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05/26/2015 12:31:32 AM · #1
Hey every one. Im finally back to doing photography full time again. Ive got a new site Ive been working on and need some expert advice.

Since you aren't doing anything anyway, take a look at my new website and let me know your thoughts.

Website
05/26/2015 12:44:38 AM · #2
Hey Matt, nice to see you again. Nice work. Just quickly looked at your site and it loads reaallllyyyy sloowwwwwllly.
05/26/2015 12:50:38 AM · #3
ok, thanks! Ill look into it.
05/26/2015 01:48:31 PM · #4
Very nice website and its a up to date look, though when you click on store it takes you to smugmug and then there is no home click... can you move store to the right of portfolio and contact so that maybe the first few clicks keep you browsing the site and not taking you away from it right away..
05/26/2015 02:08:34 PM · #5
Originally posted by tanguera:

Hey Matt, nice to see you again. Nice work. Just quickly looked at your site and it loads reaallllyyyy sloowwwwwllly.


make the file sizes of the images smaller.
05/26/2015 03:36:07 PM · #6
you've got a lot of talent and a lot of good stuff. what you might want to do is check out this post and this website; you can probably figure out what needs to be done...unless you want to hire a consultant ;-)
05/26/2015 05:40:52 PM · #7
I wish I could afford it!!!
05/29/2015 02:53:39 AM · #8
While the store isnt finished, i think the new overhaul is a significant improvement
05/30/2015 06:38:52 PM · #9
I like the Astoria sunset, the canyon sunset needs a sun layered in (it's gone!). An "About/Bio" section. At least a paragraph of your inspirations desires and a subtle statement that some are for sale or what services you offer. Some are great some need more photoshopping, maybe offer various edits/style of same image, that would be unique. Since "one taste doesn't fit all." - me. These are just my opinions. Large prints always look better then website images. I like your manual controls for slide show, I hate websites where I can't go at my own pace, which is sometimes fast, and ponder more over interesting ones.

Secondary page, of a variety of sizes is a real nice layout, but mouse "hover" hand is missing. Plane is nice and a good variety appears. on those mouse over "titles" you could add "Available" or prices or just an "Add to cart" icon or "See sizes/price" or "limited number of printings" LINKs. Copy, extend, alter, and mix the styles of the best photographers and artists of all ages. It looks a bit average but has great potential in-the-making. Yes it is "responsive" to smart device sizes. If you have any specific coding questions just pm me. I've been learning CSS3/HTML5/PHP/Javascript/jQuery/java/mySQL/Sqlite/Ajax lately.
06/10/2015 01:50:22 PM · #10
Ok, I think ive made the changes y'all suggested with the exception of a "buy it now" button on the images. I dont have the shopping cart polished up, but the rest is running solid.

what do you think?

mgarsteck.com
06/10/2015 01:54:58 PM · #11
it loads fast, my internet at the office is terrible and your site loaded pretty quick.
06/10/2015 02:02:31 PM · #12
I took down the images that were slowing it down like you suggested. Glad to hear that it was effective.
06/10/2015 05:22:11 PM · #13
don't know if it's been mentioned but i don't like the address, I mean, mgarsteck.com is something I would not remember without a business card in front of me. Doesn't roll off the tongue as something easy to remember.
06/10/2015 06:09:44 PM · #14
A few things:

1. DIVI theme is powerful no question and nicely organized
2. on your full width slider the image that you have put it in is not one size, one if smaller one is bigger. There is standard size that if you use with full width slide, it would look good.
3. Since you are using wordpress I would say instal WP Fastest cache plugin, enable and set zip mechanism. This would speedup the site.
4. The site looks full of photographs, you need to have some message about what you are and what your goal is.
5. In contact add a captcha as right now it is ok and easily can be use for spamming
6. In DIVI site configuraiton disable google+ and that would remove the social icon from bottom.

There are few things that you can do!

I built a few portfolio for my clients and here are for your reference:

Sweet Sixteen!

Engagement!
06/10/2015 07:56:09 PM · #15
There is a quick bio page that tells what I am about. what/where else should I put?
06/10/2015 09:34:38 PM · #16
Originally posted by mgarsteck:

There is a quick bio page that tells what I am about. what/where else should I put?


The reason I said to have some level of description on front page is because of SEO as your website has few basic things missing. I am not talking about the content but overall SEO point of view that is the title first things first, it has your domain name that is not good. Second meta component that is missing completely meaning at any point in time search engine won't know what you are and what you do. Also some of the companies have there own rule sets that filters website based on the content and descriptions. Many times people get info from the first page it-self as they dont want like to go to second level to determine what you do unless home page it-self is self-explainatory.

