Photography site critique

R

Robert Arndt

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Name
Robert
Edit My Images
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I would really like some one to look at my photography site and let me know what I can do to improve it's effectiveness of, once a potential client comes across it that they will conceder hiring me.

Now first off, I know the number one thing is a portfolio of your best work, this part I am working on and going to put on the site in due time the web site is still under construction.

I just need to know what I have wrong so far what's ok and what I can do to improve. Of course I intend to keep my style which you really can't see yet, but rest assured I try my best to do things quite differently as a posed to the norm.

Anyways (off the record this is not an attempt of advertising but merely an attempt to get some clear constructive criticism)

Http://www.arndtsphotography.com

There is still some parts I am working on but please let me know if I'm on the right track.

Arndts Photography, Lucas, Texas.
 
If I created this thread in the wrong category would a mod be able to move it for me?

Arndts Photography, Lucas, Texas.
 
Well I don't know much about website design so I'll just chuck in a few negatives that I notice.
Negatives because this isn't a photo critique.
The "about us" page seems ok visually except the top left and right corners, the 4P FaceAche and PSA things are mucking up your colour scheme and really don't fit the general theme at all, they are ugly and distracting.
The text is ok but could benefit from a more interesting font, its also very very very long.
The content of the text is overly flowery and sentimental -

Loving your treasured portraits as much as spending quality time together. We promise you will always look back and smile as you remember The simple joy of enjoying each other, laughing, joking, sharing, and the magic of each captured moment holds cannot be measured.. Everyone, from children to the young-at-heart loves the relaxed, friendly atmosphere that allows them the freedom to truly be themselves. While caught up in the moment, we will capture the heart of each individual, one expression at a time. Being together, creating memories and preserving a moment in time for the next generation.

:puke:

There's nothing wrong with setting a scene but that is far too much, maybe that's what they want in the US I dunno it just gets me hitting the back button.
Maybe you could have the photographers biography on a separate page slim it all down a bit and use a bigger font.

Like the transition though, About > Services, nice and quick, to the point.

I dunno about the rest, sample images and a portfolio can make or break it, you need to take a serious look at the image/images you choose to include in your info pages and how they fit around the text.
Personally I think text on a portrait background looks nicer than squared shots between blocks of text.
 
Speaking purely from a "viewers" point of view here, the main point of looking at a photographers website, the very first thing i would like to see is some sort of image to make me want to read further by being impressive enough to make me want to read more, secondly the actual design seems (and i dont mean to sound horrible) a bit low rent.

On first visit there is plenty if text but i have to click around to find images, many people probably wouldnt and will go look at others, if they notice images they like on those pages they may engage those photographers first.

Think of your own website browsing habits, what makes you want to stay and read on/purchase, is it price, information, layout etc.

Not everyone is of the same opinion, but certainly a photograpers usp is their ability to take photos? Especially for touching up, perhaps some before and after photos could make that point a lot better than just text?

Its also perhaps worth bearing in mind that the norm becomes a norm for a reason, and that re-inventing the wheel is perhaps not the always the best option.

Pricing page is quite misleading with its odd collection of * and ** if the competition is showing its pricing and its acceptable, could you not miss out by forcing them to contact you and wait for hear back?

Going back to techie mode the entire site appears to be flash based, which whilst it gives some nice anim options, it does limit its appeal and ability to function through search engines
 
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Thanks For the constructive criticism I think I will look into and adjust some of the points brought up to me, when I get back from my (ironically) business marketing shoot, I will definitely make some changes to the mentioned faults that I agree with and I agree with most. It's just sometimes critiquing my own work and such is much harder than I thought.

Thanks again, you guys hit me where I did not grow the balls to hit myself with.

Arndts Photography, Lucas, Texas.
 
Lol, well thanks to your contribution of criticism I made a quick call to a friend that has some html5 knowledge and asked him to draw up a mobile version of my site, which turned out nice, my friend told me that the mobile background I will have to deal with, lol. Check it out and let me know.

The address for that is m.arndtsphotography.com
When I get home I will work on my main site.

Arndts Photography, Lucas, Texas.
 
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