Davepit wrote:
Fuji.  It looks nice. It's also expensive. The local place charges £25 for a 11 x 14

Thanks.  *Charges off to find this stuff*

Managing Light wrote:

Blue Cube Imaging wrote:
Flex, Super high gloss. High contrast, high saturation. Looks like a photo printed on a mirrored surface it is so shiny. Like the old Cibachrome A papers.

Whoa!  That's exciting.  Who makes this paper?

[/hijack]

Managing Light wrote:

Thanks.  *Charges off to find this stuff*

It is indeed a Fuji product.

Fuji flex Crystal Archive printing material. And yes, it is STUPIDLY EXPENSIVE. A 30" x 164' roll costs me nearly $1000.00 (as opposed to less than 200 for matte, glossy or lustre).

For portfolios it is difficult because it finger prints and kinks easily. It is primarily for display (mounted to plexi).

Hoodlum wrote:
Opps this is for models looking to work with land based agencies, see below for photographers.

First, Do you need a portfolio? If you want to be a net model then a high quality website is probably what you need most. If you want to do land based agency go see's and such your comp card will be your main marketing tool. In fact in most commercial situations the comp card is all you need.

Having said that it is a real good idea to have a portfolio anyway as some clients will want to see it and it�s a great thing to take to shoots to show the photographer or client.


O.K. so you want a models portfolio, here's the basics.

Most models books are 9" by 12" there are other sizes but 9x12 is the standard agency size. If you are freelancing use what you want but if you go to a casting and everybody else has a 9x12 and you have 8x10 you are going to look silly and kind of amateurish. My advice is go with what other real agency models use and odds are 9x12. 

If you land an agency you will use what the agency wants. (Elite has used a smaller book)(you still pay for it) Otherwise, 9x12 is the norm.


You can get portfolios online here.

http://www.models-mart.com/Portfolios.html
If you buy from them get the scuba its simple, classy, no need for fancier ones.

http://www.houseofportfolios.com
Great stuff but not cheap. I have two from them and the quality is outstanding. Great customer service.

http://www.designbureau.net/customportfolios.html
Never used them personally but colleagues have and the books look nice.

Here are a few other sites that sell portfolios

http://www.reedpresentations.com/portfolio/index.html
http://www.artmediaonline.com/artProduc … ctID=21286
http://www.nabookarts.com/portfolios.html
http://www.pinazangaro.com/
http://www.flaxart.com
http://www.lost-luggage.com/store/home.php
http://www.brewer-cantelmo.com/

I just bought a new Pina Zangaro and like it.

Honestly though don't spend to much as it matters far more what you put into your book than what kind of book.

What do I put in my book?

The main thing is not really the size but the content that is the 1st 2nd and 3rd priority in you book. You need to get really kick ass photos in there and only show the best. Don't be tempted to put in more because of all those black page slots. Some books you can take out the unused slots and those are better.

You will be so much better off showing 3 BANG POW images than 3 BANG POW and 10 "yeah, she's pretty" images. You are only as good as your worst shot. I'd rather see 3 wow'ers than 3 wow'ers and 10 "pretty goods".

What booker wants a tour of mediocrity?

EDIT RUTHLESSLY!!!!!!!


How do I organize them?

If you want to make a book that's presentable to an agency you need to do it the agency way.

Here are the basics of a models book. Photographer�s books and Makeup people�s books can be quite different this info is geared to models who are seeking to work in the mainstream world.


