Portfolios

fredjclaus

Does anyone have a portfolio they carry with hem or do you use your website? I was looking to put one together for event photography but not sure what form. I was debating between a leather artist portfolio with individual prints or a photo book from blurb. What do you all use?

SamirD

I haven't completely gotten a port together due to the amount of time it will take to go through all 200,000+ photos I've taken to pick the best ones, but I have a gallery of some of my best so far as well a prints of some of these in an Artfolio book.

kd2

I send people to my website, but I've often whipped out my iPhone which has the Blossom app that links to all my galleries on my smug site. It's great to show people on-the-spot a sample of my work and what I can do for them. It also gives me the ability to pick a gallery pertinent to the type of session they might be asking about.

I do like the idea of doing a photobook, that's on my to-do list.

fredjclaus

I love the Iphone idea. Is Blossom the best app out there? I noticed there is a free one called SmugShot as well. How does Blossom differ?

kd2

Blossom works fine for me, it loads quickly and opens all my galleries (even the private and any hidden ones), so I can show anything I need to without the hassle of typing in passwords for each one.

I'm not familiar with SmugShot so I can't tell you what the difference is.

fredjclaus

Money is tight around here. I wonder if there is a way to find a promo code for some sort of price reduction. Man I really need to get focused and start promoting my photography more.

Art Scott

I have both....I can give the client a portfolio, artist type, or send to website and since I have been printing my own B-cards there is always a photo on them also........

Maybe look at a small (15") digital photo frame as a carry around port....that thought has run thru my mind a few times...........

fredjclaus

good idea Art, I will have to take a look at them and see what looks good. I wonder if my friends at the chamber of commerce office would put one in their office to show the fellow chamber members what I can do?

fredjclaus

Blossom is an awsome program. I just took the plunge and bought it, figured 2.99 is worth spending on this program verses others. Now to just create some "portfolio" albums on Smugmug to show clients. I do love it thought. This way I can also take it to church and show them the pictures I photographed right after they are uploaded.

I'd recommend this program to anyone who has an Iphone. It's a great companion app.

kd2

Glad to know you got it and like it!

printergirl

I agree. The Blossom app is wonderful. I just got it a few weeks ago and it works flawlessly connecting me to my SmugMug account.

I am a tech geeks, so I will probably be jumping on board the iPad when it comes out in March. I like the idea of being able to use it as a portable digital portfolio, among other things of course. I actually wouldn't have been all the interested until I saw their photo app and the $499 price tag, which frankly was lower than what I expected by Apple (and I am an Apple girl). I think had it been a dollar more I wouldn't have been interested....

For those looking to go digital and portable, that don't have an iPhone or equivalent, or those that want a slightly bigger screen than the iPhone, check out http://bit.ly/bGMMgk. I ran across something like these a while back in Sam's Club for about $40, but when I was finally read to buy they had sold out.

Snowgirl

I generally direct people to my SmugMug galleries, but, like PrinterGirl - I'm a gadget freak and if I can save the shekels, I'll be picking up an iPad as well. With its larger screen, it would make a neat travelling porfolio. I have a large, leather portfolio for dragging around my 20 x 30 poster-sized images - but it's a rare time that I use it - except to transport to trade shows. I also have a couple of smaller, binder-sized portfolios with sleeves for 8 x 10s.
On my lengthy round-to-it list is creating an actual book - or even a couple with different themes - e.g. one for horse-related stuff and one for portraits and wedding shots.

kingmotorsport

Non-Traditional Portfolios for the Non-Techie Crowd.
Here are two great alternatives to the traditional portfolio.

First is Moo business cards. http://us.moo.com/en/products/ You can design the front side to have your contact information and the backside you can put up to 50 different images on the back. I selected fifty of my favorite photos and placed one on the back of each card. Then when I meet someone I want to give my card, I hand them a stack of cards and let them look through the pictures and pick the one they want to keep. They get to see samples of my work and the card they selected has more value to them because the image particularly appealed to them.

The second is Memolio. https://www.memolio.com/. This is a mini portfolio you can give to your more important contacts. One possible use for those that do weddings, you can put your proofs on them and that way the bride can easily carry them to her friends and relatives to select the prints they like.

Both sites give plenty of examples of how their products can be used. Let your imagination run wild.

Hope this helps.

John King

www.KingMotorsportPhotography.com
www.kingmotorsportphotography.blogspot.com
www.youtube.com/user/KingMotorsportPhotog

dogwood

Just my two cents, but an iphone gallery looks kind of cheap and small. I'd recommend a print portfolio sized BIG (11x14 minimum) and skip the leather cover. Go for acrylic covers etched with your logo. Yeah-- it's expensive but if you want to stand out, you have to invest in marketing (and a print port is part of that).

Everyone has a smart phone gallery (yes, even your mother probably does). But not everyone has a print port with big pics in it. Imagine being a client selecting a photographer-- photographer A pulls out the iphone and shows little tiny pics, photographer B pulls out a print port with 11x14 photos. Who do you perceive is worth more? I know for me, my print port always gets compliments, where as potential clients are used to seeing tiny little phone pics and just don't seem as impressed.

