thought in the viewer through a series of images. Examples of a photo essay may include (but are not limited to):
A day in the life
The "a day in the life" approach to a photo essay captures the process of a person as they go about their day. With a limited series of images, the viewer learns something interesting about the daily life of the subject.
Event coverage
Documenting an event can be a challenging and fun opportunity to create an interesting photo essay. Events can include sport games, concerts, performances, celebrations and festivals. Event coverage should not only document the main subject - it should also capture the other elements that make for a great event (e.g., the people, the location, the lighting, the food, the emotion). A strong event photo essay will leave the viewer feeling like they were there experiencing it for themselves.
How to submit your portfolio
Before you submit your portfolio, review this checklist to ensure your submission is complete:
| Completed | Portfolio components |
|---|---|
| Photo essay (10 photos) | |
| Personal works (8 photos) |
Submit your portfolio using 1 of the following 4 methods. Note that you may not alter your portfolio once it has been submitted (it will be screen captured to ensure it has not been modified in any way).
File-sharing service
You may use a file-sharing service like Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. to submit your portfolio for assessment. If using this method:
- Create a main folder using the following name structure: “[Your first and last name] Professional Photography portfolio”, e.g., John Smith Professional Photography portfolio
- Create a folder for each portfolio section within the main folder. Name these folders “Photo essay” and “Personal works”.
- Add your assignments to their respective folders.
- Ensure permissions of your folders are set up to allow anybody with the link to view and download the folder contents, and that access to the link will not expire.
- Send us the link to the main folder by email to . Add “Professional Photography portfolio” in the subject line. Include your name, "W" number, the program you're applying to and the link to the main folder in the body of your email.
Learn how to upload files and folders to Google Drive.
Learn how to add files and folders to your Dropbox account.
Portfolio website
You may create a portfolio website to be shared for assessment. Paid hosting and custom URL aren't necessary. If using free website providers like Wix or Wordpress, your site must be published for the link to be viewable. Note that social media pages are not acceptable portfolio websites.
If using this method:
- Your website must contain separate sections that are clearly labelled to correspond with each portfolio section (photo essay and personal works).
- Uploaded images should be in a file format supported on the web - either JPEG or PNG.
- Ensure all the necessary files are uploaded to your site before you submit it.
- Email your portfolio website to . Add “Professional Photography portfolio” in the subject line. Include your name, "W" number, the program you are applying to and the link to your portfolio website in the body of the email.
- Ensure you've included the published link in your email, not a link to the web editor version of your site.
Portfolio slideshow
You may create a portfolio slideshow using an online slide creation tool like Google Slides or Canva. If using this method:
- Your slideshow must contain separate sections that are clearly labelled to correspond with each portfolio section (photo essay and personal works).
- Ensure all the necessary files are included in your slideshow before you submit it.
- Ensure your share settings are set so that anyone with the link can view.
- Email the link to your slideshow to . Add "Professional Photography portfolio" in the subject line. Include your name, "W" number, the program you're applying to and the link to your portfolio slideshow in the body of the email.
PDF document
You may save all images into 1 PDF file as long as your file doesn't exceed 25MB. If it exceeds the size limit, you'll need to compress it. If it continues to exceed the size limit after compressing it, use 1 of the methods listed above instead.
If using this method:
- Collect all images and merge them into 1 PDF document.
- Each portfolio section must be clearly labelled using the titles “Photo essay” and “Personal works”.
- Your assignments must be added under their respective titles.
- Send your PDF as an attachment to . Add “Professional Photography portfolio” in the subject line. Include your name, "W" number and the program you're applying to in the body of the email.
Assessment
Your portfolio will be evaluated with the following rubrics. The total score must add up to a minimum of 11 out of 16 in each rubric. If there is a score of 1 in more than a single category, you may consider applying to the Applied Media and Communication Arts (AMCA) program to develop the skills required for entry to the Professional Photography program.
| 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 point | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact | The overall impact of the photographs is powerful. The photographs are unique and communicate a message or provoke thought. | The overall impact of the photographs is powerful - however, some appear generic or lack clear communication. | Several aspects of the photographs are effective - however, there are several distractions ranging from technical aspects, composition and/or communication. | The photographs lack impact due to flaws in technical aspects, composition and/or communication. |
| Technical | All aspects of the photographs display strong technical skill (focus, depth of field control, use of light, exposure, etc.) | Several aspects of the photographs display strong technical skill (focus, depth of field, control, use of light, exposure, etc.) | Several aspects of the photographs display technical skill (focus, depth of field control, use of light, exposure, etc.) however, certain areas require more attention. | The photographs overall lack technical proficiency in many areas (focus, depth of field control, use of light, exposure, etc.) |
| Composition | Compositional elements and cropping are effectively used throughout to strengthen the subject. | Compositional elements and cropping are used throughout and are somewhat effective in strengthening the subject. | Compositional elements and cropping are used with minimal effectiveness. | Photographs overall do not appear to have a subject or purpose and compositional concepts are not evident. |
| Variety | Work includes strong, intentional portraits, a wide range of other subject material, lighting conditions, locations and technical approach. | Work includes some strong, intentional portraits, a moderate range of subject material, lighting, locations and technical approach. | Work includes few portraits. There is minimal range of subject material, lighting, locations and technical approach. | Overall, work does not show sufficient variety. |
| Total /16 |
Photo essay assessment
| 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 point | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual communication and impact | The overall impact of the series of images is powerful. The photographs are unique yet work together as a series to communicate a strong message and provoke thought. | The overall impact of the series of images is powerful - however, some appear generic or lack clear communication. | Some aspects of photo essay are effective – however, there are several distractions ranging from technical aspects, composition and/or communication. | The photo essay lacks impact due to flaws in technical aspects, composition, and/or communication. |
| Technical | All aspects of the photo essay display strong technical skill (focus, depth of field control, use of light, exposure, etc.) | Several aspects of the photo essay display strong technical skill (focus, depth of field, control, use of light, exposure, etc.) | Several aspects of the photo essay display technical skill (focus, depth of field control, use of light, exposure, etc.) however, certain areas require more attention. | The photo essay overall lacks technical proficiency in many areas (focus, depth of field control, use of light, exposure, etc.) |
| Composition | Compositional elements and cropping are effectively used throughout the series to strengthen the subject. | Compositional elements and cropping are used throughout the series and are somewhat effective in strengthening the subject. | Compositional elements and cropping are used with minimal effectiveness throughout the series. | Photo essay overall does not appear to have a clear subject or purpose and compositional concepts are not evident. |
| Variety | Work depicts a wide variety of images including strong, intentional portraits, closeup/details, wide-angle and action images. Images work very well as a series. |
Work depicts moderate variety including strong, intentional portraits, closeup/details, wide-angle and action images. Images work somewhat well as a series. |
Work includes some portraits, though overall, more attention to variety re: image style is required. (e.g., close-up, detail, wide-angle, etc.) | Overall, work does not show sufficient variety to work together as an effective photo essay. |
| Total /16 |
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