1. Nothing fancy, you will be caring it around a lot so if the agency doesn't give you one of theirs keep it simple as they do wear out. I wouldn't spend more than like $75.00 on one. But don't get too cheap, it will reflect on you. Those portfolios with the big handles and zipper are SO out Hello 1980's. A simple Scuba style book like this is all you need. (Example)




2. Start with a strong clean Beauty shot. DON'T OVER PHOTOSHOP IT Any manipulation will get trashed, as clients want to see you, not some photoshoped version of you. 95% of the shots on the net are way too over shopped. Clients want to see skin, freckles, pores, skin texture. If they see you have over tweaked it, you lose credibility. They don't give a rats as* about some photographers Photoshop ability. Yes spend some money on a kick ass beauty photographer and a kick ass make-up person. Don't try and fake it. They want to see exactly what you look like. If they cant believe your beauty shot they cant believe your book................ (Example)





3 Start strong your best couple of shots first. Grab the audience. If you don't grab them now you wont grab them latter. If you have shots that have you looking at a left or a right direction put them so they face into the gutter (center of book) (Example)



4. Horizontals. First don�t put them in sideways nobody and I repeat nobody wants to sit and spin your book back and forth to look at your shots. Remember a client may be looking at 20 to 100 books in a day trying to decide who is right for a job. Make it hard on them and you loose. Plain and simple. Keep the book vertical to view. There are two ways of doing this.

One-Way is to double-truck them. That means to print them as a 12" by 18" print and then cut it down the middle. If you do this it needs to be a show stopper shot as at that size it takes two slots and therefore demands twice the look. Only do this if the shot is a flat out "bang pow" shot. (Example)




The other way is to print them horizontally on a vertical print. In other words the print will be 9" with by whatever height the image is. You can either go with Black borders on top and bottom or leave them white. Either way is fine. I prefer black as it matches the black paper but is really doesn't mater that much. (Example)




How many

Only your best. No more. And even if you get a boat load of killer shots 15 to 20 is MAX Nobody important is going to view more than that and most likely far far less. If you cant show your ability in 10 shots you need better shots!!! Don't be tempted to fill up the pages. Don't put more than two shots from any shoot no matter how much you like them It shows real inexperience. One shot per set up is normally all you want and besides if you get one killer shot per shoot consider your self lucky.

Its not rocket science. It might not of been how it was done 20 years ago. It might be different in 10 years, but here in 2005 that's how its done in most markets here in the US today.


Now if all you want to be is a "net model" then do it any way you want because only your friends and some tfp weekend warrior isn't going to know the real way of doing things or care.

QFT+1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Eloquently written and extremely valuable information for anyone in this industry.

Hoodlum wrote:
Opps this is for models looking to work with land based agencies, see below for photographers.

First, Do you need a portfolio? If you want to be a net model then a high quality website is probably what you need most. If you want to do land based agency go see's and such your comp card will be your main marketing tool. In fact in most commercial situations the comp card is all you need.

Having said that it is a real good idea to have a portfolio anyway as some clients will want to see it and it�s a great thing to take to shoots to show the photographer or client.


O.K. so you want a models portfolio, here's the basics.

Most models books are 9" by 12" there are other sizes but 9x12 is the standard agency size. If you are freelancing use what you want but if you go to a casting and everybody else has a 9x12 and you have 8x10 you are going to look silly and kind of amateurish. My advice is go with what other real agency models use and odds are 9x12. 

If you land an agency you will use what the agency wants. (Elite has used a smaller book)(you still pay for it) Otherwise, 9x12 is the norm.


You can get portfolios online here.

http://www.models-mart.com/Portfolios.html
If you buy from them get the scuba its simple, classy, no need for fancier ones.

http://www.houseofportfolios.com
Great stuff but not cheap. I have two from them and the quality is outstanding. Great customer service.

http://www.designbureau.net/customportfolios.html
Never used them personally but colleagues have and the books look nice.

Here are a few other sites that sell portfolios

http://www.reedpresentations.com/portfolio/index.html
http://www.artmediaonline.com/artProduc … ctID=21286
http://www.nabookarts.com/portfolios.html
http://www.pinazangaro.com/
http://www.flaxart.com
http://www.lost-luggage.com/store/home.php
http://www.brewer-cantelmo.com/

I just bought a new Pina Zangaro and like it.

Honestly though don't spend to much as it matters far more what you put into your book than what kind of book.

What do I put in my book?

