Mpix.com proof portfolio

[Stina]

I know a few of you here use Mpix.com. I have been very happy with all the prints they have done for me but was wondering about the proof portfolios. All the formats listed are a square set up but it notes they are scaled to size. I am looking for someting that would make a good wedding proof album that would inclued file names to make ordering reprints easier.

[another view]

I've seen a similar product at a different lab. Because they list the file name and can put on a cover which makes it look a little more "finished", I think it's a good option if you're shooting digitally. I wouldn't make the proofs too small though, probably six per page or so.

I'm currently using a traditional 3-ring proof book with 3x5 prints, but my lab recently started doing digital printing for everything (I shoot film for weddings). They can give me a proof book like this along with all of my shots scanned on a CD, but I can't edit anything out for the proof book - I'd have to go home, edit, burn another CD, then make another two trips back there to drop off and pick up. Plus it isn't much less expensive overall. I looked at using Mpix for these proof books (they're cheaper) and might start doing that in the future myself.

[Stina]

I think I am going to upload a few photos from some recient weddings and have one printed. I know cost wise it won't be any cheaper than 4X6 prints but I think having the file name with the photo and not have to remove them from an album might make things nice. I am thinking of offering packages that include the proof book and then and fixed number of 4X6 or 5X7 reprints to be selected by the customer. I am trying to keep things as simple as possible.

[mjs1973]

I know a couple women at work who have ordered the proof book, for senior portraits. They were pretty happy with it. I was going to order one with my vacation pics in it, but I wanted bigger prints than what they offered in the proof book.

[Stina]

I ordered my proof book Friday and it arrived today. I have to say I am pleased with it overall (I just wish at least the back cover was hard). I am going to show it to the friend whos daughter's wedding I photographed and see what she thinks. I uses the six per page option and think thats about the right amount for me, any more would be to small and four would just end up being too expensive.