i have a question about portfolio presentation...

[fallia]

i'm in my mid forties and have been working in architecture for about 12 years....over the past six months i've been shooting allot....i want to approach some magazines for their consideration as a contributing photographer in addition to shooting architecture ( i'm not so worried about presenting to architects, i know architects that will use me)....but i'm not sure how to present to magazines....i could email or i have small prints made of my portfolio....i can remember an old friend showed me his book (in the early 80's) it was all 4x5 transparencies....i am worried about the expense of sending out multiple copies of prints....any suggestions?

[OsmosisStudios]

Well, for one you wont be using 4x5 transparencies. Depending on where you're getting your printing done, it can be had fairly cheaply these days. First figure out what size you're looking to to: I have 2 sizes: 8x5x11 (or 9x12) and 16x20. The smaller ones are for consultations: I have one for each type of work I do and bring them with me as a group. The larger one is a simple full-on portfolio that I use for presentations to clients or prospective clients. Its only 10 pages, shows my best and most recent work, and changes based on the subject/work needed from the client.

[fallia]

so you actually sit down with your book.....

[BCampbell]

The blog No Plastic Sleeves is a good place to start for some ideas, you can see how others are presenting their work.

Editors have done this before and they understand that you expect them to return the portfolio (they may expect you to provide return shipping). You may want to start small with just a couple of copies, in case you do need to send one out when another is already out.

Like anything else, creating and distributing your portfolio is an expense and one you'll need to track to be sure you're not pricing yourself in the red.

[fallia]

when i'm looking for architecture work with a firm, i just send a paper resume (or email) with a summary of experience, maybe a few pics....but send more pics and references when they are requested.....it doesn't seem like photographers care to email photographs for review....i like the idea of mailing prints they can look at (now, maybe mail back....which is good, because i was spending about $50 a pop per mailing)....that way i don't take anybody's time if they are not interested and i can cover more ground.....i have spoken to a few small publisher about how it works.....there seems to be a preference for publishers to pay for a "per photo" price

thanks guys this is helping, i'm a fish out of water here

todd

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by fallia

so you actually sit down with your book.....

With many clients, yes. I often get referrals or initial contact by e-mail, but do all my meetings in person.