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Does a website really make a difference
I have started wondering something....How important to you is your website? Do models think less of you if you don't have one? Are they easily swayed by a " fancy showroom "? Do they think less of you if you choose to pay a site like Model Mayhem, OMP or any of the others to host alot of your photos available for viewing??? Do they really think even less of you if you go the cheap route and have only a Yahoo webpage showing some photos? What do the photographers think? What do the models think? Aug 25 06 09:51 pm Link Personally I like to view photographers web sites. More so that I can see other things they do that they want to showcase that has nothing to do with photographing just models. Sort of like getting a deeper view into what they see when they are shooting and how they project it. Like I said that is just me ;-) Aug 25 06 09:59 pm Link Eric Harrell wrote: The difference is sort of like shopping in Marshalls or Marshalfields Aug 25 06 10:04 pm Link As someone who has been doing websites since 1994 (old hand coder of HTML), in my opinion, if you're going to have a website done, pay the $ to get a domain name (GoDaddy is inexpensive). If you can't do the website yourself, then pay someone to do it for you. This is the "do as I say, not as I do" portion since I haven't gotten my website up yet. :-) There are a lot of website designers out there. If they don't understand about navigation schemes and optimization of images, run away. The three things that, again IMO (I'm a technical communication major), a good website has to have: 1) Fast loading: not everyone has DSL, cable modem, or wireless; 2) Consistent navigation scheme: If people can't navigate your site, I don't care how flashy it is, you won't get repeat visitors - they want to know a) where they are, b) where they've been, c) where can they go, d) and how to get back without using the Back button on the browser; 3) Macromedia Flash is not your friend. Just my 2.6 cents (adjusted for the cost of making a penny)... Tony Aug 25 06 11:57 pm Link I am a magazine editor by trade, and I can tell you with absolute certainty that if a model/photographer doesn't have a nice looking website then I don't deal with them. Period. Having a nice website shows that you have pride in your own work. I know that isn't always true but think about it like a resume. In many cases it's the first impression someone is going to have about you as a photographer/model. Aug 26 06 03:58 am Link I have my own web site (http://www.looknseephoto.com), and I love it, for a lot of reasons. >>> Potential models can see tons (>5400) of my images. >>> I document my sittings & what I'm thinking while the sitting progresses. >>> Potential models can see that I like to work with models multiple times. >>> By posting images from a sitting, I get to feel closure on the sitting. >>> I can better "network" with local photographers & models. >>> It helps me "process" each sitting & helps me figure out what I can do better. Yes, it is a bit of work, but it is definitely worth it. Keep it simple -- the site's for displaying your photographs, not for displaying your flash animation skills or someone else's music. Aug 26 06 11:20 am Link If a photographer has a fancy website, that impresses me. If he just has a good setup on OMP, MM, etc., that is just fine. Yahoo does NOT cut it. Aug 26 06 11:29 am Link I have been in business for 20 years, still no website, too busy to actually sit down and get one... Your images speak for themselves. Who gives a fuck if a model thinks you are less professional if you don't have your own website. It's not like you count on models to pay you to pay your bills... I have seen many AMAZING websites for photographers, all fancy Flash stuff and music going on, but the images the site showcases suck! If a model really believes that someone who has a website is more professional than someone that doesn't I could care less. Models don't pay my bills, my clients do. If you have to worry about what models think about your work and your work is primarily making money off of models, you have more problems than worrying about than a website... Aug 26 06 11:51 am Link Hamza wrote: I agree with you whole heartedly. Aug 26 06 12:01 pm Link GRHorn wrote: Exactly! Why would you want a web site??? You wont get that much out of them, they hardly add to one's professionalism, who would go see it anyway, and if you spend enough time on MM that should make sure anyone at all you would want to see your work would. Aug 26 06 01:52 pm Link Does the cost of maintaining a professional looking website justify having one??? Is it less professional to allow MM or some other site to have all your photos for viewing??? I just am kicking a few rocks around. Oh and by the way I have had my own website for maybe 5 yrs now but I just get the feeling that its only sitting there and not doing anyhting for me. Yes potential clients can go there and view samples of my work but they can also do that on MM or even Yahoo. Guess I am just trying to justify the cost of keeping one up and going. If anyone has a good lead on cheap webhosting and webmaster...I may be interested in talking. I may be paying