Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Judging a Book by its Cover November 2, 2004
Conrad J. Obregon (New York, NY USA)
30 out of 33 found this review helpful
Every serious photographer spends time trying to figure out how to make better photographs. But professional photographers also have to spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to market photos, because without sales there is no profession. One of the tools professional photographers use is a "book". A book is a portfolio of the photographer's pictures used to get clients to hire him or her.
Now it might seem that a photographer's pictures could stand by themselves and not need any special method of presentation. The author, who is a consultant to photographers in the preparation of their books, disagrees. She believes that everything from the drafting of a positioning statement about the photographer's work (which will guide the selection and display of pictures in the book) to the texture of the slip case for a book is critical for the photographer to get the edge over competing photographers. After you finish this book you may agree with her.
The author gives simple straightforward advice. Indeed it is so simple that most of the text in this volume could probably be contained in a short brochure. What fills most of the book is the pictures taken by the author's clients, which illustrate the points she makes along the way. If you pay attention to Oppenheim you probably do stand a better chance of catching an art buyer's or art director's eye. On the other hand, unless you already feel comfortable with the economics of marketing, you may gulp when she tells you to spend $125 for what is essentially a loose-leaf binder.
Most of the message contained in this volume, and the photographs included, seem to be directed at assignment photographers, that is, those who must sell a buyer on purchasing his or her skills, rather than selling existing photographs. Yet other photographers from stock to fine arts also probably need a book. While those photographers seem largely ignored by the author, they can benefit from the advice contained here.
I must confess that I'm a little resistant to an assumption underlying the approach of this book, i.e., that photography buyers and directors are willing to form an opinion, at least initially, from form rather than substance. But then again, photographers deal in form, not substance (I don't mean that negatively), so I suppose a nice looking book is important. I wish there was a little more meat in this book, but I suppose even a few words that can show the error of marketing common sense, and the importance of following a path that works, are worth the time and cost of this volume.
Single vision, not single minded January 12, 2004
Jay B. Rusovich (Houston, Texas United States)
60 out of 61 found this review helpful
As a professional photographer in the throes of a major repositioning effort, Selina's book provides valuable insight into how to carve out a single vision in 15 to 18 images, wrapped, packaged or otherwise presented in a way that supports that vision. The book doesn't pull any punches. It isn't for the on-the-fence photographer. If you want to win, you have to play to win. There is an investment in time, in money and in patience...none of which are particularly pleasant when faced with the uncertainty of a complex and ever-competitive market. My only disagreement with her - and the reason I rated the book 4 out of 5 stars - is because I feel that the biggest obstacle to getting an assignment is not knowing the right people. Salina thinks it's all about the work. I have found that my biggest assignments came from contacts in the industry. All of us who work on a national level are technically proficient, and most of us are bright, talented and driven. Yes, our styles cover the broadest spectrum imaginable, but what really seperates us is our contacts. With the onset of digital, photography as we once knew it is history. And that's the dirty little secret of this business...If it isn't perfect, we'll fix it in photoshop. My suggestion to anyone entering this field is to network like your life depended on it. Believe me, it's where the line in the sand is drawn.
 Required reading September 27, 2003
17 out of 18 found this review helpful
Regardless of whether you are a professional, student and/or considering a career in photography, this is one of the few books that you can learn from today and in the future. With more than 25 years as a consultant to professionals, Selina has the experience and vision to show photographers how a sellable portfolio can be created: from selecting a visual point of view image selection, editing images, sequencing & all the way to portfolio case selection. The marriage of: concepts, text and photos are presented logically and in a way that makes the information easy to understand and apply. If you really want to succede in today`s market, then this is the book you need to begin your journey.
This book is like a glass of water in the desert August 7, 2003
19 out of 20 found this review helpful
Most commercial photographers know about Selina Oppenheim, but only a lucky few make the investment to hire her for her expertise in portfolio development and refining your vision as a photographer. Even though hiring Selina as a consultant was one of the best decisions I have made as a photographer, I still wanted to read her book to make sure I hadn't missed anything she has to say about marketing myself as a photographer. I can say from personal experience that this book distills the essence of her one-on-one consulting. This book is really, really worth learning from.
A clear, succinct vision based portfolio guidebook. July 21, 2003
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
Selina Oppenheim is one of the premier creative consultants in the photography industry. Although no single book could possibly encompass her 25+ years of portfolio building and marketing experience, Portfolios That Sell gives you the opportunity to dive into her portfolio building process that she's used to develop so many exceptional photographers portfolios. It clearly and succinctly lays out the step-by-step process that you can follow to develop your own vision based portfolio. The photos that Selina chose to use as examples work well and will both guide you and encourage you to create new portfolio visuals.
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