Website/Work Critique

[Alyssayw]

I am ready for your opinions! I would really like to push forward with my photography, but need an honest opinion from somebody who isn't from my family or circle of friends. I know I am not an amazing photographer, but I feel really stuck as to where to go from here. I am having a really hard time booking clients and am therefor having a hard time saving up for equipment, advertisement, babysitters, etc.

Basically - I just need a overall opinion on my 1) Website 2) Skill 3) Pricing

and any suggestions you might have.

Website: Aly Willis Photography

Equipment: Canon 40D with Sigma 18-50 f2.8

[OsmosisStudios]

Get off Weebly. Get a proper host that doesnt have ads.

[mad editor]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Get off Weebly. Get a proper host that doesnt have ads.

My first thought, exactly.

[Alyssayw]

Haha, I know! I am in the process, I am having a custom gallery flash site built, I have been researching hosting companies but have been nervous to take the plunge. It means raising prices and putting myself out there more, and I haven't been able to do that at my ridiculous prices NOW. I know if I'm asking "am I ready?" then I am probably not, but can't hurt to ask..?

[BK553]

flash gallery bad choice

[Biomech]

It's not as difficult or expensive as you might think. I took the plunge once, now I own around 47 domains, several sites and on going hosting :P I pay about $20/month for my hosting (I have a reseller account) and just one of my sites makes that in ad revenue in a day

[candleman]

well.. you're very cheap.
look at what others are charging in our area and slot in with them.

also, the "Diamond Wedding Package" which offers "unlimited shooting"

uumm.. I'd remove that,
South East Asian Weddings often run into 20hours + category.
Traditional Indian Weddings are several days.
(just to protect yourself from being taken advantage of)

Also, your galleries have too many of the same image and child.. there are like three of each kid in a row.
Quality over quantity There are too many ring shots in the wedding gallery

also,
why have you got wedding looking images in the Events category?

[Alyssayw]

Thanks Candleman, unfortunately many photographers around my caliber are about in my pricerange, I am on a little bit of the lower side. I'm in a small town in Idaho - and a college town at that. It really is difficult to put a price on what I do, somebody told me today that I wasn't worth a $15 photo shoot, so it has really thrown me for a loop.

Thanks for the tips on the galleries, looking at it I can see how redundant it is.

I was thinking of just moving the images from that event (it was a 50th Anniversary) into wedding, but wasn't quite sure if it fit there or not since it wasn't a wedding but an event, however it is the only non-wedding event I have.

Thanks so much, this is really helpful!

[karen_s]

+1 on the comments so far, especially about your galleries being too big. Really show only your very best "wow" type shots. And, avoid showing the same person two and three times. The simple over abundance of photos in your galleries is a kind of subliminal message to clients that says you are not yet truly confident in your skills.

I think are worth more than $15. Whoever said that you weren't probably has no idea of the skill and knowledge that go into being a successful photographer. Your shots look pretty good to me. You do seem to still be looking for a style and something to make you stand out among all the others, but you are appear to be headed in the right direction.

And you might find this series of site and photography critiques useful. I know I did and I'm not even in business.

? Critique • Photography By Zack Arias ? ATL ? 404-939-2263 ? studio@zackarias.com

[Niresangwa]

ok, first off, whoever said you weren't worth $15 was an absolute ass.

your stuff is pretty good, technically (for the most part) considering how long you've been doing this.. or not been doing this. It's lacking a little in terms of creativity and processing, but again, that's something you will grow into.

However you didnt ask for a critique of your work. I am revoking your license to use vignettes though. I only saw one of them, but dang...

Your portfolio is too big. I'm guessing you're trying to compensate for the lack of variety in subjects, but right now it just looks too repetitive to the point its quickly noticeable. Cull it down and consolidate your galleries.

Also, yes, your Weebly site isn't great, but others have that covered.

...and please, for the love of God, put your prices up. Looking at your work, I'd hire you. Looking at your prices, I wouldn't.

Consolidate and simplify your packages, I gave up reading as soon as I saw so much stuff. Seriously.

You're a good photographer. Stick around, ask lots of questions and please let us help you get where you deserve to be.

oh and PS, that little rant on your business' FB wall? That's not a good idea. At all.