to much for my site. Aug 26 06 02:06 pm Link Ami S wrote: Ami: Aug 26 06 02:50 pm Link I think it is essential to getting work if you are on the net. Use the online sites like MM and even OMP to lead people to your site. OMP will not allow ANY thing that does not promote OMP so you have to find some clever ways to get your site listed there. MM allows links and free speech . I get paid work from my site all the time and I get it from companies a well as models . I never did get a paid job from OMP but I have had a few off MM . I think you need the folowing to be taken as serious 1. A personal site 2. Your FULL name 3. A real location 4. A real phone number that matches the location If you can't offer your name ,location and phone number you may as well forget it . Aug 26 06 03:05 pm Link Eric Harrell wrote: it's worth it to me. it costs me $10 a year for the name and $4 a month for hosting. I do all my own work, as i've been doing sites for ~8 years now...i was even professional for a time. so expect my photography site coming soon Aug 26 06 03:09 pm Link Andrew Kaiser wrote: My website is outdated, too busy shooting for clients, yet I have old and decent photos on there, but good enough to show that I am in the business of photography. Aug 26 06 03:09 pm Link No matter the subject I am always amazed at how adamant the different perspectives come in. One side says not enough time for website, and the perspective is interesting, because you have years of experience and direct ties to your money or that business you rely upon. The other side of the coin is the perspective that the site does represent you and your professionalism. I very much appreciative of the sound opinions given. Perhaps if someone, like myself, who is not in the mix so to speak, a website will be that first introduction to perspective clients. In this day in age, I try to take advantage of the free opportunities out there to show my work, slowly grind out my needs and it would be insane to not have a website, unless you are already succesfull. One other note, it is alway a kick in the ass to see a graphic designer shine on the web and not have the images to back it up. Aug 26 06 03:20 pm Link Eric Harrell wrote: I was hesitant, with the implied nudity and barebutts on the avatars and frontpage, to link from my site to Model Mayhem, because of my type of customers. Aug 26 06 03:20 pm Link Curt Burgess wrote: >>> Your MM site will find you only MM models. Aug 26 06 03:46 pm Link Eric Harrell wrote: What counts as a "professional looking website"? Many of the sites I see waste time & energy & bandwidth on flashing animation & sound effects. I would contend that for photographers, you would want a simple & elegant site that displays your photography, lists a bio, provide contact info, hosts a FAQ -- stuff like that. While it may take a bit of time to set something up, if you keep it simple, it doesn't cost all that much to maintain it. Aug 26 06 03:52 pm Link J. Welborn wrote: I'm not sure I agree. I guess it depends on the image you want to present. I prefer to maintain as much anonymity as possible, but I'm happy to provide contact details to appropriate people who contact me through the web site (there's an e-mail form there). Aug 26 06 03:54 pm Link I'm going to agree with the website detractors. Please - no more websites from you guys. Leaves less competition and more potential customers looking at mine....lol.... Aug 26 06 03:59 pm Link flickr Aug 26 06 04:00 pm Link Tony Perreault wrote: My feeling as a web designer is that for photographers (who are largely representing themselves) a GOOD website is a must. "A" website is simply not good enough and can be damaging if does not compliment your work. Aug 26 06 04:10 pm Link Having a website is a must! It gives focus to your work rather having ads flying around the page, or being distracted by other members of the community like OMP, MM, etc...also you can design it (or hire someone to) however you like, to give your work a greater impact. I designed my site, took me two months to learn the basics of flash and since then I add/subtract more as I go. It is about presentation so present it with your best. When you can't face the client in person then your site will have to represent you, and you want it to look professional, a bit of your personality to the mix. Aug 26 06 04:14 pm Link Aug 27 06 05:18 am Link Yes, it is a bit of work, but it is definitely worth it. Keep it simple -- the site's for displaying your photographs, not for displaying your flash animation skills or someone else's music. LMAO!!!!!!! Aug 27 06 05:30 am Link Everybody in business should have a web site, even a small simple one. Just make sure it's clean, professional and functional ... having a bad web site is bad. Aug 27 06 05:46 am Link There are enough modeling websites that offers " free " profiles to everyone without paying some price to host photos that allow you to have enough to tease someone into coming to your own site to look around. So with this being true ( if it is ) then why do people pay whatever to be on some sites??? Is it because some of them don't have a website of there own and would rather sites like MM do the work for them? Aug 27 06 08:55 am Link I have as of ye to go to a function