The main thing is not really the size but the content that is the 1st 2nd and 3rd priority in you book. You need to get really kick ass photos in there and only show the best. Don't be tempted to put in more because of all those black page slots. Some books you can take out the unused slots and those are better.

You will be so much better off showing 3 BANG POW images than 3 BANG POW and 10 "yeah, she's pretty" images. You are only as good as your worst shot. I'd rather see 3 wow'ers than 3 wow'ers and 10 "pretty goods".

What booker wants a tour of mediocrity?

EDIT RUTHLESSLY!!!!!!!


How do I organize them?

If you want to make a book that's presentable to an agency you need to do it the agency way.

Here are the basics of a models book. Photographer�s books and Makeup people�s books can be quite different this info is geared to models who are seeking to work in the mainstream world.


1. Nothing fancy, you will be caring it around a lot so if the agency doesn't give you one of theirs keep it simple as they do wear out. I wouldn't spend more than like $75.00 on one. But don't get too cheap, it will reflect on you. Those portfolios with the big handles and zipper are SO out Hello 1980's. A simple Scuba style book like this is all you need. (Example)




2. Start with a strong clean Beauty shot. DON'T OVER PHOTOSHOP IT Any manipulation will get trashed, as clients want to see you, not some photoshoped version of you. 95% of the shots on the net are way too over shopped. Clients want to see skin, freckles, pores, skin texture. If they see you have over tweaked it, you lose credibility. They don't give a rats as* about some photographers Photoshop ability. Yes spend some money on a kick ass beauty photographer and a kick ass make-up person. Don't try and fake it. They want to see exactly what you look like. If they cant believe your beauty shot they cant believe your book................ (Example)





3 Start strong your best couple of shots first. Grab the audience. If you don't grab them now you wont grab them latter. If you have shots that have you looking at a left or a right direction put them so they face into the gutter (center of book) (Example)



4. Horizontals. First don�t put them in sideways nobody and I repeat nobody wants to sit and spin your book back and forth to look at your shots. Remember a client may be looking at 20 to 100 books in a day trying to decide who is right for a job. Make it hard on them and you loose. Plain and simple. Keep the book vertical to view. There are two ways of doing this.

One-Way is to double-truck them. That means to print them as a 12" by 18" print and then cut it down the middle. If you do this it needs to be a show stopper shot as at that size it takes two slots and therefore demands twice the look. Only do this if the shot is a flat out "bang pow" shot. (Example)




The other way is to print them horizontally on a vertical print. In other words the print will be 9" with by whatever height the image is. You can either go with Black borders on top and bottom or leave them white. Either way is fine. I prefer black as it matches the black paper but is really doesn't mater that much. (Example)




How many

Only your best. No more. And even if you get a boat load of killer shots 15 to 20 is MAX Nobody important is going to view more than that and most likely far far less. If you cant show your ability in 10 shots you need better shots!!! Don't be tempted to fill up the pages. Don't put more than two shots from any shoot no matter how much you like them It shows real inexperience. One shot per set up is normally all you want and besides if you get one killer shot per shoot consider your self lucky.

Its not rocket science. It might not of been how it was done 20 years ago. It might be different in 10 years, but here in 2005 that's how its done in most markets here in the US today.


Now if all you want to be is a "net model" then do it any way you want because only your friends and some tfp weekend warrior isn't going to know the real way of doing things or care.

This is great! Very helpful!

It was posted 5 years ago so I'm wondering on one bit...still the simple Scuba style book is preferred? The one with handle and zipper is a no-no? Thanks

Ryan Charles wrote:
My photographer sent me my pictures with a white border. Do I want that when I print for my portfolio?

Ryan, I think you should start a separate thread, asking your question.  It is a valid question and you're likely to get many useful answers.

Stephen Markman wrote:
What is going on here this week with people bumping ridiculously old threads?!

This one was started by some guy named Brian Diaz, back in 2005!!

Is that guy even still on this site?!?!

