What Is a Curated Portfolio Review and Why It Matters in Commercial Photography.
Q: What is a curated portfolio review?
A: A curated portfolio review is a selective, goal-focused session designed to align your work with the clients you want to attract.
Not All Reviews Are Created Equal
A curated review isn’t random. It’s intentional. It’s a process where your portfolio is evaluated with purpose of your long-term goals in mind.
These reviews focus on:
Consistency: Is your work telling a clear visual story?
Quality: Are you showcasing your strongest, most relevant pieces?
Alignment: Does your portfolio match the type of clients or campaigns you want to attract?
It’s also important to understand the goal of the review you’re participating in. Some are meant purely for feedback, others for marketing guidance and in commercial photography many reviews are designed to help you meet creative buyers and land work.
How At The Table Does It Differently
At The Table isn’t just another review. It’s a curated networking event with real creative decision-makers, not just peer feedback or portfolio critiques.
Each meeting is thoroughly vetted
Every participant is there with intent and purpose
No cold outreach. No guessing. No passive mass marketing.
Just one-on-one trust-building in a space designed to help you show up and be remembered.
It’s not about being everywhere. It’s about being in the right room with the right people. That’s what we curate for.
Expert Insight: Meet Heidi Goverman
“If you’re not marketing, you don’t exist so my advice is: set marketing goals and schedule them. Make new work. Stay passionate and creative.”
Heidi is a communicator at heart. She’s spent her career helping professionals connect with the right clients, from organizing efforts to making direct introductions. She’s passionate, kind and attentive. And if you ever get the chance, ask her about her flower tables or her baking.
Today she brings us some valuable industry insights and lets us know what a portfolio review is about.
TL;DR
At The Table events are strategic, not feedback reviews.
Know the goal of the review you are doing: is it feedback, marketing insight or client connection?
In commercial work, reviews should lead to opportunity
Choose curated formats like At The Table, where the agenda is set with your goals in mind