or client meeting and NOT be asked for my wed url. It's a common question as it is almost expected. I would never send a potential client to MM fo rone major reason. I dont want that client looking at the work of othe rphotgraphers, not to mention I do much more than photgraphy. By going to my site I am controling my image. This is key in marketing and branding. You want potential clients to be focused on you. that's how you close deals. Also, having a website is not enough. Websites take work and upkeep. It needs to be a tool you dont let grow old and get stale. the advantages out way and disadvantages and the current trends point to the importance of a web presence. A great website can cut marketing cost, improve customer service and increease profits. Now go build it..they will come.. Aug 27 06 09:54 am Link Curt Burgess wrote: Looknsee Photography wrote: Uh oh. I'm not sure if my post was recognized for the tongue-in-cheek comment as I had intended or if it was taken seriously. Aug 27 06 02:52 pm Link U can get a website thru something like lunarpages.com for $100/year. Which is like cheaper than OneModelplace or whatever. That includes the domain name. And U can make U're website look totally professional and SLAMMIN' and fill it with quotes about other people. As long as the quotes are accurate, it's LEGAL. I.e.: "One of the finest photographers whose work I have ever seen!" - Richard Avedon U just dont need to mention that Avedon is a) dead b) was talking about Albert Watsup. And then you can take a bunch of really cool images from other really good photographers and photoshop out the copyrights and then for like $100 U R ready to totally RAWK in U're new carrier as a photographyr! I just gotta get the cheeseballs who stole "Gwc.com" out from under me to give it up. They want like $1,000,000 for the domain. GWC! Aug 27 06 03:04 pm Link Josh Humble wrote: And therein lies the problem. Not many people *know* how to do Flash well. I should have expanded upon my comment that "Flash is not your friend" by saying that a lot of people don't do Flash well enough to justify using it. Aug 27 06 04:03 pm Link Tony Perreault wrote: That's certainly a reasonable statement. A nicely done html site is superior to a poorly done Flash site. As with any artistry, if it can't be done well, don't do it and find an alternative. Aug 28 06 10:40 pm Link I have a cute website. I doubt anybody's impressed. Aug 28 06 11:06 pm Link i do not expect for a website, but it impresses me when they have a nice website. it sounds superficial, maybe, but i do look at that to judge wether a photographer is profesional, serious about his career, etc Aug 28 06 11:17 pm Link I have a web site. I have 5 giga bites of storage (which can hold a few more than MM's 20 images, OMP's 5 images, MP's 60 images, OTS's 7 images and so on) I do believe it has helped get my career started. I have a professional (looking) Email address that matches the site. I have a full name, address and professional (looking) phone number. It is easy to maintain a more than basic site. I use the extra storage space for off site back up of my best images. I have detailed directions to my studio I have a rate sheet. pdf model release forms I will soon be selling my images from my site You can be www.modelmayhem/member.id=1234567 or janedoe.com I kind of like the dot com thing myself Aug 28 06 11:30 pm Link Yes I think it's very important.....there's nothing wrong with being here or other online communities.....but it should be in addition to and not in lieu of a personal site........it needs to be a clean but impressive design, easy to navigate. Not to mention, they go there to look at YOUR work......and your work only......all depends on how serious you are. Aug 28 06 11:38 pm Link I have a website, http://www.blindmike.com. Eventually I'll write a commercial one, but for now the photoblog does a good job of letting people know who I am. And yes, it does make a difference. Aug 29 06 01:06 am Link I had one for years,hadynlassiter.com all I ever got was requests for quotes. So they could bounce my fee off someone else. I get more clients from deviantart than I ever did from my website. I closed it down last year. A total waste of time and money if you are too busy to maintain it or pay someone to do so. Now you have someone on your payroll just promoting your site at 9-10$ an hour. Fuck that. Your work says who you are not some gimmicky site that is a pain in the ass to get through. Thats my 50 pence. Aug 29 06 05:18 am Link To me, a website is just one facet of a marketing strategy. The web is getting to where it is taking the place of the Yellow Pages. It is an information appliance to younger generations. I have gotten some very valuable clients from my website. With all the "photographers" out there competing for business, anything that helps you gain credibility and promotes your business should be considered seriously. A well crafted website can be a very positive reflection on your photographic skills. If you don't have a website and are getting tons of business from your reputation and referrals, think how much more business you are losing out to to those with sites. All that said, you have to have the photos to back it all up. Aug 29 06 08:46 am Link |