Your portfolio review checklist

Maker’s Manual: 7 tips from Dan Milnor

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May 31, 2026 9:01am EDT

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Maker's Manual

Show your work
with confidence

Portfolio reviews can feel vulnerable.
What if they just don’t get it?

That feeling is real, but so is the opportunity. Portfolio reviews are one of the best
ways to sharpen your craft and gain
valuable feedback. In this video,
Blurb creative ambassador and pro photographer Dan Milnor shares seven practical tips to help you prepare and present with confidence.

Watch now

What to do before
review day

Tip 1: Practice speaking about
your work

In short, rehearse. Think about how you’d
discuss your projects
in a professional setting. Even better—do a practice Q&A with a trusted friend beforehand.

Tip 2: Research who you’re
meeting with

From gallerists to publishers to agents, look at what types of
work they’ve done in the past to better inform how you can pitch your own work.

Tip 3: Print out
your photos

Showing your work on a laptop doesn’t have the same resonance as showing a printed piece.
Print also forces you to choose your best images. Remember, less is more.

Tip 4: Keep it at
20-25 images

A lean portfolio is enough to give your reviewer a sense of your work, point of view, and level of expertise. If they ask to see more, have work in reserve that’s also review-ready.

Get all the tips