Website galleries

I've finally dragged myself into redoing my website like I've been planning for months.  The more sites I see, the more I don't like mine.  I've got the basic layout and colors down and am working on the portfolio pages right now, which brings us to the question...

What's important when doing a website portfolio? 

My plan is to have one large image with 80x80px thumbnails across the bottom of the page.  Click a thumbnail and the big image comes up.  It's not going to be Flash, but JavaScript. 

Obviously load time is a big concern, but what else is important?  What would you like to see as a client, other than the images of course?  For that matter, should the portfolio be as unobtrusive as possible so the focus is on the images?

I want to re-do my site too... but it's daunting to think about and I don't know what to do.  Well I sorta know what I want, but I don't know how to do it

i wouldn't put any words.    i'd rather them take the time looking thru the images instead of reading what happened.

the image should tell a story anyways  ... no?
if you have to explain more of it at that point in time, then rethink putting that image in your portfolio.


when i have clients going thru my portfolio right in front of me sometimes a tell them a story or 2 leading up to the image.

but i wouldn't do that on my site.

very true.

i just did start a blog for my site - which is brand new right now

but i am not much of a writer - sooo i'm not sure if it will add to professionalism or. . . .

guess we'll see.