This is my website! I am not saying this is great but most of my clients came via search engine only. as the first page it-self says what I am and what I do. Also keep in mind user experience is the key component for any business it doesn't matter whether you do photography or something else.

These are my view point based on what I hear from the clients most of the time :)
06/10/2015 09:34:38 PM · #17
Originally posted by mgarsteck:

There is a quick bio page that tells what I am about. what/where else should I put?


The reason I said to have some level of description on front page is because of SEO as your website has few basic things missing. I am not talking about the content but overall SEO point of view that is the title first things first, it has your domain name that is not good. Second meta component that is missing completely meaning at any point in time search engine won't know what you are and what you do. Also some of the companies have there own rule sets that filters website based on the content and descriptions. Many times people get info from the first page it-self as they dont want like to go to second level to determine what you do unless home page it-self is self-explainatory.

This is my website! I am not saying this is great but most of my clients came via search engine only. as the first page it-self says what I am and what I do. Also keep in mind user experience is the key component for any business it doesn't matter whether you do photography or something else.

These are my view point based on what I hear from the clients most of the time :)
06/10/2015 10:08:54 PM · #18
Nice work! :)

A few things stood out that might deserve a second look.

Sometimes less is more. Sometimes photogs have a main portfolio section and the rest is "personal work". The product shots are clean but you might want to consider which genre you will market yourself in the most? portraits or lifestyle perhaps? e.g. If you're a Food photographer, food product/"still life" with a mix of chef and kitchen personnel portraits is ok. But then if you're a head shot photographer and then also photograph product on white, they both have to have strong edits. So less shots but stronger ones can be better. Or a compromise of the two. As sometimes certain works need to be displayed in an essay sort of form and they all combine to tell a story.

Then there's the question of a separate b/w category. It's more of photographer thing to have a b/w section. Clients don't really need to see it separately. Your b/w landscape shots seem perfectly well suited just being in landscapes aka Travel ;). All portraits should be under portraits, a mix of b/w and color is ok.

The thumbnails are being displayed at different sizes. With the exception of landscape vs portrait orientation. Preferably to have all landscape the same size (same height or same width) and same for portrait.

The top image bar on the home page. A nice place to write more about you and/or include excerpts from positive client reviews. Maybe a bit more detail on the pricing structure. e.g. is a makeup artist included? Showing so little of the image, it's bits of your images out of context. Doesn't do those beautiful landscapes justice.

Hope this helps and I wasn't too hard on you with my comments.
06/11/2015 09:10:06 AM · #19
Originally posted by Techo:

Nice work! :)

A few things stood out that might deserve a second look.

Sometimes less is more. Sometimes photogs have a main portfolio section and the rest is "personal work". The product shots are clean but you might want to consider which genre you will market yourself in the most? portraits or lifestyle perhaps? e.g. If you're a Food photographer, food product/"still life" with a mix of chef and kitchen personnel portraits is ok. But then if you're a head shot photographer and then also photograph product on white, they both have to have strong edits. So less shots but stronger ones can be better. Or a compromise of the two. As sometimes certain works need to be displayed in an essay sort of form and they all combine to tell a story.

Then there's the question of a separate b/w category. It's more of photographer thing to have a b/w section. Clients don't really need to see it separately. Your b/w landscape shots seem perfectly well suited just being in landscapes aka Travel ;). All portraits should be under portraits, a mix of b/w and color is ok.

The thumbnails are being displayed at different sizes. With the exception of landscape vs portrait orientation. Preferably to have all landscape the same size (same height or same width) and same for portrait.

The top image bar on the home page. A nice place to write more about you and/or include excerpts from positive client reviews. Maybe a bit more detail on the pricing structure. e.g. is a makeup artist included? Showing so little of the image, it's bits of your images out of context. Doesn't do those beautiful landscapes justice.

Hope this helps and I wasn't too hard on you with my comments.


Very well put it in!
06/11/2015 12:23:06 PM · #20
Ah, you both brought up awesome points. I know my images are solid, the weak points are my SEO and which portfolios to use and how to organize them.

I only put the Catalog portfolio up there because I applied for a catalog shoot and needed to show I could do the work.
I never liked having it on the site, I feel its overwhelming to have that many portfolios.

Being in LA I feel like the money is in headshots and thats what I do most of the time.
I think my HS portfolio should stay small, so does it matter if my personal portfolio has a lot of images?

Just some things that I had on my mind.
06/11/2015 11:49:14 PM · #21
Navigation is so much better... Good job...
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