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DPChallenge Forums >> Business of Photography >> Advice on website design
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12/07/2015 02:23:36 AM · #1
I have recently finished my website for my photography business. I rebranded because a lot of people saw my work, but didn't know I was the photographer behind the lens. So I went with my own name, because when people see me or heard my name, it was more recognizable. Right now I am in the process of studying new marketing techniques, because business is slow. Could you view my website and give me some advice for improvement.. www.courtneylcooper.photography
12/07/2015 03:16:42 AM · #2
welcome to dpc, courtney!

first, good idea to build on name recognition. you nailed that: if people don't know who you are, they won't find you.

second, your site is nice and clean. as far as basic presentation goes, it's fine.

third, don't hide behind your website's contact form. if you have a business phone, publish the number (and if you don't, think about getting one). if you don't want to publish a street address, at least make it clear where you are willing to work (i've notice a lot of businesses marketing to their local area code, such as "serving the 757" or "your 202 photog"). in any event, give visitors a hint as to where you are.

the only other thing i'd say to you about your site is to get hyper-critical about what you show. don't leave it up to others to critique your work, because that is just not worth the risk. "others" may or may not be qualified to judge your photos. "others" may have their own agendas. and worse, "others" may be potential clients whose only form of feedback is to not contact you...

so, your only defense against what "others" may or may not say is to look at every image you put on your site and ask yourself honestly, "does this reflect the best of what i have to offer a paying client?" if the answer isn't a 100% yes, then pull it.

along these lines, i recommend limiting specific portfolios to 8-15 images that represent your absolute best of that particular category. on each subsequent shoot that falls into that category, aim for a personal best that can knock off one of the existing portfolio shots. that's right: "knock off", not "add to". you want your best of portfolios to be lean, mean, and clean.

in terms of marketing, your website is only a small piece of business development. from a marketing standpoint, it serves primarily to comfort those who have come in contact with you, assuring them that you are worth them risking their money with you. and it may help motivate someone to call you.

unless you are the only game in town where you live, it is unlikely that your website will be the brightest beacon bobbing in the internet. consequently, you'll have to develop more marketing strategies than just having a nice website. focus on giving incredible customer service and value to your clients, then asking them for both testimonials and referrals. develop your note-writing skills, writing both thank you notes to clients and prospects, as well as introductory notes to suspects and prospects. beyond basic competence, the main thing is simply for people to know you are available. you'd be surprised at how much business is lost simply because someone didn't know you could do the work.

along these lines, be visible in your community. as much as you can justify it, find pro bono causes where you can lend your time and talent (i'm really bummed to have learned about a killer opportunity only after the fact that involved shooting family portraits for disadvantaged families (it was a one-day event sponsored by the local ymca). i've got it on my calendar for next year!).

this should be enough to get you thinking. good luck!

Message edited by author 2015-12-07 03:28:49.
12/07/2015 05:07:58 AM · #3
Dear Courtney.

No doubt you don't realize just how lucky you are to get a response from our very own "Skip".
He knows from first hand experience what he is talking about, and you are incredibly lucky that he dropped by to spend considerable time on a response to YOU.

Study each word....... really consider his responses....... his words may well be "worth their weight in gold" to you.

All the best. I won't even try to add to Skip's wisdom on your post.
12/07/2015 08:27:29 AM · #4
As one of the "others" that Skip mentions I feel that some of your images lack quality ( focus,exposure and composition ).
12/07/2015 08:50:30 AM · #5
thanks, karin, and neil, please know i meant no offense! i only meant to highlight the importance of discerning the differences between a bad, ok, good, and great images, and to be able to do that when there are no "others" around to give you their opinion ;-)

imho, if the photog can't tell the difference, they probably won't make it very far...after all, facebook love is great on the internet, but if you can't consistently deliver printable images in the real world, you won't be able to make it professionally.
12/07/2015 09:42:40 AM · #6
I'm not going to offer critique of your images unless you request it so I'll stick with the website.

just a few random thoughts:

1. don't reuse images. if one image in in one portfolio, dont use it on the main page or another portfolio.

2. is that you on the bio page? if so use a different picture, get a professional headshot or take one yourself. That same pic is in your wedding gallery and on your investment page. if it is you, as a prospective client, I would question why there is an image in your wedding portfolio you didn't take.

3. the quality of the thumbnails is terrible. when you click through to the large image they are fine, but the thumbnails are blurry and make your work look amateurish. I would definitely look into that, if I had been a client I may not have even clicked to see a bigger version and just left.

4. the site loads slow. keep all images to under 500kb. unless its a large fullscreen image, you dont need larger than 500-700px and 500kb.

5. "Contact Us" should be "Contact Me" or simply contact.

6. remove social media chicklets that dont work or have irrelevant content, ie. youtube.

hope this helps.

12/07/2015 12:45:31 PM · #7
Thank you for the welcome, Skip! And thank you for taking out the time to critique my website.

I promise, I take no offence in what you are pointing out to me. My goal is to grow, get better and be consistent as a photographer. I will definitely go in and make adjustments to my website, especially adding my phone number and working on the image gallery.

I would like to tell everyone Thank You!!
12/07/2015 02:14:45 PM · #8
Originally posted by clcphotography:

Thank you for the welcome, Skip! And thank you for taking out the time to critique my website.

I promise, I take no offence in what you are pointing out to me. My goal is to grow, get better and be consistent as a photographer. I will definitely go in and make adjustments to my website, especially adding my phone number and working on the image gallery.

I would like to tell everyone Thank You!!


I am sure you are going to have lot of fun over here!

Welcome onboard and face all crazy folks over here :)
12/07/2015 09:43:43 PM · #9
Thank you pgirish007, I am glad to be onboard.
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