I am a photographer and artist that has compiled some work I think is worth showing. I need portfolio help!?

A few days ago, I went into a local coffee shop for lunch when I noticed they used their walls as a mini gallery. It was quite a nice space. After lunch I spoke with the owner who said they had some space available in May. Right now I have the kind of portfolio of a black plastic cover with plastic sleeves with the black acid free paper to allow two photos per page.

The problem is that this is the bare minimum and I am worried that she will not want to show my work because my work is presented poorly. I really cannot spend a lot of money mounting everything on foam core boards and matting them (although I do want to). Does anyone have any suggestions and/or useful experiences to share? I would appreciate the help since this is the first time I am meeting with someone about possibly showing my work. Thanks in advance.

I don't think foam core and mat is expensive T, I've been doing this for a long time (its just that I don't have the money right now).

You should always present your work in an archival Century box which is meant for such things. Gallery owners more or less expect a photographer to show his/her work in this manner. You can find plenty of them on-line (google "Century Archival Storage Box) or at university bookstores at universities with photo classes. I have a BFA in Photography from the University of North Texas (UNT) and an MFA in Photography from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and have had plenty of gallery experience.It is a good idea for you to have a "finished" photograph that is presented as if it were ready for hanging in the finished gallery (or a photo of how it would be displayed if the work is too large to carry with you in its finished state) to give the gallery curator a better idea of what to expect. Hope this helps.

foam core is not as expensive as you might think. Stop by FedEx Kinkos and see if they have an remansts they can sell you for next to nothing.