Show finished work and process
Include clean final images, but also show the work behind the result: consultation notes, before images, formulas or service planning where appropriate, and what you learned from the appointment.
Make the portfolio easy to scan
Group work by service type, keep the strongest images first, and remove anything blurry, dark, over-filtered, or hard to understand. A smaller sharp portfolio is stronger than a long one with uneven work.
Localize your story
If you want work in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or Harrisburg, show that you understand the clients, pace, and professional expectations of those markets. Shops hire for skill, judgment, consistency, and how you carry yourself in the room.