Snowgirl

Size matters

dogwood wrote:

Just my two cents, but an iphone gallery looks kind of cheap and small. I'd recommend a print portfolio sized BIG (11x14 minimum) and skip the leather cover. Go for acrylic covers etched with your logo. Yeah-- it's expensive but if you want to stand out, you have to invest in marketing (and a print port is part of that).

Everyone has a smart phone gallery (yes, even your mother probably does). But not everyone has a print port with big pics in it. Imagine being a client selecting a photographer-- photographer A pulls out the iphone and shows little tiny pics, photographer B pulls out a print port with 11x14 photos. Who do you perceive is worth more? I know for me, my print port always gets compliments, where as potential clients are used to seeing tiny little phone pics and just don't seem as impressed.

I agree. Size matters. At trade shows last year I had a slide show going on on my laptop - which got minimal attention. This year I printed up HUGE posters to hang in my booth and they drew people from across the hall. I'm going to another show May 1st and again - HUGE posters on the wall. When I have time (we've all heard THAT before) I will be creating a port book as well - with LARGE photos.

Right now I have a binder at my hairdresser's shop. Unfortunately - that's what it is - a binder. I have all 8 x 10 shots in plastic sleeves. Not the greatest - but better than nada at this point - and even that is working for me. Yay! Again - I went with all 8 x 10 prints because anything smaller looks cheap.

kd2

Point taken about the iPhone, but in situations where you don't necesssarily expect to be doing a showing, it works fine. For example, I was out shopping this week and started talking with the owner of a classy little boutique. As a result of our conversation and looking at my galleries on my iPhone, he wants to display and sell my work in his store. I didn't go into the store with the idea of selling him on my work, but the iPhone sure was handy! (Next up for me will be an iPad--hopefully, Blossom will work on it.)

I also had a similar thing happen with the owner of another store last month. So as a result of showing pics on my iPhone, I have two businesses that will be featuring my work.

But as a note and just to show I'm not oblivious to the impact of a good presentation--when I'm doing a formal talk or presentation, I display 16x20s.

Bottom line for me--it ain't always the size that matters. It's what you can do with it and the results that count. A variety of sizes is working fine for me.

printergirl

I'm not saying anyone should use an iPhone gallery as their main portfolio, but like the poster above, it is great in a pinch to show people your work, when you didn't think you would have a need to have your portfolio with you. The iPad will be even better with the larger screen.

I am amazed at one some of our local "pros" use to show their work to others. I have been appalled twice in the last month by such presentations. Each one had a regular notebook binder with those plastic sleeves in it and ink jet prints on standard copy paper slipped inside (one had a few prints on glossy photo paper in his, but it wasn't consistent throughout the book). None of the photos in the books had any type of consistent size or presentation. Some were 6 x 9 prints, others 4 x 6 or 8 x 10, etc. Okay, I can even handle that, but hey weren't centered on each page or anything! Some where up in the upper left hand corner (one per page), turn the page and the next one was in some other odd position on that page. No consistency at all. They could have at least CENTERED each photo on it's page for pete's sake. Now, I am not necessarily opposed to that type of presentation in a pinch, but I have family photo albums on my home book shelf that would have made a better presentation book of work to other photographers.

Both were brought in as "specialists" to teach other photographers things at the venue I was at with each. The first was a nature photographer. He gave a poor presentation in general, not really teaching us much, more just talking about his photos. The person that invited him to that venue had to keep peppering him with questions to get him to talk. He also seemed very "aloof" with those of us that had DSLR equipment, and preferred to direct his presentation to the people their with point and shoots. Almost as if he was intimidated. I asked a few questions of him, and although he answered adequately, he didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. Was sort of hoping for me. That, coupled with his very poor portfolio, left me with a really negative experience. And to top it off, his pictures were really quite good!

The other had so-so pics and his portfolio was also a shambles, but I will say he was on fire when it came to talking about his topic, camera flash, and I was able to take away something from his talk and felt like it was at least worth two hours of my time. His enthusiasm and knowledge overshadowed his portfolio for me.

I would rather look at an electronic portfolio of really awesome pics, than a poorly thought out hard bound portfolio, filled with mediocre pics, any day of the week.

fredjclaus

I'm in agreement with all of you to a point. I love the idea of an old fashion portfolio for when I meet with wedding clients. Like others however if I'm out shopping or at a gathering where I don't have a portfolio on me, Blossom on my Iphone works great. It was suggested that I keep a portfolio in my car, but I can't because my kids are always going through the car, and it will eventually get ruined.

Large poster prints are also great for trade shows, that's a great way to get the attention, but if you are not doing a trade show it won't work.

What about referrals from pastors? Has anyone ever had a pastor pass your name on to a wedding couple? I'm an elder my church and I was thinking about getting my portfolio printed and have it at the church. That way if the pastor wants to refer me, he can also show my work at the same time. what do you think of that idea?

heatherfeather

kingmotorsport wrote:

The second is Memolio. https://www.memolio.com/.

Now those are slick... and just what I have been looking for as a bonus for sessions....any one know how much shipping to the US is?

denisegoldberg

heatherfeather wrote:

Now those are slick... and just what I have been looking for as a bonus for sessions....any one know how much shipping to the US is?

