Portfolio: Folder/prints or digital (laptop/iPad)?

Not sure this is the right forum but I'm still trying to gain experience in shooting and thus I don't charging for any pictures; however I have a meeting with a lady soon and she's already stated that she liked some of my pictures which she saw from a mutual friend. From the conversation, I'm getting the impression she will insist on some kind of payment which got me thinking of this.

Although I'm not a professional, I would like to present my meager work in the best possible light. Would a traditional portfolio with prints be better then (nice) laptop or iPad for simply viewing/showing off pictures?

Thanks

It's all up to you and your style really.

I personally hate the concept of tablets as portfolios. It works for some people, but I just can't bring myself to jump on that trend.

For me, a proper portfolio with prints is the way to go. A beautiful hand bound leather book simply ads something to the whole viewing experience, that no piece of electronic can match.

Both

I don't have a tablet, but I do use multiple methods, including a laptop and, of course, a website. But I have two hardcopy portfolios, one 20x24, one 8x10 that I keep handy in my car.

I have lots of album samples to show clients at wedding shows or meetings ......wedding clients want to see what the finished item will look and feel like so albums are essential to me BUT my iPads were the best investment I made in tools for selling myself. I have a sample of pics on it from every wedding I have ever shot and having that at hand to show people is very powerful. You could do the same with a laptop but it's not as nice an experience for clients as it is with an iPad, and photos look great on the iPad.

I guess I was looking for a reason to get an iPad

I understand that this may be preference in terms of what is most useful to an intended audience. I imagine the < 30 crowd leaning towards the digital viewing devices while the older folks would probably appreciate the nice, tangible feel of a nice portfolio.

My wife is a Creative Memories queen and is keen at putting together bindings so I guess I will do both as most have suggested.

I recently added an iPad2 to my list of gadgets thinking that it would be a good addition for dealing with potential clients. To some degree it has been beneficial (but I still can't get past the 4th level in Angry Birds).

Some people will be OK with viewing your shots on a small screen sitting at a table but I am finding that it is still the printed portfolio that garners the best reactions. I don't chase portraits or wedding work but will take them on if they come my way. I actively go after commercial work and deal alot with agencies and for this kind of work I have a portfolio of mostly 16x20's that when you are meeting in a boardroom you can put them on display properly. I have another portfolio for wedding and the like which is limited to 8x10 and 11x14's.

Do I regret getting the Pad? No. If you are set on getting a tablet then I think it would be good to have a look at others as well. There is alot of competition in the tablet market and some of the others look just as good as the iPad and they do flash. Personally anyone that is going to take marketing their photography services seriously could have both the printed and tablet portfolios. It is an investment in your future.

And this could work.

In my case, I find it consistently better to show exactly what I want to sell. If I show only small images, people will tend to buy only small images. As easily as visualization comes to photographers, most people simply aren't able to visualize such things very well. If I show a 30x40, people are more likely to say, "I want one of those" than if I'm showing only little images.

In fact, I've been very successful by choosing my favorite image from a set and actually bringing a ready-to-sell 20x30 to the sales session...people will usually buy it on the spot once they actually see it.

kind of on a side topic - someone's offering you a rare opportunity to shed your "free photog" rep and put some value into your work. Take it, and don't go back.

Both. I display some images online and can always show them on a laptop. But a print is much richer and more impressive, if at all possible.

Since you're meeting her in person, I recommend bringing prints. People like to be able to have something concrete to hold and feel. Many clients have told me they enjoy my work much better in person (prints) compared to simply viewing my gallery online. Good luck!

Jackie
Toronto Wedding Photographer

Its still my opinion that prints look MUCH nicer than LCDs. Theres just way more options (metallic, matte, gloss, canvas, metal, etc.).

Whenever possible, you really should try to show what you want to sell. It's often hard for us "picture people" to realize, but most people can't visualize things very well.

Most people can't, for instance, visualize the impact of a 20x30 when you're showing them a small image on a tablet, nor can most people visualize things like metallic finishes. You need to relieve them of as much "visualization load" as possible and show as closely as possible what you want to sell.