Printing a Professional Photo Portfolio: A Look Inside

Having a beautiful way to present my photos in person has been something I've wanted for a long time, but creating a photography print portfolio was daunting. I finally made it happen, and here's a look at the process.
See my work on my website: www.calebkerr.com
Follow me on Instagram: calebkerr

[@hansenriquez1810]

I love how your narration is giving off a "Fight Club" kind of vibe.

[@CalebKerr]

Hans Enriquez That’s high praise. 🙏

[@Nick-kv7yi]

This was not only one of the best ‘how to’ videos ever, but probably one of the best KZbin videos made. 👌🏼

[@CalebKerr]

Nicholas Allinson I’ll take it!

[@jodymiller2698]

I agree.

[@viswanthgudiwada3591]

agreed!

[@thetonycam3944]

"I'm here to f*cking work." I like this.

[@rikiandryansah1148]

Fast, clean, informative, and perfect... I really like it

[@Firstmanphotography]

Brilliant video buddy. Thanks for the info and high quality production.

[@CalliopePresents]

Thank you so much for such a detailed and streamlined video. This is exactly what I was looking for and answered so many questions that other videos left hanging. This is perfect.

[@steevm19]

Love the attention to detail and the neuroticism behind it. Is what makes good work stand out.

[@zeus.edwards2662]

narration is spot on , this is how its done , just get to the point !!! i luv this ...

[@babyzbeproud]

Really I've seen this at least twenty times and its just inspiring. thanks.

[@CalebKerr]

So glad to hear that, thank you!

[@atxrich]

Your work is truly inspiring.

[@CalebKerr]

Richard Reed thanks so much, Richard!

[@ShandaAkin]

Sweet! This is exactly what I needed! Thank you!

[@joeedavies]

Brilliant video, nice work Caleb.

[@Dezineer]

Insane 🙀, I love the process of getting perfect.

[@allanabani]

Amazing portfolio and great work !

[@arhamahmad2156]

That's what i was looking for , I got a client who wants to get her portfolio photoshoot and photo book too , thanks man it helped ❤️ and yeah you earned 1 sub more now 🙏🏻

[@us9831]

Wow, So much effort! I am not a photographer but this is so pleasing to watch. Amazing job! I guess at this point you know you are a professional 🤷‍♀️

[@iamjazmineli3280]

Straight to the point and informative. Thank youuuu❤

[@irfanzahid4643]

Maaa maa miyaaaa.... loved your content. thanks for putiing in the hard work for us

[@jannix7262]

where did you buy the cover?

[@davidboardman2266]

Wow !! Caleb great production !! Love your work . Thanks for the awesome video.

[@CalebKerr]

Thank you!

[@RonaldStewart]

actually exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for making this

[@CalebKerr]

Ronald Stewart Glad to hear it, cheers!

[@davidhunternyc1]

Very beautiful and strong portfolio. I agree. It reflects your personality exactly.

[@CalebKerr]

Thank you!

[@joshuamallett3424]

Love it! You should do more videos because your amazing at it!

[@melenelson9630]

Excellent video and narration - shared with my daughter - who is applying to a BFA in Photography program and needs to create a portfolio - We are now following you - like you said, here to F**!ing Work - lol love it

[@thedude6867]

Bro you are awesome. This Video is so well made. Every detail ist nice.

[@adamblejer7610]

You're a dope photographer, and this is a dope video.

[@viktoriapezzei]

Just saw this video and I got immediately interested in more content of yours (I mean, look at this flawless design og how you put your picutres together!). Tbh I genuinely think, you could be a very competent photographer teacher. Very honest, but very helpful. What a shame, you're living on the other side of the world, I would love to get some lessons of you!

[@CalebKerr]

Viktoria Pezzei Thank you! I’ve never tried teaching, really, it’s an interesting thought!

[@nidibouphotography]

This is a great video. Watch in repeat.

[@fraserpitkethly2265]

damn the final product looks good

[@kissablecreatures9032]

Caleb, "A Big Thanks" for this incredible video. I am returning to the photography/video field after a very long Hiatus and was looking for an analog solution. Yours is off the charts, expensive, but off the charts. I can visit people and show them my You Tube & Instagram but this is a superficial solution. If I hand them somethong they can put their hands on, it will create a deeper relationship, if they are physically touching my work and making eye contact. then the You Tube and Instagram dole the final blow. Your solution is elegant and thought provoking. Kudos, you are amazing. -Edward J-

[@edselphoto]

Love the fight club narrative vibe, great look at the process. Also, pina zingaro makes transparent strips that get hidden by the screwpost. Great option if you don't want to cut or score the pages. Would recommend getting some sort of thin cover sheet as well. Learned that the hard way, the title page will get dirty.

