C&C JW Custom Photography

[JWCustomPhotography]

-------logo updated------


-------website updated -----_

I shall preface this with.. I am no graphic designer, and no web designer. My skill levels are still on par with the up and coming stuff of 5-7 years ago, which was the last time I plopped out a website.

http://www.jwcustomphotography.com

Please let me know your thoughts, brutal opinions, I can handle it. Trust me I know this thing is far from perfect, but... coming from designing and handling content heavy and blog type sites... its been difficult for me.

What are you thoughts?

Thanks in advance, I really appreciate it.

[klynam]

The good:

Looks like a lot of work went into the site; for that you are to be commended.
The site seems to load quickly and function correctly. Again, thumbs up there.

The bad:

It is too busy and too harsh (for lack of a better word) for a photography website.
More importantly, I don't get a sense of who YOU are vis-a-vis everyone else; just the fact that you exist.

JMHO...

[JWCustomPhotography]

Originally Posted by klynam

The good:

Looks like a lot of work went into the site; for that you are to be commended.
The site seems to load quickly and function correctly. Again, thumbs up there.

The bad:

It is too busy and too harsh (for lack of a better word) for a photography website.
More importantly, I don't get a sense of who YOU are vis-a-vis everyone else; just the fact that you exist.

JMHO...

Sadly, I agree with you 100%

I don't know how to fix it. It's better than it was, lots better, but I have a long way to go, just not sure where to go with it.

I'm open to suggestions... Other than hire a pro designer... As I'm not profitable yet.

[Hikin' Mike]

Having a better <title> element (tag) can help you find clients via the web. Read SEO for the Photographer.

[JWCustomPhotography]

Originally Posted by Hikin' Mike

Having a better <title> element (tag) can help you find clients via the web. Read SEO for the Photographer.

Thanks for the tip. I'm clueless with seo stuff, and even more so with content for a photog website.

[JWCustomPhotography]

Originally Posted by Hikin' Mike

Having a better <title> element (tag) can help you find clients via the web. Read SEO for the Photographer.

Just browsed that site, looks like a good read. I look forward to making some changes to the site.

Now I just have to figure this design thing out.

[Hikin' Mike]

Originally Posted by JWCustomPhotography

Just browsed that site, looks like a good read. I look forward to making some changes to the site.

Now I just have to figure this design thing out.

Hope it helps you (It's my site).

I agree with 'klynam'. Maybe it's the style or the colors, but it just doesn't say 'photographer' to me. I'm thinking the colors are a bit "harsh".

[JWCustomPhotography]

Originally Posted by Hikin' Mike

Hope it helps you (It's my site).

I agree with 'klynam'. Maybe it's the style or the colors, but it just doesn't say 'photographer' to me. I'm thinking the colors are a bit "harsh".

I had intended on muting in down a bit with a dark background instead of white, my wife and I agreed the day I uploaded the site that it just didn't work and we thought that may have been it. Maybe I'll try that and see.

A few years ago when I was operating my own blog type site before blogs were all the rage, my style was perfect for what I was doing. Now, I am learning I need to adapt and I am having a hard time. When I went through revisions that were simpler, they just didn't look appealing to me. Its probably akin to when you cant stop processing a photo.

Maybe its time to find a web designer that would trade for prints?

[texkam]

Sadly, I agree with you 100%

I don't know how to fix it. It's better than it was, lots better, but I have a long way to go, just not sure where to go with it.

I'm open to suggestions... Other than hire a pro designer... As I'm not profitable yet.

Please let me know your thoughts, brutal opinions, I can handle it.

You have a tough decision to make. Projecting a poor image affects your profitability. If you had problems with your plumbing that you were not able to fix satisfactorily, you'd have to hire a plumber. If you had problems with your car that you were not able to fix satisfactorily, you'd have to hire a mechanic. You admittedly have problems with your image that you are not able to fix satisfactorily (logo included).

I'd put up a very simple site, many satisfactory templates to choose from, until you can hire the help you need. Good luck.

Looks like a lot of work went into the site; for that you are to be commended.
The site seems to load quickly and function correctly. Again, thumbs up there.

+1. Sometimes less is more.

[JWCustomPhotography]

Originally Posted by texkam

You have a tough decision to make. Projecting a poor image affects your profitability. If you had problems with your plumbing that you were not able to fix satisfactorily, you'd have to hire a plumber. If you had problems with your car that you were not able to fix satisfactorily, you'd have to hire a mechanic. You admittedly have problems with your image that you are not able to fix satisfactorily (logo included).

I'd put up a very simple site, many satisfactory templates to choose from, until you can hire the help you need. Good luck.

+1. Sometimes less is more.

You make an interesting point that I had not quite put together. I appreciate you putting that in a manner that hits close to home and gave me a true "ah ha" moment.


Coming from a very handy background (former master auto tech and general handyman) the prospect of not being able handle something myself is a hard pill to swallow... But I'm working on it.

