Photography Portfolio Website Products

Updated August 2024

Photography Portfolio Website Products Compared (2024)

  1. Format

    • Description: Format is known for its easy-to-use interface and customizable templates, making it a popular choice for photographers who want a professional-looking portfolio without much hassle.

    • Pricing: Starts at $6/month

    • Details: Format

  2. Adobe Portfolio

    • Description: Adobe Portfolio is ideal for photographers already using Adobe Creative Cloud, offering seamless integration with other Adobe tools like Lightroom and Photoshop.

    • Pricing: Included with Adobe Creative Cloud subscription

    • Details: Adobe Portfolio

  3. PhotoFolio

    • Description: PhotoFolio offers high-quality, professionally designed templates tailored specifically for photographers, focusing on showcasing images with maximum impact.

    • Pricing: Starts at $17/month

    • Details: PhotoFolio

  4. Photoshelter

    • Description: Photoshelter is a robust platform with advanced tools for managing archives, selling prints, and offering client proofing, making it ideal for professional photographers with large portfolios.

    • Pricing: Starts at $10/month

    • Details: Photoshelter

  5. Wix

    • Description: Wix is a versatile website builder that offers modern templates and extensive customization options, suitable for photographers who want more design flexibility.

    • Pricing: Free option, premium plans start at $14/month

    • Details: Wix

  6. Squarespace

    • Description: Squarespace is known for its sleek, design-forward templates that are perfect for photographers who prioritize aesthetics and want a polished, professional online presence.

    • Pricing: Starts at $12/month

    • Details: Squarespace

  7. Cargo Collective

    • Description: Cargo Collective offers a more artistic approach with highly customizable templates, making it ideal for photographers and creatives looking to stand out with unique portfolio designs.

    • Pricing: $99/year or $13/month

    • Details: Cargo Collective

  8. SmugMug

    • Description: SmugMug is a powerful platform for photographers who need a combination of portfolio presentation, eCommerce, and print fulfillment services, with strong security and storage options.

    • Pricing: Starts at $9/month

    • Details: SmugMug

  9. Zenfolio

    • Description: Zenfolio is tailored for professional photographers who require a comprehensive solution for showcasing, selling, and delivering their work, with strong client proofing tools.

    • Pricing: Starts at $25/year

    • Details: Zenfolio

  10. Pixpa

    • Description: Pixpa is an all-in-one platform that offers a portfolio, store, blog, and client galleries, making it a versatile option for photographers looking to manage everything in one place.

    • Pricing: Starts at $7/month

    • Details: Pixpa

  11. Square Online (Weebly)

    • Description: Square Online, formerly known as Weebly, is a user-friendly platform that integrates seamlessly with Square’s eCommerce tools, ideal for photographers who want to sell prints and products online.

    • Pricing: Free option, premium plans start at $12/month

    • Details: Square Online

  12. Dunked

    • Description: Dunked provides simple, elegant portfolio templates that are easy to set up and manage, perfect for photographers looking for a minimalist and straightforward design.

    • Pricing: Starts at $8/month

    • Details: Dunked

  13. Carbonmade

    • Description: Carbonmade is an intuitive drag-and-drop portfolio builder that’s great for creatives who want a hassle-free way to showcase their work with fun, modern designs.

    • Pricing: Plans start at $8/month

    • Details: Carbonmade

  14. Format Pro

    • Description: Format Pro offers enhanced features for professional photographers, including advanced client proofing, eCommerce options, and a more extensive range of templates and customization.

    • Pricing: Pro plan starts at $25/month

    • Details: Format Pro

Let me know if you have others that you like using!

Format

Format

Photoshelter

Photoshelter

PhotoFolio

PhotoFolio

Gary Sinise Foundation's Snowball Express

The 2023 Snowball Express was 8 days of photography, laughs, hugs, and some tears. Put on by the Gary Sinise Foundation, Snowball Express brings thousands of military and first responder families together at Disney World to honor their fallen heroes.

The media team not only captures all of the events that take place, but they also work closely with families to document the stories of their lost loved ones. It’s one of the most rewarding photo editing jobs I could ask for. Thanks to Julia Robinson for bringing me on to the team.

Photos by:

Julia Robinson
Sol Neelman
Octavio Jones
Matthew Busch
Justin L. Stewart

Melanie Grizzel

Austin-based Melanie Grizzel has an authentic and warm approach to portraiture and storytelling. Her images exude a connection with the people she is photographing.

For her website update, we focused on showcasing the best of her portraits, food and tourism photography. The updated site is well-suited to editorial, corporate, non-profit, and travel industry clients.

Visit California • Luxury Travel Guide

It was the middle of an endless summer in Austin when AFAR reached out asking if I’d be interested in working on a travel guide for Visit California, one of the nation’s largest and most successful tourism boards.

With the blazing sun and 90% humidity beating down on my home office, I happily said, “yes!”. If I couldn’t spend the summer in California, at least I could distract myself with a deep dive into some of the most beautiful images of its mountains, beaches and beautiful cities.

The brief:

  • Source unique, stunning, and high quality imagery from over 500 points of interest across the state. Find images that evoke a sense of quiet luxury, focusing on unexpected experiences.

