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Following Susie's lead...website redesign

April 01, 2008, 11:27:37 AM

This weekend, I sat down and redesigned my portrait photography website. I don't have much of a portfolio on it yet, but can you take a look and tell me what you think?

http://wildmavengallery.com

Ooops...just noticed a typo at the bottom. I added a "t" to children, ha ha. I also have to change the copyright graphic at the bottom.

« Last Edit: April 01, 2008, 11:45:47 AM by wildmaven »

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Comments and Harsh Critiques gladly accepted. My photos are ok to edit.

My photos and art: http://wildmaven.org

Ginnypenny

Reply #1 - April 01, 2008, 02:27:01 PM

Hi Marian,
It's looking good. Here are my nitpicks:

Who are you hosting with? Do you have complete control of the design? I don't like how you have topics that say "view full story". It's just the wording, it doesn't fit.

I don't love the font at the top, the white outline and the shadow look to be a little much. This is just an opinion, I tend to like simple designs which is weird since my newest site is a little over embellished.

Blue isn't my favorite color, but that's just me

Some people don't like red and I love it for my main site. So do what you love, it will attract people with the same taste and those are more likely to love your work anyway.

I am glad I inspired you to re-do your site. Now I have to find time to re-do my own main site...

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Susie
www.charlesbarnardphotography.com
www.definitionimages.com

Mike Hodgson

Reply #2 - April 01, 2008, 02:59:00 PM

A work in progress

I would like to see a role over on the images, moving cursor on image automatically appears larger, moving cursor off image automatically reduces back to thumbnails.
As of now, we have to use the back arrow to see the thumbnails.

Just wondering, not a put down, however, a kick in the pants, "YOU don't think highly of yourself" why not?

You are worth more then 20 bucks an 8x10.
Consider your time, overhead, materials, equipment, EFFORT, etc. that went into the ART.
GIRL, those prices have got to INCREASE!!!!!!! how do you expect to pay the bills?

A harsh ENCOURAGING note. Camera

Answer this, why does the average 8x10 from a family shoot or whatever range from 30 up to 45 bucks per.

Now, you've taken more time, you are on the art side of things, you are also selling limited editions, that 8x10 has gone way up.
Really, that 8x10 is too small, 16x20 and greater should be the goal. A high opinion on that one. Big Grin

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Marian Murdoch

Reply #3 - April 01, 2008, 04:30:40 PM

Quote from: Ginnypenny on April 01, 2008, 02:27:01 PM

Who are you hosting with? Do you have complete control of the design?

bluehost.com is my host. The site was designed originally for the art gallery, which is why some wording doesn't make sense. I paid for the design, and have full control over it now, but I don't know PHP. Sad

Quote

I don't love the font at the top, the white outline and the shadow look to be a little much. This is just an opinion, I tend to like simple designs which is weird since my newest site is a little over embellished.

That font is recognized by my customers, so it stays.

Quote

I am glad I inspired you to re-do your site. Now I have to find time to re-do my own main site...

I'll send you the bill for all the Tylenol I went through. Big Grin

Quote from: Mike Hodgson on April 01, 2008, 02:59:00 PM

I would like to see a role over on the images, moving cursor on image automatically appears larger, moving cursor off image automatically reduces back to thumbnails. As of now, we have to use the back arrow to see the thumbnails.

I need to go back to school..

Quote

Just wondering, not a put down, however, a kick in the pants, "YOU don't think highly of yourself" why not? You are worth more then 20 bucks an 8x10.

Unfortunately, in a rural town of 700 people, that's what's bringing in the clients right now. More than half the town is on welfare (another reason we're looking to move).

Since I'm still new to portrait photography, you just made my day, though.

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Comments and Harsh Critiques gladly accepted. My photos are ok to edit.

My photos and art: http://wildmaven.org

Mike Hodgson

Reply #4 - April 01, 2008, 05:35:02 PM

I used to live in a welfare area, by golly, they sure can spend money on smokes, beers and bingo. Well, that's a lot of money, sorry my friend, no excuse.
If people from ALL walks of life can fork out money on family portraits etc, I'm sure if a beauty of an art peace is seen, people will buy it.

Big Grin

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Paula

Reply #5 - April 01, 2008, 06:49:20 PM

The site won't load for me. Perhaps you're working on it?
Paula

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Ginnypenny

Reply #6 - April 01, 2008, 08:57:14 PM

Regarding pricing - Do what you need to do. My prices are slightly lower than the rest of the nation, but so is the income and cost of living in Utah. A gallon of milk, a house and an 8x10 portrait all cost less here.
Just make sure you aren't undercutting your competition by a lot. That only creates resentment in them and your clients may not respect you as much. I learned a valuable lesson with my pricing... The customers that pay a higher rate for my work value it so much more. I can give examples of how obvious this is, but I will spare you

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Susie
www.charlesbarnardphotography.com
www.definitionimages.com

Paula

Reply #7 - April 02, 2008, 05:43:57 AM

Okay: got it to load. The actual design is fine. Everything works, etc. It's what you have and you've made it very attractive.

The only thing this relative newbie noticed was that the photo of Hannah appears way more orange/yellow compared to the rest of the photos on that page. Maybe this is what you were going for? It just was the first thing I noticed.

Good job! And I need to go back to school as well!
Paula

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