As a beauty school student, you might think you need years of experience before building a portfolio. Wrong. The work you do in school matters—and if you don't document it, you'll graduate with nothing to show employers. Start building your portfolio now, and you'll enter the job market ahead of classmates who didn't.
Why Build Your Portfolio in School
Waiting until graduation to start documenting your work is the biggest mistake students make.
- You're learning techniques now that you'll want to show later
- Employers expect to see work samples, even from new graduates
- Practice makes perfect—including photography practice
- Your best school work demonstrates your potential
- Classmates are your first models—take advantage
- Some projects won't be repeatable after school
Pro tip: Take a photo of every project you're proud of. You can curate later, but you can't photograph work that's already gone.
What to Include in a Student Portfolio
You don't need years of client work. Use what you have access to.
- Mannequin work: cuts, color, styling (label it as such)
- Classmate work: services you've done on fellow students
- Friends and family: volunteer to practice on them
- Before-and-after projects: transformations tell stories
- Special projects: editorial, competition, creative work
- Certificates and awards from school
Photography Tips for Students
You don't need professional equipment, but you do need good technique.
- Use natural light near a window whenever possible
- Keep backgrounds clean and simple
- Shoot from multiple angles: front, sides, back
- Get close enough to show detail
- Make sure the work is styled before photographing
- Use your phone's portrait mode for depth of field
- Take multiple shots and choose the best later
Making Mannequin Work Look Professional
Mannequin photos can look amateur or professional. Here's how to make them work.
- Style the hair fully before photographing
- Position the mannequin naturally (not straight-on)
- Use good lighting to show color and dimension
- Crop or blur if the mannequin's face looks off
- Be honest: label it as mannequin work
- Focus on technique—color blends, precision cuts
Organizing Your Portfolio
A well-organized portfolio is easier to review and shows professionalism.
- Start with your strongest pieces
- Group by service type (cuts, color, styling)
- Include variety to show range
- Keep it current—remove older, weaker pieces
- Aim for 10-15 solid pieces, not 50 mediocre ones
- Create both digital and physical versions
Building Your Digital Presence
Start building your online presence before graduation.
- Create a professional Instagram dedicated to your work
- Set up a ChairTribe profile before job hunting
- Use a consistent handle across platforms
- Post regularly—even weekly practice is worth sharing
- Use relevant hashtags to get discovered
- Engage with salons and stylists you admire
Pro tip: Separate your professional Instagram from your personal one. Employers will look you up.
Document Your Progression
Showing improvement over time can be as impressive as perfect work.
- Save early work for comparison later
- Create "then vs. now" comparisons
- Note what you learned from challenging pieces
- Be ready to discuss how you've improved
- Show that you're coachable and growth-minded
Preparing for Job Interviews
Your portfolio is your key interview tool as a new graduate.
- Print your 8-10 best pieces for in-person interviews
- Have your phone ready to show digital work
- Be able to discuss each piece: the challenge, your approach
- Bring any certifications or awards
- Practice talking about your work confidently
- Know what services you're strongest in
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely—as long as you're honest about it. Employers know students work on mannequins. What matters is the quality of your technique. Label it clearly and supplement with real-person work when possible.
Quality over quantity. 10-15 solid pieces are better than 50 mediocre ones. Show variety (cuts, color, styling) and your strongest work. You can grow your portfolio once you're working in a salon.
No. Your portfolio should only include work you're proud of and can discuss confidently. If a piece has flaws you'd struggle to explain, leave it out. One weak piece can undermine a strong portfolio.