  • Manage permissions, model releases, and licensing.

The sources:

  • Favorite California-based lifestyle photographers, including Amanda Friedman who captured the beautiful poppy field moment featured on the cover

  • PR firms

  • Hotels and restaurants

  • Regional and city tourism boards, including Visit Palm Springs, Visit Anaheim, and Go North Lake Tahoe, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, and many others

The results:

A beautiful, antiqued copper wire-bound source book, as well as a stunning digital experience.

The bonus:

Appreciating the beauty of the images alongside the playful and fun illustrations of the amazing Libby VanderPloeg!

Vivian Johnson

Oakland, California-based interiors photographer Vivian Johnson works with some of the west coast’s top designers and architects. Every time we collaborate on a project, I get serious inspiration from the gorgeous spaces and thoughtful details.

Kate Benson

Kate Benson is a New Hampshire-based product, lifestyle, and fashion photographer with an elegant style that feels fresh and modern while giving a nod to timeless beauty. We updated her website to showcase the variety of client work she’s produced and tell the story of the kind of work she is passionate about.

Texas Tribune Festival, 2022

I’ve had the pleasure of working with the Texas Tribune Festival since 2016. Of course, Covid really put a damper on large scale events like TribFest, so I appreciate the event even more now that it’s back in full force.

For the 2022 festival, I focused on producing all of the sponsorship and marketing-related photography coverage, managing the budget, scheduling and photo assignments for the team of photographers and photo editors.

See more of the photos, including those produced by the editorial team.


FHI 360 and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

DC-based photographer Rebecca Drobis was awarded a contract by FHI 360 to create a custom image library for the CDC to use for its diabetes prevention campaigns. CDC realized that traditional stock photography just wasn’t connecting with their users, and wanted to focus on real people talent and situations that would resonate.

I served as the project’s creative director. My priority was ensuring that the CDC’s missions and goals were furthered through Rebecca’s photography.

I reviewed CDC focus group findings, brand guidelines, and other marketing documentation in order to arrive at a list of key themes the photos should touch on.

We approached the project in phases over the course of 14 months, collaborating on what locations, talent, and situations would help the CDC achieve its goals. I created mood boards to help hone the creative direction, and once that was finalized, I created shot lists with location, art and talent direction.

Rebecca and her rock star producer Nancy Swenton took the months of prep and turned into shoot day magic, creating relatable, authentic imagery.

Texas Book Festival, 2022

I got to work with the rock star photo crew for the Texas Book Festival again. Everyone was so happy to be IN PERSON and enjoying the beautiful, fall weather. Thanks to Bob and Janis Daemmrich for having me be their photo editor and to the amazing photographers: Laura Skelding, Stephen Spillman, and Bob Daemmrich.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the weekend.

Attendees pose on Congress Ave / Laura Skelding
Xelena González / Stephen Spillman
Volunteers / Stephen Spillman
Sandra Cisneros / Bob Daemmrich
Jacques Pépin / Laura Skelding

Texas Writer Award boots / Bob Daemmrich
Beautiful weather and good eats / Bob Daemmrich
Chef Chris Scott / Laura Skelding
Rabia Chaudry poses with a fan / Laura Skelding
Capitol rotunda / Bob Daemmrich
Omar Epps / Laura Skelding
Capitol / Stephen Spillman

Big Weekend Calendar, 2023

Hard to believe it’s been over 10 years since I joined the Big Weekend Calendar team as their photo editor. The 2023 edition was a joy to produce. From vintage clothes shopping in Austin’s North Loop neighborhood to hot rods and chihuahuas, this year’s calendar had something for everyone.

Here are a few of my favorite photos.

Resource: Photo Contests and Grants Calendar

(Updated August 2024)

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Did you know that an editor can help you home in on the right images for contests and grants?

An objective, outside opinion and fresh look at work can help you craft a contest or grant entry that connects with the judges.

I've created contest edits for numerous photographers who went on to win World Press Photo, POYi, Communication Arts, and PDN Photo Annual awards.

Photography Contests and Grants Calendar for 2024

Photography offers many opportunities to showcase your talent and receive support through contests and grants. Below is a comprehensive list of key photography contests and grants for 2024, including specific grants aimed at documentary photographers who are People of Color, Women, or Indigenous.

Top Photography Contests and General Grants for 2024

  1. International Photography Awards (IPA)

    • Prizes: Up to $12,000 for professionals

    • Eligibility: Open to photographers of all levels worldwide

    • Categories: Ranging from fine art to documentary photography

    • Deadline: January 31, 2024

    • Details: IPA Website​

  2. Sony World Photography Awards

    • Prizes: Multiple categories with significant media exposure

    • Eligibility: Open globally with specific categories for youth, students, and professionals

    • Deadline: Various deadlines for different categories (Professional competition: January 12, 2024; Open competition: January 5, 2024)

