Portfolio

Final Choice; Portfolio

After checking I would be happy with my prints being presented at the size of A3 and finding a realiable printing lab to create my prints, I am now happy to go ahead with purchasing a suitable portfolio. I looked at portfolios and discussed this concept in an earlier post. I touched on the possibilities of what portfolio I could use and where I could purchase the portfolio from. 

As previously discussed, although I want a professional looking portfolio, I also need to take into consideration what is affordable for me at the moment in time. As discussed in university popular and suitable portfolio types are print boxes or actual portfolios such as leather portfolio folders. A print box is considered normally as the more affordable and easy option. Almodt as many prints as the photographer wishes to use can be used here. Im surprised to see a print box of this size actually costs this much as I found leather portfolios for a similar price. I personally prefer the idea of flicking through a portfolio book when looking at an individuals work, however if I were able to progress more in the industry and found that my portfolio was of great use and importance, I would like to be able to have both a print box and a portfolio book providing I could afford to do so. Buying print sleeves to put on my images to go in the box is also something I would need to consider.

Considering at the moment I can't afford a print box and a portfolio book, I need to decide upon just one for the moment. On silver print which is a trusted site i have used before, an A3 leather portfolio is of a similar price to their print boxes. The benefit of the leather portfolio is that it comes with 10 sleeves already provided. Despite through my research I have learnt that an average of 30 prints are what a portfolio is made up of, at this stage in my career I do not feel I would want to have a portfolio made up of 30 prints. In order to present only my best pieces of work I would aim to present more so about 10-15 prints. The reason I want to make a portfolio at this moment in time is more so that it will just be an additional piece to take to an interview to put along side my digital work. My website and social media platforms will present a lot more of my work however having a select few prints in a portfolio will just give anyone who is interested in my work that opportunity to see some prints right in front of them in physical form as appose to everything being on a screen.

It says here that this particular portfolio takes up to 15 sleeves which I personally feel is enough to suit my current needs. I would surmise that the limit of sleeves that can be used is one reason why the price is so much cheaper than a lot of portfolios. I aim to create a temporary portfolio which I can work with until I am earning enough to be able to purchase a more expensive and reliable portfolio if I find it necessary in my career.

I've chosen a landscape portfolio as almost every documentary shoot I do or any shoot I do for that matter is naturally in a landscape style. Another small benefit which appeals to me more so about the leather portfolio book as appose to the portfolio box is that the leather portfolio appears easier to carry and transport as appose to an A3 sized box.

Now I feel I have come to the decision of what portfolio I would like to use, I want to check the prices of other sites in comparison, in order to make sure I am paying a fair amount for the product I'm getting.

Here on another website, called 'Portfolioplus' I found pretty much the exact same portfolio for £52.95. As can be seen here also, the site claims the actual usual retail price of a portfolio like this is almost £85. 

http://www.portfoliosplus.co.uk/detail.aspx?productid=538920&gclid=Cj0KEQjwoYi4BRDF_PHHu6rI7NMBEiQAKZ-JuBJGi58qMA1JTbkKQxW6ZyAeSSfT6zmxVehTI9TwxacaAiRM8P8HAQ

I struggled to find a similar portfolio available from any other retailers that were cheaper or around the same price. Although the portfolio plus portfolio is a matter of a few pounds cheaper, I feel it would be worth paying the extra few pounds and getting the portfolio from Silverprint, as this is the site I've used in the past for print boxes and sleeves and I know the quality of the products is always of high standard and I know I can trust the company as I already have a profile with them.