It allows the students to hear it from experts and gain greater insights, in addition to networking opportunities.
Multiple sessions were held throughout the week including a keynote from Gurmit Samra, Creative Director, Producer and Writer.
Gurmit was also a lecturer at Deby College for several years. Gurmit has written the following blog to outline his key messages.
Building your creative portfolio
When you step out into the freelance world or start applying to agencies, people won’t just want to hear what you can do, they’ll want to see it. Your portfolio is your proof. It’s the key thing that will make people trust you with their brand, their money, and their vision.
When I first started out, I didn’t have a perfect plan or loads of resources. What I did have was the willingness to put myself out there, experiment, and build my body of work one project at a time.
Today, as the founder of Impress Video and the writer-director of my debut feature film Get Gone (now on Amazon Prime), I can look back and trace everything to those first steps: reaching out, creating, and learning.
And here’s what I want you to know, your best starting point is right on your doorstep: local businesses!
Why I Started with Local Businesses
When I was figuring out how to get experience, I realised local businesses were the perfect place to start. They’re passionate about what they do, they want to stand out in their community, and often they don’t have the budget to hire big agencies.
I approached coffee shops, gyms, restaurants, takeaways, anyone who needed content, and offered to create something for them. That’s how I built my first real portfolio.
It wasn’t just about having work to show, it was about learning how to deal with real clients, manage expectations, and create content that had an actual purpose.
Those early projects taught me more than any classroom could, and they opened doors that eventually led to paid work and long-term relationships.
Your Portfolio Is Your Business Card
When I was starting Impress Video, I realised very quickly that my portfolio was more valuable than any CV. Every piece of work I created became a stepping stone. It didn’t matter if it was a free shoot for a local bakery or a set of social media clips for a gym, each one added weight to my portfolio and told the story of what I could do.
That’s why I tell every student: ‘don’t wait until you graduate to start building your portfolio. The sooner you begin, the more you’ll have to show—and the more confident you’ll feel when you start pitching yourself to agencies or clients’.
Start Now, Get Perfect Later
One of the biggest lessons I learned early on was this: “Start now, get perfect later.”
Too many people hold back because they feel they’re not ready. I get it, I used to think the same way, but if I had waited for the perfect moment, I’d probably still be waiting.
Your first few projects won’t be flawless, and that’s okay. The goal isn’t perfection, the goal is progress. Every time you create, you learn. Every time you share, you improve. And every time you step outside your comfort zone, you grow.
Exactly How I Approached Local Businesses
I kept it simple. Here’s the process I used when I was starting out (and one you can copy right now)
- Make a list of 20 local businesses: I looked for coffee shops, gyms, restaurants, takeaways, and independent brands in my area. Google Maps became my best friend.
- I wrote a short cover letter – I introduced myself as a student and explained that I was building my portfolio. I offered to create a hero content piece (like a 60–90 second video or a set of high-quality photos) plus 10 light content pieces (social snippets, behind-the-scenes shots) for free.
- I explained the value: I told themthey’dget professional, quality content they could use on their social media and website, and that I’d share it too to give them extra exposure.
- I delivered and shared: Once I finished a project, I used it as a case study and showed it to five other businesses. Each project created momentum and led to the next.
- I repeated the process Within a fewmonths,I had a portfolio that made agencies and paying clients take me seriously.
Why Work Outside of College Is So Important
College projects are great for learning the fundamentals, but they’re still designed for an academic environment. The real test is whether you can create content that works in the real world.
When you collaborate with local businesses, you’re building career capital. You’re showing that you can handle live briefs, meet deadlines, and create work that solves real problems. That’s the kind of experience agencies and clients are looking for.
Treat Every Project Like It’s Paid
Even when I worked for free, I treated every project as if it was a paid job. I showed up on time, communicated clearly, and delivered my best work. That approach built trust and led to repeat business down the line.
One thing I tell students all the time: even if you’re not getting paid now, your reputation is forming with every project you do. The way you handle those early jobs sets the tone for your career.
Using What You Have Right Now
When I started, I didn’t have fancy cameras or a big team. I used what I had. Sometimes that was just my phone. Sometimes it meant borrowing gear or collaborating with other creatives.
What mattered most wasn’t the kit, it was the story I was telling and the value I was bringing to the business. Today, with all the free tools, Ai platforms, and online tutorials available, you can create professional-quality content with minimal equipment if you put the work in.
Thinking Like a Freelancer
Even if you want to work at an agency, building your portfolio this way gives you the mindset of a freelancer. You learn how to pitch, manage time, handle feedback, and adapt to different industries. Those are exactly the skills agencies want to see, and if you decide to go freelance, they’re the skills that will keep you in business.
My 30 – 60 Day Challenge to You
If you take away one thing from this blog, let it be this: dedicate the next 30–60 days to reaching out to local businesses and building your portfolio.
Aim to complete at least 3 projects in that time. By the end of those two months, you’ll have a working portfolio that speaks for itself, a network of local contacts, and the confidence to start charging for your work.
Your Portfolio Is Your Story
Your portfolio isn’t just a collection of projects, it’s the story of how you went from student to creator. Every piece of work you add is a chapter in that story.
Looking back, I can honestly say those early free projects with local businesses weren’t just about building a portfolio, they were about building the foundation of my entire career.
So don’t wait. Don’t overthink it. Start now, reach out, create, and build something you’ll be proud to show the world.
When you do, you’ll thank yourself later.
