Adventure Photographer Mike Tittel’s New Portfolio Brings in the Work

Mike Tittel is an adventure sports photographer from Utah with an impressive resume of client projects and adventures. Mike recently created a visually stunning new portfolio and then hit the road to show his wares to art buyers and photo editors.

The response to his new portfolio has been a huge success, landing some assignments on the spot and proving that the printed portfolio and personal meeting is still one of the strongest ways to impress potential clients and earn new business.

We got in touch with Mike and asked if he would share the process, from concept to completion, on how he went about creating his new portfolio.

Hi Mike. Your new portfolio book looks fabulous. Thanks for taking a moment describe for us the idea behind the book and tell us about your business and the goals you hope to reach with this portfolio?

I got my start shooting hardcore adventure based sports but lately have been shifting more and more into fitness and general active lifestyle type images. I shoot for a wide range of both editorial and commercial clients. Recently I have been shooting more commercial and advertising work. The goal with the new portfolio was to create a book that I not only felt proud showing but that also presented me and my vision in a clear, memorable way. Ultimately I wanted to leave an impression on those viewing it.

Most photographers design their own books, but you chose to assemble a high profile team to help you through the entire process from concept to printing and binding. How did you make these decisions?

I’ve always been a firm believer that your own skills can only take you so far in life. I can’t think of any other business where people try to do everything themselves. Maybe that is why there are so many photographers out there struggling. I knew where my own thought process and do-it-myself types books had gotten me in the past. Most had left me questioning the type of type of work I was showing which didn’t instill a lot of confidence. For me it came down to my ultimate goal–created the best portfolio possible. Photographers always seem quick to buy the latest and greatest equipment, computers, etc. but few really pump enough money into the marketing side of their business. I’m also smart enough to know that editing your own work can be a challenging task. For most photographers (including myself) there is too much emotion involved and that can lead to including too much work. That’s when I decided to bring Suzanne Sease (www.suzannesease.com) into the equation. She is an amazing consultant who really helped me edit both the images for my portfolio and website. She also helped me to implement some new marketing tactics which I would have never thought of on my own. Suzanne worked inside the industry as an agency art buyer for many years so I knew her feedback and input would give me a perspective I could have never got on my own.

During the process I also hired Scott Mullenberg (www.mullenbergdesigns.com) to build me a custom one-of-a-kind slipcase and cover to house my new portfolio. This was a decision that I knew would help me stand out from the crowd. Scott is an artist in his own right and his portfolio cases are some of the best in the industry. We carefully chose materials and colors that complimented my brand.

Once Suzanne had chosen and paginated the final images for the book I hired Cheryl Isaacson (www.isaacsondesign) to layout the pages and then had them printed by Pushdot Studio (www.pushdotstudio.com). Again I am not a designer nor and I am fine art printer, so the decision was really simple. Hire the best and let each of them do what it is they are passionate and skilled at.

Some photographers just build a website with no book to show, yet both your site and book are well designed. Do you feel one or the other, portfolio or website, is more important than the other and does one generate more interest/business than the other?

In my mind both are equally important. In the past I definitely focused more on the web side of things but lately I have been utilizing the print portfolio more and more–nothing beats face-to-face time with a potential client. Generally speaking I have found that more editorial jobs come by means of my website. Photo editors at magazines rarely call in a print book. The opposite is true for commercial/advertising work. Although a client might find me though my website most decisions are made by a committee of people. Therefore a printed book is extremely important. In addition to my website and print portfolio, I also use a combination of direct mail, e-promos, personalized e-mails and a PDF version of my print portfolio to garner the attention of potential clients. The most important aspect of marketing for photographers in my eye is a clear vision combined with well-designed collateral and cohesive branding. There is no smoking gun–time and repetition are key.

You are an adventure sports and active lifestyle shooter so what markets do you plan to show your book?

I’ve been mostly focusing on advertising agencies and companies in the fitness, sports and active lifestyle markets, although I am also showing it to tourism related clients. My consultant has also pushed me to market to pharmaceuticals as well.

I know you have been on the road quite a bit crisscrossing the country showing it to all sorts of creatives. How has that gone and what kind of reception are you getting?

The response to my new book and in-person visits has been overwhelming. I’m having the best summer of my career and am busier than ever. People seem to really be impressed by the new portfolio and all the time and energy I’ve put into marketing my business seems to be paying off. I’ve been so busy that I have actually had to delay some of the trips I was planning to show my new book. However, next week I’ll be hitting the road again to meet with creatives in Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison and Minneapolis. I’m also working on plans to hit California and Colorado this fall.

It looks and sounds like you have a strong plan going forward. Has this effort landed you any great projects that you can tell us about?

Absolutely. Immediately after finishing the print portfolio I created a PDF version of my book, which I e-mailed to several clients I was interested in working with. That alone helped me to land a sizable job with Cascade Designs (a company I had worked with previously). I also recently shot images for Columbia Sportswear’s 2011 Summer line as well as a rebranding campaign for Wenger (makers of Swiss Army knives, watches and outdoor gear). All fun stuff.

Thanks for taking the time to share your story.

You are welcome!

To see Mikes work you can check out his website here and read his blog here.

Do you have a new marketing promotion you would like to share with the readers of PNP? Please send us an email.

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