In my line of work, I visit a lot of photographers' websites. Whether it be for inspiration, to find wedding referrals (no, I still don't photograph weddings) or just browsing the 'net, I undoubtedly visit photographers' websites on a pretty regular basis. If I like their work, I usually want to check out their social media feeds, specifically with Facebook and Instagram. But nearly half the time, I encounter the same problem. You haven't updated the placeholder links on your website Yep, it sounds silly, right?!? But I come across a ton of … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: The number one thing you need to check on your website
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The photography business management software you didn’t know you needed
I'm a pretty spontaneous guy and already am easily distracted by shiny, expensive objects, so when it comes to focusing on the logistics of running the photo business, I kind of freak out and forget some things — but did I need something to help out with that? I've always wanted something, I just didn't know that I needed it though. There are plans for shoots, changes to shoots, more shoots to book along with shoots that cancel, haven't paid or I haven't delivered on top of those I haven't had a chance to address at all. So not only was I … [Read more...] about The photography business management software you didn’t know you needed
Photography Marketing: Top 5 design tips for a professional website
As a former website designer for more than 10 years, I find that I'm qualified to let you in on a few design tricks. Let's be honest — websites have to be kept up on in terms of not only their content, but their design, too. If you have a website that looks outdated or is difficult to use, you're less likely to have potential clients go beyond your homepage. And while we can't all have the most amazing website on the internet, there's a few things that we should definitely do. Use awesome, elaborate fonts Nothing shows our expertise more than … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Top 5 design tips for a professional website
Beyond Technique Podcast with Jakob Dall | Photofocus Podcast March 20, 2019
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/beyond-technique-podcast-with-jakob-dall-photofocus-podcast-march-20-2019 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please, post a review on iTunes. Welcome to Beyond Technique, a podcast empowering photographers to bring their businesses to the next level. In today's episode we chat with photojournalist Jakob Dall. Today we chat about: How Jakob gained traction as a photojournalist Why photography is considered a universal language The role of storytelling in his body of work The … [Read more...] about Beyond Technique Podcast with Jakob Dall | Photofocus Podcast March 20, 2019
Photography Marketing: Tackling SEO for photographers
You can have the greatest website in the world, but if it's not optimized for search engines, it'll get lost in the shuffle. Integrating best practices for search engine optimization (SEO) will not only help deliver your website to a higher number of people — it'll also get you some new leads that you wouldn't otherwise have. What do you want to be known for? More important than your name or your company's name for that matter, is knowing what you want to be known for. Are you looking to become a well-known wedding photographer? How about a … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Tackling SEO for photographers
Photography Marketing: Create a free online portfolio
Facebook and Instagram are great social media platforms to build excitement about your images, but should not be used as an online portfolio to send your clients to. Some don’t have an online portfolio because they don’t have the budget or skills to build a website nor the desire to maintain a WordPress site. Here’s how to create an online portfolio showcasing the very best of your images and the best part, it’s free! Why have a portfolio? An online portfolio should be a collection of your very best images to showcase your skills as a … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Create a free online portfolio
How to keep your website smelling fresh
Why a regular clean-up is recommended We’ve been looking at websites for some time now (if you haven’t followed, put my name in the search box and fish out the articles – they’re still wriggling), and you got the gist of how to build one and make it visible, and have it up there shining as a beacon in the galaxy, attracting visitors from near and far. Brilliant. And then the same visitors come back again, because of another useful link to it — and they see the same thing again…and again…and again. Same home page, same galleries. Same images, … [Read more...] about How to keep your website smelling fresh
Showing up where it matters, part two
Click here to read part one. Blogging is not a dirty word Being visible, in a web that grows at incredible speed and offers everything you can think of and stuff that you can’t even imagine in your wildest dreams, is no walk in the park — and if you don’t put a little thought into it you may find yourself wasting a lot of time for very scanty results. Take blogging, for instance. Many photographers have a blog. And many of the photographers I speak to complain that they don’t have time for it, that they’re “behind” (behind what, I often … [Read more...] about Showing up where it matters, part two
Showing up where it matters
How to be visible on the web You have your website up, your branding sorted out, your logo is cool, your colors are gorgeous and it’s all spanking new and glittery. It looks just like you and totally represents you, your style, your energy, your personality. You run one last, quick but super-thorough check that all the links are working, and your mouse hovers over the Publish button. Click. There. You just opened up shop on the High Street. At least, that’s what it feels like. You’re there for everyone to see — which can actually be a bit … [Read more...] about Showing up where it matters
