Portfolio Review Boot Camp
This e-course is an in-depth look at the world of photography portfolio reviews, from the inside out. The brass tacks: participating in a review is one of the best ways to make connections with the photography professionals who are poised to promote your work. A portfolio review is an opportunity to get the conversation started around your photography, to receive suggestions about how your work could be stronger, and to get insider information about what different photo professionals are looking for.
In short – serious emerging photographers can’t afford to miss these events.
Attending a portfolio review doesn’t have to feel intimidating. Boot Camp gives you all the insider knowledge you’ll need to knock your upcoming portfolio review out of the park.
“Take this class. Take this class. Run, don’t walk. Take this class. One of the best investments I have made in myself. I wish I had been able to take this course before attending my first review a couple of weeks earlier. I met with two of the people who were interviewed, and it would have been helpful. Not only that, but just hearing the reviewers points of view confirmed my experiences, and would have gone a long way to put me at ease.”
What’s included?
Portfolio Review Boot Camp includes helpful essays, audio lectures, and interviews with seasoned review professionals from the museum, gallery, publishing, and media worlds. You’ll hear from:
Alyssa Coppelman (Oxford American, Harper’s Magazine)
Michelle Dunn Marsh (Minor Matters Books)
Dina Mitrani (Dina Mitrani Gallery)
Wally Mason (Sheldon Art Museum)
You’ll also get direct feedback and advice on your preparation details, so you can feel confident you’re making the right choices. After all, registering for a review is an investment – you’ll want to make the most of it.
“Boot Camp was invaluable. I gained a lot of insight not only with my own questions but by reading about other artist’s struggles and how Laura directed them to solve them on their own. The interviews were excellent as well!”
What’s Boot Camp like?
You’ll receive two new lessons every day for six days. The online classroom is a great, user-friendly space for learning and sharing. You’ll be able to post images and questions and get direct feedback and support.
Unlike a traditional classroom experience, Boot Camp lessons can be taken at any hour of the day or night, so you can jump in whenever it works for your schedule. There are no awkwardly scheduled webinars, no commuting to a stuffy classroom in rush-hour traffic. Tune in when it’s best for you. You’ll have access to all of the course material for three years, so you can revisit it at any time in that window.
About your guide…
I’m Laura Valenti. Before I started Light Atlas Creative, I was the Outreach Director at Photolucida, one of the top portfolio review events in the U.S.
I’ve had my fingers in a lot of pots in the art world, for over 20 years. I teach interactive e-courses, support emerging photographers in my creative mentoring program, speak to photo groups, and curate exhibitions for galleries and photo festivals around the world. I also jury photo competitions and serve as a reviewer at national and international portfolio review events, where I help photographers fine-tune their vision and promote their work with more confidence.
I created Portfolio Review Boot Camp to help photographers feel empowered (instead of intimidated) as they advance their careers in the art world. You can do this! Boot Camp is here for you.
There are two ways to experience this e-course...
The first option is detailed above. The second option includes everything mentioned above and adds a mentoring component. Here’s what that looks like:
Step 1: I will review your past photographic work, your website (if you have one), and any in-progress portfolios or other images you want to share. (Yes, I really will look at ALL of it.)
Step 2: We'll schedule a 60-minute mentoring call. Ask me anything - it’s your time to use however you like. I’ll offer feedback on your images and we’ll chat about your photography goals and any creative challenges you’re experiencing. We’ll also map out your next steps so you feel jazzed, focused, and eager to get going.
The mentoring option is an excellent fit for people who are looking for detailed feedback and personalized advice.
“This course was outstanding from three points of view: Laura Valenti was remarkable. She shared, guided and kept us engaged which can be tricky with online learning. The workshop design could be a model for other groups. I have yet to see anything like it. Lastly, the wealth of information, access to expert interviews, and the experience of the participants was so much more that I had ever expected.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When does class begin?
The Portfolio Review Boot Camp is “on demand,” which means it begins the day you sign up. You’ll get access to the first lesson as soon as your registration is complete.
Are there any "live" elements of this class? Do I need to schedule specific times to tune in?
You can do the course entirely on your own schedule - you don't have to be online at any particular time. I’ll give you regular feedback on your posts and you’ll be able to respond whenever it works best for you.
Tell me honestly - how good do I need to be for this?
Photographers at every level are welcome in Boot Camp. If you’re just dreaming about attending a portfolio review but don’t even have one scheduled yet, that’s okay. Boot Camp will help you understand what’s involved so you feel more comfortable signing up for a review. More experienced photographers will also feel right at home in this course.
If I’ve already attended a portfolio review, will this e-course be of any value to me?
People who have already attended portfolio review events regularly sign up for Boot Camp, because they want to fine-tune their prep and ask new questions about new bodies of work.
What's your refund policy?
If you need to leave class for any reason, you’re welcome to shift your prorated registration to one-on-one mentoring. Because you'll get access to the course and all the course resources (and because you'll get to keep your access for three full years), your registration isn't refundable or transferrable to a different course offering.
“I didn’t want to let another day go by without saying how delighted I was to have taken your Bootcamp class. It was comprehensive in every way from the materials, to the interviews, to the class comments and your thoughtful responses to them. I am so very glad I enrolled. You are a knowledgeable and gifted instructor and all those who take your classes have much to benefit from. So, hats off to you, Laura!! Thank you so much. Bootcamp was wonderful!”
“The interviews were fantastic and invaluable for helping us to get an idea of what different types of reviewers are looking for. Laura Valenti’s critiques were thoughtful and to the point and I loved her enthusiasm. It really shows she cares about giving us a great resource and wants us make a good impression at reviews. I’m very happy I signed up!”
“The Portfolio Review Boot Camp has been such a great experience, thank you so much Laura V! I have learned a lot and met inspiring fellow photographers. Every day I looked forward to the class and was very sad when it ended! Will definitely recommend it to other photographers.”
“As a photographer who is just starting to learn about the importance of Portfolio Reviews, this course was invaluable in providing practical guidance on preparation.”
“Loved the class – all three elements were very informative: the guidance, the recorded interviews, and the links to additional material. The class is also a great opportunity to interact with other photographers, see their work, and hear their thoughts on both their work and yours.”
“This was a super little primer for me! The structure is logical and ever so helpful! I loved getting to interact with other artists and hear and see what they had to say.”
“This was my third online class with Laura Valenti and it was another good experience. I have not yet done a portfolio review, so this was a great introduction. I now have a better idea what to expect in a portfolio review, and I will likely get more out of it.”