I am trying to find an affordable way to fix this situations

[sn805619]

+1 to the 'less is more'

I'll soon be putting my website up (work will start on it in about a month), so will be coming here for feedback as well :)

Initial thoughts:
- have you ever thought about a blog-site? Something that is run by wordpress? I only ask, because from the facebook feed (at the right side of the screen) it seems like you post a decent amount there. Using a blog-site you could have the main part of your site be those posts, while at the same time keeping your hard coded pages/links (like the ones at the top of your page.. welcome, services, for sale, etc). Basically you would be looking for a wordpress 'theme' which would portray the look of your site.

[JWCustomPhotography]

Originally Posted by sn805619

+1 to the 'less is more'

I'll soon be putting my website up (work will start on it in about a month), so will be coming here for feedback as well :)

Initial thoughts:
- have you ever thought about a blog-site? Something that is run by wordpress? I only ask, because from the facebook feed (at the right side of the screen) it seems like you post a decent amount there. Using a blog-site you could have the main part of your site be those posts, while at the same time keeping your hard coded pages/links (like the ones at the top of your page.. welcome, services, for sale, etc). Basically you would be looking for a wordpress 'theme' which would portray the look of your site.

That's an interesting point... Here are my thoughts.

I have been working towards getting my website away from being a blog, though I feel more "at home" in a blog type setting.

I hate that FaceBook has always fragmented me (and twitter now) but when I found I could load my FaceBook feed into the page I felt a little better. My concern is I'm on FaceBook a lot personally, as well as use it to network with and communicate with my regular clients and such. My concern with going with a blogcentric site would be I would duplicate completely here and there. I understand I may be doing the exact same thing now though. Im not quite sure how to handle it.

I also want to aim my website more like photography sites I had been use to visiting when I was searching for work for myself. I guess what I mean is, I appreciate if you want to teach and build upon things aside from your client work and portfolio, but for me personally I don't think I want that flat out on my website. On the otherhand if my clients find me on flickr, here, FaceBook or what have you, they may still get that info. I guess I feel my site should be a Sanctuary away from all the other photo mumbo jumbo and allow the social networks handle that.

Then... Am I not changing with the times?

Admittedly I don't have any friends that are photogs or even consider it a viable hobby so I'm very out of touch with the mainstream aspects of the business side. If that makes sense

I am defiantly interested in everyones thoughts on this. And I hope I didn't ramble too much... I think I just brainstormed outloud. :)

[Hikin' Mike]

Originally Posted by JWCustomPhotography

You make an interesting point that I had not quite put together. I appreciate you putting that in a manner that hits close to home and gave me a true "ah ha" moment.


Coming from a very handy background (former master auto tech and general handyman) the prospect of not being able handle something myself is a hard pill to swallow... But I'm working on it.

I am trying to find an affordable way to fix this situations

I understand that! Five years ago I can do everything (well, almost everything). Now, I have to ask my wife to change a light bulb because I can't bend my knees now (read my 'The Photographer' page on my website). It kills me still to ask for help that I was able to do 5 years ago.

[JWCustomPhotography]

I have a plan, and one that some of y'all probably won't quite agree with... But here goes. :)

I found a template I like. I am confident with time on my side I can recreate the idea... Except it uses a lot of java to mimic flash. I think even without all the crazy fancy sliding transitions it should still work.

I know the website wasnt met with good reviews right now, but compared to what it was I do believe this is better, so I'll probably leave it up unless a good template falls in my hands.

I can't stand the prospect of not doing the work myself, and I wish I could get over that. If this iteration of my site bombs... I'll get out of the design game, but hopefully this will also help my post processing work as well. I'm actually looking forward to it.

I am still trying to wrap up my portfolio and make big pushes to start being profitable and having work for hire so to speak. I am hoping that in the time it takes for a couple personal projects to happen everything will be ready to pop at once. ... Fingers crossed.

I'm starting with redoing my logo. I am posting a photo of the computer screen of what I have now. It's a general idea, more of the layout. I would appreciate opinions on this as well, as y'all have been an amazing help so far.

I'm sorry if the
Image is absolutely horrific, but it's what I have at the moment on my phone.

I appreciate everyones help.

[klynam]

It sounds like you may know you're way around code pretty well, but that can be hard when you're developing and designing a site for yourself. I know it is for me!!!

My two cents: Consider a WordPress installation.

Many hosting accounts have a one-click installation to get you up and running quickly. (Well not quite "one-click" but it's pretty easy, especially if your somewhat technically savvy.)

To say there are tons of themes and extensibility options available would be the understatement of the year.

WP is a great way to get a very nice looking site deployed quickly and inexpensively - as in free!

On the logo...

I'm not seeing the "J" in JW. It looks more like an "F" or even a plus sign (+).

Whether you change that or not, your JW and "photography" are kinda fighting w/ each other right now.

I recommend putting the words "Custom Photography" on two lines where the word "custom" is now, and stay with the smaller font size that "custom" is in.

That way you only have two (2) visual elements: JW and "Custom Photography"