Displaying your portfolio

[Drew Phillips]

How do you guys display your portfolio? I'm not talking online - what do you put your prints in to show potential clients or just to show people in general? My current set up of a 3-ring binder isn't cutting it. Any recommendations?

[Todd Corzett]

I just picked-up a 13x19 portfolio (I'll find the brand when I get home). It has room for 40 prints (front and back), but I'm only putting 20 into it. It's a bound album with a leather-like cover... not bad for $40+S&H. I like the 3:2 ratio prints, and had a hard time finding something that would fit 12x18 prints (I like the large size to show-off the photos), but the one I found is quite nice.

-Todd...

[Mark Delbrueck]

If you want to setup exhibition style, just pop into Michaels and see what they have in terms of mounting on matte board and stands.

Or you could just be like JT and publish your own freken' book :p

[Todd Corzett]

I just picked-up a 13x19 portfolio (I'll find the brand when I get home).
I got the ITOYA Art Profolio Professional Presentation Book (http://www.artprofolio.com/AP_Professional.htm).

Or you could just be like JT and publish your own freken' book :p
The book way is actually quite impressive, IMO... but it can be costly to produce low numbers. AsukaBook (http://asukabook.com/) is a good source (I've not used them personally - yet) and has some nice templates and stuff (I have used these). The major downside I see with a bound book is that you can't add/remove photos very easily, and if you want to tailor a portfolio towards a specific client (a car company probably doesn't want to see a bunch of motorcycle shots) then you need another book.

-Todd...

[John Thawley]

I do soft bound books from Apple. The large ones 8 1/2 x 11 are $19.95 for a 20 page and the small, 6x9 are $9.95.

To me if the potential client is truly "live" it's well worth giving them the book. Basically it's about 18 images and title and contact pages. And, it gets their attention. Since they're one-offs, I can keep them as fresh as I need or customize the content to suit the potential audience. I have one suited for ALMS, another for Grand Am and one that's general. I'll also use the same format for my company's capability statement.

If it's a really hot deal, I'll do a hardbound version.

If you want to go the print route, try the Pina Zigaeo aluminum expandible binder (http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-76220114449571_1907_10380) with the zipper case. It's a beautiful piece.

[Todd Spoth]

John, would you mind taking a few photos of the books from apple? ive been interested in doing those for a while but always put it off. thanks. - Todd

[Dennis Murray]

Go into your city's hardcore art supply store. They have a variety of book types on hand that you can find something really nice.

Sam Flax is in several cities (Atlanta included); Utrecht is in some cities.

[John Thawley]

John, would you mind taking a few photos of the books from apple? ive been interested in doing those for a while but always put it off. thanks. - Todd

Actually, just go into iPhoto.... the books are generated within the software. If you don't have iPhoto, my guess is you're not on a Mac. In which case... you're out of luck. I would reccommend My Publisher for PC.

For hard bound books.... I use SharedInk. Beautiful bindery and nice paper. Printing can have its quirks like most digital printing.. but I found that SharedInk allows you to talk to a human. BONUS!!!

I haven't used Asuka Book, but I did register to review the products and pricing... and frankly, I think they're smoking crack. Most of their books are only available in a square format... and are small. Maybe the wedding photographers are seeing something I'm not.

I can confidently refer you to Chris Hickman as SharedInk. (http://www.sharedink.com/) He published the 2005 Champions American Le Mans Collection for me and it was outstanding. His linens, end papers and quality of bindery are head and shoulders above the consumer services like Shutterfly, Kodak, Snapfish etc. All his papers are 100lb. The ALMS book was also available in a leather bound edition with silver foil embossing and it was spectacular.

JT

[Jim Sykes]

For my hard print portfolio I got an album at the local art store from Kolo. Its a leather bound album that I can add or remove pages from. The photos are then mounted to the black pages so they see only the photo and they are not slid into plastic sleeves or anything. www.kolo.com and this is the specific one I use. http://www.kolo.com/shop/albums/default.asp?cat=albu&grp=leat&item=bond

For quick handout stuff, like for mailing out to potential clients and stuff, I use books produced by mypublisher.com who actually does the printing for the apple books. Only downfall is that they put their own branding on the last page, but I dont think that it really detracts that much, though is a bummer. You can cut it out or past a business card or something over it as well if need be.