I just jumped over to that page, and an emblem on the home page says "free shipping worldwide". It's not clear whether that is an all the time free shipment or if it is something special.

--- Denise

heatherfeather

denisegoldberg wrote:

I just jumped over to that page, and an emblem on the home page says "free shipping worldwide". It's not clear whether that is an all the time free shipment or if it is something special.

--- Denise

I just ordered my first set...and I think you are right! Free shipping! And at $20ish USD a piece!

I can't wait to see how they turn out!

kd2

Definitely let us know how they turn out and what's the turnaround time. They look very good!

Art Scott

fredjclaus wrote:

I'm in agreement with all of you to a point. I love the idea of an old fashion portfolio for when I meet with wedding clients. Like others however if I'm out shopping or at a gathering where I don't have a portfolio on me, Blossom on my Iphone works great. It was suggested that I keep a portfolio in my car, but I can't because my kids are always going through the car, and it will eventually get ruined.

Large poster prints are also great for trade shows, that's a great way to get the attention, but if you are not doing a trade show it won't work.

What about referrals from pastors? Has anyone ever had a pastor pass your name on to a wedding couple? I'm an elder my church and I was thinking about getting my portfolio printed and have it at the church. That way if the pastor wants to refer me, he can also show my work at the same time. what do you think of that idea?

I have had Ministers refer me and the reason the clients gave was the Minister enjoyed working with me.......one minister said he like the way I set his wife straight (she is the churches wedding consultant and had gotten a big head as if every wedding was her own and not the brides.....I took her by the hand and lead her to a pew in the back of the church and nicely said....I will call you when I need you...thank you..now take a break, you're working to hard .............)..........now a 30 yr friend that is a minister is letting me occupy a room for my studio and is always telling the congregation that I did his wedding in Hayti Mo...............so yes Fred ministers do recommend especially if they like working with you...........a couple of Catholic Priests would recommend me so we could drink after I was done......they had some of the best wine I have ever had and scotch also.................

Art Scott

heatherfeather wrote:

I just ordered my first set...and I think you are right! Free shipping! And at $20ish USD a piece!

I can't wait to see how they turn out!

let us know how long it take to arrive............PLEASE........

heatherfeather

Art Scott wrote:

let us know how long it take to arrive............PLEASE........

They said two weeks. Which really isn't all that bad! I'll see how long they reaaally take and let you know. Though keep in mind they will have to go the extra mile and get it to Alaska.

Art Scott

heatherfeather wrote:

They said two weeks. Which really isn't all that bad! I'll see how long they reaaally take and let you know. Though keep in mind they will have to go the extra mile and get it to Alaska.

Cool, can't wait to hear what you think.
Well I have been entertaining a move to Ak but actually farther north.....Fairbanks......even gave a minute thought of Barrow .................

heatherfeather

Art Scott wrote:

Cool, can't wait to hear what you think.
Well I have been entertaining a move to Ak but actually farther north.....Fairbanks......even gave a minute thought of Barrow .................

SO, what is making you consider that? I mean besides the fact that our economy is flourishing...

Barrow. Geez that is hardcore. Fairbanks winters are something else too. Way more extreme than where I am at.

Wachel

heatherfeather wrote:

SO, what is making you consider that? I mean besides the fact that our economy is flourishing...

Barrow. Geez that is hardcore. Fairbanks winters are something else too. Way more extreme than where I am at.

I have to agree! If I had to live any farther north than where I am I wouldn't do it!

ivar

heatherfeather wrote:

SO, what is making you consider that? I mean besides the fact that our economy is flourishing...

Barrow. Geez that is hardcore. Fairbanks winters are something else too. Way more extreme than where I am at.

I think he came to his senses again his profile says he is moving to Europe soon.

Art Scott

ivar wrote:

I think he came to his senses again his profile says he is moving to Europe soon.

it's an either or situation...........Fairbanks is far enuff north that I won't have to worry about the summer heat (already having 80-85*F weather here or air conditioning).......but I have close Friends in the Czech Republic That include among others a Diabetic Doctor (sort of a safety net if you will).........moving to Ak has always been on my agenda........I have watched every show that I could on Ak and its outdoors..........it is one beautiful state..........The cold winters will not be a problem that I can handle and actually like the winter.......but will need to save for a parkywink

To move I must sell property here and the buyers I was to have backed out when Boeing that there might be a downsize in 6 months......everything here relys on the aircraft industry.........so I have waiting on even a slight upswing to place my proerty on the market again.........

heatherfeather

Art Scott wrote:

The cold winters will not be a problem that I can handle and actually like the winter.......but will need to save for a parkywink

Fairbanks can get hot... Interrior AK tends to get up to the 80s on a regular basis... it is much more extreme since it is farther from the coast. So very cold in winter and hot (er) in the summer. My parents could tell you Fairbanks stories... taking the milk to bed with them in hopes that it would stay thawed for breakfast, and it still freezes... water frozen before it hits the ground... But some people just love it up there. Me- I am too much of a wimp.