FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO TIPS! A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR ATTRACTING HIGH-PAYING CLIENTS
New image from my portfolio for Adamo - Kimberly Espinel
New image from my portfolio for Adamo - Kimberly Espinel
Having a strong portfolio is absolutely vital if you want to attract your ideal food photography clients, the ones who value your work and are willing to pay for it. The truth is, trends in food photography are constantly evolving; what was all the rage just a few years ago might not be what brands are craving today. And, just as the industry changes, so do you - your skillset, your lighting style, your approach to composition.
If your portfolio is still showing only what you were creating back in 2020, you could be unintentionally sending the wrong message. Potential clients might assume you haven’t grown, experimented, or stayed in touch with the latest styles and techniques. And let’s be honest, how can you confidently command higher rates or land more top clients if your portfolio doesn’t showcase how far you’ve come in your creative evolution?
Updating your food photography portfolio is about more than just swapping in a few fresh images. It’s a powerful exercise in self-reflection too. It allows you to see how you’ve evolved, identify gaps in your body of work, and intentionally shape your portfolio so it aligns with where you want your career to go. You’re not just documenting the past, you’re intentionally curating your future.
On a very practical level, a regularly updated food photography portfolio also has major SEO benefits. Search engines love fresh content, which means your updated work can help you appear higher in Google results, in turn making it easier for your dream clients to actually find you.
Because keeping your portfolio tip-top is so critical for both your creative growth and your business success, I’m going to share actionable, step-by-step strategies for updating your food photography portfolio the right way! Now let’s ensure your portfolio becomes your best marketing tool and a true reflection of your creativity!
WHY YOUR FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO NEEDS TO STAY UP-TO-DATE!
THE CHANGING NATURE OF THE FOOD INDUSTRY
With the change of seasons, restaurant menus are constantly evolving. What’s fresh and in demand in April might be completely off the table by October. A food photography portfolio that reflects this seasonality not only showcases your adaptability but also signals professionalism and a deep understanding of your clients’ visual needs.
It’s not just the seasons that shift, food trends evolve too. A few years ago, smoothie bowls dominated social media feeds; today, we’re seeing a clear move toward higher-protein breakfast options. As food photographers, staying aware of these shifts is essential. But awareness alone isn’t enough; this knowledge should be visible in the work we share online, especially in our portfolios.
In short, updating your food photography portfolio regularly ensures your images reflect the styles, colours, themes, and compositions that are both relevant and in demand right now. This keeps your work fresh, marketable, and appealing to the clients you most want to attract.
A STALE PORTFOLIO CAN HARM YOUR BRAND IDENTITY AND YOUR SEO
Your portfolio (and your work online in general) is how clients form their first impression of you, your work and what you’re capable of. Hence, if your portfolio looks dated, lacks diversity, or doesn’t showcase your current skillset, it can absolutely create the wrong impression and make your dream client less likely to hire you!
The good news is that the time and energy you spend updating your food photography portfolio, is totally worth it. Not only can you show up-to-date work, you also get brownie points courtesy of search engines like Google. That’s because search engines love fresh content.
You see, when you update your portfolio with new images and optimised file names, you’re giving your online portfolio and website a better chance of appearing higher in search results. That means more visibility, and ultimately, more potential inquiries from the clients you want to work with.
New head chef portrait image from my portfolio for Apulia Restaurant - Kimberly Espinel
New image from my portfolio for Apulia Restaurant - Kimberly Espinel
New image from my portfolio for Ebury Publishing - Kimberly Espinel
STEP 1: AUDIT YOUR CURRENT PORTFOLIO
keep your Portfolio relevant and seo friendly!
A regular portfolio audit is essential if you want to attract your ideal food photography clients and stay visible in search results. Start by weeding out any images that no longer align with your style or vision. If a photo feels outdated or doesn’t represent the creative direction you’re moving toward, it’s time to let it go. Your portfolio should be a clear reflection of your current skills and the kind of work you want to book more of going forward.
Next, look for gaps. These could be subject gaps such as certain foods, beverages, or scenes you haven’t photographed yet or stylistic gaps that, once filled, will make your portfolio more appealing to the clients you most want to work with. Filling these gaps strategically can help position you as the go-to photographer in your niche.
Finally, don’t forget the technical side. Check your image load speeds and make sure every image has descriptive, keyword-rich alt text. A visually stunning portfolio is powerful, but a visually stunning and search-optimized portfolio? That’s the combination that gets you found and booked.
STEP 2: CuratE a Portfolio That Speaks to Your Ideal FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY Client
curate and diversify to attract your ideal client
Now that you’ve made space for fresh work, it’s time to carefully select updated food and lifestyle images that truly reflect your skillset and current creative style. Choose photographs you’re genuinely proud of, the kind that not only showcase your technical ability but also speak directly to your ideal client. You see, your portfolio should feel intentional, cohesive, and aspirational, positioning you as the photographer they need to hire.
One of the biggest mistakes I see my Fearless Focus mentees make when they first join my Mastermind and Mentoring program is overlooking diversity in their portfolio. Yes, consistency is important — your unique style should clearly shine through — but that doesn’t mean every image should look or feel the same. A portfolio that’s too repetitive can come across as predictable and, dare I say, a little boring.
Instead, aim for variety within your signature style. Include a mix of food, beverage and lifestyle shots that highlight your versatility, creativity and professionalism while still feeling unmistakably you. The more you can demonstrate range while staying on brand, the more attractive you’ll be to a wider range of high-quality clients.
New image from my portfolio for The Bradley Hare - Kimberly Espinel
New image from my portfolio for Alaska Seafood UK - Kimberly Espinel
STEP 3: Showcase Your FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY Portfolio Across Multiple Platforms
UPDATING YOUR PORTFOLIO BEYOND YOUR WEBSITE
Having your own website or blog is an excellent way to attract the right kind of food photography clients, but in today’s world, clients don’t just find you there. Many discover photographers through a variety of channels — especially social media.
Restaurants and food brands often search platforms like Instagram and TikTok to find the perfect photographer for their menus or product campaigns. That’s why it’s so important to post regularly on these platforms too. The good news? You don’t have to create entirely new content. Simply reshare images from your portfolio, turn them into engaging reels, or post behind-the-scenes clips to give clients a glimpse of your personality, process and professionalism as these are elements that can be harder to convey on a traditional portfolio site.
And don’t overlook Pinterest. While it’s not a traditional social media platform, it’s still a powerful search engine for visual inspiration and hence a great place to share your work. Many brands use Pinterest to scout ideas and source creatives who can bring their concepts to life. Regularly pinning updated food photography to your boards can open doors to clients who might never have found you otherwise, so be sure not to miss out.
Before you go…
I truly hope this blog post has given you some ideas on how to refresh your portfolio and start attracting the clients you want.
If you’d like my guidance on curating your portfolio as well as advice on further strategies that bring in consistent, high-paying clients, then consider applying to join my Fearless Focus Business Mastermind for Food Photographers.
You’ll receive personalised feedback on your creative business, proven marketing tactics, fool-proof pitching templates, and a supportive community of fellow food photographers and food content creators who are as committed to building thriving, profitable creative businesses as you are!
You can find out more and join the waiting list for the Fearless Focus program HERE!