It’s Not About You
Everyone clicks on the About page. Don’t you? That’s how I realized that About pages are not all the same, and some are way better than others. But what makes a good one, and how do we go about getting ours to be effective? The Most Important Page on Your Website If you’re anything like me, there’s nothing worse than browsing through a photographer’s website filled with images we like, and then ending up on a long and boring About page, usually devoid of images (‘cuz we don’t like to be photographed — that’s why we’re photographers, right?) … [Read more...] about It’s Not About You
Your Homepage and the First Five Seconds in Your Clients’ Lives: Part 2
Editor’s Note: Fabrizia Costa is a portrait and wedding photographer who also helps photographers raise the level of their work and their business through workshops and personal coaching. Her work is all about deep shifts in perspective, seeing things with new eyes, and thinking outside the box. If you’re a professional wedding or portrait photographer, you can join her free Outside the Box Evolution group on Facebook. You have your homepage set up, the logo looks good, the colors match and you’re on a roll. Making a website has never been … [Read more...] about Your Homepage and the First Five Seconds in Your Clients’ Lives: Part 2
Your Homepage and the First Five Seconds in Your Clients’ Lives
Editor’s Note: Fabrizia Costa is a portrait and wedding photographer who also helps photographers raise the level of their work and their business through workshops and personal coaching. Her work is all about deep shifts in perspective, seeing things with new eyes, and thinking outside the box. If you’re a professional wedding or portrait photographer, you can join her free Outside the Box Evolution group on Facebook. You may have heard how important it is to make a good first impression and how quickly that happens when we meet someone, … [Read more...] about Your Homepage and the First Five Seconds in Your Clients’ Lives
Why Your Story is the Center of the Universe
Very few products can stand on the strength of their packaging without an identifying brand. The opening image above is a good example. This article takes a hard look at branding and differentiates it from marketing, advertising, and public relations. Editor's Note: Fabrizia Costa is a portrait and wedding photographer who also helps photographers raise the level of their work and their business through workshops and personal coaching. Her work is all about deep shifts in perspective, seeing things with new eyes, and thinking outside the … [Read more...] about Why Your Story is the Center of the Universe
Quick Tip: Only Show Your Best Work
You might be tempted to show all of your work to your audience in your portfolio. But try to limit yourself to a certain number of photos, only showing work that you deem to be your "best" and that's representative of you. Information overload is a real thing — and while seeing all your photographs is great, it'll overwhelm prospective clients. Instead, take advantage of social media and actively post there, saving your best work for your website and printed portfolio pieces. … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Only Show Your Best Work
SmugMug Just Purchased Flickr
On the heels of Yahoo's purchase by Verizon, SmugMug has bought former Yahoo property Flickr. SmugMug has promised that neither product is going anywhere, but has yet to offer any specific details about the future of Flickr. According to an FAQ page about the acquisition, "Flickr and SmugMug will continue to operate separately, just as both have been. Your SmugMug and Flickr accounts will remain separate and independent for the foreseeable future." "Flickr is an amazing community, full of some of the world's most passionate photographers. … [Read more...] about SmugMug Just Purchased Flickr
Photography Marketing: The Value of a Professional Photographer
One of the biggest struggles I had when first starting my business was how to price my photography. And while there's no easy answer, there is a recipe for success that I've followed for the past few years. 1) Your Time + Your Costs There's more that goes into pricing your photography than just your time shooting. You have to remember preparation and setup, post-processing and client communication. Most clients don't like to see these items lined out on an invoice, but be sure to pack it into your overall hourly cost. In fact, the only item I … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: The Value of a Professional Photographer
Photography Marketing: The One Change I Made to Increase My Website Leads
When it comes to developing websites, there's one term that gets met with a lot of confusion — Search Engine Optimization, or SEO. Recently I decided to redesign my website, and instead of just uploading pretty pictures, I made sure that everything was optimized for search engines. The hope was that I would be better found as a corporate event photographer in my area. An Image-Driven Website Before my website redesign, I focused on my images and highlighting them as best as possible. For me, this meant having a five-image slideshow that would … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: The One Change I Made to Increase My Website Leads
How Do You Add Text To A Photo In Lightroom?
A friend asked me this question the other day. His website host doesn't allow him to show a picture's filename on the website which makes it hard to communicate with his clients about which photos they like best. He just wanted to be able to post the pictures with the filename showing, and he wanted to do this with several pictures all at once. Lightroom is not a terrific tool for adding text to photos, but there is a way this can be accomplished and it may be the fastest way to get it done even if you have another tool that could do it. Use … [Read more...] about How Do You Add Text To A Photo In Lightroom?
