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09/21/2012 10:24:11 AM · #1
hi everyone, i'm trying in my free time to start doing some paid work... i broke my collarbone in a motorcycle accident recently... this is good as it gives me free time (i certainly can't cook with one arm), though the bad part is i can't use the camera very well for a few weeks. anyway, i've been using my free time to create a website - i tried squarespace, which seems to give the maximum amount of freedom with the minimal amount of coding... they've got some nice templates.

i paid for a month of their service, though if i like the system i'll be getting a year and my own domain eg. misterchhas.com, or some other name (note: suggestions welcome...) i've not got it figured out yet. also - i know i've got a random sort of photos up right now, and half the site's not finished, but i'll be making sure that gets more focused as quickly as possible! I'm posting this now because after 10 days of not being able to leave the house i want critical feedback based on the current content.

SO! instead of publicizing the site (seeing as it's definitely not ready for prime time) i figured i'd ask the most critical photographic community that i know of for general pointers and suggestions... at this point in my amateur career i'll be using it mainly for an online portfolio, though as i progress i'll be trying to highlight certain aspects more than others. my final goal is to get into wedding, sport, and glamour photography. i know, a weird combo but they're related in my warped mind. the more experience i get the more i'll be able to update the page with relevant material.

I'll thank any and all comments and suggestions in this first paid step towards eventually hating what is now my passion. :)

chris

PS yes, anyone who follows the challenges will recognize many images!
09/21/2012 10:39:33 AM · #2
whats you experience level?

are you looking to create one yourself from scratch or or use a site builder site like smugmug or zenfolio or other?

09/21/2012 11:01:33 AM · #3
Originally posted by mrchhas:

my final goal is to get into wedding, sport, and glamour photography.


With regards to the website i think it may be a good idea to specialise in one area. Perhaps have a different website for the sport.
09/21/2012 11:07:19 AM · #4
Best of luck to you. I would suggest looking at other peoples sites to get an idea (not mine though as I am changing it) I have used Zenfolio, Smugmug and one I can't recall. Of the 3 I liked smugmug the best but am planning on switching to //www.photoshelter.com/ I like that I can separate Seniors/Families/Couples and incorporate a blog. The blog style seems very popular and it lets you tell a bit about a recent shoot and share images rather then just posting a bunch of photos.
09/21/2012 11:18:27 AM · #5
I didnt like zenfolio, smugmug was way to hard for me to figure out how to customize. Bigblackbag was by far the easiest, but they also nickle and dime you for features.

in the end i went with a free html template i found and customized it to my liking, you can also purchase a template and with with my own hosting service.

its was much easier (and fun) to do it myself than to try to trick on of the do-it-yourself sites mentioned above to look the way i wanted.
09/21/2012 11:19:33 AM · #6
I use Big Black Bag currently but i am planning on moving in a month or so. I do like Big Black Bag but the lack of a decent blog with it is something i don't like. I currently have my blog on another site which is not a great idea. I've pretty much decided to go with the herd and go for a Pro Photo site next. I like their stuff even though they are getting kind of ubiquitous now. Hopefully i can personalise it well.

Message edited by author 2012-09-21 11:20:11.
09/21/2012 11:29:29 AM · #7
Originally posted by rooum:

I use Big Black Bag currently but i am planning on moving in a month or so. I do like Big Black Bag but the lack of a decent blog with it is something i don't like. I currently have my blog on another site which is not a great idea. I've pretty much decided to go with the herd and go for a Pro Photo site next. I like their stuff even though they are getting kind of ubiquitous now. Hopefully i can personalise it well.


that's why i ditched BBB, and passed on the others, either you have to trick them or the personalization capabilities just aren't there.

i found doing it myself much easier, although to do so with out much experience requires a good visual html editor which costs money and the know how to use it. I get Microsoft Expression Web free since i am student and was familiar with MS frontapge from years ago. I dont think i could have accomplished doing it myself without it.

you may want to look into using wordpress to build your site.

