Hi @modestyl! I’m SOOOO sorry no one has replied to your question! Evidently, there aren’t many folks on here who have any experience with building a portfolio. 🙂
I’m just returning from some travels and finally getting around to sorting through questions from non-PRO folks so….sorry for my delay in responding as well.
First, do you still need an answer to your question? Is the opportunity you mentioned still available and in need of being responded to?
My initial reaction is to quickly throw your best shots (100 or so of them, so they’ll know you are serious about your genre) to an online portfolio someplace. Lightroom Classic CC offers a really easy, portfolio-esque way to do this (I can explain more about it later if you’d like).
Secondly, I would assume since the one reviewing your work is in the magazine production business, they would want to see your work in print. Have ever had any of your work printed for anything? Pull that out. I think they’d prefer to see that your pictures are being used by others more than they would be impressed that you have a pretty collection of printed pictures in an album that you just have for portolio showcasing.
Talk to your friend. How will they communicate with the prospective client? Will they be showing it in person? If so, you might want to consider making prints for a physical portfolio (this is the best way to showcase a portfolio in the long, less and less photographers are doing it), but you have to consider the up-front expense of getting stuff printed before you even know if you’re going to get the job.
Feel free to continue this discussion here. I am unable to check through these forums regularly, but I’ll reply if I have time. I could set aside time for a personal coaching call if you’d like, or if there’s a pressing deadline.
I wish you the best in this endeavor!