Portfolio: prints or bound book?

[brian.austin]

Kenn's question regarding Preview Books brought up a similar but different question for me. I didn't want to hijack his thread, though.

I've established a comfortable portfolio of landscape shots that I intend to market to local galleries and stores. My original intention was to print up the images in 8x10 or 11x14 prints and show them in a basic photo portfolio.

With the books being relatively inexpensive now, though, I'm wondering if a bound book with a single image per page (ie custom coffee table book) might not be a better option? Has anyone done this or seen this done?

I'd also be bringing a sample of a 8x10 in a matte/frame since part of my "package" is custom frames made in my shop for larger images.

[Inked Photography]

I haven't thought of this till I read your thr'd here. Very interesting. You got my wheels turning. But, I would think that a bound book would seem appropiate as well as a portfolio containing 8X10's. Tough call. I don't want to say a bound book would seem more professional. But I think it would look much nicer.

[Mr. Pickles]

Never done it myself, but I would think that some people looking at the book would get the impression that you are selling a book....?

[flashmedic]

advantage to the "old" way is that you can change your images around, get rid of old/trite/less superior images easier than reprinting an entire book.

just playing the devil's advocate (I'm good at it)

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

Never done it myself, but I would think that some people looking at the book would get the impression that you are selling a book....?

The idea is to walk in and start a conversation around the images, not how they're presented. This would be a one-on-one marketing approach.

[KrozFan]

I like using a basic portfolio so that as you take new shots you can rotate out the shots that don't sell well and put in some of the new shots you've taken. Also if you put the book together and then decide later on that you'd like to do a black and white version of a picture in there you can print one and put it in your portfolio right next to the color one. You couldn't do that stuff with a book.

If you did weddings or portraits that would be different. In that situation you could print a book for a season and make changes at the end of the season in preparation for the next. But where you plan on doing this for landscapes I would imagine there's a greater chance you would want to rotate images

[Scribe]

Brian,

I think the book idea is an excellent one. I have done it myself and I find potential clients seem more impressed with the photos themselves because of the manner in which they are presented. I suspect that when people see your work "published" in a book, it is more impressive. One thing is certain....assuming you don't overdo the layout, presenting your photos in the pages of a book gives you the opportunity to enhance each image without actually touching the photo itself.

8 by 10's in clear sleeves, and in a binder or loose, are just not as appealing as photos in a well-made photo book.

And, yes, if you are so inclined, you can also use the book (as I do) as a sales tool. One group of clients I work with is landscape designers. Not only do they see a smart presentation of my related work, but they can also get an immediate sense of what their images would look like if "published" in a similar book format. I promote the books from two perspectives: My clients can use their own book as a beautiful portfolio of their previous work and/or offer their clients a copy of such a book when the job is done (this can either be built into the price of the landscape job, or simply given to the client as a thank you gift).

Needless to say, I think the photo book is a tremendous tool that has a potential that has only begun to be tapped.

Brian, if you have any questions about these books, I would be happy to talk with you further about this. Just let me know.

Peter Libby

[kenn]

Originally Posted by brian.austin

Kenn's question regarding Preview Books brought up a similar but different question for me. I didn't want to hijack his thread, though.

I've established a comfortable portfolio of landscape shots that I intend to market to local galleries and stores. My original intention was to print up the images in 8x10 or 11x14 prints and show them in a basic photo portfolio.

With the books being relatively inexpensive now, though, I'm wondering if a bound book with a single image per page (ie custom coffee table book) might not be a better option? Has anyone done this or seen this done?

I'd also be bringing a sample of a 8x10 in a matte/frame since part of my "package" is custom frames made in my shop for larger images.

Brian,
I don't know if you know Glenn Usdin, he was at HTL last year and his portfolio was a bound book with his name engraved on the front cover. I think he changes it every year or so.

I believe it would be a great idea. One of my little marketing ideas is to mass print 25 or 30 little 4x5 soft cover portfolios and place them in areas where I think my target clientel will shop. Bridal stores, high end salons etc..

[billkay]

About the only presentations I make are at a particular trade show, (SHOT show). which is wall to wall with the marketing people I want to talk to. This year, 2 of my photographer friends there presented their work in the "Printed Book" format. It was well received. I have for the last few years however chosen to present my work in the form of a DVD slide show on a portable DVD player that I carry with me. With the fading in and fading out of the images, and the backround music, combined with the knowledge of exactly how long the slide show lasts, I have a very successful presentation. I also think that the images, motion, and sound hold their attention and force them to watch rather than be distracted. On rare occassions when I do have an individual meeting with a creative dir. or marketing dir., I prepare a small scrapbook like presentation starting with a photo album that only has black, paper pages. I select and individually print images that I know will appeal to the particular client I'm seeing. Each photo is held in place by the old fashioned "Corners". At the end of the meeting, they are usually very pleased to be offered the chance to keep the book. That only keeps my work in front of them longer.

[brian.austin]

Thanks for the great feedback.

[brian.austin]

Looking at Mpix pricing, it's almost silly NOT to go with it. 20 page hard cover 11"x8.5" book is $50.00. That's a risk worth taking.

[Halifax Photographer]

I just made a 12X8 Brides Sampler bound Art Book and 50 mini 5X4 clones. The clones are my business cards. I use GraphiStudio, the books are amazing and can be used for any type of presentation. There's nothing better than to show off your images in a professionally and perfectly bound acrylic, leather or brushed steel album and seeing your client's jaw drop when you open the briefcase or box.

[garrentee]

I do alot of catering at a huge farm that was built for weddings and events...lots ofthe wedding photographers have a book there just hanging around so customers and attendies can browse through while they lounge or wait for the festivities to start...Its a great idea IMO and costs nothing compared to the look you get...I just got one done for my 3 week trelk through the southwest...looks great, fits on the coffee table so any guest we have over can browse through!! I am getting my Portfolio done as well as we speak!!

Garren