I received the following question from a reader:

I’m going to my first portfolio review at the PhotoPlus Expo next month in New York. I didn’t think I’d be able to make it, so the trip is coming together kind of last minute. I currently don’t have a printed portfolio and I don’t have the money to print up a proper one. I thought about having a book printed up though a company like Blurb or Artisan State, as that would be a lot cheaper. Or I could use my iPad that has a nice looking portfolio app.

Does showing up with just an iPad look bad? Does showing the cheaper photo books make me look cheap? Is it worth it to find a way to try and get a proper printed portfolio? Any advice you can share is greatly appreciated!

I asked Heidi, Suzanne and Brittain for their thoughts and I’d love to hear any advice readers have on the subject in the comments.

Personally, I’m inclined to wonder why you will spend all that money on a portfolio review if you’re not going to maximize the value. If you don’t have a printed book and polished pitch you’re not ready to meet with Photo Editors and Art Buyers in New York City. Sure, you can go in and get some advice on which images are strong and where you might improve, but this is the first impression you will make with many of these people. The gold standard for portfolio reviews is a book with finely crafted prints, a well rehearsed pitch, promo card leave behinds and some personal project options in a separate book, ipad or Blurb type book. You can be sure when you sit down in that chair the photographers before and after you are doing this.

Suzanne Sease:

It is completely fine to show your portfolio on an iPad. I recommend http://ipadportfolioapp.com as many of my clients use it and it has been received well by the viewer. I personally feel that many of the pre-printed bound books don’t look as nice as a hand printed ink-jet book. Since the purpose of a review is for the viewers to make suggestions and possible changes, why invest in a costly portfolio? If you are going to get out and get face to face meetings, then invest in an ink jet printed double sided portfolio and a nice portfolio shell.

Heidi Volpe:

I think it’s perfectly fine to show your portfolio on an ipad especially if you have motion to show.

Some of the less expensive book services you mentioned are perfectly fine as well. I will say if you choose to use these printed services, you’d need to have a good design sense and understanding the printing process, how images behave across the gutters in these books, accurately follow the template and be sure to build in time for revises and proofs. Whatever you choose, make it tight.

Brittain Stone:

I agree that an iPad presentation is more than fine for a portfolio review of this kind. Just a few things to consider when you do go this route:

• An iPad review will invariably go much quicker. It’s human nature to linger on paper longer than on a swipe-able tablet.

• Your edit on an iPad is invariable more linear and one-sized, and while that’s not a bad thing, it’s a consideration when selecting images. It’s harder to go back into a portfolio and muse about particular images after the swiping is done.

• At these portfolio reviews, reviewers are expecting some “green-ness” so an elaborate print production would be overkill, unless you are the next (insert important photographer here) or. The book printing services you mentioned are all pretty great.

• You’ll still want some printed collateral of some kind in order to make it into a file or a stack or the reviewer’s memory banks. Very little trace remains after a digital review.

• Bring Windex

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3 Comments

  1. There is always healthy discussion about digital vs. print.

    Personally I still believe in the printed book. It just makes a nice first impression, sets the tone for the review and eliminates the risk of technical mishaps getting in the way.

    Having a printed book to me shows a higher level of craftsmanship and skill set. If that is part of your brand, you need to show it. Anyone can put a few images online these days. But getting a good print does require additional knowledge and training. Especially if your target clients will eventually use images in print rather than online, that is a good thing to demonstrate.

    I’ve done pre-printed books (Blurb, Asuka) and have printed my own. I’ve always found that the pre-printed books are too rigid in layout. With a post-and-screw book you can have a larger set of prints and customize the book for the meeting at hand.

    Often at reviews I hear feedback that it needs to be edited tighter or specific to the reviewer. If your sessions at PEP are on separate days, you have a chance to target your book for each specific reviewer you’re going to see.

    My current book is 11×17, with a acrylic shell from Lost Luggage and double-sided prints on fine art paper instead of lustre. Invariably gets feedback on the feel of the paper too.

  2. I have found that the response to my work is vastly different if someone is looking at a printed book verse an iPad. People linger on pages and ask questions about each photo. There’s nothing like a beautiful print. It multi sensory and the more senses you can engage, the better impression you’re capable of making.

    Cheers,

    Tom

  3. I do agree with all the previous comments and suggestions (the Windex tip was priceless!). I would just add that also the type of photography you do is important to consider:

    • In the EDITORIAL world, where I come from, (photojournalism, documentary photography) an IPad portfolio is widely accepted and perfectly fine;

    • For COMMERCIAL photography (and often with Fashion Photography) I learn from photographers that a print portfolio is expected, and here I’m not sure that Blurp would be enough, but I would definitely follow Rob’s suggestions: perfectly crafted prints and an expensive-looking shell/cover.

    In any case, have something to leave behind – as it’s been recommended; a simple but well designed promo card can really make the difference as it will be way easier to remember you.

    A very good luck for your review!


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