[@CalebKerr]

edsel good stuff. Yeah, I plan on ordering a protective case for it (from Pina Zangaro actually). It looked like the sticky part of the hinge strip would still be pretty visible on the “back” side print, right? A solid choice for single sided prints, no doubt.

[@jodiemayo307]

Wow dude!!! Your videos are soooooo nice 👍🏼

[@xe6355]

I'm watching this as I'm finishing up my own portfolio and... damn it man. I feel sudden urge for improvement but have no time... :'d Either way, great work. I love that dark, solid cover and ''engraved'' text especially. Inspiring and motivating.

[@KW0900]

This is really beautiful

[@davidd6147]

That was cool. I wasn't even aware of scoring before this. The way you put the pages together to capture feel, flow, etc blew me away. Attention to detail. What's not to love? I spend all day, every day, working with people who simply dgaf.

[@CalebKerr]

David D Thanks David! Love hearing that, glad you enjoyed.

[@adelegilesart]

Yaaasss!!! Thank you ❤️

[@robink4189]

amazing work!!

[@kimmielinn]

Damn i love this tutorial video !!

[@CitizenSnips05]

Caleb this is by far the greatest video out there on a professional photo portfolio. I'm currently using this as a template to work on my first book, and was curious as to what the dimensions of your printed images are which left you that nice thin white border but also enough space for scoring and hole punch?

[@Camille-up5gx]

wow. I'm TRULY motivated.

[@CalebKerr]

Love to hear that, Camille. Thanks for watching!

[@constantinslotty5309]

Thanks a lot, that was really helpful!

[@MrDvaz]

you are made to produce instructional videos......keep up the good work!!!!!!

[@TheTechnoPilot]

Very cool, love the idea!

[@CalebKerr]

TheTechnoPilot much appreciated!

[@elisandrasaldana331]

this was very helpful!!

[@sincerelyyoursinvitationsb9827]

Dude…do you know exactly how many times I said “YAASSS!” under my breath and then loud enough to draw weird looks from the fam while watching your video? (Too embarrassed to be specific) The first “hell yeah” came at 2:11. The beautiful silhouette of my Rotatrim. Actually, I have 2. That sound of a definitive cut…no error, clean, solid…perfection every time,; because anything less than perfection isn’t worth the effort. I’m completely focused on your video…I may have found a kindred. I enjoyed the beauty in each single work, but to catch a glimpse of what you see during the compilation: the flow, the symmetry, when two photographs echo each other-that was magical. Thank you for sharing. Then your video played my own words back at me. Words I’ve said a thousand times and I feel fall on deaf or dumb ears: “…takes time…you’ll waste…get over it” and finally, “don’t accept less than perfect.” YAAASSS! Btw, I make books. hand sewn, post bound as this one, coptic stitched, long-stitched, etc. (FYI, Stampin’ Up! has a larger scoreboard than ScorPal, I believe. I couldn’t tell, but my SU scoreboard is a bit larger than 12x12, if you ever make another. And Teflon bone folders leave only the marks you intend to make.) I’m searching for a different way to make custom “memory” books (Wedding, Vow, Ceremonial, Baby, etc) that has a hidden post bound system with an external cover. Glad your video popped up. Very well-executed (video and portfolio)!

[@CalebKerr]

Thanks for the (many, many) kind words and for taking the time to write them!! Cheers!

[@sincerelyyoursinvitationsb9827]

You’re most welcome…every one was well-deserved!

[@stans6582]

EXCELLENT PRESENTATION

[@kiaralagarrigue3547]

Greaaaat job

[@paeden5431]

More content like this! Great stuff!

[@CalebKerr]

Much appreciated, Jordan, thanks!

[@leond123]

Awesome pics; awesome video.

[@CalebKerr]

Thanks Leon!

[@twigglypiggly16]

I enjoyed this video tremendously - thank you for making it. I am an amateur photographer but would like to get paid work and think that a portfolio would be a good step. A couple of questions I did not see the answers to below - 1) You have an 11x17.75" page with a page area of 11x17 - but your images still appear to have a margin or border around them. How large was the actual image and how did you position it on the printed page? 2) All your shots appear to be landscape oriented. My photos show stage lighting an performers, and sometimes portrait orientation yields the right image. Would you put portrait oriented pages into the portfolio, and if so, how would you approach that? Thank you in advance for any guidance you can provide.

[@SpinningOnTheFly]

I like the video and the book.

[@emmanuelawa1751]

Great and very helpful video. What rotatrim did you use? Also what score board

[@anggithio]

That was dope!

