Advice needed on assembling a dynamic print portfolio

Until now I've never really had much use for a print portfolio. Some recent projects and a surprising number of requests from potential clients wanting to view a print portfolio have convinced me that it's time to invest in a couple of them. I read an article at Luminous Landscapes, which provided some good basic information, but I'd still love to hear additional suggestions from those with experience building a professional print portfolio.

Here's what I've got so far: I'm willing to invest in high quality portfolio covers and have found one I really like. I think it works with my branding strategy, which is simple, light and contemporary. Here's a link: http://www.lost-luggage.com/store/lookingglass.php I'll have my logo etched into the front cover at bottom right. Thoughts?

I'm thinking that limiting each portfolio (I'll do two, one for landscapes and one for adventure) to 15 to 20 photos each makes sense. Comments, suggestions? More/less?

What about print size? The largest portfolio cover available in the style I like is 11" x 17", so image size would need to be smaller than that if I stick with that cover. I've done a lot of research over the last week about print size and it's basically 50/50 on larger vs. smaller, i.e. 16" x 24" vs. 11" x 14". Advice greatly appreciated!

I'm sure there are other questions I'm not asking here because I don't know any better. So, if you have advice not related to these questions, I would LOVE to hear it.

Thanks in advance for your responses. I really appreciate your help!

None of the experienced print sellers have piped up yet, but I'm assuming they will when they find this thread.

We've been doing submissions and client reviews for over 20 years, but not prints. However, I can repeat the recommendations from friends who sell prints, based on conversations when we were comparing notes.

Here's the nutshell:

Have something to SAY in your portfolio. Submissions to queries or client shoots like we do are based upon a set of guidelines or a clear-cut request. You don't have that in a print submission, so you have to provide your own. These folks actually have several portfolios, plus they mix and match to meet regional needs and tastes when doing cold calls. But there's always a theme, whether regional, water, sky, action, landscape, animals, whatever.

You'll be judged by your worst, not your best. The same thing applies to both our worlds: "A portfolio is only as strong as its weakest image."

Bigger is better. The bigger your prints in a submission, the stronger the impact. And in the case of galleries that make the most from selling the biggest, they're in a better position to judge if they see your images large. Same for individuals viewing your prints. In our studio world, we've found an old rule to be very true: Individual usually buy one size smaller than your largest display prints.

Be and look professional. The more professional your presentation materials the better, and the more professional you seem, the better.

Bret, you did not mention anything about what printer you might have, so, size is in question here. As I use a Epson R2400 the maximum paper size is 13x19 inch. With that in mind I bought a couple of the Itoya leather bound cover portfolios. They are excellent quality IMO. Originally I bought these at about $50 each, but they apparently have gone up since then. Here is a link to the ones at Adorama if this size might work out for you. Although I use 13x19 inch paper in the portfolio, I did borders and lettering around my prints that center on page at 12x16 inch leaving the rest white.
Itoya Portfolio

I've been reading a lot lately how photogs are using iPads as a portfolio, and apparently ADs and other image buyers are reacting very favorably to this new technology. You can upload high rez images that can be zoomed in on. Another benefit over traditional portfolios is the long term cost. You can very easily use an iPad (or similar device) to hold multiple portfolios, specialized for certain clients or markets. A traditional portfolio (the attention grabbing kind) can be very expensive to produce, especially if you need to showcase a different style for various buyers, whereas the iPad has (in reality) a lower initial price point with no cost for additional portfolios or image swaps. Plus, you can play Angry Birds, Cut The Rope, use The Photographer's Ephemeris, Google Maps, check your email, go on the web, and damn - you better habe a few of those iFoto Guides on board (i know a guy, if you need a hook up... )etc... All on one very portable (and FAST device). People have responded very favorably to my iPad portfolios. Just my 2 cents.

I'm going to preface this with the fact that I know nothing at all about portfolios or image sales...but has played with iPads a bit.

I'd think an iPad is a great off-the-cuff, spur of the moment type portfolio. I'd think it could lead to someone wanting to see an actual portfolio. But I think it's too small to be a stand along portfolio for someone wanting large prints. Advertising image sales, sure, but then size is usually much less of an issue I'd think.

Anyway, just my uninformed two cents...

I re-found this article that I read a while back, I found it interesting.

http://www.aphotoeditor.com/2010/08/05/ask-anything-printed-portfolio-vs-ipad-portfolio

Hi Bret
I had the same question several years ago, so I bought a book: "Photo Portfolio Success; A Guide to Submitting and Selling Your Photographs" by John Kaplan. Its copyright date is 2003, back when film and prints were still a mainstay. It has some good pointers.

I've used both a DVD player and hard copy prints in presenting photographs to perspective customers. I found with the DVD a few would say; "I'd like to see that one in hard copy too". I think it has to do with the fact they want to see a finished print to really see what they're buying. But, I can also say I've yet to hear a negative response or return on any of the internet sold images or prints either.
Hard to say in this world, both ideas will work, just a preference I'm sure.

Checking in for the first time since posting this. Lots of advice to sift through today. Thank you so much for contributing your ideas and experiences. I'll read today and post any follow-up questions later this afternoon.