Edit your body of work. Identify all of the pieces you think were successful and received the best feedback. Because objectivity may be difficult, enlist the help of a respected colleague or critic to help you judge and select your strongest work. Determine the number of pieces you will include in your portfolio from the individual or group that will be evaluating your work. If no amount is specified, limit your portfolio to 20 pieces or fewer.
Tailor your selections. Once you have chosen your best pieces, determine if those pieces show your range of artistic abilities. If you are applying to a fine arts degree program, and your medium has primarily been photography, you may also want to add a few drawings or paintings to demonstrate your range and ability to work with other mediums. On the contrary, if you are applying for a highly focused position, you may want to concentrate your portfolio on a particular medium; but you can still show your range through color choices, composition and technique. Know the audience that will be evaluating your portfolio and what areas would best impress them. You may choose to take pieces in and out of a portfolio depending on who is evaluating it.
Photograph your pieces. Presenting high-quality images of your art is important. Use photo-editing software to edit or crop your images. Be sure not to misrepresent your work by enhancing them too much -- but take advantage of software features that will enable you to display your images with the best possible contrast and brightness. Be sure to back up all of your original and enhanced digital images.
Choose a display style. The way you present your portfolio may vary depending on the individual who will be assessing it. Some fine art schools require slides of your work; others may allow you to send in a CD that displays your work. If you are presenting your portfolio in person, you may choose to include prints in a hardcover portable case. Regardless of display style, be sure your images are numbered and labeled with information that includes the date and medium used. In addition, do your best to have uniformity in your display style that reflects good organizational skills on your part. Use similarly sized photos and try to have a neat overall presentation. Your portfolio may also include a brief biography about yourself, including any awards, publications or press releases and a statement about your vision as an artist.