OK, I'm working on getting a new good portfolio together.

First things first, if you know of any images you think I need to put in there, feel free to do my homework for me and post them here...

Second what size portfolios do you guys have? I currently have one that takes 13x19 'B' paper. I actually like it because I print 12x18 shots on 13x19 and give them a thin black border then about a half inch of white around the edges. This still gives me a nice images size that's impressive as well as dresses up the shots... It really makes the prints shine IMHO. Now, does anyone know of an online printed that will print 13x19s? I know I can do it with an inkjet myself, but I'm not willing to do that (doesn't look as good, since this is for presentations it must be perfect).

Third, any other sizes I should consider? What sizes is anyone else using? I was thinking I could scale it down to and 11x14 book and use 8x12 prints with a similar effect. This would work and it would cost me a lot less, but it looses a lot of the impact IMHO. The other size I'm considering is a 5x7 book and print 4x6 images on 5x7 pages. Again with the nice boarders... This would be nice as it's easier to carry around for a take to galleries for a quick, get them interested to come back with the big book impression.

Thoughts?

For reference, here's the portfolio I have now:
Itoya 13x19




Here's the same thing in 5x7.
and 11x14.

If you have suggestions for another portfolio that's inexpensive and "clean" looking that would also be awesome.

I got nothin'. I'm in similar shoes. I'd love to put together a nice portfolio and now that I have a printer that prints 13x19, I'll probably do something like what you're describing. My problem is that some of my shots aren't 2:3 ratio.

Mines totally different for weddings, I have a 4x6 portfolio for Engagements and a 4x6 portfolio for weddings showing complete coverage and the better shots. I may go to 8x10 over the summer after a few more weddings. For the most part the website was the important thing. I am also debating on replacing the traditional portfolio with an Ipod touch for intro meetings. But once again, different genres.

I think for you, 8x12's would work well, definitely something larger to show the details and colors better.

I think I'm either going to get the big one like Ben has, or the 11x14" one... Ben, I think 8x10/12" is plenty big for a portfolio, but I also agree that 11x14" might really make an impression.

I'm not sure who I'm building this portfolio for yet, but that's one of the things I have to figure out this year.

Originally Posted by Markitos

I'm not sure who I'm building this portfolio for yet, but that's one of the things I have to figure out this year.

Same here.

yeah, I only have 2 specific "targets" so far... 2 galleries in Wickford RI. One has said a CD or website is "enough" but I don't want to Busch league it like that... Also once I get it done, then I'll be hitting up all the cool small restaurants and coffee shops around town to see if anyone is interested.

Question though:
If you put something in a "shop" like that, how do the sales work? Do you just hang what the shop wants with you info on it, so if a customer wants it they go to your site and buy it, or do you have the shop sell the image off the wall? I'm thinking I'll let them pick what they want as a little "show" and put a business card in the matt/frame with it. Basically between the glass and the mat in the corner. Then give them a stack of cards for anyone whose interested... Does that work?

There are a bunch of small restaurants/coffee places around here with ****ty or no art, so if I "gave" them the prints for a while I know they'd jump on it. My only question is do they limit the time they get them, and or does the shop buy the pictures?

Nice Thread.
I am aiming for the stars and am going to submit to the Sivertson Gallery this year. It would be huge to be displayed next to Jim Brandenburg.

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

For reference, here's the portfolio I have now:
Itoya 13x19




Here's the same thing in 5x7.
and 11x14.

If you have suggestions for another portfolio that's inexpensive and "clean" looking that would also be awesome.

I think I might get one of those to put my 12x18's in. Seems like the best way to present without having to crop to 11x14.
I would love to find a leather book though.

yeah, but how do you make them look good/even? There's a 1/2" all around the intsert.

