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12/01/2011 07:56:57 PM · #1 |
Hi all
So, i've been quiet on DPC for a while as i've been concentrating on building the photography work up. I've decided to really make a push into weddings, as i find i enjoy them far more than i thought i would! Anyway, it's something i'm really making a huge effort to make work in the future and i'd really value anyones thoughts on my new website. So, any thoughts, tips? I'm trying to get my head round SEO at the moment but maybe it's too early to tell the results yet. There are great wedding and portrait photographers like  Simms (even though we politically fight like cats and dogs on DPC) here and others that i hugely respect so if you're about i'd love to hear your opinions. I'm finding the whole business side of things quite hard (it's really something i have to learn from scratch as i'm not at all business-minded) Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Anyway, here's the site... //www.clivenolanphotography.com/
Message edited by author 2011-12-01 19:58:45. |
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12/01/2011 08:04:47 PM · #2 |
| Nice work. I love your style |
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12/01/2011 08:10:59 PM · #3 |
| Thanks Joshua. I know you are in a similar boat with regards to starting up a photography venture. It's hard and i'm not taking the struggle lightly. I think my style may be something i have going for me as i've spent a quite few years photographing now and i think it's pretty strong. If i can keep that in any wedding and portrait work i do i think it's a good selling point. Trying to be 'unique' and all that. I've still got loads to learn though. |
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12/01/2011 08:17:35 PM · #4 |
| Yeah it is a huge struggle but I am just pushing through. Right now I am going slow and really just practicing on myself and my kids trying to see what works and what I like and trying to develop my own style. I am going to start pushing more after the start of the new year and try in home studio sessions and some outdoor location stuff. I don't know what will become of it but I do enjoy being behind the camera and would love to see what I can do and learn. Best of luck to you and your business. |
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12/01/2011 08:22:35 PM · #5 |
Clive one thing I think you should change is the color of the hovered link on your drop downs. It's a little hard to see.
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12/01/2011 08:28:33 PM · #6 |
| Excellent. Cheers Joseph. That's a very good point. I'll do that. |
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12/01/2011 08:32:06 PM · #7 |
out of curiosity, how you do your processing? is that vignette blur applied in post?
oh and truly wonderful pictures. |
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12/01/2011 08:40:47 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by mike_311:
out of curiosity, how you do your processing? is that vignette blur applied in post?
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On most of the portrait/close up head shots that are like that it's a Lensbaby, or the Lensbaby tilt converter that allows me to use a Nikon lens like a tilt-shift. On the wider shots that are on the site i have generally just copied the whole image onto another layer, whacked a gaussian blur onto it and, with a large eraser just make a quick swipe across erasing the blur. I'm quite haphazard with that. |
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12/01/2011 08:43:34 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by mike_311:
oh and truly wonderful pictures. |
Cheers! |
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12/01/2011 08:55:05 PM · #10 |
LOVE your style and the website looks great! One thing I do sort of love on a photographer's website is a bio page. That's just sort of my personal preference though!
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12/01/2011 08:59:58 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by clive_patric_nolan:
Originally posted by mike_311:
out of curiosity, how you do your processing? is that vignette blur applied in post?
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On most of the portrait/close up head shots that are like that it's a Lensbaby, or the Lensbaby tilt converter that allows me to use a Nikon lens like a tilt-shift. |
i was afraid of that...
Originally posted by clive_patric_nolan:
On the wider shots that are on the site i have generally just copied the whole image onto another layer, whacked a gaussian blur onto it and, with a large eraser just make a quick swipe across erasing the blur. I'm quite haphazard with that. |
this i'll have to try.
thanks! |
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12/01/2011 09:02:54 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by RobotBanjo:
LOVE your style and the website looks great! One thing I do sort of love on a photographer's website is a bio page. That's just sort of my personal preference though! |
Thanks Katherine (another recent inspiration! i love your stuff-just popped you into my 'favourites' the other day!) - Yes, i was wondering how to do the bio type thing- i got a bit muddled up writing the copy and found myself switching between first person and third and not really knowing what way to go. I decided on first person but i agree that it would be good to get some more personal stuff in there. Thanks! |
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12/01/2011 11:01:27 PM · #13 |
Beautiful website and wonderful pics. The bio is a must. I prefer the third person but since you use the first in the "About" chapters you have to be consistent.
Good luck. Great stuff and your humour is splendid. Takes away the mawkishness of wedding pictures. |
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12/01/2011 11:27:05 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by clive_patric_nolan:
Originally posted by RobotBanjo:
LOVE your style and the website looks great! One thing I do sort of love on a photographer's website is a bio page. That's just sort of my personal preference though! |
Thanks Katherine (another recent inspiration! i love your stuff-just popped you into my 'favourites' the other day!) - Yes, i was wondering how to do the bio type thing- i got a bit muddled up writing the copy and found myself switching between first person and third and not really knowing what way to go. I decided on first person but i agree that it would be good to get some more personal stuff in there. Thanks! |
Why thank you!! It's always a boost when someone you find quite talented sees you as an inspiration! Made my day! :-)
Anyway, back to you... Writing in first person will definitely make you more personable (third person seems sort of pretentious to me!). Though I agree, writing about yourself can be awkward. I had a hard time too until I figured what I liked to hear about other people and went with that. Although I still think my "about me" section of my website is a little self indulgent, it does paint a pretty good idea about who I am. I don't think anyone really reads it anyway, haha.
