How to Create, Showcase, and Share Your Wedding Calligraphy Portfolio

Creating a stunning wedding calligraphy portfolio is so important when it comes to attracting clients and showcasing your unique style and skill! Whether you’re just starting out or are an established calligrapher, a well-curated portfolio can set you apart in the competitive wedding industry. In this guide, we’ll explore how to build, showcase, and share your wedding calligraphy portfolio effectively.

Just starting out with calligraphy? Don’t miss my guide on the 6 key mistakes to steer clear of when starting a calligraphy business. And if you’re looking for personalized advice, discover my mentoring program tailored specifically for budding calligraphers just like you!

Building Your Portfolio

If You’re Just Starting Out

Starting your calligraphy portfolio from scratch might seem overwhelming at first, but at the end of the day, it’s all about showcasing the work you want to be hired for. Here are some steps to get you started:

1. Create Sample Work: If you don’t have work that reflects the style of client you want to book (yet!), design samples that reflect the type of wedding calligraphy you want to be known for. This could include invitations, place cards, signage, and more. For inspiration, check out this Calligraphy Biz Corner episode with Dani of Paper Cliché, where she shares her approach to building a portfolio. Suzie of Lawson House also offers valuable insights in another episode, here.
2. Participate in Styled Shoots: Collaborate with wedding planners, photographers, and other vendors in styled shoots. These collaborative projects can provide high-quality images for your portfolio while building relationships within the industry.
3. Offer to Create Work for Friends and Family: Volunteering your skills for friends’ and family’s weddings can be a great way to build your portfolio and gain experience. Plus, you’ll likely receive some lovely testimonials and photos in return.

Once You’re More Established

As you gain experience, you can still do any of the above, but you can also continue to enhance your portfolio with real-life examples:

• Request Photos from Weddings and Events: Always ask for professional photos from the weddings and events you’ve contributed to. Make this a part of your offboarding process to ensure you get the images you need. To learn more about why you need an onboarding and offboarding workflow, click here!
• Have a Brand Shoot: Invest in a brand shoot to capture high-quality images of your calligraphy work. This can include styled shoots featuring your calligraphy in various settings. For more on this, check out my past post about organizing a successful brand shoot.

How to Showcase Your Wedding Calligraphy Portfolio

Once you have what you want to share, displaying your portfolio beautifully is just as important for making a strong impression. Here are some ways to showcase your work:

• On Your Website: Create a dedicated gallery page on your website to highlight your best pieces. Plus, use these images into blog posts and throughout your site to give visitors a comprehensive view of your work.
• On Your Social Media Channels: Regularly post your calligraphy work on platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Plus, don’t forget to actually ENGAGE with your audience on social media to attract more eyes on you!
• In Service Brochures and Marketing Materials: Include photos of your work in your service brochures, guides, and any other marketing materials. This adds a professional touch and provides a tangible representation of your skills. Too often we create these and consider them “one and done” but you should constantly be updating them as you update your wedding calligraphy portfolio.

How to Share It

Sharing your portfolio (in an elevated way) with potential clients is key to converting interest into bookings (and giving them a taste of what it’s like to work with you). Here are some ideas:

• In a Service Brochure/Guide: Compile a service brochure or guide that includes a section dedicated to showcasing your portfolio. This can be a digital or printed document that you provide to inquiries.
• Shared Google Drive Folders: It sounds simple, but it works! My favorite way to share my portfolio is through shared Google Drive folders. This method allows me to quickly send a link to a collection of photos, making it easy for potential clients to view a wide range of my work.

Create, Showcase, and Share Your Wedding Calligraphy Portfolio

Building, showcasing, and sharing your wedding calligraphy portfolio requires effort and creativity, but the results are well worth it. A compelling wedding calligraphy portfolio not only highlights your talent but also helps you connect with your ideal clients.

So, ready to take your wedding calligraphy business to the next level? Book a free discovery call with me to discuss how we can work together. Follow me on Instagram for daily inspiration and tips, and don’t forget to check out my podcast for calligraphers for more industry insights and advice!