[Todd Spoth]

oh i have macs. ;)

[Daniel Buck]

personally I like the cheap and simple Itoya brand 'portfolios'. My only gripe is that there isn't a 6x9 version, I really like the 6x9 image size for viewability and portability. 8x10 is ok, it's a tad bit large, and I don't like that crop size as much. I suppose I could just print 6x9 images with black border, I would prefer thae 2:3 ratio of the 6x9 . :-\

http://www.artprofolio.com/Art_profolio.htm

[Jeff Boerio]

How do you guys display your portfolio? I'm not talking online - what do you put your prints in to show potential clients or just to show people in general? My current set up of a 3-ring binder isn't cutting it. Any recommendations?

One thing you could do is find a way to be a little unique. A friend of mine is a photographer in the music industry. His portfolio is in a flight case (like the road cases bands use on tour). All the prints inside are dry mounted. It looked pretty cool when I last saw it.

When I was shooting live music stuff, my portfolio cover was a photograph of all the photo passes I had. The back page was all concert tickets. Both were just "strewn about".

I haven't had a need to produce a hardcopy motorsports portfolio. Not sure what I'd do.

So one could come up with something that not only fits their personality but also the topic of what they shoot.

Lots of good ideas from others here.

- Jeff

[Drew Phillips]

Photo passes!!!

[Todd Corzett]

Photo passes!!!
It's kinda overdone, but I like the look (not in a portfolio though). If I ever finish my book the first or last page will be a composite of different tickets/credentials:

http://www.unitonestudios.com/_Other/0001.jpg

Not the greatest (I have a few to add/move around), but it's a work in progress. I just think it brings something exciting to someone who looks at them... all of the "MEDIA" and "PHOTO" and "TRACKSIDE" and "RESTRICTED ACCESS"... it has some appeal to fans I think.

-Todd...

[John Thawley]

Sorry... not the way to showcase work. This isn't about "look how cute?"

Go to a fine art gallery or art museum. White walls... clean walls... space around the art. Your portfolio is about the work. NOTHING should detract or distract from the work.

Keep it simple and keep it clean.

JT

[Daniel Buck]

Sorry... not the way to showcase work. This isn't about "look how cute?"

Go to a fine art gallery or art museum. White walls... clean walls... space around the art. Your portfolio is about the work. NOTHING should detract or distract from the work.

Keep it simple and keep it clean.

JT

I think that would be a matter of opinion. In working with clients at work, they all like different things from what I have seen. Some like to be pampered, some like to be independant. Some like to get straight down to business (keep it clean) and some like to have a bit of fun (extra things, like that portfolio cover lets say). Depends on who you are showing your work to.

But in general, I personally would agree with you, keep it simple and let the work show itself.

[John Thawley]

Daniel:

I think you'd agree, it is better to error on the simplicity side. I don't think someone would say... "I didn't hire him because the cover of his portfolio wasn't clever." Whereas, I coudl see someone saying "what was up with the decopage porfolio cover."

Less is more.... let your work speak for itself.

JT

[Todd Corzett]

I agree with John. In a portfolio... keep it simple. Nothing should distract from the photos. No funky borders, no copyrights/watermarks, no captions (if you want to include them have them somewhere other than the area where the photo is visible - like on the back of the matte or the previous page)... just photos.

-Todd...

[Daniel Buck]

eh, Idonno. we are artists, we are paid because we are creative :)

[Steve Demmitt]

my take
clean simple and professional
the quality should be high as well within your budget

that credential thing would be cool to display on your wall
but imo not ones portfolio

[Todd Corzett]

we are artists, we are paid because we are creative
I'd hire a photographer because they are creative with the images, not the box they are delivered in. If I'm trying to sell my photography, I don't want anything getting in the way of that. Now, if I'm trying to sell my creative presentation skills, that's a different story!

credential thing would be cool to display on your wall
but imo not ones portfolio
Exactly! Not portfolio material... which is why it's going into my book (whenever I get around to finishing it :rolleyes: )

-Todd...

