Do Celebrity Shoots Actually Help Your Portfolio?

On the surface, shooting celebrities or high-profile athletes seems like a golden ticket to a stronger portfolio. But here’s the truth: it’s not the name—it’s the image. In this episode, I break down the myth that photographing celebrities or athletes will instantly elevate your brand. I share stories from my own career—including a high-caliber shoot with first-round NFL draft pick Beanie Wells, and a less-than-stellar session with actors Eric Bana and Joel McHale—and explain why editors don’t care who is in your photo if the quality isn’t there. You’ll also learn what photo editors have told me directly during portfolio reviews, and the one situation where working with athletes does give you an edge. What You’ll Learn: Why name recognition alone won’t help your photography career The real reasons some celebrity shots don’t make the cut How to evaluate whether an image actually belongs in your portfolio What working with athletes can teach you about professionalism and production under pressure Why you must separate experience from presentation when curating your book Key Takeaways: A weak image of a celebrity is still a weak image. Your portfolio is judged by quality, not notoriety. Shooting athletes builds credibility behind the scenes—not necessarily in your visuals. Every photo in your book needs to serve a purpose and reflect your highest standard. Resources & Mentions: Story: NFL athlete Beanie Wells photo shoot Story: Behind-the-scenes from a difficult Joel McHale shoot Portfolio feedback sessions with top magazine editors Connect with Me: Instagram: @jpatrickphoto Website: www.jamespatrick.com