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11/21/2012 06:15:44 AM · #1
Hello all. I've been pretty quiet on DPC recently (apart from the occasional rant in, um, rant). I moved house to a different, more rural, part of Wales and have been concentrating on making a new website so i'm after any critique or thoughts. It's always appreciated and helpful!

www.clivenolanphotography.com

It's a wordpress/prophoto site so nothing really new and interesting but it does what i want for the moment. There are a few things i need to iron out but if there is anything that jumps out at you, either technically or text wise. There a few things i'm looking at...

The Logo: this looks a bit pixelated on the orange circle so i need to update it. Again, it's nothing new logo wise but i like it as it's quite adaptable. I can change the colours on the circles on different marketing stuff etc.

The portfolio: It's huge at the moment. Over 400 images in the various sections. That's probably overkill so i need to edit. I have found that couples want to see a lot of photos before booking though. What i've tried to do is make the site very photo heavy- it is about my photography after all- with the portfolio selections and full weddings easy to find. On my old site i wrote up a bit about each wedding but i'm thinking about leaving that out. I always struggled with what tone to use and wasn't a fan of writing them. I'll keep that grid as selected weddings and engagements and update the blog regularly with all sorts of stuff.

The bio: Again, not a fan of writing this type of stuff but i thought it good to have something. I dislike the 'weddings are my passion!' type of bio on other sites so wanted to do something a bit more biographical but not too dull. I hope it's not too pretentious but it is meant to reflect me so what can i say! Like many people who enjoy doing a lot of photography i'm adept at avoiding being in them! There aren't many of me so i popped down the nearby beach and set up a few shots. They didn't dome out that interesting really-the light was dull so i added a texture and some colour which reflects the logo which i quite like.

The private tuition bit: I need to get more local landscape type shots really. Those are the only ones i've done since i moved to this part of Wales. Its a touristy/outdoor/mountain walking and lakes and such kind of area so i need to spend some time on photography that reflects this if I want to build up a local tuition sideline. That'll be fun-it's a beautiful area.

There is probably loads of little mistakes and such so any input would be great. :)

Message edited by author 2012-11-21 06:24:59.
11/21/2012 06:35:12 AM · #2
i love your images
11/21/2012 06:45:10 AM · #3
very nice.

loads very fast, even on my paltry work connection.
11/21/2012 07:08:45 AM · #4
Originally posted by Tiny:

i love your images


Thanks Neil!
11/21/2012 07:13:00 AM · #5
Originally posted by mike_311:

very nice.

loads very fast, even on my paltry work connection.


Cheers. It's good to know that it loads fast. I made an effort to keep the file sizes down. On my last site and blog i got into the habit of uploading images DPC size - 200-300kb- assuming technology was so good everywhere it would keep up but it did seem to run terribly slow sometimes on some connections. For this i've limited the file sizes to 130-150kb and there doesn't seem to be too much of a loss in quality. That's for the majority landscape 6x4 ratio images (which most of my photography seems to be these days). For a few of the larger portrait oriented images i did noticed a drop in quality so bumped them to no more than 200kb.

Message edited by author 2012-11-21 07:14:29.
11/21/2012 07:46:48 AM · #6
Ok, I'll bite ;-)

As such, it's a nice, clean site. One thing that separates it from others is the absolute quality of the imagery. Paging through, it would be ludicrous for anyone to come away thinking that you don't know what you're doing.

However, beyond the imagery, what is it that would make you stand out from any other equally capable photographers? Not much. Does it matter? That all depends.

Are you the big fish in a small pond? If you have already established yourself among the best in your area and you are nearly as busy as you can be, it doesn't matter that much. you website need not be much more than it is, a place to reassure prospective brides that they are in capable hands.

On the other hand, if you are swimming in an ocean of fierce competition from many equally capable photographers, then you will need your website to help establish your dominance.

Some things to consider. There are two audiences for a website: prospects and clients. Sometimes, each audience needs their own site, and it depends on the maturity of the business as to which site needs the most attention. If you are still establishing yourself, your prospectives site should be your primary focus.

