video: episode 16, tips for how to make a photography portfolio
This video is another response to a reader question: how do I make a portfolio? This was planned as a quick video but that just didn’t do the topic justice. It was better to roll the camera just a bit longer, I thought, and here’s the result.
While the internet is primarily used for initial review of a portfolio, most commercial clients (or photographers hiring assistants) also want to see a print “book”. It’s an effective way to view a photographer’s attention to detail and presentation. I show a few examples of the portfolios we use but there are other styles to choose from. Unfortunately, I no longer remember where we purchased our particular cases but Dick Blick Art Materials is a great resource if you’re looking (search for “portfolios”).
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Hi…
Thanks for this video! Actually, thinks for all the videos.
I have one request…. I would love to see more business oriented videos like this one. Maybe, covering… “How to get clients?” “How to design an effective business card?”… “How to crate your IMAGE (I mean the IMAGE that you talked about in the first business oriented blog posts..), in your clients minds… as a photographer…” etc.
Thanks!
This website rocks!
Again a very timely post, I’m working on establishing my “brand” right now. Making the web site, the business card, the portfolio, and post cards to all be in the same style. Thanks Jim.
I agree with the above poster that more business videos would be great. One great thing that internet provides for starting out photogs is the experience and willingness of “older”, established photogs, such as Daylight Photo to share information, and not only technique, but the business side of the things. Almost all older pros that I talk to say that one thing they wish they had when starting out is the business training that us younger photogs can get from classes and online.
In the digital age, this is one of those things easily overlooked, so it’s good to see some ideas.
One-off bound photo books are pretty inexpensive today, but these are definitely more flexible.
How big should the prints be? Would printed and bound books be suitable for a portfolio? Plus, how much do the requirements change from one area to the next?
Could you possibly do a follow up regarding methods for mounting inkjet based prints. I haven’t needed to mount a photograph since the late 70’s and have recently re-entered the market and can’t find information on modern techniques.
Thanks
For some photographers a printed and bound book might fit perfectly with their needs. The important thing is making a good impression and the printed books now look great. I’ve used them when targeting specific clients, creating a book that we send to them and let them keep.
For our studio we find benefits to the designs mentioned. They allow for easy updating with new images and the portfolio can be tailored to specific clients, even at the last minute. If we shoot something tomorrow that we really like it can be in the portfolio in a few days. Since we print the portfolio prints ourselves this setup allows us more control over the printing and updating process.
As for size, anything goes, especially for artistic portfolios. Small prints might look great for artists but I think there are benefits to having 11″ x 14″ (or 13″ x 19″) prints for commercial and editorial portfolios, so clients can see images at larger reproduction sizes. We use portfolios that will allow us to include up to 11″ x 17″ double page magazine spreads. Once the images get up to 16″ x 20″, though, the portfolios can get unwieldy for handling and viewing in client cubicles.
Mark, your dry mounting question is probably a good one for the discussion forum if you’re into DIY. We have a local frame store that does our dry mounting and they use a dry mount spray with a vacuum board (cold) that really sandwiches the print and board together.
How do I sync two NIKON flash units with my camera on location?
Thank you . . . and love the tutorial video’s
Hi Jim,
Great! website, so much important information. What brand are those metal portfolios that you demo’d? They make a strong presentation.
Kobi, it’s been a few years since we bought the portfolios, I’ll try to dig up the link.
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