Message edited by author 2012-09-21 11:31:29.
09/21/2012 02:04:37 PM · #8
Hey all thanks for the responses - my experience level is basically the time i've been on dpc so almost 2 years maybe... but it's been just a hoppy until recently when i've decided to start monetizing... anyway i'm pretty decided on the site as I like the layout and it has a nice balance between customizability and lack of time suckage... an important thing. basically i'll be working on creating a more focused package for when i start actually marketing the thing.

i'll work on it a bit more in the next few days, though it's frustrating as I'd really like to add new material but in this state i can't.
11/08/2012 11:37:34 AM · #9
Originally posted by mrchhas:

hi everyone, i'm trying in my free time to start doing some paid work... i broke my collarbone in a motorcycle accident recently... this is good as it gives me free time (i certainly can't cook with one arm), though the bad part is i can't use the camera very well for a few weeks. anyway, i've been using my free time to create a website - i tried squarespace, which seems to give the maximum amount of freedom with the minimal amount of coding... they've got some nice templates.

i paid for a month of their service, though if i like the system i'll be getting a year and my own domain eg. misterchhas.com, or some other name (note: suggestions welcome...) i've not got it figured out yet. also - i know i've got a random sort of photos up right now, and half the site's not finished, but i'll be making sure that gets more focused as quickly as possible! I'm posting this now because after 10 days of not being able to leave the house i want critical feedback based on the current content.

SO! instead of publicizing the site (seeing as it's definitely not ready for prime time) i figured i'd ask the most critical photographic community that i know of for general pointers and suggestions... at this point in my amateur career i'll be using it mainly for an online portfolio, though as i progress i'll be trying to highlight certain aspects more than others. my final goal is to get into wedding, sport, and glamour photography. i know, a weird combo but they're related in my warped mind. the more experience i get the more i'll be able to update the page with relevant material.

I'll thank any and all comments and suggestions in this first paid step towards eventually hating what is now my passion. :)

chris

PS yes, anyone who follows the challenges will recognize many images!


I'm a wordpress developer if you need help building a site that you have total control over.
11/08/2012 11:57:33 AM · #10
this is a mistake

Message edited by author 2012-11-08 12:01:49.
11/08/2012 11:58:12 AM · #11
//www.JohannaSiegmann.com

This is a website I love. In both content and style.

Message edited by author 2012-11-08 12:01:24.
11/08/2012 01:12:38 PM · #12
Originally posted by Tiny:

//www.JohannaSiegmann.com

This is a website I love. In both content and style.


That happens to be a site that I did, in fact.
11/08/2012 02:36:05 PM · #13
Unless you are fixated on using your name as the web site, pick something that is easy to remember and easy to spell. Trust me, mrchhas is not. It does, however, have the advantage of being relatively short.
11/09/2012 10:04:52 AM · #14
Originally posted by kgeary:

Originally posted by Tiny:

//www.JohannaSiegmann.com

This is a website I love. In both content and style.


That happens to be a site that I did, in fact.


I know just giving you and Johanna the boost that you well deserve.
11/09/2012 07:18:47 PM · #15
Originally posted by dtremain:

Unless you are fixated on using your name as the web site, pick something that is easy to remember and easy to spell. Trust me, mrchhas is not. It does, however, have the advantage of being relatively short.


Good point. My name is too long though, I'll need to find some sort of logo like Nike or McDonald's that people can recognize! As I currently see no possibility of actually making money from photography right now I have time to think about it...
11/10/2012 09:20:01 PM · #16
Originally posted by mrchhas:

As I currently see no possibility of actually making money from photography right now I have time to think about it...

Balderdash! My company pays me to take pictures at the company picnic. I've been paid to shoot a co-worker's wedding & reception (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia - a Christian tradition whose wedding ceremony I knew nothing about, let alone the entire ceremony being in a language I did not understand). I do volunteer photography work for a local wetlands preservation group, as well as my daughter's dance company. I've won money in a touristy town's photo contest. And I'm not even trying to become a professional photographer.

If the dpchallenge folks are any judge of photographic quality, your entries score an average that is at least 1/2 point higher than mine. If you don't believe in yourself, no one else will either. If you pick a specialty, work at it, do your best, and delivery quality images to your clients, you will build your business, and earn decent money. Belief. Persistence. Continual Effort. Proficient. Available. Good value for the expense. Winning combo for just about any business. I believe you can do it.

Force yourself to commit to "David Letterman" deadlines. This means that show taping starts at 4:00 PM - ready or not, you go with what you've got. Apply to your web site. You can improve it over time. Apply to your clients. You can improve them over time (quality, profitability).

I BELIEVE YOU CAN DO THIS.

11/11/2012 04:15:31 AM · #17
Thanks for the kind words! :)
I suppose I really should dedicate myself to the site a bit, instead of leaving it half finished at this point. I've started a new hobby and have become sidetracked!

I do agree with what you said though, in general. there are many opportunities to explore as a photographer and we're only limited by our imagination. I personally just need to get of my arse...
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