[Steve Demmitt]

ahhh I see
I mistook your book for your portfolio
sorry bout that

but it is a creative idea
cool

[John Thawley]

http://www.unitonestudios.com/_Other/0001.jpg

I just think it brings something exciting to someone who looks at them... all of the "MEDIA" and "PHOTO" and "TRACKSIDE" and "RESTRICTED ACCESS"...
-Todd...

Yeah... but they're all from the same track!!! :confused: :confused: :confused: ;) ;)

[Austin Langley]

It's kinda overdone, but I like the look (not in a portfolio though). If I ever finish my book the first or last page will be a composite of different tickets/credentials:

http://www.unitonestudios.com/_Other/0001.jpg

Not the greatest (I have a few to add/move around), but it's a work in progress. I just think it brings something exciting to someone who looks at them... all of the "MEDIA" and "PHOTO" and "TRACKSIDE" and "RESTRICTED ACCESS"... it has some appeal to fans I think.

-Todd...
It's a clever idea, but from a design standpoint, it's way to cluttered. There's no focal point. Nothing leads the eye. Now if this were in B&W as endpapers inside the front and back cover, that might be nice.

[Todd Corzett]

Yeah... but they're all from the same track!!! :confused: :confused: :confused: ;) ;)
So :rolleyes:

Actually, they are from 5 tracks! Maybe I should add mine from Le Mans, you have one of those in your collection?
Only playn' - don't ban me :p

It's a clever idea, but from a design standpoint, it's way to cluttered. There's no focal point. Nothing leads the eye. Now if this were in B&W as endpapers inside the front and back cover, that might be nice.
I liked the lack of focus and all the bright colors... but that's actually a really great idea! It was kinda just a "filler page" that someone may get lost in at some point.

-Todd...

[John Thawley]

Well, I think if you're going to be clever. I'd at least have the one with your name aligned somewhere front and center.... ;)

[William Walker]

I agree with the "Clean" look as being the way to go. I have been told that bleed-mount 11x14(or similar) on Epson premium luster in a portfolio that has no plastic covers over the actual print (epson prints are cheap enough, an instructor told me he would print a new portfolio everytime he would show it), is the way to go. I think you can be creative with the portfolio itself but keep in mind that, yes. they are buying you creativity but they are also buying you level of professional work and attitude. The nicest portfolios I have seen have been box's, coverd in blask leather with a custom "engraving" of the photog's name or buisness name, clean, simple and effective. Also if you are going to be creative why not take something from the automotive field...aka. Tuck-n-role, alacantera, red stiching, carbonfiber... -Willliam

[Mike Ditz]

If you have ever been at an agency that has called in a lot of books from a lot of photographers it's a little odd that all these creative people are all using basically the same presentation. A black portfolio binder. It was hard to go in and get yours out of the pile. Once in a while you'd see a wild one, something yellow or a 'road case' or a fancy wooden cover. It would stand out and be remembered, but if the work wasn't good it didn't matter what it was packaged in. It depends on who you are pitching to of course, different markets have different expectations, and what will impress the heck out of one buyer will get a blank stare from someone else.
I have a few portfolios and 2 of them have 'diamond plate' covers. Usually gets a nice reaction. The people begin making subtle judgments about you as soon as you walk in the office. Clothes, attitude, smell, portfolio all play into whether you get hired or not. Say one stupid thing to someone and see your chances for a job go down the drain...There is a certain arrogance that says 'my work is strong enough to stand on it's own with out any fancy portfolio". That may be true, your work may be just as good as the other photographer you are in competition with. So maybe the presentation does set you apart from the other guy, or maybe he has the swanky book and gets the job because of that. Something to think about.
These days the portfolio is being replaced in a lot of situations by a website.Sometimes you don't meet the client until the shoot date, if at all. The debate also bleeds over to how much sizzle to have in your site. Is it a slide show or is it a creative presentation.

Let's face it, we are in the entertainment industry and if you miss a chance to entertain our customer it's at our own peril.

MD