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Do I need a Blog/Web site or a Portfolio?? Help!!

A

alexxk

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 29, 2010
425
118
Hello everyone..

I've been taken photos as a hobby for about 1 year and a half but people keep asking me to start doing events or sell some of my photos since they like my photos. I usually post photos on facebook, IG and 500PX or Flickr.

My question is, if I decide to take photography a bit more serious, what's important for me to have in order to reach more people, look professional and show my work, and maybe get hired to events or photoshoot sessions?

I've been doing some research but I'm not sure which road to take, whether go for a web site with a online store to sell, or a Blog using wordpress or other or simply creating a portfolio. Not sure which one is more appealing and easy to maintain/sell photos/get noticed and so on.

Any help from professionals?

Thanks much!!
 
Look at what other photographers in your field are doing online. If you're doing wedding, events or portraits, yeah, I think you'll need a website. Most likely, you can create a Wordpress blog but choose a responsive template that best showcases your work. I would think an online website, one that can be easily viewed on an iPad, would be a terrific portfolio in this day and age.

Depending on what you want to sell, you might just create a page on your site that provides a price list for a few select options. Again, look at what other photographers are doing. Come up with strategic packages, enticing people to receive more perceived value for the money.

Good luck!
 
alexxk said:
Hello everyone..

I've been taken photos as a hobby for about 1 year and a half but people keep asking me to start doing events or sell some of my photos since they like my photos. I usually post photos on facebook, IG and 500PX or Flickr.

My question is, if I decide to take photography a bit more serious, what's important for me to have in order to reach more people, look professional and show my work, and maybe get hired to events or photoshoot sessions?

I've been doing some research but I'm not sure which road to take, whether go for a web site with a online store to sell, or a Blog using wordpress or other or simply creating a portfolio. Not sure which one is more appealing and easy to maintain/sell photos/get noticed and so on.

Any help from professionals?

Thanks much!!
Click to expand...

I'm not a professional, but I would have thought all the above. A website, a blog and other social media outlets. The more exposure the better.
 
It very much depends on what kind of photos you are selling. If it is events like weddings then tread carefully. Event photography is a serious business and you will need insurance, back up plans and equipment etc. The people involved are depending on you and it must go smoothly.

On the other hand, if you are simply visiting events (sports, arts etc), taking shots and then posting them for sale this is easier to get into in a casual way. There are many sites that will help you sell prints like Photoshelter or Squarespace. You will also need to have a social media strategy for the area you are focussing on. So if you chosen area is say tennis then get on the fan sites and start posting your pictures, get a blog and social media accounts, and build up your followers. If your market is local couples or families then this is different again. Word of mouth may be very important. Get your friends and family promoting you and try and get in the local papers and magazines.

If your work is fine art then online may not always be the best way to go as it is so crowded and commoditized. While my work is mostly commercial (products, cars, advertising) I also do some fine art work. I don't promote it online but have built up links with art galleries who charge commission on sales. It maybe the old-school way of doing it but it works and there is no way I could charge a four figure price for a limited edition print online. My most important tools for this are a nice box of mounted prints and some business cards.

There is no one way of doing things, you need to taylor your approach to the market.
 
Thanks for all the responses.. I've been looking at a few options.. Does anyone here use one of these or recommend something else?

Zenfolio.. Liked this the best, They offer Web Site/Blog, Galleries and Ecommerce.
Squarespace offers the same.. a bit more expensive though.

Also, Wordpress I would need to pay a good theme since I heard free ones are not reliable, plus add plugins for galleries, ecommerce and so on.

Any others??
 
alexxk said:
Thanks for all the responses.. I've been looking at a few options.. Does anyone here use one of these or recommend something else?

Zenfolio.. Liked this the best, They offer Web Site/Blog, Galleries and Ecommerce.
Squarespace offers the same.. a bit more expensive though.

Also, Wordpress I would need to pay a good theme since I heard free ones are not reliable, plus add plugins for galleries, ecommerce and so on.

Any others??
Click to expand...

Check out this video for a critique of some bodies squarespace page. Fro obviously gets a kick back, but there is a free trial and money off code.

http://froknowsphoto.com/truth-about-photography-2/
 
alexxk said:
Thanks for all the responses.. I've been looking at a few options.. Does anyone here use one of these or recommend something else?

Zenfolio.. Liked this the best, They offer Web Site/Blog, Galleries and Ecommerce.
Squarespace offers the same.. a bit more expensive though.

Also, Wordpress I would need to pay a good theme since I heard free ones are not reliable, plus add plugins for galleries, ecommerce and so on.

Any others??
Click to expand...

SmugMug is a good choice as well and is a direct competitor of Zenfolio. It's also customizable (maybe more than Zenfolio).

Check for on-line discount coupons before signing-up with anyone. The coupons are everywhere.

My SmugMug site. It's not fancy but I like it that way. I don't use the option to sell photos but it is available.

~ Peter
 
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