Physical Portfolio

Wiren

Does anybody have a physical portfolio? I have a local doctor who wants me to bring my portfolio to him. I am hoping that by face to face meeting and showing of my portfolio, I can convince him that my photo's are best for his office (his partner is retiring and all photo's in office are hers - she is taking them all, lucky me).

I was thinking of getting a large (nice looking) 3 ring binder, plastic see through sleeves (8.5x11) and ordering most of my portfolio in 8x10 so he can thumb through it all. I have printed a price list for all sizes including the canvas prints and even have a price list for pro framing (if he wants me to deal with that detail), I want to do a simple order form that has an agreement for both parties to sign for 50% non-refundable deposit upon order. I will also have my website available in case he wants to see that.

Am I missing anything? Do you do things differently, I am in uncharted waters here and want to nail this sale as he may be ordering at the very least 12 prints and possibly up to 30 (so he says) of 16x20 to 20x30 size - my pricing for those range between $150 and up to $225 (too much?)

Would love your input please.

Thanks

Lee

sweet caroline

An artists portfolio case will look more professional, I think. I have one that easily fits 11x14 prints in clear sleeves with black paper background. It zips closed and has handles for carrying. Alternatively, you could get a really nice photo album to use. I'm having a hard time picturing a "nice" 3 ring binder to exhibit photography work.

Caroline

Wiren

sweet caroline wrote:

An artists portfolio case will look more professional, I think. I have one that easily fits 11x14 prints in clear sleeves with black paper background. It zips closed and has handles for carrying. Alternatively, you could get a really nice photo album to use. I'm having a hard time picturing a "nice" 3 ring binder to exhibit photography work.

Caroline

That sounds better indeed, where would be the best place to grab one of these?

Thanks for your input Caroline.

Lee

ropeboy

Wiren wrote:

Does anybody have a physical portfolio? I have a local doctor who wants me to bring my portfolio to him. I am hoping that by face to face meeting and showing of my portfolio, I can convince him that my photo's are best for his office (his partner is retiring and all photo's in office are hers - she is taking them all, lucky me).

I was thinking of getting a large (nice looking) 3 ring binder, plastic see through sleeves (8.5x11) and ordering most of my portfolio in 8x10 so he can thumb through it all. I have printed a price list for all sizes including the canvas prints and even have a price list for pro framing (if he wants me to deal with that detail), I want to do a simple order form that has an agreement for both parties to sign for 50% non-refundable deposit upon order. I will also have my website available in case he wants to see that.

Am I missing anything? Do you do things differently, I am in uncharted waters here and want to nail this sale as he may be ordering at the very least 12 prints and possibly up to 30 (so he says) of 16x20 to 20x30 size - my pricing for those range between $150 and up to $225 (too much?)

Would love your input please.

Thanks

Lee

If you have a camera or photo shop in your area you may be able to get a nice black portfolio that would look more professional than a three ring binder. Itoya makes nice ones in the size you want and they don't cost much. www.itoya.com It up to you and your level of trust with the doctor to decide what to do if he asks you to "leave it with him." He or another person in the office may get the idea it is a sales sample and take it home. You may not see it again.

Cygnus Studios

sweet caroline wrote:

An artists portfolio case will look more professional,

Totally agree. I still use a book, although I am trying to update the website and kind of gently force more of my clients to use the site. A good portfolio case is the first thing that they will see when it comes to your work. Do not skimp. You don't need the most expensive, but nice. Spend the 50 or 60 bucks for a nice one that holds 11x14's and you will be set.

sweet caroline

Wiren wrote:

That sounds better indeed, where would be the best place to grab one of these?

Thanks for your input Caroline.

Lee

Mine came from a hobby/arts and crafts store.

Sam

Here are my thoughts:

You could be looking at a $1800.00 to $4500.00 sale. Does he have a budget to cover this? You do need to have an idea of what he expects to spend. Otherwise you could be spinning your wheels if he is thinking in terms of $35.00 per photo.

Do you have any idea what type of images he is looking for? If so have a few of the ones you like printed at 16 X 20. mount them in a window mat with backing and put these in a clear bag.

Now he can see exactly what he will be buying. If you have a standard black frame, go ahead and mount one in the frame.

After this I think you can use your laptop, and / or some smaller (not less than 8X10) prints as proofs to select from.


Sam

Wiren

good ideas

Sam wrote:

Here are my thoughts:

You could be looking at a $1800.00 to $4500.00 sale. Does he have a budget to cover this? You do need to have an idea of what he expects to spend. Otherwise you could be spinning your wheels if he is thinking in terms of $35.00 per photo.

Do you have any idea what type of images he is looking for? If so have a few of the ones you like printed at 16 X 20. mount them in a window mat with backing and put these in a clear bag.

Now he can see exactly what he will be buying. If you have a standard black frame, go ahead and mount one in the frame.

After this I think you can use your laptop, and / or some smaller (not less than 8X10) prints as proofs to select from.


Sam

Sam, you are right, I am looking at that $$ figure for a sale. He does have a budget to cover this (he is a very prominent MD in the heart of a city of about 100K folks) and has to turn business away (I know as I work as a referral coordinator at the hospital by his office). I am expecting that he may want to go as cheap as possible (seems to be the economic fad), but also expect him to be writing off the costs as a business expense to his office.

He saw one of my prints that I sold to the Hospital and said that he wanted mainly landscapes, but I want to show him a couple of other venues also. My conversation went about like this;

MD: Hey, I need photo's as Dr. X is retiring and taking all her photo's, I saw yours and loved it, want stuff like that - in the landscape theme, can you bring by your portfolio?

Me: Certainly, thank you, any type of sizing and and amounts you are initially thinking?

MD: Well, I want between 16x20 or 20x30 in size and I will need at least a dozen, but may be up to 30, I have never really counted all the photo's in the office, but we have a lot - 10 exam rooms, hallways, waiting room, front office, etc.

Me: I would love to show you my work, but that will be an expensive order, what is our time frame?

MD: We can cover the costs, we have until December before Dr. X leaves, give me a call when you are ready.

Me: Great!, Thank you Dr. Y, I appreciate your thinking of me.

So, all in all, I am very hopeful - but want to look professional without forking out a ton of money in case he does just what you talk about.

I like your framed larger print idea, think I will use that - thanks for the tip!

Lee

snaptie2002

We use coffee table type books for portfolios. You can get them printed for around thirty or forty dollars, so if you want to update them every now and then it's no big deal. We usually print four or five of each one so we can have several out at a time an still have one to carry with us.

I think Smugmug has teamed up with Blurb for book printing. I haven't tried them yet but there are lots of others to choose from.

Good Luck !

Marty

angevin1

Sam wrote:

Here are my thoughts:

You could be looking at a $1800.00 to $4500.00 sale. Does he have a budget to cover this? You do need to have an idea of what he expects to spend. Otherwise you could be spinning your wheels if he is thinking in terms of $35.00 per photo.

Do you have any idea what type of images he is looking for? If so have a few of the ones you like printed at 16 X 20. mount them in a window mat with backing and put these in a clear bag.

Now he can see exactly what he will be buying. If you have a standard black frame, go ahead and mount one in the frame.

After this I think you can use your laptop, and / or some smaller (not less than 8X10) prints as proofs to select from.


Sam

Two votes: !

bendruckerphoto

Consider using a projector. That way you can project an image and show him how big it will be on any given wall without having to buy lots of prints to show. I would still bring some big prints, but definitely recommend the projector.