[Kotomi]

Building a portfolio out of forum requests isn't so good.
Cold-contact local businesses around you and tell them you will make them a website and talk about how beneficial it would be for them. (:

I've actually gotten a few contracts with a couple restaurants right now.  I've also contacted my city government but I don't expect anything

These requests are more for an online portfolio that I would usually use for forums and such instead of my personal portfolio that would release more private info I don't wish to share here.