A sponsor needs your help!

[ar0ck]

So I'm getting ready to put together a physical portfolio to showcase and look for jobs with, but I'm having trouble picking out my favorite pictures. What I'm looking for is if you guys can pick your favorite pictures from any set. It doesn't have to be all car related as I've tried to put up everything I've done so far. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated too!

My Smug Mug website (www.alexqphoto.smugmug.com)

Also if theirs any other pictures you might have seen but can't find, just let me know!

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

http://alexqphoto.smugmug.com/photos/183740347_godaf-L-5.jpg has me 8-)

http://alexqphoto.smugmug.com/photos/183743749_eoCx2-L-5.jpg has my truck 8-)

http://alexqphoto.smugmug.com/photos/199971095_tjwJQ-L.jpg favorite car...but if it's for a portfolio...you might want something else instead of a car.

http://alexqphoto.smugmug.com/photos/225019712_vcdYW-L.jpg So I guess I'd say that one

[GP99GT]

http://alexqphoto.smugmug.com/photos/325319304_LsM44-L.jpg

http://alexqphoto.smugmug.com/photos/282239305_3vwdd-L.jpg

and

http://alexqphoto.smugmug.com/photos/377494858_GuL7C-XL.jpg

[cdacda13]

http://alexqphoto.smugmug.com/photos/282440434_nGKAM-M.jpg

http://www.alexqphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/3882884_TYPYy#225052130_8savZ-A-LB (http://www.alexqphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/3882884_TYPYy#225052130_8savZ)

http://alexqphoto.smugmug.com/photos/225052582_W8YMQ-L-1.jpg

http://alexqphoto.smugmug.com/photos/225052923_jo3uH-XL-1.jpg (http://alexqphoto.smugmug.com/photos/225052923_jo3uH-XL-1.jpg)

These all seem to have that artistic touch to them

[Untamed]

This is just my opinion.

If you want to put together a professional portfolio, for purusal by potential employers, I would not include ANY party pictures. The perception is you participate in such things and therefore may be a little too immature to be a professional photographer. In an age where potential employers are combing myspace pages for compromising photos and evidence of immature behavior, the inclusion of party pictures in your portfolio - and indeed on your website - may be detrimental. I am unsure how magazines may view such things - music magazines certainly use "party" pictures from time to time.

Secondly, your experience is definately still-shot heavy. Plenty of static pictures of cars and models, but little showing your skills as a motion-shot photographer (the concert shots are good). Where are the pictures of things in motion? Do you have the skills and equipment to capture spur-of-the-moment "speed shots" of people, machines, nature (lightning, falling leaves, etc.) and other shots that demonstrate skill and an eye for the interesting?

Lastly, you are a sponsor of an enthusiast organization, but prospectively you are reaching out to anyone (and indeed you have pictures of non-NJFBOA organizations) who needs a professional or semi-professional photographer. Yet, your website says: "What I am offering NJFBOA members are quality pictures at a reasonable price." You are only offering your services to NJFBOA? You have concert pics there which aren't car related. I would suggest an overhaul of your website for two reasons: 1) You are trying to get business from anywhere you can, so make yourself appear open to anyone; 2) Prospective employers may search the web for your name, possibly finding this website if you haven't already used it in your resume, so make sure it looks professional, and reinforces what you are telling prospective employers. Once again, get rid of the party pictures, and choose motion pictures of people engaged in some other activity.

Good luck Alex.

EDIT: Looking at things from a business perspective, photographers are expected to get the shots employers want, not just shots of friends and public events. Show your ability to hobnob with folks other than friends by attending concerts, political events, etc. where you can capture the shots from a distance that magazines would pay a freelance photographer for. Show you have the clout to get where you need to be, so that your skills as a photographer aren't in question, and your skills at being in the right place at the right time, aren't in question either. I'm not sure how you do it, however we read all the time (and see the pictures) of those photographers who manage to "get the shot" that everyone wants. Somehow you hav to convey your ability to do so, to perspective employers. Being single and unattached to kids, animals and other things that would prevent you from traveling wherever, whenever, works in your favor. Make sure that is known to an employer.

[ar0ck]

With some of your suggested noted I've updated the page somewhat and am looking for your top 20 pics for pictures!

This goes for every type of picture!