[@CalebKerr]

Anggi Thio Raitama 🙏

[@kalampeace9779]

#Awesome bro💟

[@luftfahrtlobby]

I am impressed

[@CalebKerr]

Thanks!

[@HilainLarkin]

Do you have any suggestions for a printing service if we don't own a good printer? I don't have the budget for a professional printer. Everything is obtainable/doable for me except for the printing. Is there a service that I can send/ask to use specific paper like tdd he moab paper?

[@maxgiii_beach_street_photo7161]

Well done. How many photos do u think is right to put?

[@elisabethnatalia5612]

so the size is more than 11x17 because of the binding, right? what is the overall size then? can you tell me?

[@analogecstasy4654]

I bought a Rototrim for $500 in 2003 and it still works PERFECTLY today! Best piece of equipment I’ve ever purchased.

[@CalebKerr]

It’s amazing. I love every excuse I have to bust it out for a project.

[@doraeleonor]

loveeee

[@AdrianOzimek]

Any tips for printing double-sided on the canon?

[@totoroxx9173]

This is video i’ve been looking for!! Do you know the size of hole punch? I plan to do that process in my digital file so all i need to do is punch in the holes after printing.

[@CalebKerr]

x CollectorCrazy x Technically I believe the holes should be 3/16”, but I could only get my hand on a 1/4” punch. Turns out it works fine.

[@IssaAzad]

Spirit Animal Vibes

[@Raymanujan]

I enjoyed.

[@CalebKerr]

Adecade Pongsananta Glad to hear it!

[@lestherjosue1729]

I like the tools. I'd like a video about the tools of this video.

[@rubentormozov9734]

Hello I only see the leather finish on the website

[@renzviana6591]

what paper did you used for cover?

[@directorjayalex]

dopeee

[@hienvu9679]

How can I buy the cover set?. Thanks

[@pipersson1]

Hello when you score the paper, in which way you fold the paper, at the scoring or the opposite area?

[@CalebKerr]

pipersson1 You end up folding it away from the side you score the line on.

[@RivkiLocker]

Awesome video. Entertaining and informative. I’ve subscribed to your channel. I’d love to use a book like this but don’t want to print at home. I use WHCC. Any idea how to do this? I know they can’t print double sided which is ok, but I’m also not sure what paper finish to use. Any input?

[@CalebKerr]

Thanks, glad you enjoy! Honestly, it'd be tricky using WHCC, I use them for large scale prints, and they always do an awesome job. They don't do double sided, and you can't be selective about what specific papers they use beyond choosing between glossy, matte, luster, etc. The only way I could see doing it is to order the photos centered in a larger pring (let's say an 11x17 + border, printed on a 16x20 sheet of paper), then trimming it down to size. Or, do an 11x14 book, and crop the photos to 11x14, but print them with extra space so you can cut them down to size. You could also purchase something like a Canon Pro 100 printer which is way cheaper and prints up to 13x19. Good luck.

[@RivkiLocker]

Caleb Kerr Thanks. That makes sense.

[@shamabano6541]

Why dont our teachers teach like u 🤔 My teacher should watch this

[@keshivlogs2831]

It's amazing dude...mind💨 Can yyou just tell me what's the scale size(photoshop) (width, lengh and all) for the portfolio you have used for the sheet as well as the size of the pictures that you had placed ??? Please sir

[@CalebKerr]

The page size is 11x17.75. The (non-full bleed) images have a 3/8 white margin (leaving a full 1" for the binding area). This is something you'll probably just have to do some print tests to find what will work for your setup.

[@41laureen]

I used to use an Epson ET-2550 kzbin.infoUgkxciSwynMJ7PnUvvx11rewiu-yFBkZTl53 , an early model of the ink tank style. It worked well, but had one nuisance that drove me up the wall; if you didn't put it in high quality print mode you'd get a streak across the page. I'm happy to say I have yet to see this with this printer. The print quality has been fantastic so far, the set up was super easy. All in all I'm very happy with this printer.

[@Dsimpleify]

I can’t find their web page (I’m in Europe). Can someone pleas attach a link of lost luggage? Thank you

[@CalebKerr]

They’ve gone out of business, unfortunately.

[@missbrowny2994]

Where can buy this portfolio

[@chanceherd2195]

Can we get a link to the place you got your portfolio cover???

[@CalebKerr]

I just went to grab the link for you and it looks like they've changed their business to doing some sort of home decor now, and don't seem to be making custom portfolios at all, from what I can tell. What a shame!

[@joshuarosario8545]

Whats the link for locked luggage cover? Im trying to look it up but it just gives me suitcases....

[@CalebKerr]

Joshua Rosario www.lost-luggage.com/

[@jummiekat]

Hey there! How much did the portfolio cost?

