Dundee Wedding Photographer - Finaly got going

Ah - the suggestion on the TP thread is that the locaton and price matches Barry's, and that it's his advert. Were the location and price (sterling) the same on the US sites?
 
Good point.

I can't find the link now - they were US prices though so it's clearly been done on purpose.
 
Triggaaar said:
Barry hasn't posted that Gumtree add has he - someone's posted it to take the mick out of Barry. Barry's blog was a bad move, and his spelling needs a lot of work, but I think he does want to improve and be honest with his customers about his abilities. Barry is going to benefit from a lot of the C&C, but that Gumtree add is a bit harsh IMO.

PS - if that add really is yours Barry (which I doubt), it's hilarious - for all the wrong reasons
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what add are you referring to? References have been made to a gumtree advert after you posted? or am i missing something ?

Why would you think the advert with the flower was me? the other one was me and I posted it to get a link back to my website. I know it is not a contextual link but i also know google bot lives on gumtree allot so it will have found my site through that link. I dont expect to get any work from gumtree... I have had a couple of offers for studio rental (i have an add for that too) but people want it for all the wrong reasons nudge nudge..:bonk:
 
yea thats a fine advert .. i expect the poster will be raking in the cash from it.. in fact i wish i had wrote it, the copyrighting on the advert is superb. The first line almost makes me want to get married.

I need to go on a couple of courses .. just to keep my self up to date.. maybe a marriage guidance course or something very similar.
 
barry100 said:
what add are you referring to?
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Not yur add Barry. Just to be clear Barry, there was an ad written some time ago to take the mick out of some newbie photographers, and it looks to me like someone has copied that add to make it look like you wrote it, and some people have believed it was yours (see thread in business section). I was just saying that unless I've totally got the wrong end of the stick (don't think so, but wouldn't be the first time), I think it's unfair on you.
 
i think i can see what your referring to, but forums are riddled with faceless strangers who will take the **** out of anyone..

Any way ill type on and value the advice given by professionals.
 
in defence i saw both adverts as posted on the other thread !! nothing malicious in my posts, just a bit of humour/banter and i have always wished the OP well along the way. That will never change, as i like to see people being successful. :)

Dazza

edited to add that i think the bogus ad was a bit cruel, but it will die down in good time and i'm sure no harm has been done.
 
wrx_dazza said:
in defence i saw both adverts as posted on the other thread !! nothing malicious in my posts, just a bit of humour/banter and i have always wished the OP well along the way. That will never change, as i like to see people being successful. :)

Dazza

edited to add that i think the bogus ad was a bit cruel, but it will die down in good time and i'm sure no harm has been done.
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hi Dazza. Im might have read the wrong thread? I agree - nowt wrong with a bit of banter. I worked in the building trade for 15 years - I am pretty thick skinned.

Will this post ever end? Who knows... maybe get it up to 100 comments and try to kill it off then.. :bonk:
 
A couple of wedding pics will see it pass the 100 mark :)
 
EOS_JD said:
.... A spell checker will help although it's not prefect as spelling their instead of there won't show up. Could you not get someone to proof read?....
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Made me smile :)

There are lots of proof readers out there who will get things tickety-boo in no time for a nominal fee :)

Good luck to you Barry on what seems to be an exciting venture for you. Look forward to seeing the website update as more happy customers use your services :)
 
specialman said:
Made me smile :)

There are lots of proof readers out there who will get things tickety-boo in no time for a nominal fee :)

Good luck to you Barry on what seems to be an exciting venture for you. Look forward to seeing the website update as more happy customers use your services :)
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haha - like it :)

On a forum though we just type. Quick fingers = pooor splleing :)

On your personal web site though it has more impact - I have a few proof readers but even after that I've still seen grammar or spelling I didn't like.
 
ok i finally got the new photographs on the site and I have also redesigned the site as I was beginning to hate the old one.

I would like some feedback about the site and the photographs on it. Thanks all!!
 
Hi Barry,

I'm really dont feel qualified to critique the website or your photos but I couldnt help noticing that your studio isnt very well advertised on it. Maybe you could have a bigger section on the front page with the details for it?
 
Radiohead said:
Personally I'd lose anything with a sepia tone, but that's a pet hate of mine.
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lol .. i love a bit of sepia!!

The bride I gave the photos to the other night loved the sepia photos too. She was in fact delighted with all the photos.. ;)

I now have another 14 weddings booked this year so I am looking forward to adding hundreds of photographs to that page on my site :)
 
Looks 100 times better Barry !!

photo 4/28 on the gallery is interesting ;)

good to see you working at it !! :)
 
Vic said:
Hi Barry,

I'm really dont feel qualified to critique the website or your photos but I couldnt help noticing that your studio isnt very well advertised on it. Maybe you could have a bigger section on the front page with the details for it?
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goo point Vic. I totally forgot to add my studio page. I just re-equipped it too the other day with new gear!!