Photography Marketing: Strategizing Your Business in the Fourth Quarter
This week, the rain and 50-degree temperatures hit West Michigan. While it was a nice change from the 80 and 90-degree temps we had in late September, it was a sign that a new stage of the year is under way. The fourth quarter. In years past, I've taken time in this three-month period to focus on some business and marketing strategy. Once November hits, I'm usually not as busy with photo shoots for corporate clients, so it's a time for me to reflect on the past year to see where and how I can improve. Make Communication with Your … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Strategizing Your Business in the Fourth Quarter
Photography Marketing: Less Is More With Website Content
With my website design background, I've occasionally helped other photographers with website critiques. It's important to cater your website to your client base, and write effective content that will complement your photos. And more often than not, I see a lot of text. There's nothing wrong with the text — it might be well-written, truthful and effective. But the fact of the matter is, by telling your prospective client everything on your website, you lessen the chance of that lead turning into a customer. Split Up Your Content Say you're … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Less Is More With Website Content
Photography Marketing: The Recipe for a Successful Photography Blog
Blogging can be an important part of any photographer's business. It's a marketing tool that, if updated regularly with relevant content, can make you more professional in your craft. But it's not for everyone, nor is it required to be a successful photographer. If you do choose to have a blog though, there's a few key points to make sure you follow. 1. Post Regularly Not only should you blog on a regular basis, you should be doing so on a regular schedule. Once you grow an audience, you don't want to wait a month to post something new, … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: The Recipe for a Successful Photography Blog
Photography Marketing: Take Your Website to the People
I've talked about ways to design and develop a great online photography portfolio. Regardless of the platform you choose, one thing reigns true — your website should be catered to your clientele, not you. While you might have grand ideas and think having a large photo appear as the first thing people see is cool, your client might think otherwise. There's one easy way around this — and that is to ask for a website critique. Benefits of a Critique One of the biggest things you can learn from a critique is whether there's something that's … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Take Your Website to the People
Lightroom Live: Adobe Portfolio, Part Deux with Al Rossin
You gotta join us live for our next Lightroom Live, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We'll be giving away a copy of Perfectly Clear from Athentech. Plus you never know what else. We kick off Monday, June 12th at 1:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Central, 11:00 am Mountain, and 10:00 am Pacific. 2 pm in the Virgin Islands. Check out the YouTube event here and it'll show your … [Read more...] about Lightroom Live: Adobe Portfolio, Part Deux with Al Rossin
Lightroom Live: Adobe Portfolio, Part Deux with Al Rossin
You gotta join us live for our next Lightroom Live, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We'll be giving away a copy of Perfectly Clear from Athentech. Plus you never know what else. We kick off Monday, June 12th at 1:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Central, 11:00 am Mountain, and 10:00 am Pacific. 2 pm in the Virgin Islands. Check out the YouTube event here and it'll show your … [Read more...] about Lightroom Live: Adobe Portfolio, Part Deux with Al Rossin
Photography Marketing: Refresh Your Website
Having an attractive, up-to-date photography portfolio website is one of the most important things we can do for our marketing. I've already written about why you need to have an online portfolio — but you aren't done when you hit "publish" and put your work out there for the world to see. The Importance of Adding New Photos It's important to keep the photos in your portfolio fresh; your local grocery store keeps its produce fresh by rotating in a new product, and you should too. New photographs keep potential clients interested, and … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Refresh Your Website
Using a Custom Domain with Adobe Portfolio
Having a custom domain elevates your website to that next step in terms of professionalism. They're easier to remember, and it can help make you look legit to potential clients. With Adobe Portfolio, using a custom domain has never been easier. Purchase Your Domain Most dot-com domains range from $9.99 to $12.99 per year, depending where you buy from. The go-to place for domains is GoDaddy. While GoDaddy offers a plethora of other services like email hosting, website hosting, etc., they've always been known for their simple domain purchasing … [Read more...] about Using a Custom Domain with Adobe Portfolio
Why Every Photographer Should Have an Online Portfolio
I've long been a believer in the need to showcase your work. Showing your work will make you better as a photographer, whether you’re a professional or not. But what makes this different from sharing on social media? When I started to get into photography as a hobbyist, I posted everything I could on Flickr. I didn't have a website, a business Facebook page or any other means to showcase my work. But I soon learned that, while Flickr was great for showing off your work to the photography community, it wasn't great at showing your images past … [Read more...] about Why Every Photographer Should Have an Online Portfolio
Five Steps to a Successful Portfolio Website
Recently, I was asked to give a wedding photography referral. While I certainly found some great photographers, what amazed me was the lack of professionalism in terms of developing a website that showcased the photographer’s work in a way that clients could easily follow. Don’t get me wrong — some web portfolios were spot on. But about 75% of what I saw had major problems. Some were too slow to load. Some had a landing page where it wasn’t clear that you needed to click to see the full website. Some I couldn’t even find a wedding … [Read more...] about Five Steps to a Successful Portfolio Website
Adobe Portfolio: Initial Impressions
Adobe Portfolio, free with a Creative Cloud subscription, is a real gem. Even if you’re perfectly happy with your website, I recommend taking a look at it. For me, it’s a been a perfect tool to publish a broader selection of work while maintaining the narrow focus of my primary website—headshots. I’m of the opinion that you must be known for a specialization within photography. The website on your business card or in your Facebook Ads must make it very clear what you do. But marketing your speciality doesn’t mean you can’t publish other work … [Read more...] about Adobe Portfolio: Initial Impressions
Website Critiques
Want to know a really simple way to improve your website? Ask a stranger for a critique! I was at an event where we were asked to write our web & email addresses down on a piece of paper and then we shuffled them around the room. Whoever you got, you had to answer two questions: Where is this site the strongest? Where is this site the weakest? The big key to this is the stranger. Often times, we self edit what we’re going to say to our friends.. Also, our friends know us, know our businesses, and can therefore mentally fill in the … [Read more...] about Website Critiques