[@HilainLarkin]

Checked the price of the cover itself since I was also interested. The paper resin cover (11x17) he has, costs 140 for just the cover. It is an additional 125 for a logo/design. So total 265$

[@noyb154]

doesn't the ink from one page bleed onto the facing page when the pages a smashed together for a while? i'd think you should varnish or laminate, or tissue paper between prints that haven't cured for a long time. is this even a thing?

[@CalebKerr]

Gee Willickers Nope! All the ink is fully absorbed into the paper.

[@lukasklima459]

Hey first of all, dope video! I have a question, maybe someone can answer ist. I would like to get some printed portfolios (I'm a cinematographer and director). My question: How many of them do you order? These are not so inexpensive, but i have to give them to some companies. Is it really worth it? Or do you order just 3 and have them with you and don't give them to customers, but only show them? Thank you very much for your answer! Greetings from austria.

[@CalebKerr]

Lukas Klima I only got this one as I didn’t need more. My understanding is that a lot of people who show them a lot will have several (3? 4?) that they can send out to / leave with clients. I don’t imagine needing more than a few.

[@lukasklima459]

@@CalebKerr Oh now i understand that! I thought a portfolio is lice a businesscard. I thougt I have to invest now a couple of thousand bucks, to order 50 of them. Thank you very much for the quick answer and i wish you a good week.

[@texshooter7411]

Why do you like Lasal Photo Matte more than Entrada Rag Bright?

[@CalebKerr]

Texshooter Entrada is beautiful. I like Lasal because it’s smoother and slightly thinner, so it folds better. It also shows deeper blacks. Entrada is thicker, and doesn’t fold/crease as well, and I find doesn’t quite hold the same image detail. But ultimately it’s beautiful too.

[@texshooter7411]

@@CalebKerr Thanks, I'll give Lasal a test spin.

[@ethanleggett9378]

How much did your cover cost you as it is. Same size, orientation and with a logo etched onto it? Thanks

[@CalebKerr]

11x17 black paper resin case: $140 Set up for logo etching (5 sq in): $100 Logo etching (5 sq in): $25 Total: $265

[@ethanleggett9378]

Caleb Kerr great thank you. Don’t think I will be able to afford that for a while 😂

[@CalebKerr]

@@ethanleggett9378 Definitely not cheap, it took me a long time to finally decide to pull the trigger on it.

[@Hebhansen]

Great video - thx Can anyone link me to case envy - Lost Luggage. Not a retailer but the actual company. I simply cannot find anything… Thx

[@CalebKerr]

I regret to say I believe they’ve gone out of business. They rebranded Lost Luggage into an interior decorating business (???), and they now only make menu’s under the name Taste Envy.

[@Hebhansen]

@@CalebKerr Thx Caleb. I found the menu business and got confused.

[@Daniel_Firebred]

so where did you order that cover from? very nice video btw

[@CalebKerr]

Thanks! The cover / case is from Lost Luggage / Case Envy, which unfortunately is no longer in business

[@MelissaV.]

@@CalebKerr Do you know of any similar alternatives to create a cover from?

[@CalebKerr]

@@MelissaV. unfortunately I don’t

[@somebodythatsnotyou197]

Your work doesn't compare to any of these other videos on here, doesn't make sense to me why you only have 15k views. But thanks for inspiring me!

[@adara9l]

This video looks like a lot of tears for my 11th grade self...

[@fourtyfourstudios5633]

I want to give twice like kkkkkkkkk

[@Seth-L]

bg music is a little obnoxious, otherwise gret vid thanks

[@africanliving294]

My school wants only A4 size. I’m actually dying.

[@CalebKerr]

Nina Neenaah oh noooo 🥵

[@Maurnia]

Me vine

[@azuuura4520]

the narration is giving me American psycho vibes

[@CalebKerr]

Azura Kavuma Not mad about the comparison.

[@MC-vp3sn]

Are they going to take my portfolio ? Or they are going to return it to me? 😂

[@mohammedzaki4634]

Amazing work and video and less subs ima sub for u

[@michelleunderwood-oldold6475]

Cool video style, however.. it was way too fast, I didn’t have time to even pause it to see the quick clips you were trying to show.

[@mzeeshan]

Oo come on mate! Seriously? ! Upgrade yourself and educate yourself about different more professional and higher quality methods.

[@CalebKerr]

mzeeshan Do enlighten us.

[@mzeeshan]

Caleb Kerr www.saal-digital.co.uk here is the starter mate! Hope it will speed/ease up your laborious manual work flow.

[@CalebKerr]

I assume you have a vested interest in that company, because there’s no other reason to recommend a mass produced, not customized option over a high quality, carefully produced print on fine art paper ¯\_(ツ)_/¯