See, my printer sheets are/will be 13x19, this might be perfect for me. I'll just add a nice border to other ratios to fit.

that's how I ended up with it Scott, we have a 13x19 printer here at work. I just don't have the patience to print this many shots that large...

good thread! when i first decided to start my company, i made a book in MyPublisher containing my best photos & used that to advertise myself. I'm looking to do something else soon, but i'm not sure what yet.

that's another good point. I can get a simple black hard cover 10" x 10" (or 8.5" x 11") with 20 pages (40 shots) for $30... If I can fill the whole thing right now, I'll do that... Cheaper and easier this time around. Then every time I can fill a new one I'll keep making new ones.

a little digging says that the mpix books are crap, but that a lot of people really like the blurb books. It's $54.95 for a 13"x11" hardcover book... They also have a 10"x8" for $29.95...

I'm thinking that's what I'll probably do. The downside is it's not upgradeable and can't grow, but this would force me to make a new one as soon as I had enough new shots for one. Then I could just bring both with me as needed and show both.

the very first book i ordered was the picaboo book & that was crap! then i decided to try mypublisher & i loved it. i've used this book as my portfolio & have also used it for a few customers.

just recently i tried the blurb book & i liked it just as much as the mypublisher book. i'm not completely sold on it yet (i think my pics for that book weren't that great), but i did like that i can upload my own logo in the back of the book for a small fee & that the printed jacket hugged the book really well. the blurb book ended up to be a little cheaper to make.

Yeah, I'm going to put a blurb book together next week hopefully and send it out to be printed. The ~$50 it will cost is less than 11x14 prints to fill a portfolio and I think it might even be more professional looking. I'm also curious because I have a few book ideas anyway (Photo a day of the baby into a book each year?) so it will be a good test.

Thanks for the heads-up on how they look.

bump.

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

For reference, here's the portfolio I have now:
Itoya 13x19

I have one of those too. I just need to print more stuff to put in it.

Good luck with your book.

Originally Posted by iwalani

the very first book i ordered was the picaboo book & that was crap! then i decided to try mypublisher & i loved it. i've used this book as my portfolio & have also used it for a few customers.

just recently i tried the blurb book & i liked it just as much as the mypublisher book. i'm not completely sold on it yet (i think my pics for that book weren't that great), but i did like that i can upload my own logo in the back of the book for a small fee & that the printed jacket hugged the book really well. the blurb book ended up to be a little cheaper to make.

Thanks for this idea. Great way to do a portfolio. I am just about done with mine, to send to the Watch Hill Ocean House for what I hope could be some stuff hanging in their hotel once it is built.

-Andy

Originally Posted by iwalani

the very first book i ordered was the picaboo book & that was crap! then i decided to try mypublisher & i loved it. i've used this book as my portfolio & have also used it for a few customers.

just recently i tried the blurb book & i liked it just as much as the mypublisher book. i'm not completely sold on it yet (i think my pics for that book weren't that great), but i did like that i can upload my own logo in the back of the book for a small fee & that the printed jacket hugged the book really well. the blurb book ended up to be a little cheaper to make.

Just got my stuff back from Mypublisher. I am very impressed. Quality of the prints inside is very good, and very accurate to what I sent them, exposure wise and color wise. Great deal too. I got coupon code, and got a second book for free. Now I have something to send to the Watch Hill Ocean House folks, and one to keep for myself. Very nice. Turn around time was quick also. Although they are in NY, and I am in CT, so that explains it, but even living on the otherside of the country, I think the return time would maybe only be a week.
Highly recommended to anyone looking to do a book or portfolio of their work.
Also, if anyone would like to use a coupon code that is good to the 16th of March, drop me a PM.

-Andy

for a gallery doesnt it work like if they sell your work they take a percentage of the profit?? Usually thats how it works from my knowledge.

Originally Posted by By Chance

for a gallery doesnt it work like if they sell your work they take a percentage of the profit?? Usually thats how it works from my knowledge.

Yeah, my gallery back home in Red Wing, MN takes 30%.

damn 30 percent of profit or of total selling cost?