 Randall Randall Jackson |
PORTFOLIO I am in the market to buy a portfolio book. What considerations should I make? ie number of pages, size etc. I would like to begin to present some of my work. If there are any suggestions along this line also I would really like to hear them, ie should I frame them with created dital frames or mats?
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Christopher A. Walrath |
I would get your portolio together before you get your portfolio. Lemme essplain. Get your images squared away. Edit yourself harshly. Get your, and I mean only, your best stuff ready to go. Choose your format. Most, I included go with 8 x 10. Look at the way you want it to flow and consider this when looking at color, material, of course number of prints (your editing has answered this one for you), storage/page type, etc. Work your portfolio from the inside out and it will be right when someone views it from the outside in.
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Christopher A. Walrath |
I would get your portolio together before you get your portfolio. Lemme essplain. Get your images squared away. Edit yourself harshly. Get your, and I mean only, your best stuff ready to go. Choose your format. Most, I included go with 8 x 10. Look at the way you want it to flow and consider this when looking at color, material, of course number of prints (your editing has answered this one for you), storage/page type, etc. Work your portfolio from the inside out and it will be right when someone views it from the outside in.
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Randall Randall Jackson |
Thanks Christopher, this is a very good advice. I will do just as you suggest. Randall
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Carolyn L. Fox |
I agree with Christopher. You do need to get your porfolio developed first and you need to be ruthless with your editing. If you have a friend who knows photography you might ask them to critique your photos. Sometimes an extra set of eyes helps. After you've done that there are a number of different ways you can go and there are several good books about how to develop a great portfolio. I don't have the names of them right now, but you could check out your local bookstore or google books on portfolios. MPix, Shutterfly, etc. offer hardback and softback books that make nice portfolios, but you can't change out the pages. You can buy leather portfolios that zip on the outside and have binders on the inside for clear page protectors that will hold 8"x10" or 11"x14" photos. Once you get going, you may want to have more than one portfolio, depending on what client you're planning to visit. I'm working on my portfolio right now and I'm planning to use a leather zip portfolio to take to clients, but possibly a portfolio from MPix, Blurb, etc. to leave behind, if needed. I'm also going to have different portfolios for different clients. Since this was written a few months ago, you may have already completed your portfolio. If not, I hope this helps.
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Randall Randall Jackson |
Thanks Carolyn As a matter of fact I have not completed my portfolio. So you input if very helpful.
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Vanessa Rabayda |
I know this was written a while back. I just wanted to jump in because I am also in the middle of making my portfolio. So far, JUST having the prints is harder than anything else. Even harder than taking the actual photographs and work with them. I should be getting a few test prints from MPIX and I'm just hoping they look good, as opposed to other labs I've tried. So that's that. So far, I have about 15 worthless prints of some of my favorite shots in a binder with sheet protectors. I wouldn't dare to show them out to anyone though. As soon as I get really nice prints, that I will be getting the actual portfolio book. Now, as for the book, if I buy the book from mpix, let's say, will they just send me the book and the pages inside, or do they put the pictures in the book, or do I just get the book, and get the pages separately? Thanks in advanced,
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Carolyn L. Fox |
I've never gotten the books from mpix, but my understanding is that you download something to format the pictures, send it in to them and they send you the book. I believe you can order hard back or soft back. They're all bound together just like a regular book you'd find in a bookstore. They look really nice. I believe the price includes 20 photos, but you can add more for additional money. I'm going to order some from them in the near future too. I'm just not quite ready yet. Hope this helps.
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Randall Randall Jackson |
Thanks for all the great input. As a matter of fact I just got two photobooks done. one through MPIX and the other through Apple. The process of making the books is very simple (and Fun). Just download the software from the MPIX sight for that book. The book from apple cost about 33% more, in my opinion it was worth it. The book binding itself is superior. The paper is glossy and soft as opposed to matte and hard. There is a higher level of making books than Apple google a search- coffee table, custom photo books. You will see many options
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Carolyn L. Fox |
Thanks for the info, Randall. Did you find the apple book at apple.com?
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Randall Randall Jackson |
Carolyn, I did the Apple product through Aperture or if you have IPhoto you can do it through there otherwise I really recommend the google search I saw some very promising sites
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Carolyn L. Fox |
Thanks. Who are you showing your portfolios to when you get them ready? Are you trying to get in with ad agencies, general businesses, in retail shops or what? I'm trying to do all that. I have my marketing plan written out. All I have to do is follow it. That's the hardest part - sticking to my self-imposed deadlines. LOL!
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Randall Randall Jackson |
Hi Carolyn, This portfolio is for me. I just want to begin to keep my work in a presentable form. I think as I am beginning to like some of my images more and more that it is time atleast to create some general type portfolio. Business wise I am in the stages of doing some portrait work (out of the gargage). I don't yet have a formal business plan written.
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Kevin Ekstrom |
A portfolio can be used for many reasons. Many people put together a portfolio to land specific jobs. Portfolio's can be constructed around the type of job you wish land. A hotel looking to draw tourist may be looking for photos for a website or a brochure. If your tying to land this client you may want a specific set of photos in your portfolio to show you can handle this type of work. Ect. ect. ect. Your portfolio can be revamped at will or you may want more than one depending on how you operate. Your porfolio truly should be conducive to what you have planned.
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