As a business owner with a seemingly endless to-do list, it’s important to prioritize projects that promise clear and significant benefits. For many types of businesses, from solo freelancers to major corporations, creating a business photo book is just such a project.
A custom portfolio photo book is a smart, convenient way to showcase your past work to potential new clients or employers. This is especially true in any field with a focus on visuals. Whether you’re a makeup artist, graphic designer, or head of an architecture firm, a photo portfolio communicates your strengths and skills in a way that words alone cannot.
For the greatest benefits, your business photo album must look and feel professional. Mixbook makes it easy to achieve a pro-worthy design with our comprehensive collection of professional photo book themes—all easily customizable in Mixbook Studio™. Plus, high-quality covers and paper types ensure your portfolio book is a visually pleasing, tactile, and effective sales tool.
7 reasons why your business needs a portfolio book
Portfolios are most often associated with photographers, artists, and designers, whose bodies of work must be seen to be understood (and sold). However, there are so many more business types that can take inspiration from a photography portfolio and create a book as a visual showcase of their own services and skills.
Consider whether the following seven reasons to make a portfolio book apply to your business. (And if so, head over to Mixbook!)
1. The power of visuals
No matter how eloquent you may be, the written or spoken word has its limitations. Never underestimate the power of visual proof—on paper—of your capabilities as a business owner.
Imagine an illustrator trying to sell her services to a publisher by writing a letter. Or a cosmetic dentist saying “I give all my patients beautiful smiles,” with zero visuals to show what that means in real terms. Photos and pictures provide indisputable proof of your skills and convey your signature style.
2. Remediate digital overload
Digital overload—the ceaseless exposure to screens and infinite reels of digital imagery—is a common affliction. Your potential clients or employers likely suffer from digital overload, and could therefore find it very refreshing to be invited to look through a physical, tangible portfolio book. In contrast to being sent a link to a social media feed or website, your sales materials will stand out in the best way.
3. Tactile experience
An additional benefit of a physical portfolio book is its tactile, multi-sensory nature. Spending some time sitting with a book, flipping through its pages, taking in the images, and reading the text engages the sense of vision and touch (and to a small extent smell and sound). This creates a human connection that’s impossible to generate through on-screen viewing alone.
4. A photo book as a sales pitch
Along with offering visual proof of your skills and services, a business photo book is a great conversation starter with potential clients or employers. If the discussion involves a particular niche, you can point to the most relevant page or photo in the book. The contents can convey both a broad overview and specific examples of your most impressive works, plus testimonials from satisfied customers.
5. A portfolio book as a business card
If your budget, or the scope of a potential sale or contract allows for it, you can use your business photo book as an elevated business card. Include your contact information and links in the book, and feel confident that it won’t be lost or overlooked.
6. And a resume, too
When you create your own photo portfolio book, include a page of highlights that acts as a resume. Write a bio or background page that discusses your qualifications, a brief history of your business, and any awards, recognitions, or media coverage.
7. Demonstrate professionalism
A beautifully designed, high-quality photo book that looks polished and is cohesive with your branding is an excellent demonstration of your professionalism. It shows an investment in success and a coherent sense of identity as a business.
What to include in a portfolio photo book
The primary content features of a business portfolio book are impressive, high-resolution photos of your best works or projects. Curate a collection of photos that captures your signature style or media type, typical project scope, and versatility. Dedicate most of the space in your book to best-selling products or services, and consider including a smaller section for niche projects.
Here are examples of content to include in your business photo book:
- Completed projects/works, and the same works in progress
- Before and after photo pairings
- Company logo
- Key statistics/details that demonstrate the real-world benefits of your work to clients/employers
- Testimonials from previous clients/employers
- A company history or personal bio
- Employee profiles
- Photos of your business location, workspace, or employees at work
- Any awards, recognitions, or media coverage
- Contact information, social links, and website links
Portfolio book themes
It’s important for your business photo book to look professional, communicate your unique style, and be cohesive with your existing business branding. The easiest way to achieve this—even if you have zero design experience—is to customize one of Mixbook’s professional photo book themes. Here are some of the top choices:
Choose one that suits your particular business and ideas for a photo book, then use the intuitive tools in Mixbook Studio™ to edit the theme. In addition to your photo collection, upload any logos or other branding assets. Edit the color palette and typography to match your branding or complement existing business materials.
Tip: If you want to feature seamless panoramic pics across two-page spreads or otherwise elevate the look and feel of your business photo book, choose the Lay Flat book type.
What to do with your portfolio book
Once you have your beautiful printed portfolio book, or books, in your hands, it’s time to put it to work! Here are some smart ways to use your book to promote your business:
- Bring a copy with you whenever you meet with potential new clients or employers. If your budget allows, and you believe it could pay off, give them a copy to take away.
- Place a book in your office or waiting area for visitors to browse at their leisure.
- Bring copies to networking events. Hand out budget-friendly softcover books, or display a hardcover copy on your table.
Get discounts & a free quote today
Did you know that Mixbook has a dedicated bulk order program for creatives and professionals? Order 10 or more business photo books to benefit from discounts and free shipping. Visit our professional page and get a personalized quote today.