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12/02/2011 12:10:45 AM · #15 |
| I would agree that it needs a bio, and you give a price for families and non children, but you have none in your portfolio. What you have looks good, cool with a humorous twist. |
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12/02/2011 07:25:09 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
I would agree that it needs a bio, and you give a price for families and non children, but you have none in your portfolio. What you have looks good, cool with a humorous twist. |
Thanks Brennan. Yes, i think the Portraiture portfolio is the weakest part really. I didn't want it to just be photos of my daughter so have put a couple of other older shots in but you're right about it lacking in the family/pets etc department. I do have shots of peoples pets and older people but i think the style is not right for the site and for what i'm offering. I've got portraits of my Dad that i really like, for example, such as this  but my thinking is that is just a bit too dark. Perhaps i should put it in. Likewise my shots of a neighbours pet,  is probably not quite right. What i'm planning is working on that aspect by doing some free portraits of the neighbours and their kids in the run up to Christmas so hopefully the portfolio will start looking more varied.
Message edited by author 2011-12-02 07:26:12. |
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12/02/2011 09:01:02 AM · #17 |
Hi Clive,
Just had a quick look at your website and noticed two things:
1) use of the lower case "i" in most of your sentences in the 'About' section
2) differing fonts between the 'About' and 'Pricing' areas
I like most of your images too; my favourites are the 'keep of the rocks', the little boy at the table alone, and the couple walking away (image 10). However, I don't like the image with the cigarette - from a marketing perspective I don't think this sends the right vibe for your business. However, that's just my opinion, FWIW.
Your site seems easy to navigate. I did have some lag on the portfolios, but that is probably my net connection rather than your site.
Hope this helps... |
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12/02/2011 09:55:11 AM · #18 |
Originally posted by pamb:
Hi Clive,
Just had a quick look at your website and noticed two things:
1) use of the lower case "i" in most of your sentences in the 'About' section
2) differing fonts between the 'About' and 'Pricing' areas
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Thanks Pam. That's a great help. I hadn't noticed the different fonts and the 'i's. Changed them now.
Originally posted by pamb:
I like most of your images too; my favourites are the 'keep of the rocks', the little boy at the table alone, and the couple walking away (image 10). However, I don't like the image with the cigarette - from a marketing perspective I don't think this sends the right vibe for your business. However, that's just my opinion, FWIW. |
Yes, i see what you mean. I think that whilst i have a consistent shooting style and processing the two different wedding shots might jar slightly. I guess one way i'm kind of heading is towards a potential 'alternative weddings' type thing and i think the cigarette shot kind of reflects that. My next wedding booked is in early January and is also quite different as it involves a hand fasting ceremony outside with a forge and a fire maze. Plus the bride is a roller derby girl so i expect lots of roller-skates etc. I think that is going to be quite a challenge really as it gets dark in the UK by 4pm ish at that time of year. But, yes, i can see the cigarette shot may be off-putting to some clients. What do others think?
Thanks again for your help Pam. |
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12/02/2011 10:30:15 AM · #19 |
+1
Great site, great style, awesome photographer! Your shots show the emotion of the day along with your unique style.
There is only one recommendation I would make for the website and that is about the blog link. If you don't have a working blog, don't put a link on the site. The under construction or coming soon reference shows your site as unfinished and incomplete. To me it gives an impression of someone who is either procrastinating or too lazy to get the work finished. That reflects upon the work ethic. I am not saying you are either, but it leaves a bad impression. Just trying to be helpful, not harsh...
ETA: The cigarette shot is fine with me. I am a reformed smoker and would like to see the whole world quit... but I am not militant about it. I think it depicts real life and if you are marketing for the alternative crowd, ie. Roller Derby Girls, Tattooed Brides, Rockabilly types or Mod Rockers, then I think it is a great marketing shot.
Great work overall and congratulations on hanging your sign!! Good luck with the business!
Message edited by author 2011-12-02 10:33:26. |
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12/02/2011 10:36:27 AM · #20 |
Originally posted by EL-ROI:
+1
There is only one recommendation I would make for the website and that is about the blog link. If you don't have a working blog, don't put a link on the site. The under construction or coming soon reference shows your site as unfinished and incomplete. To me it gives an impression of someone who is either procrastinating or too lazy to get the work finished. That reflects upon the work ethic. I am not saying you are either, but it leaves a bad impression. Just trying to be helpful, not harsh...
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Cheers Ed. That is very helpful indeed and i totally agree with you. I'll get rid of that link until the blog is up and running.
Originally posted by EL-ROI:
Great work overall and congratulations on hanging your sign!! Good luck with the business! |
Thanks Ed! |
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12/02/2011 10:44:11 AM · #21 |
| Great photos and very nicely done site Clive!... |
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