Which three words would you use to describe yourself? Most of us have been asked this question, and many of us have fumbled through it awkwardly.
Coming up with a personal description can be daunting. But there are times when it’s essential – whether we’re updating our LinkedIn profiles, blogging for Medium or creating a business website of our own.
In this post, we’ll go over how to write a bio, step by step. To help guide you, we’ve also included a handy template, along with some professional bio examples for your inspiration. With these resources, you’ll find that writing a bio, as part of making a website, is much easier than you might think.
Your portfolio biography gives viewers a window into who you are as a creative professional. It’s a chance to tell your story, share your background and make a personal connection. An effective bio goes beyond just facts to capture your unique personality and work philosophy.
Follow these tips to craft a compelling portfolio bio
Introduce Yourself in an Interesting Way
Start strong by instantly grabbing attention. Some engaging opening line ideas include:
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An encouraging vision statement about your artistic purpose. E.g. “I believe stunning imagery has the power to touch hearts and change minds.”
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A bold achievement that proves your abilities. E.g. “As the youngest photographer ever featured in Nature Magazine, I thrive on capturing the beauty of the natural world.”
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Your specialty niche. E.g. “Travel lover turned storytelling portrait artist.”
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A compelling value you hold dear. E.g. “Authenticity. It’s what I strive for in both my photography and life.”
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An attention-grabbing statistic. E.g. “Over 10 million people worldwide have viewed my photographs to date.”
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A humorous one-liner that shows off your personality.
Get creative with your opener to instantly pique visitor interest.
Use a Friendly, Casual Tone
Write conversationally, as if speaking to a friend. Share tidbits and stories. Sprinkle in humor. Shed the formal tone used in traditional resumes. Opening up allows your passion and personality to shine through.
However, do stay professional. Avoid controversial topics or oversharing. Be thoughtful about what private details to include.
Decide Which Experiences to Highlight
Briefly cover your professional background, focusing on achievements relevant to the work you want hired for. Share:
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Past roles, employers, clients, and major projects.
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Specific skills mastered over your career.
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Key accolades, press features, publications, or exhibitions.
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Educational background like photography degrees or training programs.
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Niche areas of expertise like portraiture, product photography or photojournalism.
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Passions that fuel your work, like nature, people or adventure.
Concisely demonstrate why you’re qualified for photography-related opportunities.
Mention Awards and Accolades
Don’t be shy about listing notable honors that validate your talent, like:
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Prestigious grants or residencies awarded.
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Select publications your work has been featured in.
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Influential collections or galleries that have shown your work.
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Contests, festivals or juried shows you’ve won.
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Clients, publishers or brands you’ve done major projects for.
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Exclusive professional groups or societies you’re a member of.
Recognition by others in your field proves your merit as an artist or photographer.
Sprinkle in Some Personal Details
While portfolios spotlight your work, bios offer a chance to share what drives you as an individual. Humanize yourself by mentioning:
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Interests, hobbies or fun facts people may not expect.
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Causes or organizations you actively support.
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Values most important to you professionally or personally.
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What energizes and inspires you.
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Passions beyond photography like travel, music or family.
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Quirky mottos or sayings you live by.
Adding personal touches makes your bio engaging and memorable.
Include a Professional Photo of Yourself
Having an appealing headshot helps visitors put a face to your name. Tips for selecting a strong portfolio photo:
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Appear approachable and friendly. Smile naturally.
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Dress professionally in attire matching your niche.
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Ensure the background is appropriate, not distracting.
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Use a high-quality, high-resolution image.
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Pick a photo that matches your brand style.
Your picture invites viewers to connect with you.
Proofread and Edit Your Bio
Before finalizing your artist biography:
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Check for typos, grammar issues and accuracy.
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Tighten up wording so it’s crisp and concise.
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Rearrange content so it flows well.
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Make sure tone and style fit your personal brand.
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Ask a peer to read it over and provide feedback.
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Revise until you have a strong, polished bio.
An engaging portfolio bio allows viewers to get to know the talented person behind the amazing images. Use these tips to craft a biography that draws people in and compels them to learn more about you and your photography.
What is a bio?
Before you learn how to write a bio, you should have a clear understanding of what it is and why you need it.
In the world of literature, a personal biography can span the length of an entire novel, like Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom or Malala Yousafzai’s I Am Malala. In the online world, however, a bio is a short paragraph in which you introduce yourself. Typically, some of the best business websites place bios on a designated About Us page in their website, as well as on their social media pages and other networking platforms.
Creating a bio for social media
Crafting a professional bio for social media is vital as it introduces you or your brand, and it builds credibility and trust. A well-written bio establishes your expertise, attracts the right audience, and fosters engagement. It helps maintain a consistent brand , optimizes search and discovery, and opens doors to networking and career opportunities. A compelling bio delivers a concise, informative snapshot of who you are, what you do, and the value you bring, leaving a lasting impression on visitors and potential collaborators alike.
You may need to edit your bio depending on which social media platform you plan to use it on. Some of the most popular ones include Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Focus on getting your bio right on the platforms you plan to focus your personal or brand social media marketing efforts on.
How to write the perfect portfolio intro
How to write a portfolio biography?
Here are three tips to help you write a portfolio biography: 1. Choose a third person or first person perspective Writing in third person can promote a professional tone and suggest an objective point of view. In contrast, writing in first person can provide a more casual tone and imply a personal point of view.
How do you write a portfolio bio & introduction?
A good portfolio bio and introduction tell a story that connects with your audience on an emotional level. You don’t have to write a long biography or a detailed resume, but you should share some relevant and interesting aspects of your background, experience, and achievements. How did you get started in your field? What are you passionate about?
How do you write a portfolio biography for a third person perspective?
Here are example portfolio biography templates for third person and first person perspectives: [Full name] is a [current job title] at [company or employer]. [Pronoun] has [description of work experience]. [Name] has [description of personal background or professional achievements]. [Name] hopes to [description of personal or professional goals].
What makes a good portfolio bio?
The portfolios that stand out are those that don’t sound like robotic, templated resumes with tired phrases everyone uses. This is your website, not LinkedIn. So whatever you do, make your bio yours. The infamous portfolio bio.