Edit:

Ryan, I think you should start a separate thread, asking your question.  It is a valid question and you're likely to get many useful answers.

its better than starting a new thread and somehow this post provides good intel too

zarihs wrote:

its better than starting a new thread and somehow this post provides good intel too

+1 its a good thread with good info.

btw I currently use a 11x14 leather bound, I wish Pina zangaro made a 9x12 as thats what im going to

Neilson Photo wrote:
So what size should photographers give the models?

models' books are usually 9x12, although you should check in advance just in case.
the agencies here have various sizes.

Brian Diaz wrote:
I was just curious as to what size prints others are using for their portfolios.  Also, what is your stance on horizontal photos?

Hey Brian, I was just in Denver giving a commercial modeling workshop for the Screen Actors Guild Conservatory. What a great city.

I have found in the commercial modeling industry, people don't carry around portfolios anymore. At least in New York, so many of the go-sees are cattle calls, and photographers typically don't have time to look at anything but a model's comp card.

If you are just using the portfolio to store your photos, then I am sure an 8X10 size is fine. I would highly recommend scanning all of your work, and placing them on 2 different CD's to keep them looking good for many years.

I have seen a few horizontal head shots. Some actors like using that style because they believe that directors see movies on a horizontal screen, and think that the director will like the head shot more in that format. I personally am not crazy about that style. I think that people still want to see more of the person and would prefer a vertical shot.

Take care.
Aaron Marcus
www.HowTomodel.com

DMakeoverCreationz wrote:
I've been in the industry for awhile now but I've recently decided to put a portfolio together. I bought a portfolio book that's 8.5 X 11, is that too small? I want to make sure it loook professional

makeup artists like photographers are usually 11x14
but we get more leeway to have different presentations.

billy badfinger wrote:
Interesting...
this thread has suvived for 6 years!!!

I wonder if this is a record?

billy badfinger wrote:
and since it is now 2011...
just get an IPad.
they are fast becoming the presentation of choice in NY,Paris,LA and Milan.
(just make sure your battery is charged!!!)

I'm not a commercial shooter, but I'm curious: does a photog that wants to show his latest work simply drop off his iPad?  Or is he expecting that he and someone will sit down together and go through the new work (which doesn't seem likely unless he is a most-favored photographer)? What am I missing here?

Mai Lilly wrote:
Okay, to sum it all up...(please correct me if I'm wrong, I really want to get this right)

For models:
9 x 12 book...NO other size
10-12 photographs
Best ones first and last
Never use more than one shot from the same photographer

photographs should be size....?

I believe its one shot per shoot, no photographer.

XtremeArtists wrote:

Thanks Doug!

I was going to ask a question. Now I know I am doing this wrong....sorry.

billy badfinger wrote:
Interesting...
this thread has suvived for 6 years!!!

and since it is now 2011...
just get an IPad.
they are fast becoming the presentation of choice in NY,Paris,LA and Milan.
(just make sure your battery is charged!!!)

Would you leave your IPAD behind if they asked for it so they could study your portfolio at a later date?

Gia_Model wrote:

I was going to ask a question. Now I know I am doing this wrong....sorry.

Nothing is wrong if your question pertains to the topic. I stumbled across this thread by accident today and learned a lot. True some old threads need to die but this one is chock full of information and deserves life.

Fred Gerhart wrote:
Would you leave your IPAD behind if they asked for it so they could study your portfolio at a later date?

First of all I agree an iPad is nothing compared to a good printed book.  However I am not sure if the poster from about a year ago is still reading this one.  Ironically he was commenting on the thread already being 6 years old.

Why not let it die agian...

Fred Gerhart wrote:

Nothing is wrong if your question pertains to the topic. I stumbled across this thread by accident today and learned a lot. True some old threads need to die but this one is chock full of information and deserves life.

Holy Lazarus, Batman!

There are some newer thread that cover this same info.

NewBoldPhoto wrote:
Holy Lazarus, Batman!

LMAO!