Optimizing the Photos

• 1). Open your photo editing software.
  
  
• 2). Upload the pictures from your computer. If you are using film camera prints as part of your portfolio, scan the photos into your computer at the highest resolution your scanner provides. Save the pictures in folders for easy access.
  
  
• 3). Open a photo you want as part of your portfolio and edit it if you want to alter the photo. Photo software packages use different menus and commands and you need to find the command in your package that allows you to optimize the photo. Optimization reduces the file size of the photo, not the physical dimensions itself.
  
  
• 4). Select the resolution level you want. As you lose file size, you also lose pixels, which reduces the quality of your image, especially when printed. Since you are e-mailing the photos, the recipient is likely to view the photos on his computer screen.
  
  
• 5). Select "Save" when you have reached the optimized size for your photos. Name them something different from the original photo or your computer will overwrite the file you originally uploaded to your computer, although the photo still exists on your camera's media storage device until you delete it.
  
  

Creating the Portfolio

• 1). Open your word processing software and create a new file. Insert a blank line by hitting the "Enter" key once and then "Insert a Table." Decide how many photos you want across the page and select the same number for the column count. You can add rows as you go by putting your cursor in the last cell of the row and hitting the tab key.
  
  
• 2). Insert each photo into a cell within the table. Once you have positioned the photos as you want them, you can use the next row to add information or the name or number of the photo.
  
  
• 3). Save your work routinely. You can add front pages to your portfolio and create a cover sheet using the word processor and its tools and commands. After you have finished your portfolio, you can turn it into a .pdf file by selecting the command from the word processing toolbar. A .pdf file is smaller than a document file and users typically cannot alter a .pdf file. If your software does not have this feature, you can leave the file as it is and email it to prospective clients, friends or family.