From a marketing standpoint, there are two types of visitors to a site: those that have found your site on their own, and those that were directed to your site by either you or a referral. The former are looking for reasons to stay or go; the latter are looking for calm assurances that they are at the right place. My main site is a nightmare: it does very little to convert the casual searcher into a legitimate prospect. On the other hand, when I have a legitimate prospect, I can send them a link to exactly what they need to see to quickly remove any doubt about my ability to meet their demands. Fortunately, I've been too busy to worry about not having the time to address this situation. The question for you is: which type of visitor primarily visits your site? Are they known or unknown to you?

As you think this through, organize the conversations you would have with these different groups of people. What would you want to say to a prospect that has found you on their own? To a prospect that was referred to you by someone else? to a prospect that you found on your own? to a client? Outline these conversations separately, then look for the overlap - that overlap will become your core message. As you detail the distinct, non-overlapping conversations, you will define the separate areas of your website. You will want your website to represent a flow that not only helps prospects see themselves becoming clients, but motivates them to do so. You want them to wind up in your client conversation, having enjoyed all the benefits of being served by you. Lead them through the process, show them how you are there to help them tell their own story as you have helped others.

I completely agree with you about the typical dripping verbosity found on most wedding photography sites. Most of what's out there pretty much represents a viral cut-and-paste template of terrible prose. With everyone essentially saying the same thing, how do you get heard amidst the clattering din?

By paying careful attention to what you do and don't say.

First, if it's being said by others, don't say it. At the very least, put it in your own words.

Second, less is more. Let your images do the heavy lifting. After all, nobody is paying you to write about their wedding.

Lastly, focus on the verbs. What's the point of a website if it doesn't motivate someone to take the next step? Everything on your site should be part of a gentle push towards a call to action. You want the suspect to become a prospect, the prospect to become a client, the client to either give you more business or give you referrals.

Ok, all this being said, how does it relate to your site? Well, that's up to you to figure out. I will offer the following:

1) Think of your site as your magazine, with each post and page offering you the opportunity to express yourself. Keep it fresh.

2) Even if it is a struggle, try to come up with a unique title for each event you present. Rather than a dull, "Wedding of Marion and Marcos McAlister", maybe "Simply Serene: Marion & Marcos" or "Mid-summer Spectacular...How Marion & Marcos Made a Splash!". Each event is unique, and each bride wants to feel unique.

3) Review your image collection. Avoid the temptation to throw it all out there and cull the images that are there just because.

4) Consider collecting and featuring images for a specific topic, such as a collection of bridal bouquets or wedding cakes or hands. As you go through your inventory, you can probably pull out 15-20 different collections that you can feature at some point (you don't have to throw them all out there at once.) Along these lines, once you have done enough work at a particular venue, you can put together a "Best of St. Peter's" or "Best of Llanmartin".

You are on the right track and have a solid foundation. There is no doubt that you can establish yourself as a preeminent photographer, and not just in the area you happen to live.

Message edited by author 2012-11-21 07:47:42.
11/21/2012 07:48:10 AM · #7
Originally posted by rooum:



loads very fast, even on my paltry work connection.


Cheers. It's good to know that it loads fast. I made an effort to keep the file sizes down. On my last site and blog i got into the habit of uploading images DPC size - 200-300kb- assuming technology was so good everywhere it would keep up but it did seem to run terribly slow sometimes on some connections. For this i've limited the file sizes to 130-150kb and there doesn't seem to be too much of a loss in quality. That's for the majority landscape 6x4 ratio images (which most of my photography seems to be these days). For a few of the larger portrait oriented images i did noticed a drop in quality so bumped them to no more than 200kb. [/quote]


Good to know all this my website is currently in progress as I speak, I'm using wordpress as well.

I have to say your pic's are awesome, fab site and what an amazing location, I feel like packing up and leaving and moving over...lol!!

I've been to Wales but not where you moved to, I have to say it makes a huge difference when you have an amazing backdrop like the ones you have in your weddings etc.

Well done Clive! I will re-visit your site for inspiration - often!!

Message edited by author 2012-11-21 07:48:46.
11/21/2012 08:18:30 AM · #8
Originally posted by Skip:

Ok, I'll bite ;-)

As such, it's a nice, clean site. One thing that separates it from others is the absolute quality of the imagery. Paging through, it would be ludicrous for anyone to come away thinking that you don't know what you're doing.

However, beyond the imagery, what is it that would make you stand out from any other equally capable photographers? Not much. Does it matter? That all depends.