    • Details: Sony World Photography Awards​

  3. Monovisions Photography Awards

    • Prizes: $3,000 for Black and White Series of the Year

    • Eligibility: Open to black and white photographers at all levels

    • Deadline: January 21, 2024

    • Details: Monovisions Awards

  4. Fine Art Photography Awards

    • Prizes: $5,000 in total cash prizes

    • Eligibility: Open to all, with categories for both amateurs and professionals

    • Deadline: February 11, 2024 (Early Bird: October 13, 2023)

    • Details: Fine Art Photography Awards​

  5. Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards

    • Prizes: Mentorship sessions with leading industry figures

    • Eligibility: Open to all music photographers

    • Deadline: July 18, 2024

    • Details: Abbey Road Studios

  6. Getty Images Editorial Grants

    • Amount: $5,000 to $15,000

    • Eligibility: Open to emerging photographers and photojournalists

    • Focus: Supports impactful editorial projects, particularly those highlighting underrepresented communities

    • Deadline: Typically opens in spring

    • Details: Getty Images Grants

  7. The Howard Chapnick Grant

    • Amount: $10,000

    • Eligibility: Focuses on education, research, and projects promoting social change in photojournalism

    • Deadline: Spring 2024

    • Details: W. Eugene Smith Fund​

  8. The Magnum Foundation Fund

    • Amount: Varies per project

    • Eligibility: Prioritizes photographers of color and those working on projects related to social justice

    • Deadline: Typically opens in March

    • Details: Magnum Foundation

  9. National Geographic Storytelling Grants

    • Amount: Up to $30,000

    • Eligibility: Open to photographers documenting underrepresented communities or critical global issues

    • Deadline: Rolling deadlines throughout the year

    • Details: National Geographic​

  10. The Alexia Foundation Grants

    • Amount: Varies

    • Eligibility: Supports photographers focusing on social justice and human rights issues

    • Deadline: Opens in early 2024

    • Details: Alexia Foundation​

Top Grants for Documentary Photographers (People of Color, Women, Indigenous)

  1. Women Photograph Project Grants

    • Amount: Up to $5,000

    • Eligibility: Open to women and non-binary documentary photographers

    • Focus: Supports photographers telling stories about their communities or issues affecting women globally

    • Deadline: Opens in spring 2024

    • Details: Women Photograph​

  2. The Nat Geo Explorer Grant

    • Amount: Up to $10,000

    • Eligibility: Open to early-career photographers who identify as women, Indigenous, or as part of an underrepresented community

    • Focus: Supports impactful storytelling projects

    • Deadline: Rolling applications throughout the year

    • Details: National Geographic Explorers​

  3. Indigenous Photograph Annual Grant

    • Amount: Varies

    • Eligibility: Indigenous photographers from around the world

    • Focus: Supports the work of Indigenous photographers documenting their communities and issues relevant to them

    • Deadline: Typically opens in the fall

    • Details: Indigenous Photograph​

  4. The Visionary Woman Awards

    • Amount: $5,000

    • Eligibility: Open to women photographers with a focus on social justice or environmental issues

    • Focus: Supports projects that address critical issues affecting women and communities of color

    • Deadline: Summer 2024

    • Details: Visionary Woman Awards​

  5. Native and Indigenous Photographer Fund

    • Amount: $10,000

    • Eligibility: Exclusively for Native American, First Nations, and Indigenous photographers

    • Focus: Supports documentary photography projects that highlight Indigenous experiences and stories

    • Deadline: Typically opens in the fall

    • Details: Native Photographers​

  6. Black Women Photographers Grant

    • Amount: $5,000

    • Eligibility: Open to Black women and non-binary photographers

    • Focus: Provides funding to help elevate the work of Black women photographers and document their communities

    • Deadline: Opens in spring 2024

    • Details: Black Women Photographers​

  7. Diverse Photographers Initiative by Adobe

    • Amount: $10,000

    • Eligibility: Open to photographers of color, particularly those from underrepresented communities

    • Focus: Supports creative projects that highlight diversity and social justice

    • Deadline: Opens in the spring of 2024

    • Details: Adobe Diversity Initiative

  8. The Serendipity Arles Grant

    • Amount: €5,000

    • Eligibility: South Asian women photographers

    • Focus: Supports creative documentary projects that explore social issues in South Asia

    • Deadline: Typically opens in late summer

    • Details: Serendipity Arles Grant

  9. Fellowship for Black Photographers by Light Work

    • Amount: $10,000

    • Eligibility: Black photographers working on documentary projects

    • Focus: Supports emerging and mid-career Black photographers with a focus on documentary work

    • Deadline: Opens in early 2024

    • Details: Light Work​

  10. The Color Positive Grant

    • Amount: $7,500

    • Eligibility: Photographers of color

    • Focus: Supports documentary photography projects that highlight positive stories from communities of color

    • Deadline: Opens in the fall

    • Details: Color Positive Grant​

Conclusion

The landscape of photography contests and grants is rich and diverse, with numerous opportunities for photographers of all backgrounds to advance their careers and amplify their voices. For documentary photographers who are People of Color, Women, or Indigenous, these grants provide vital support to tell important stories that might otherwise go unheard. Stay updated with deadlines and apply to those that resonate most with your work and vision.

Explore, create, and submit—2024 could be your year to shine!