How is your print portfolio built?

[kafene]

I want to put together a portfolio of stuff I shoot for presentation. I'm curious to see what kind you guys use.

Prints mounted on boards stacked in a box-type portfolio?
or
Binder type folder with photos inserted into print/page protectors?
or
Maybe something I haven't thought of?

kafene.

[robertwgross]

I have no single portfolio. I organize a portfolio differently for each time I expect to show it, and I customize it for the viewer.

In some cases, where I want the viewing to be very brief, I have a small number only of prints that are matted and placed in a binder of clear pages.

In other cases, where I want a larger selection viewed, I will organize dozens and dozens of prints with a common theme, and these are in the binder instead.

Over the Internet, I am reluctant to "give away" high resolution digital images. As a result, what anybody sees on the web site is a very limited resolution image. If a viewer is interested, then I can do more by arrangement.

---Bob Gross---

[MediaMagic]

I have use a couple of methods. If I am just showing prints, I use a simple binder with prints in protected pages arranged by common theme. These are set up to be thumbed through.

For presentation/portrait service sales, I use a binder that is set up a bit differently. I have a nicely printed photo description on the left page with all the camera settings/lighting/photo jargon laypersons do not comprehend which makes it seem like I understand what I'm doing), surrounded by small pictures of different pieces of equipment used in creating the photo (it's amazing what a picture of a honeycomb diffuser and a strobe can lend to a discussion), and the main photo on the right. I use different sized prints in MediaMates or in print protectors. I have it so that only one shot is viewable at a time, and the shot usually done in 8x10 first, followed on the next page with the media mate with different sizes of the same shot. I always use a series of four shots with a subject in this order: 1) glamshot - pique their interest with beauty 2) close facial - draw them closer into the presentation/portfolio 3) shock/bizarre - the gasp factor - a strange picture to bring humor/light heartedness into the presentation 4) money shot - the shot that closes the sequence.

I use this setup to make a presentation rather than just handing the portfolio over to someone to thumb through. It usually works fairly well. I'd also love to hear what others do.


David

[Yance]

It definitely depends on the reviewer. One style of portfolio is not best for all situations so you are best to tailor make one specifically for the job. I would assume for galleries that the box appraoch with matted prints may be best but for a photojournalist portfolio a cd presentation may be the best way, preferably on mac format. When I applied for a part time position at a newspaper, I used a 8-1/2"x11" bound portfolio with 8x10 prints in protected pages. But that was several years ago and the cd is more typical now.

[w10d]

Both methods you mention are popular. The box has the advantage that it is very easy to rearrange/add/remove images. The disadvantage that an Art Director can muddle the order before showing it to someone else, wasting all the hours you spent deciding on the best presentation. Also, the pages tend to need replcing more often as they are handled more (and they're exensive!).

[kafene]

Both methods you mention are popular. The box has the advantage that it is very easy to rearrange/add/remove images. The disadvantage that an Art Director can muddle the order before showing it to someone else, wasting all the hours you spent deciding on the best presentation. Also, the pages tend to need replcing more often as they are handled more (and they're exensive!).

I went to the local Aaron Brothers and got the 11x14 size binder portfolio that zippers up. Got some 11x14 and 8 1/2 x 11 pages.

kafene.