Photographer Guidelines

How to build a great
TrueNorth Frames profile

Your portfolio is your first impression to Edmonton clients. These guidelines help you put your best work forward — and keep the marketplace trustworthy for everyone.

Portfolio photos

Your portfolio photos appear in the discovery reel and on your public profile. Clients make decisions based on what they see here.

Do

Real photography work only

Every photo must be taken by you. Showcase your best sessions — weddings, portraits, corporate, newborns, events, real estate.

Variety of shots

Mix it up — wide establishing shots, close details, candid moments. Variety shows your range and style to potential clients.

High resolution & sharp focus

Upload full-resolution originals. Blurry, pixelated, or heavily compressed images reflect poorly on your profile.

Consistent style

Your portfolio is your first impression. A cohesive edit style builds client trust faster than a mixed bag of looks.

Tag your photos

Add tags (Outdoor, Golden Hour, Studio, etc.) and the month/year taken. This helps clients find you in the portfolio reel.

Add a caption

A short caption like "Engagement shoot at Hawrelak Park" gives context and shows up in search. Keep it natural.

Minimum 5 photos

Profiles with fewer than 5 photos don't qualify for the Rising Talent badge and are less likely to be discovered.

Don't

No flyers or text graphics

Job postings, pricing sheets, promotional flyers, or any image where text is the main content will be removed.

No stock photos

Only upload photos you personally shot. Stock photography, AI-generated images, or other photographers' work is not allowed.

No watermarked images

Remove your watermark before uploading. Watermarks distract from the work — your profile and name already identify you.

No screenshots or phone screenshots

Screenshots of Instagram posts, messages, or other apps are not portfolio-quality content.

No inappropriate content

No nudity, graphic violence, or content that violates our terms of service. Boudoir photography is permitted within tasteful limits.

No misleading content

Don't upload photos from a different photographer or region. Edmonton clients are booking based on what they see — be honest.

Enforcement

Our team reviews flagged content. Photos that violate these guidelines will be removed without notice. Repeated violations may result in profile suspension. Clients can flag inappropriate content directly from your profile.

Badge system

Badges are computed automatically from your profile signals — no application needed. They appear on your profile card, in the discovery reel, and on your public profile page.

🌟Rising Talent

For photographers building their reputation. Clients see this as a signal of fresh talent worth discovering.

Requirements

Under 3 years Edmonton experience, OR new to the platform

At least 5 portfolio photos uploaded

Profile is approved

Trusted Pro

For established Edmonton photographers with an external verified presence.

Requirements

3+ years of Edmonton photography experience

Google Business Profile connected

Website URL set on your profile

At least 1 Google review on your GBP

🏆Most Reviewed

Earned automatically — no application needed. Awarded to the most reviewed photographers on the platform.

Requirements

Top 3 photographers by review count on TrueNorth Frames

At least 3 platform reviews

📅Most Booked

Awarded to the photographers with the most completed sessions through the platform.

Requirements

Top 3 photographers by completed bookings on TrueNorth Frames

At least 3 completed sessions

Trust score

Your trust score (75–100) is shown publicly when you connect your Google Business Profile. It signals to clients that you have a verifiable, established presence.

75 pts

Baseline

Awarded just for connecting your Google Business Profile.

+12.5 pts

Reviews

Based on your GBP rating and review count.

+9.5 pts

Verification

Profile completeness + GBP verified status.

Connect your GBP from your photographer dashboard under the Trust score tab.

Community standards

TrueNorth Frames is a local Edmonton community. We expect everyone to interact professionally.

Respond promptly

Clients who send messages expect a reply within 24–48 hours. Photographers who respond quickly get significantly more bookings.

Honour confirmed bookings

Cancelling a confirmed booking without good reason harms the client and your reputation on the platform.

Honest pricing

Your rate display should reflect what you actually charge. Quoting dramatically different prices after contact damages trust.

Accurate availability

Keep your calendar up to date so clients aren't disappointed after reaching out.

Respectful communication

All communication on the platform must be professional and respectful. Harassment or inappropriate messaging results in immediate suspension.

Ready to upload your portfolio?

Head to your dashboard to add photos, set tags, and get discovered by Edmonton clients.

Go to dashboard