It's no secret that London's creative scene is competitive and heavily saturated. As a photographer, standing out from the crowd can feel like an impossible task, but it can make all the difference. And there's no better way to do it than with your portfolio. Think of your portfolio as a creative CV, a place for you to show off your best work.

With that in mind, here are some tips on how to craft your portfolio so it makes an impression.

Putting yourself out there as a photographer means being visible. Your portfolio should include key information like your phone number, email address and an about section, so that potential clients get to know the person behind the camera.

Julia Howe, photographer and Senior Talent Manager at Contact explains that your portfolio can be a place for you to "explain your process, learning, and development". Being personable goes a long way and can be the difference between landing that job or missing out.

Photographer Naomi Davison says "For me, it’s always that sense of authenticity and intimacy that makes photos stand out."

Social media continues to be hugely important in the creative industry. It's now easier than ever to market yourself and connect with fans of your photography, as well as potential clients.

As Julia says, "Your followers are following you for a reason. They want to know what makes you tick. It's super important to understand your branding on social media, and craft your narrative."

Naomi goes on to tell us "My portfolio definitely became a lot stronger as I started to develop my style and became more confident in the way I was shooting." When used correctly, social media can be a vital tool for showing what you’re about and presenting your work.

An engaging portfolio is a good portfolio. When you send your portfolio to a potential client, it needs to instantly grab them and make them want to get to know you better – and, hopefully, work together.

Contact's Operations Manager, Shannon Kennedy, says, "Use eye-catching images to draw clients in. Stick to a maximum of two images from each shoot to keep your profile fresh". Like a good movie trailer, you don't want to give it all away.

Photographer Hanifah Mohammad tells us, "If I’m not making photos I love or feel proud of, my portfolio would just fall flat. Colour and framing are really important parts of my work so I always try to make it look different each time but keeping within my style so there’s consistency."

While it’s hard to choose between all the great shots you’ve got on hand, it’s important to curate your work. Think carefully about everything you include, and why you’re including it.

Hanifah takes a self-reflective approach, "Will others like what they see? Do I like what I see? It's super important for me to never include photos I don’t like - my portfolio is also used to showcase who I am."

Shannon says, "If you shoot a variety of different subject matters, make sure that's reflected in your portfolio. Show off how diverse your skillset is. Equally, if you have a super distinct style, make sure it comes across."

Naomi explains that "I‘ve always been a very visual person and get a bit obsessive with how things look aesthetically. I used to make zines and do magazine layouts and I apply the same sort visual planning to how I curate and share my photography. But as much as I do think it is important to be selective with what you share I try not to overthink it too much."

For even more tips on making your photography portfolio stand out from the crowd, tune in to this episode of Creative Paths. Alex Massek offers wisdom on setting prices, using social media, and balancing work and mental health.