Hi everyone! I am currently working in a small studio, but I am curious about trying my hand at freelancing. Unfortunately, I only have 2-3 personal projects to showcase, and one of my sites is down due to unpaid hosting fees. Another site is off-the-shelf, and the third is still on a testing domain.

During my time at the studio, I was responsible for the layouts, integrated the engine, and implemented the necessary functionalities myself. I am wondering if I can use these works as part of my portfolio? I am concerned if there will be any issues with this approach down the road.

Whether or not you need to obtain permission ultimately depends on the terms of your employment agreement with your employer.

However, it is generally beneficial to pursue your own independent projects rather than compromising your values or ambitions for the sake of others.

Developing your own projects can not only offer personal fulfillment and a sense of achievement, but also serve as evidence of your skills and abilities.

Moreover, it can demonstrate your willingness to take initiative and think creatively - qualities that are highly valued in any professional setting.

You can prevent it from being indexed and share the link with others who can explain the content. They may request that the site be removed from their portfolio, which is not uncommon when working with companies who hire freelancers for contracts.


It's important to be mindful of how you share information online and who has access to it. In cases where confidentiality is a concern, taking extra precautions such as preventing indexing or restricting access is necessary to protect sensitive information.

It is impossible to surrender copyright, as asserting ownership over creations is an inherent right. This holds true even if contractual agreements stipulate that ownership of a studio's work belongs solely to the studio. However, posting code on Github requires a transfer of ownership.

Copyright is an essential aspect of owning creative works. No one can prevent you from claiming something as your own, even if the studio contract states otherwise. Nevertheless, in order to post code on Github, ownership must be surrendered.

Using your work from the studio as part of your portfolio is generally a common practice in freelancing. However, there are a few considerations you should keep in mind.

First, ensure that you have permission from your employer to use the work you completed at the studio in your personal portfolio. Some companies have policies that restrict or limit the use of their intellectual property outside of the company. It's important to respect any confidentiality agreements or contracts you may have signed.

If you have obtained permission, you can showcase your work by emphasizing your role in the projects and highlighting the specific tasks you were responsible for. It's always a good idea to be transparent about the fact that these projects were done as part of your employment at the studio.

Regarding the downed website due to unpaid hosting fees, it's unfortunate but it happens. In situations like this, you can still include screenshots and descriptions of the project in your portfolio, even if the website itself is not live.

For the off-the-shelf website and the one on the testing domain, you can still include them in your portfolio. Just make sure to provide relevant details about your contributions and explain that they are still in progress or under development.

Keep in mind that potential clients will likely be interested in seeing real examples of your work and your ability to deliver results. So, while having only a few projects can be a challenge, focus on showcasing the best work you have and demonstrate your skills and expertise through those examples.


points to consider when building your freelance portfolio:

1. Quality over quantity: Even if you have a limited number of projects, focus on showcasing the ones that best represent your skills and capabilities. It's better to have a smaller portfolio with strong examples than a larger one with mediocre work.

2. Diversify your projects: If you have only a few personal projects to showcase, try to highlight different aspects of your skills and expertise. For example, if you've worked on both web design and mobile app development, include examples of both to demonstrate your versatility.

3. Personal projects: If you find yourself lacking professional work to showcase, consider working on personal projects that align with your interests and demonstrate your abilities. It could be redesigning an existing website or creating a mockup of a mobile app. These personal projects can be valuable additions to your portfolio and show your initiative.

4. Collaborations or volunteer work: If you've collaborated with others or contributed to open-source projects, include those experiences in your portfolio as well. This demonstrates your ability to work effectively in a team and contribute to larger projects.

5. dоcument your process: Alongside your finished projects, share some insights into your process. This could include wireframes, prototypes, or a brief explanation of how you tackled specific challenges. It helps potential clients understand your approach to problem-solving and decision-making.

6. Continuous improvement: Mention any ongoing learning experiences or certifications you're pursuing. This shows your commitment to staying up-to-date with industry trends and improving your skills.

tips to help you build a strong freelance portfolio:

1. Client testimonials: If you have had clients in the past, reach out to them and ask for a testimonial or recommendation that you can include in your portfolio. Testimonials add credibility and demonstrate your ability to satisfy clients' needs.

2. Case studies: Instead of just showcasing the final product, consider creating case studies for some of your projects. Explain the problem you were trying to solve, the challenges you faced, and how you arrived at the final solution. This provides potential clients with a deeper understanding of your thought process and problem-solving skills.

3. Personal branding: It's important to establish your own brand as a freelancer. Create a visually appealing and cohesive portfolio website that reflects your style and showcases your work effectively. Pay attention to details like layout, typography, and navigation to create a professional impression.

4. Side projects and experiments: If you have any side projects or experiments related to your field, include them in your portfolio. These projects demonstrate your passion and willingness to explore new ideas outside of client work.

5. Continuous updates: Your portfolio should be a living dоcument that evolves as you take on new projects and gain new skills. Regularly update and refresh your portfolio to reflect your most recent and relevant work.

6. Network and collaborate: Attend industry-related events, join online communities, and collaborate with other professionals. Networking can lead to new opportunities and potential collaborations that can enhance your portfolio.

7. Specialize or showcase a niche: If you have developed expertise in a particular niche or industry, highlight this in your portfolio. It can help attract clients looking for specialists in that area.

Your current portfolio is weak with off-the-shelf sites and domain issues - total rookie move. Relying solely on personal projects is a red flag.

Studio work is real-world proof of concept and essential for landing serious gigs. Feature those projects prominently, highlight your specific contributions (layouts, backend functionality), and ensure you're not violating any NDAs.

Yes, a small portfolio can succeed in freelancing by showcasing quality work, highlighting skills, and attracting clients despite limited projects.