Magazine Portfolio vs. Photobook Portfolio...

[Jim Bryant]

If you don't have the money, why not send out photo cards with your images on them?

[AndyM2020]

Originally Posted by ChrisAdval

just as a starter and all purpose (for me its model photography just not broken down to different types of photos within model photography) portfolio...

What would you do with a limited budget and you want to show off your work with people you're in contact with in person and carrying around a laptop is a hassle? Magazine Portfolio very lightweight and much cheaper than a photobook would be... don't get me wrong I still plan on getting a photobook once budget is a bit better and I have more photos to choose from to really know its worth the investment to using those photos in a photobook than a magazine would be.

Please recommend me the pros/cons when it comes to using a magazine portfolio vs. a photobook portfolio.

First off, you have to ask - who is the intended audience? If it's the models themselves, then a traditional ring binder with plastic sleeves would probably be best, and giving them a pciture business card from Moo as a reminder.

I personally would not consider a magazine type portfolio (I've not actually seen this in the UK) - if you are not careful it could look cheap, and you do not want to give that impression to your prospective clients. I would expect after being thumbed through a couple of times, it would look grubby with marked and creased pages, etc. If you plan to give them away, it could cost more over time.

You also need to consider size. A friend of mine went into an interview with an 8"x10" portfolio and before the interviewer had even looked at a photo, was told to come back when he was serious, and would not say why. Turns out in some areas such as fashion and magazines, they expect to see portfolios with images of 11"x14".

I know it can be expensive, but it's worth spending a little more on something decent and paying attention to detail - you will want to create the right impression.

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by AndyM2020

First off, you have to ask - who is the intended audience? If it's the models themselves, then a traditional ring binder with plastic sleeves would probably be best, and giving them a pciture business card from Moo as a reminder.

I personally would not consider a magazine type portfolio (I've not actually seen this in the UK) - if you are not careful it could look cheap, and you do not want to give that impression to your prospective clients. I would expect after being thumbed through a couple of times, it would look grubby with marked and creased pages, etc. If you plan to give them away, it could cost more over time.

You also need to consider size. A friend of mine went into an interview with an 8"x10" portfolio and before the interviewer had even looked at a photo, was told to come back when he was serious, and would not say why. Turns out in some areas such as fashion and magazines, they expect to see portfolios with images of 11"x14".

I know it can be expensive, but it's worth spending a little more on something decent and paying attention to detail - you will want to create the right impression.

make sense... thanks you!

if I were to print out 11x14 would you have a portfolio that presents it in a spiral binder type? and at a size bigger than the prints like 14x?

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

If you don't have the money, why not send out photo cards with your images on them?

post card size would be a good idea you think?

[sk66]

For a portfolio I would use a post binder with sleeves which can be tailored to the prospective employer....
I would not be giving them away.

If you are thinking mailers as a general canvasing type promotion...think cheap. Most will end up in the circular file regardless of how good you may be.

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by sk66

For a portfolio I would use a post binder with sleeves which can be tailored to the prospective employer....
I would not be giving them away.

If you are thinking mailers as a general canvasing type promotion...think cheap. Most will end up in the circular file regardless of how good you may be.

what size would you recommend? I do want to be taken serious so should I go bigger than the consumer standard of 8x10s?

[sk66]

I would, it's an investment in "you" and your business..it's worth the few extra bucks (and it should be a write-off)

I would not overwhelm them with a ton of photos (plus you may not have a ton of them for a particular client)

I would have maybe 10 and maybe 1-2 that are more like "contact sheets" with smaller examples to demonstrate "depth".

[AndyM2020]

Originally Posted by ChrisAdval

make sense... thanks you!

if I were to print out 11x14 would you have a portfolio that presents it in a spiral binder type? and at a size bigger than the prints like 14x?

As I understand it, 11"x14" is the "standard" as it's closest to the full spread of a magazine, so I would stick to that size. As for what type of binder, then that is up to you - you'll have to pick something that suits your needs and brand.

You'll have to research into who you are pitching to - are you sending your portfolio off to a jaded editor who sees hundred of photographer portfolios each week? Or are you just targeting some local small businesses, etc. If it's the latter, then you might get away with a generic black ring binder portfolio at 8"x10" (but your images will be more impressive at 11"x14" anyway). If it's the former, you'll have to do something to help your portfolio stand out in the crowd. It really does depend upon who your intended customers are.

Many people could take note of what Casey Templeton did last year, and it certainly seemed to raise his profile somewhat. However, it was expensive and possibly overkill for most photographers

2010 Casey Templeton Photography Promo - YouTube

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by AndyM2020

As I understand it, 11"x14" is the "standard" as it's closest to the full spread of a magazine, so I would stick to that size. As for what type of binder, then that is up to you - you'll have to pick something that suits your needs and brand.

You'll have to research into who you are pitching to - are you sending your portfolio off to a jaded editor who sees hundred of photographer portfolios each week? Or are you just targeting some local small businesses, etc. If it's the latter, then you might get away with a generic black ring binder portfolio at 8"x10" (but your images will be more impressive at 11"x14" anyway). If it's the former, you'll have to do something to help your portfolio stand out in the crowd. It really does depend upon who your intended customers are.

Many people could take note of what Casey Templeton did last year, and it certainly seemed to raise his profile somewhat. However, it was expensive and possibly overkill for most photographers

2010 Casey Templeton Photography Promo - YouTube

great video, that is an expensive marketing campaign there... but he did it right if he was going for the mid or higher income brackets.

One market I'm trying to go for is print magazine editors both local and national, and my other market is high school seniors (and maybe college seniors) for senior portraits which I think a simple postcard would be fine with my one or three images on them and my info on the back... (with sales/discounts codes, etc... with them as well).

11x14 prints correct? if so, what size of a binder I should be looking at you think 14x16? I do want some binder borders (not in photo borders) for separation.