.....You are on the right track and have a solid foundation. There is no doubt that you can establish yourself as a preeminent photographer, and not just in the area you happen to live.


i agree with some of the things here... and at least some ideas that can be reviewed and looked at whether they pertain to you... not everything can quantified in the same way..but yeah atleast some good feedback is worth the time to read... be true to thyself in all things ;O)
11/21/2012 03:24:28 PM · #9
Thanks Gary and thanks Anita! And particular thanks to Skip. Amazing advice as always. I'm going to have a bit of think about what you've posted and will reply in detail in a bit. Really good stuff :)
11/21/2012 05:31:20 PM · #10
Thanks again Skip. Some amazingly good advice!

Originally posted by Skip:


However, beyond the imagery, what is it that would make you stand out from any other equally capable photographers? Not much. Does it matter? That all depends.

Are you the big fish in a small pond? If you have already established yourself among the best in your area and you are nearly as busy as you can be, it doesn't matter that much. you website need not be much more than it is, a place to reassure prospective brides that they are in capable hands.

On the other hand, if you are swimming in an ocean of fierce competition from many equally capable photographers, then you will need your website to help establish your dominance.


I'm not nearly established anywhere yet. Having just moved to a very different part of Wales i'm kind of starting from scratch although i'm still looking to cover much of the same areas. Where i've moved to is far more rural. To give an example. Where i was previously in South Wales i was only a few miles from the capital of Cardiff and just across the border into England were cities like Bristol etc. As such, if i do a search on google maps for wedding photographers within a 50 mile radius the results are well into triple figures. That's a lot of wedding photographers!

If i do a 50 mile radius search where i am now i get 27 and that's including me! If i do a 20 mile radius search i get 5. So, thats the difference between being in a densely populated area and a far more rural one here. The difference, by the way, is about 130 miles between my old home and the new so i'm obviously still looking for clients down south as well. Wales is a relatively small country. I figure this has good and bad points of course. Less competition vs less people getting married. But i'm hoping that i can build up a reputation for the bulk of the larger Mid-Wales area and beyond. One thing i did notice was that a lot of people travel to mid-wales to get married and are not necessarily from there. I did a couple of weddings like that this summer with couples from Cardiff getting married in the more picturesque surroundings of the country. Their main reason for this was cost. It's far cheaper to get married in a large mansion hotel in the hills than it is in the capital city and when they factored in the, perhaps, special quality of friends and family staying away for a weekend in a more glamourous mansion house they went for that. Those are the weddings i need to get i think. I've got one booking like that for next year with the couple coming over over 200 miles from the far side of England to get married in a little village in Wales.

So, i need to get myself know for a being 'that' photographer really as well as building up relations with the more local communities to get known as someone to come to.

Going to come back to the next bits of your advice in a bit instead of having a huge long post. Your advice is so good i'm digesting it slowly!
11/21/2012 06:55:00 PM · #11
I have been reading a blog by a guy that is working to build his photography business. I have found it interesting and I have subscribed to the blog. He just started the blog the middle of this month and has posts about designing his website, figuring out what to charge, accounting, etc.

I thought some of you might be interested:
Pro Photo Diary
11/21/2012 07:15:00 PM · #12
Originally posted by markwiley:

I have been reading a blog by a guy that is working to build his photography business. I have found it interesting and I have subscribed to the blog. He just started the blog the middle of this month and has posts about designing his website, figuring out what to charge, accounting, etc.

I thought some of you might be interested:
Pro Photo Diary


Cheers Mark. Some very interesting and helpful stuff there. I'll bookmark it and keep an eye on him. The financial stuff seems very helpful although i'm a bit blown away by his figures- both what he wants and what he predicts. It's obviously going to be different between the UK and the States. He certainly wants to make a lot of money in the long run! All extremely helpful though. Thanks again. :)

Message edited by author 2012-11-21 19:15:38.
11/21/2012 10:48:09 PM · #13
A little nitpick; when I click on PORTFOLIO, I get an unpopulated mailto link. If I select the links under portfolio, they work fine, just the portfolio link itself.
11/21/2012 11:11:21 PM · #14
Originally posted by davidw:

A little nitpick; when I click on PORTFOLIO, I get an unpopulated mailto link. If I select the links under portfolio, they work fine, just the portfolio link itself.


