JTZPhotography wrote:
With that being said my question is, would pictures of men doing their work showing them and what they are working on make good portfolio pictures?

My next picture deals with Santa Clause and his Elf  ( Me ) . Would pictures like those make good portfolio pictures?

Those would be bad for a landscape gardening portfolio. They would also be bad for a architectural design portfolio. They may even be bad for a food photography portfolio.

But they might be fine for a industrial photography portfolio or a christmas portfolio.

JTZPhotography wrote:
...Ironworkers doing the work they do...

JTZ this is what is known as Environmental Portraiture which strives to capture the essence of the subject.  A noteworthy portrait explains who the subject of the image is though conveying meaning and emotion via a photojournalism style...

The image you have on your commercial web site is known as a "tear-sheet" and more importantly a "cover shot" 

Yes it belongs in your book since it is indeed an accolade...   only a precious few of Mayhem photographers have "covers" to their credit so you may get some "sour grapes" comments on this...   pay them no mind... they are either envious or don't have a clue...

Kudos on your cover... rather amazing since you are located so far away from any major market...

All the best on your journey...