What is better for a website, a larger variety of different work or a small collection of highly cohesive images?
In general, websites are most captivating and memorable when they feature a wider variety of highly cohesive images. I say this because in selling ourselves, we often have 2-3 seconds to clinch the deal.
How often should you update your site with new work? Quarterly, monthly, or every time you have a shoot that’s portfolio worthy?
A big reveal could attract some buzz, but in general, I don’t see the purpose of waiting, as it’s hard to say how many potential views/jobs we miss out on when we don’t post our work immediately.
I heard this years ago and it is more true than ever – have a picture of yourself on your website!
If I email my website or image links to clients who don’t know me, should they be specific to a project or the home page of my website?
Always do what will help a client save time. Think FAST as the goal: what will help them see what you prefer them to see? Choose one image, one project, or your website landing page, depending on what they look for. If you are expecting potential clients to click through, it’s a lose-lose situation.
What type of “Personal” section do you NOT want to see on a photographer’s website?
I don’t know if other reps agree with me on this, but I don’t like to see international travel images. If you have international clients, then it’s fine, but that is not what I would use to sell yourself to USA clients who want USA vibes.
I’m trying to add verbiage to my website.
Do you have any advice on what I should include? Right now I only have pictures.
The “About” section on your site is vital as clients want to know who they’d be hiring. Have an informative balance of personal and professional to give them a sense of what you bring to a photo shoot. They don’t really care what you like to eat, drink, or what your favorite movies are. They want to know the facts that make you relevant to them. Sound as if you are talking in quick snippits to keep it short and fast. Express your passion for what you shoot, like how you are a foodie if you shoot food. Have a professional writer put it together and provide your client list.
Do the number of images we show differ between a website and social media?
The quick answer is that we generally post more IG images because of the scrolling pattern compared to the amount of images we show on our websites. Since we can change websites more easily than our IG platform, we should continuously hone our website. Remember that our clients have a 2-3 second viewing span, which is how we should build our image placement; too many images will work against us and can become an editing challenge to have clients “walk” away with a strong sense of what we master.
I have a lot of new projects that I want to show on my website, but don’t want to overwhelm potential clients when visiting my site. If I get rid of some of my older projects, where could they live online without taking up precious space on my portfolio website? A blog or Behance?
Websites must have a clean wave of memorable, fast, readable, and concise impact. We also want to show a story with a different vibe every now and then. The story can be just that, a story. Use a personal human vibe showcase with a unique descriptive platform that stands out as different but shows more of your personality to be the common thread.
You look like an amateur if you don’t have an official website email address, along with a signature on the email including your web or IG link on it.
Instagram IS IMPORTANT.
I’m sorry to say it, because I know it can feel like a bit of a nag, but it can’t be ignored.
3 reasons to up your Instagram game today:
1. It’s FREE marketing.
2. Clients often look at your Instagram before your website.
3. The game has changed, and Instagram is now an intrinsic part of the advertising paradigm.