Ah, cool. That is a weird little one. Cheers David!
11/22/2012 09:07:15 AM · #15
Originally posted by rooum:

Originally posted by markwiley:

I have been reading a blog by a guy that is working to build his photography business. I have found it interesting and I have subscribed to the blog. He just started the blog the middle of this month and has posts about designing his website, figuring out what to charge, accounting, etc.

I thought some of you might be interested:
Pro Photo Diary


Cheers Mark. Some very interesting and helpful stuff there. I'll bookmark it and keep an eye on him. The financial stuff seems very helpful although i'm a bit blown away by his figures- both what he wants and what he predicts. It's obviously going to be different between the UK and the States. He certainly wants to make a lot of money in the long run! All extremely helpful though. Thanks again. :)


I'm not sure if you're aware, but that blog is done by one of our own: kgeary. He's had a few forum threads about it as well: //www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=1174961.
11/22/2012 09:11:03 AM · #16
Originally posted by rooum:

Originally posted by davidw:

A little nitpick; when I click on PORTFOLIO, I get an unpopulated mailto link. If I select the links under portfolio, they work fine, just the portfolio link itself.


Ah, cool. That is a weird little one. Cheers David!


Oh, and I forgot to mention, I like your web site, the shots are great, the navigation is clear, and the design is flexible enough to take you into the future.
11/22/2012 12:47:40 PM · #17
Congrats on the move AND the site, Clive. My one comment is that the galleries contain way too many images, and that they are all full size, in vertical arrangement. This makes the page absurdly long, and creates the need for marathon scrolling. Most people, including me, won't scroll past the 5th or 6th image, especially if they are substantially similar. I would strongly suggest reducing the # of images in each gallery to under 15, and adding thumbnails in either a grid formation or along the top or bottom of the page.
11/22/2012 03:44:07 PM · #18
Originally posted by davidw:

Originally posted by rooum:

Originally posted by markwiley:

I have been reading a blog by a guy that is working to build his photography business. I have found it interesting and I have subscribed to the blog. He just started the blog the middle of this month and has posts about designing his website, figuring out what to charge, accounting, etc.

I thought some of you might be interested:
Pro Photo Diary


Cheers Mark. Some very interesting and helpful stuff there. I'll bookmark it and keep an eye on him. The financial stuff seems very helpful although i'm a bit blown away by his figures- both what he wants and what he predicts. It's obviously going to be different between the UK and the States. He certainly wants to make a lot of money in the long run! All extremely helpful though. Thanks again. :)


I'm not sure if you're aware, but that blog is done by one of our own: kgeary. He's had a few forum threads about it as well: //www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=1174961.


Ah, yes. I did see his posts. Interesting stuff and his blog is going to be well worth keeping an eye on. Cheers for the heads up!
11/22/2012 03:48:04 PM · #19
Originally posted by tanguera:

Congrats on the move AND the site, Clive. My one comment is that the galleries contain way too many images, and that they are all full size, in vertical arrangement. This makes the page absurdly long, and creates the need for marathon scrolling. Most people, including me, won't scroll past the 5th or 6th image, especially if they are substantially similar. I would strongly suggest reducing the # of images in each gallery to under 15, and adding thumbnails in either a grid formation or along the top or bottom of the page.


Thanks for taking a look Johanna. Yes, you're completely right about the portfolio overload. That definitely needs editing down. I'm away for a couple of days but that's on my to do list when i get back.

The most frustrating thing for me at the moment isn't really site related but i'm having problems with my email. I suspect it might be that i want to set up and use the same email address with the new host as with the old host. Can't seem to get it working at all which leaves me with no
email. Bah. Need to get onto tech support about that i guess.

Message edited by author 2012-11-22 17:09:03.
11/24/2012 06:52:42 AM · #20
are pms and emails coming through to you?

Message edited by author 2012-11-24 06:53:32.
11/24/2012 07:41:38 AM · #21
Got your email and pm skip. Cheers for that! Been away from the interent for a couple of days so only catching up now.
11/24/2012 11:02:09 AM · #22
As a complete industry outsider, my impression is there are some great images here, and its laid out quite well. I have read the comments and there are some valid points, I defer to them.
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