How do you put a portfolio together exactly?

Sure. I can help. I am a cake decorator as well as an instructor. My suggestion is to first, take photographs of all of your work with as little going on in the background as you can. I would buy a black and a white cloth from the local fabric store to use as your background when taking the photos. Just choose which color is best based on the color of the item being photographed. Second, I would print them all at size 5x7 and have it done at a photo lab so they do not fade. Next, you will need a small album. I would suggest 8"X8". You don't have to show everything you have ever done in your life. At first, you may include photos of everything that you have but as you get better, start to weed some of them out and only go with the best of the best! I wouldn't go too big with the album because you don't want someone reviewing it to feel overwhelmed or that they have been given a job to do by looking at it. It should be a "snapshot" of the work that you do. Lastly, I would not make the background too busy. I think white sheets of paper are best so that the focus is on your work and not on your scrap booking abilities. A short concise description of what they are seeing is best. Print clearly so folks can read it and by all means, let them page thru the book at their own speed and let them ask questions- don't explain every image- you will just bore them. Best of luck with your portfolio! I hope this helps!