Now, here's my website. Please be brutal with your critique.?

Question

My website is getting kinda old and needs a new look. But, aside from that, I'm interested in your thoughts for my wedding photography. Yes, I know most of you already don't like the shot of the bride and goom at the end of the wharf because they are so hard to see. But aside from that, what do you think. As I said, be brutal. Don't be scared to offend me. Later on (when I can be bothered), I'll be updating the site with my new images and then I will post this question again to see what kind of feedback I will gain from them. My website is http://www.straightshots.co.nz

Jennifer, there is no other reason than to get input. And I want the input from not only pros, but also everyone else because after all, it's not the pros who will be hiring me, it's 'everyone else'. They are the one's who's thoughts I value the most.

Thanks fhotoace and 'the thought'. Yes, when I get the time, I'll be changing what I have there with completed wedding albums in which you will be able to flip through the pages at leisure. Thank's for the input of 'darks too dark and lights too light.' I've had that mentioned to me before. I made these images back when I was obsessed with high key lighting but from feedback I've had, I'm thinking now that I'm better off sticking with more traditional exposures.

fhotoace - wedding packages in my area start at $2500. I got a call this morning from someone wanting a quote and when he heard $2500, he laughed at me and said, "Forget it then. I'll ring around and find someone cheaper." I didn't even get the chance to say good luck :)

Answer 1

Mason, I am very impressed. I like the use of your Savvy cover photo, which lends some credability.

My only criticism is that the slide show runs too fast in the commercial and wedding sections. The portrait section is not too bad. Either slow them down to maybe 3 seconds in all sections or rework it so that the visitor can click to advance the show. You'd have to include a line at the top that says something like, "Click to move on to the next image," or something like that.

Thanks for sharing this.

Click on your phoot/avatar in Yahoo! Answers and add a profile which include a link to this site. Why not? You do this by selecting "Edit my info."

If you don't know what I mean, click on my x-ray avatar to the left of this answer and you'll see.

By the way, I never remarked on your new avatar and now I see fhotoace has joined the trend that MAY have been led by Terisu. Perhaps I need to do the same... The only thing is, I'll hold my camera to one eye and my wife's to my other so that my face is totally obscured!

Answer 2

Generally a good site. Here are some suggestions in addition to the ones already posted.

1. If you are going to have an intro, I suggest it "plays though" samples of the best and shows the variety of your work.

2. Show "thumbnails" of the images for each area instead of timing through them. Then let the prospective client click on the image they would like to see in greater detail. This will give you a "hit rate" that will give you a clue as to what is mostly appreciated in your art. You can then expand on this during your assignments and increase your sales as well as change the images on your website to make it more appealing.

3. Although you advertise many services, you seem to be specializing in weddings as your images, even the "commercial" ones carry that theme. It is very difficult to be a "Jack of all trades" in the photographic community. By concentrating on a specialty, you will be able to conserve your resources (equipment, advertising and focus)

Answer 3

Well, it's a good name. The website is pretty simple. However, I think the flip rate for the slide show is too fast. Also, and this may just be me, it seemed like the dark photos were a little too dark and the bright ones a little too bright. There was one with the bride in the foreground and the groom in background out of focus in which the bride looks a little out of focus too, not crisp. Are these all your wedding shots? I would put more up and think about doing a gallery preview, especially for you customers and their guests to order prints. Good luck.

Answer 4

Mason i said to you ages ago i rated your site and the images on it.

lucient and ace have said great things, i will add a bit to there insights

the site is clean and fast, the slide show is annoying, give thumbs maybe, do intro like lucient said

i like the lobster shot and would like to see it again, no annoying music so thats a plus

let me think on it some more

a

Answer 5

You have a business and charge a large fee, why do you want input from an unknown source?

Perhaps you should do your own research, or hire researchers to find out how you can move on. Get some professional advice.

Or is there an ulterior motive for your question?
Are you just looking for potential business by showing your website on Questions?

If I was a professional photographer I wouldn't ask advice publicly, it could damage your street cred.

Answer 6

I agree with photoface mostly.

Get yourself a better homepage image. The current one is really not that good and you have great material to chose from

Answer 7

I agree with Jennifer.

Answer 8

well, not bad... if i getting married i will hire you maybe..