katydid Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 I just started my wedding business this year and have had quite a fewconsultations at my home. As I have worked previously with another photographerand have only done a few weddings on my own I don't have a huge portfolio topresent. My question is what do you use for sample albums and for portfolio albums. Iknow that I would like to show each album that I offer in my packages but I alsowant to have more portfolio style albums to show with 8x10 or 5x7 pictures inthem. I want something that won't cost a lot like my actual wedding albums andyet are professional looking. My idea was to have 4-5 portfolio albums with eachcontaining a wedding with about 30 large pictures in them(8x10 or 5x7). I wantsomething that I could easily update with a new wedding when I feel I have abetter one to show. I will also have a wedding presented the album that I offerin my package. So what do you use? How do you keep updated professional albums around forconsultations? Do you use something flexible or do you create entire albums fromthe albums that are in your packages? When I sit down with a client I want topresent the best that I have. How can I do that with out breaking the bank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_barrett2 Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 If you do not have much to show, then show very little. I would suggest only showing an album from your best wedding. Instead of showing a bunch of so-so work, spend your time asking a lot of questions and generally bonding with the couple. Be attentive to what they are saying to you. If they like you and want to do business with you, it will only take a little bit of samples to get the job. Bond first, show samples last. I usually meet with my potential clients for an hour and don't even get out the sample book for at least the first 30-40 minutes. And, I have plenty of beautiful samples. 18 years and 700 weddings later, you would think so! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_barrett2 Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 One other thing. You should ALWAYS show the same type of album you sell! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerald_donnelly Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 I agree with Mike show what you're selling. Most album vendors will offer a studeo discount anywhere from 30-40% off. Many will stamp the back of the album "not for resale". I started 1 album at a time some years ago & now I have alot of albums to show a prospective client. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daydreamsart Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Brides like to see an entire wedding, so that's what I show. Have you put together any albums for the weddings you've done? If so, order a duplicate to show potential clients. If you use the mat style albums, you can update them easily. I also have a couple of smaller 4x6 albums for an engagement and a bridal session. There's always my website if they want to see more. But the albums show them the actual quality I provide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Michael Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 You must start somewhere, we all did. Take note of what has been stated. IMO Mr Barrett makes an excellent point: do not be in an hurry to show your work, bond with your client first, listen to their needs, take written notes. Show your work later, and if necessary, explain how you can modify the examples to what they specifically want. I think we all were (too) eager to show our work to the Bride and Groom when we first started: because of ego and because we are proud of our work, but this is a sales meeting and the most important issue for the customer, especially (usually) the Bride is to confirm she can trust you, and believe you can do what she wants, which incidentally, she may have trouble articulating. In a nutshell: 1. Show only your own work. (not always done) 2. Show only your finished work: ie what the customer will buy from you. 3. Quality before Quantity. Regards WW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dyan_cuyugan Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Try the albums at www.sobelleinternational.com. Their albums are good for samples as well as your portfolio! Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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