Ill do that tonight ..!!

Thanks for the:bonk: heads up
 
while your editing barry,

you might want to change this:-

I will not watermark your wedding photographs and as soon as you have your CD/DVD, you are free to distribute the images with unlimited print/reproduction rights. I do retain a copyright on the images but this is simply so I am allowed to display them on my own website's. The photographs are yours to keep and do with as you please.

i'll have another read later and pm anything else i see :)
 
barry100 said:
goo point Vic. I totally forgot to add my studio page. I just re-equipped it too the other day with new gear!!

Ill do that tonight ..!!

Thanks for the:bonk: heads up
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No problem Barry, thats the part with the overheads so you probably want to advertise that more :D Its looking good though.:)
 
Barry
The site does look better Barry and the gallery isn't so bad now - certainly fair value for the money you charge. I would however suggest replacing images 4 with another. The one there is just out of focus and way over exposed.

Look at the text for your packages too. THe Bronze one should at least contain some simple poses of the B&G :)

Wee spelling mistake - "ensuring ever canvas" I guess it should be "every".
"All paper printing is done on high quality glossy photo paper using the best quality inks." Any reason you use Glossy? You might find people prefer a lustre or semi gloss better - most pros would use a lustre finish rather than a glossy image although that does depend largely on the images. Lustre also looks better in a frame (imo).

I'd maybe also write that a little differently too - "All images are printed on high quality photgraphic paper" would be enough. My clients are surprised when the find I print in-house on my Epson printer and do comment that the quality of the finished prints is higher than they expected - At one time I almost went back to using labs but now I prefer my own.

Good luck with the venture and as I say looking a lot better.
 
Thanks JD. I take it Lustre is what PIXIphoto are using ( i got a photoshoot from them free of charge last year). The paper has a slight stipply effect and looks much better than the paper i use.

I think ill ebay some paper and see how i get on with it.
 
barry100 said:
I would like some feedback about the site and the photographs on it. Thanks all!!
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I just had a quick look and compared it with another wedding photographers website from someone who posted in this thread: http://www.greenlees-photography.com/blog/.

The difference between the two is immense. I too think you need some colour in some of your photos, if you look at your wedding gallery page it all looks very drab. I would also like to have some kind of large image already showing rather than having to click a thumbnail, to still get a relatively small image - although this is just my preference.

Comparing the two; his photos are large, bright and sharp. I'm guessing the soft sepia look is just your style, but if a client wanted some vibrant sharp images would you do them? If you would then you should show some images like that too.

Sorry for being so negative, this is just my opinion.
 
I never seen the original website (unless it's the same?) but I do agree with Skipraider. If the majority of photos are Sepia/Black & White and they don't stand out, I always think they've been edited to look that way because they looked bad in the first place.

I don't know why all the text is in italics, but it doesn't look professional.

"I will not watermark your wedding photographs and as soon as you have your CD/DVD, you are free to distribute the images with unlimited print/reproduction rights. I do retain a copyright on the images but this is simply so I am allowed to display them on my own website. The photographs are yours to keep and do with as you please."

There should be a full stop after DVD. "To keep and do with as you please" phrases like this sound unprofessional. I also don't feel you need to explain why you keep the copyright. If they ask, fair enough tell them, but the whole website screams "BOOK ME!!!" in a desperate plea, and I feel this gives off the wrong impression.

My photography studio is not, like most local photographers have - a disused bedroom or a garage converted into a cold storage come studio. My photo studio is around 600 square feet in which I have setup two situations (light and dark). My studio is covered by public liability insurance and has a secure entry system.

You don't need to put what other photographers have and how yours is better. Many photographers do fine with a spare bedroom or garage, and this is how the majority of people build up before getting their own studio. Not jumping headfirst into a studio with little or no experience. You can simple state "The studio is 600 square feet and has both light/dark setup situations" (though I think there's a better way to phrase the setup situations).

This is all, obviously, just my own opinion. Please take it in a constructive way, not a negative way, as I hope it will help.
 
barry100 said:
Thanks JD. I take it Lustre is what PIXIphoto are using ( i got a photoshoot from them free of charge last year). The paper has a slight stipply effect and looks much better than the paper i use.

I think ill ebay some paper and see how i get on with it.
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Most labs use lustre / semi gloss type paper. I use Forospeed pigment friendly lustre or Ilford smooth pearl or Permajet Oyster - All pretty similar look to the images - nicer than gloss. Gloss does have its uses atr times but I rarely use it.
 
MissV said:
I never seen the original website (unless it's the same?) but I do agree with Skipraider. If the majority of photos are Sepia/Black & White and they don't stand out, I always think they've been edited to look that way because they looked bad in the first place.

I don't know why all the text is in italics, but it doesn't look professional.

