Making a Professional Portfolio Book

I want to make a professional portfolio book but don't really know what all my options are. This book hopefully will last me for many years so I want to really invest in something that will last me, without having to spend $500! I like the way a leather cover looks, and I also want a decent size print on the page. Possibly a full page edge-to-edge 8.5x11 or 11x14 print? I LOVE the layout this photographer did:

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=b81JEV81PqY

The full 2 page spread of the horizontal photos is very appealing to me.

Any suggestions on where to find such a book at a good price in the Atlanta, GA area? Or even of any better ideas? Thanks in advance!

go to some place like MPix and get yourself 8-1/2" x 11" prints made.

then you can just go to an office supply store and get sleeves to put your pictures in and a binder that will keep the presentation neat and clean.

Another option would be to go to that guys website, locate his "contact" info and email him the questions on how he made his portfolio book.

I think I'll contact him. I definitly want something more professional like his.

Sorry I wasn't more help. Contacting Mr. Cramer will probably net you the information you need.

Good luck!

A couple tips...
1. Be careful about spreading an image across 2 pages! Keep in mind the "void" in the center.
2. Your portfolio should only be your absolute best work! No filler, never ever ever.
3. Always include your name and contact info somewhere on/in the book

I might also suggest a Table of Contents and/or some form of documentation about what the client is looking at, why the picture is what it is, perhaps what the client wanted and how you delivered, etc. -- if you have a resumé or CV to accompany, then think about how the two are connected and put it in writing.

Just a couple tips, good luck!

KoalaCowboy wrote in post #11580075
.

then you can just go to an office supply store and get sleeves to put your pictures in and a binder that will keep the presentation neat and clean.
.

A binder? Really?

At the very least you need something that is intended to hold photographs, which will be acid-free. Also try to avoid cheapos like

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Advantage_Book​.html[/URL

These cheap portfolios don't have removable sleeves, so you can't add or subtract to get the exact amount you need. More importantly though the sleeves can't take much handling and become wrinkled and smudge very easily. So if you're going to make a reasonable investment in a book, make sure you'll be able to replace damaged sleeves when the issue arises.

I love how his name is embossed in the cover of the portfolio also. You don't have to do something like that, there are many ways to creatively put your name on the cover, if you do that at all. You could get a rubber stamp with your name on it. I got some old type from a newspaper printing press, and I rigged up a system to emboss my name into the cover of my book.

I'm sure you've already thought of this, but don't forget to make sure all your prints have the same orientation (vertical or horizontal). If you print them full-bleed, then you can easily print two verticals to get a horizontal, like Bill did.

Good luck and let us know what works for you!

Chippy569 wrote in post #11582684
A couple tips...
1. Be careful about spreading an image across 2 pages! Keep in mind the "void" in the center.
2. Your portfolio should only be your absolute best work! No filler, never ever ever.
3. Always include your name and contact info somewhere on/in the book

Thankfully I am in a photography program and my teachers wont settle for crap lol. This Tuesday I am sitting down with 2 of my teachers and we are picking my best over the past year and a half. Of course I still have 7 months before my final portfolio is due, so my work is going to improve and some that we pick now I will probably laugh at later! I know this portfolio is an extremely important part of my upcoming career so I will NOT go cheap. Clear archival sleeves and the best paper is what I have in mind, no doubt.

The void in the middle of the page for a 2 page spread is something I will have to think about and pay CLOSE attention to. I don't want the void splitting my subject.


MLTN-- I also love how his name is across the cover. I don't want to mess with anything like that though until I have my logo down. I still have no idea what my logo should look like.

KoalaCowboy-- I appreciate your help

mltn wrote in post #11582728
A binder? Really?

At the very least you need something that is intended to hold photographs, which will be acid-free. Also try to avoid cheapos like

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Advantage_Book​.html[/URL

These cheap portfolios don't have removable sleeves, so you can't add or subtract to get the exact amount you need. More importantly though the sleeves can't take much handling and become wrinkled and smudge very easily. So if you're going to make a reasonable investment in a book, make sure you'll be able to replace damaged sleeves when the issue arises.

I love how his name is embossed in the cover of the portfolio also. You don't have to do something like that, there are many ways to creatively put your name on the cover, if you do that at all. You could get a rubber stamp with your name on it. I got some old type from a newspaper printing press, and I rigged up a system to emboss my name into the cover of my book.

I'm sure you've already thought of this, but don't forget to make sure all your prints have the same orientation (vertical or horizontal). If you print them full-bleed, then you can easily print two verticals to get a horizontal, like Bill did.

Good luck and let us know what works for you!

Intent was to 'get' something more like the youtube presentation. I know they're available...and merely trying to help. Choice of words perhaps not the best. :S