Objects of Desire: Moab Chinle Ice Nine Portfolios

If you want to create a quickie photo portfolio but don't have a lot of time or resources, Utah-based paper company Moab has a clever new do-it-yourself kit called the Chinle Ice Nine. (Okay, maybe the name isn't so clever.)

The portfolios, which are the result of a collaboration with Lost Luggage, ship as either 8 x 9-inch or 12 x 13-inch kits with scored and drilled Moab paper and a grey translucent cover. The covers include Lost Luggage's classic hinge design with expandable screw post binding for easy assembly.

Though students and young photographers are clearly the target market for these low-cost portfolios, we could also see professionals using them as a basic show book or leave behind for clients. Your budget-challenged wedding clients will likely dig them as well.

The 8 x 9 books sell for $45 and the 12 x 13 books sell for $60. The ten-sheet starter kits use Moab's popular Entrada Rag paper but the company says there are plans to introduce other papers, including Lasal Photo Matte and Colorado Fiber, to the Chinle Ice Nine kits.

We got a chance to see these little photo albums at PhotoPlus and were impressed with the high quality of the product as well as the affordable cost. Good things still do come in small packages.

Cost: $45 (8 x 9-inch kit); $60 (12 x 13-inch kit)

Further information: www.moabpaper.com