Building a Coherent and Enduring Body of Work in the Age of Ephemeral Content
- Marco Squassina Photography
- Sep 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 20
In today’s fast-paced digital world, photographers and artists find themselves producing a constant flow of content for social media. Instagram stories vanish in 24 hours, posts are buried under algorithms within days, and even the most striking images risk disappearing—either due to platform moderation or simply the relentless churn of the feed.
While this constant stream of updates can feel necessary to “stay visible,” it often fragments the identity of the artist. A photographer might post a portrait one day, a landscape the next, then a behind-the-scenes clip—beautiful, yes, but disconnected. What remains of this work after months or years? And more importantly, what does it communicate about the artist’s vision?
The Importance of a Coherent Body of Work
Every great artist, regardless of medium, is ultimately remembered for a body of work that is coherent, distinctive, and recognizable. Think of the painters, sculptors, or photographers whose names endure: their work forms a narrative, a visual language that allows us to recognize their hand even when we don’t see their signature.
Building a consistent portfolio is not about repetition or limitation — it is about depth and clarity. When viewers visit your website and see a curated, cohesive collection, they begin to understand your aesthetic line, your emotional palette, and your point of view as an artist. That coherence becomes part of your identity and a foundation for your reputation.
Why Scattered Social Media Isn’t Enough
Social media has its place: it connects us to audiences, it offers quick feedback, and it creates momentum. But relying solely on Instagram, TikTok, or other platforms leaves an artist vulnerable:
Algorithm dependence: You only exist as long as the algorithm shows you.
Censorship risk: Images that challenge norms can be removed without warning.
Ephemerality: Posts are quickly buried, forgotten, or deleted by the platform — or even by the models featured.
In short, your artistic legacy cannot be entrusted to a feed that you do not control.
The Photographer’s Website as an Archive
Your website should be more than a business card — it should be your personal museum. A place where your best work is displayed with care, free from the distractions of comments, ads, and algorithmic ranking.
Curating a portfolio section is an act of storytelling:
It allows you to group images into series or projects that have thematic resonance.
It gives visitors a complete view of your style and evolution.
It ensures that even years from now, your work can be seen as you intended it.
This is especially critical for genres like glamour and fine-art nude photography, where platforms frequently censor or limit exposure. Your site becomes a safe, permanent home for your work.
Building an Artistic Line That Endures
A solid and coherent body of work is built deliberately:
Choose your themes carefully and revisit them across time.
Develop your signature style — whether it’s in light, composition, color, or emotion — so that your images are unmistakably yours.
Edit ruthlessly: a strong body of work is as much about what you exclude as what you include.
well said🤩