portfolio & meeting with clients

[JStrattonPhotography]

I have a portfolio on my website but my potential clients want to meet to go over my portfolio and to work out a contract this weekend. I was planning on creating a slideshow and bringing the laptop. Just curious, How many pictures do you typically show a client as your portfolio?

[CaptainTom]

Depends on what they are going to hire me for.

Weddings -20
bridals - 10
kids -18
boudoir - 19
aircraft - 21
nudes - 32
scenics - 25
headshots - 31
bands - 12
new borns - 19
architecture - 22
porno - 4
etc. - 43
more etc. - 24

[JStrattonPhotography]

It is for a wedding consultation. Wedding in this August. I have 85 on my website in my portfolio already.

[CaptainTom]

put up the best of your work.
Show emotion as well as flawless technique.
If an image comes up and you feel the urge to explain it, dump it.
They'll decide right away if you are good enough.
Once they've decided, don't show any more images unless it's to get them to
describe the wedding, etc.

Each wedding is a new a unique event that is loosely structured around a series of events.
Each bride/groom/participant is unique and can't be compared to previous people or events.

Let the client know that you are not a photo machine and that you put your whole heart and soul into their special event.

Get a fist full of money for a down payment.

[ngoduyviet]

I normally show as much as time's allowed, but try not to overwhelm them. I also bring a few art books too, I notice they prefer looking through books more than laptop.

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Depends on what they are going to hire me for.

Weddings -20
bridals - 10
kids -18
boudoir - 19
aircraft - 21
nudes - 32
scenics - 25
headshots - 31
bands - 12
new borns - 19
architecture - 22
porno - 4
etc. - 43
more etc. - 24

Pictures or it didn't happen j/k. For God sake, don't post any of that.

[WarrenG]

Julie,

I assume they probably want to see more depth in the wedding images.
You might pick 2-3 weddings, and put together a highlight slideshow from the best images (say 50-60 images from each) that really showcase the complete story for the couples wedding. If you have designed the albums for those weddings, you can also show the album proofs or sample albums. Keep in mind that you may not need to show all of the images / weddings, but they are there for the client to view if they choose to.

Good Luck

W

[lyncca]

I have featured galleries that have 40-80 pics from a bridal/engagement or wedding on my website, so they already have a good idea of what my overal style is, but before I go visit with them, I give them access to go view 2 complete weddings online on their own and then I take sample products and albums in person so they can see my stuff in print. I have some fine art pieces, a flush mount and a couple layflat albums and guestbooks for them to view.

If they want more than that, I just bring whatever they ask for.

[Aric C. Hoek]

Don't set your slide show to play automatically. Advance each image manually. Tell a story about each image that comes up, or tell the client what makes a particular image a good image. Talk passionately about each image.

[HotHolly]

Im shocked you all use digital. There is something about buying/ selling that is tactile and showing them PRINTS that they can touch and hold is important. I have two wedding books, a recent wedding proof set, and a traditional album filled with bridal portraits. People like to look at and touch stuff while you're talking, so make sure you bring stuff for them to do that with.

[Tom]

I run a slideshow while I have them touch and hold products. The slideshow tends to be ignored, or the groom checks it out while trying not to be bored while the bride ohhs and ahhs.

[lyncca]

LOL, yea, I've found most times the groom is pretty bored, if I meet with them at all. I get a little nervous going in, so taking my products for them to look at and me to describe helps with that.

I'm pretty new to it all and still figuring out what works for me, but this seems to help. I'm booking about 2 out of 3 brides right now. Maybe more, but I know a few of them were still shopping around since there wedding was still over a year out.

[S-Man]

Physical photos, prints and especially albums make a huge impact IMO. It's OK seeing it on screen, but touching it in person, feeling the weight of a flush mount wedding album and seeing the finished product really kicks them in the gut (in a good way) :)
I learned that from Holly
It works.

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by S-Man

Physical photos, prints and especially albums make a huge impact IMO. It's OK seeing it on screen, but touching it in person, feeling the weight of a flush mount wedding album and seeing the finished product really kicks them in the gut (in a good way) :)
I learned that from Holly
It works.

lol. I got the Sam seal of approval!

Awesome! ;o)

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

Im shocked you all use digital. There is something about buying/ selling that is tactile and showing them PRINTS that they can touch and hold is important. I have two wedding books, a recent wedding proof set, and a traditional album filled with bridal portraits. People like to look at and touch stuff while you're talking, so make sure you bring stuff for them to do that with.

you can get my seal approval also. whatever that is worth

how would you ever sell an album if you just show slideshows?

photog: "here is my pricelist for albums, they are a really nice memoir that tells a story of your wedding day."
me: "wow, they start at $xxxx?!?!"
photog: "it really is an investment that all my clients enjoy throughout their lives."
me: "do you have any for me to look through?"
photog: "no, (blah, blah, blah)"
me: "so it's an investment you don't want to make? why should I?"

[lyncca]

Absolutely agreed. I have all my high end products as a sample and it as really helped. I haven't sold many flush mounts with the cost of them (I'm still relatively new so my clientele isn't loaded - they struggle to cover my 2K basic wedding package), but it makes a huge difference in their end decision.

I've had more than one bride where I was completely out of their budget even for my basic package, but because I could show them these high end products, it made me completely stand out against the GWAC photographers. It took a few more weeks to get the contract, but they reworked their budget and purchased one of my lower packages. So, even though they didn't purchase the album, it made their decision on who they wanted to shoot their wedding--a professional. Then, they also know they have the option after the wedding to come back and get that then too.