"I will not watermark your wedding photographs and as soon as you have your CD/DVD, you are free to distribute the images with unlimited print/reproduction rights. I do retain a copyright on the images but this is simply so I am allowed to display them on my own website. The photographs are yours to keep and do with as you please."

There should be a full stop after DVD. "To keep and do with as you please" phrases like this sound unprofessional. I also don't feel you need to explain why you keep the copyright. If they ask, fair enough tell them, but the whole website screams "BOOK ME!!!" in a desperate plea, and I feel this gives off the wrong impression.

My photography studio is not, like most local photographers have - a disused bedroom or a garage converted into a cold storage come studio. My photo studio is around 600 square feet in which I have setup two situations (light and dark). My studio is covered by public liability insurance and has a secure entry system.

You don't need to put what other photographers have and how yours is better. Many photographers do fine with a spare bedroom or garage, and this is how the majority of people build up before getting their own studio. Not jumping headfirst into a studio with little or no experience. You can simple state "The studio is 600 square feet and has both light/dark setup situations" (though I think there's a better way to phrase the setup situations).

This is all, obviously, just my own opinion. Please take it in a constructive way, not a negative way, as I hope it will help.
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I know he's had a lot of help from the guys here and your comments are correct. I'd reword a lot too.
 
EOS_JD said:
I know he's had a lot of help from the guys here and your comments are correct. I'd reword a lot too.
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I read the thread, and coming to the end I thought the website would look really good with all the advice given, but was quite surprised at the results.

I just wrote a big paragraph about it not being right charging with so little experience, but then I realised I just re-iterated everything everyone else said.
 
people must like my photographs, website and me. I have now booked 17 weddings in the past few weeks or so...

If i book 1 for every week from now on (which may or may not happen) I will be earning around £500 per week for 1 day per weeks work.

BTW I don't edit the photographs that much . I just recolour them to look B/w or Sepia ish and some times add a little soft focus or over contrast the image to give it an old fashioned look . Dont really take much time processing the photographs, not because i cant be bothered, but because i like the composition in the original image. If i dont like the comp, i ditch the photograph.

i have a pc set up in my studio and when i show people the photographs i have taken they like them and they want similar images. If they dont want what i am offering there are hundreds more photographers in Dundee who offer wedding photography and I do say to them they are under no obligation to hire me. I would much rather they hire me after looking at my photographs and chatting to me rather than me giving then a verbose and polished sales pitch (like i have been told by many people recently who have visited my studio to talk about wedding photography, that the other photographers are doing to get a 'sale'). Im not into forcing a sale with this service i provide... I like to please people with my photographs and getting paid for it is really an added bonus. I have another business on the go and it make me money too. I dont need to do this as a full time job although i will hopefully be making enough money from it to give up my other business full time.

I have had good feedback about my new website and I have had some bad feedback about the site but you can not please everyone. I will not be going back to my old website and if the new website does not work i will make a new one from scratch.

I think i may add some more full colour photographs to my site but i really don't want to just now. If i stop getting as many wedding enquires then i will know the website is not working for me and i will add more colour to the site or redisign but just now I like the look of it and i like the content so it is staying as is for at least a month or so.

I am not trying to write the **** hottest sales pitch on my site nor am i trying to outshine the better photographers who are in the local area. What I am trying to do is provide a service that will allow me to give people what they need while enjoying doing what I like to do. I used to work in the building trade(i am a time served stone mason) and I was making allot more money than I am now and I gave it up simply because I did not get any job satisfaction. After that I started my website design business which I really enjoyed not because i was making lots of good hard cash (although i have made allot of good hard cash from it) but because people appreciated the service I provided and they still do, and I got great job satisfaction from this. I am now providing a wedding and portrait photography service - not because I have to, far from it in fact - I enjoy what I am doing and when I meet people to talk about their weddings they know I will provide the service they need.

Ok now to get back to paper. :bonk:

I order some from ebay last night

this stuff

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390165360793

should get it in a few days. Looking forward to it actually to see what the prints are like. If they are as good as i think they will be the investment in lots of this stuff will pay for its self soon enough.
 
barry100 said:
I order some from ebay last night

this stuff

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390165360793

should get it in a few days. Looking forward to it actually to see what the prints are like. If they are as good as i think they will be the investment in lots of this stuff will pay for its self soon enough.
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Why not buy paper that you can get free profiles?

Ilford Smooth Pearl is one of the best you can get - and it's cheaper! http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/ProductDetails~productID~8537~categoryid~218.html

Edit
Take that back! http://www.brilliantpaper.com/brilliantdigital.html although some papers are heavier. I think the Brilliant is 270gsm - Ilford's is 290gsm
 
Barry - Also lets not kid on about this - Your prices are the reason you get a lot of business!

To not edit your images imo is doing your clients a disservice but at the lower end they probably are not that bothered.
 
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