Proofsheets

What's a proofsheet? It's usually an 8x10 print with 8, 12 or 16 photos. Some photographers, that don't want to earn a good living, use them to show their clients their photos to select which photo they want printed as an 8x10, 11x14 print or even as a 16x20 print.

It doesn't work! A non professional can't imagine what a 11x14 print will look like from a 2x3" photo on a proofsheet. If you want to sell 11x14 prints, show them 11x14 prints, at least one. If you want to sell 16x20 prints, show them 16x20 prints. It doesn't have to be their photos, but show them what it would look like. How do you expect somebody to see a 2x3" photo and know what it will look as a 16x20" print?

So what to use instead of proofsheets? Use your laptop, and if possible use a projector to show them the photos and let them pick.

• Never, ever use their computer:
  1. They may not have the software that can display your photos.
  2. If there is a crash, they will blame you, and sue you into the Stone Age because they didn't have a proper backup.
  3. Your USB stick will become infected with their viruses, their spywares...
• I regularly see Dell, Toshiba, Acer... advertising $399 laptops. These laptops are low end, but they are more than enough for the presentations.