I launched a web site to post my journey in this incredible vast world of photography I jumped into last year. You all are a large part of my travels so I am asking you to check it out and give some feedback on it. I'm a big boy and appreciate any comments or suggestions on my work as always. Not so much about a individual shot because I know some should not be there but the overall site . Any comments are really appreciated. SheridanShots.com

Read 343 times

Reply 

From darrell/Darrell (8,177) on February 8, 2012 9:30:46 PM CST Took a look, great photos, site similar to mine, nice logo. One major flaw, you are giving them away you need to charge a lot more for that quality. Hope you have a lot of success. Reply

From onajourney/Chris (1,259) on February 8, 2012 10:17:43 PM CST That's the last thing I thought I would get a comment about. Thank you. up it goes. Reply

From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104) on February 8, 2012 11:21:32 PM CST hi Chris, First of all, I LOVE your photos!! They're awesome!!! Secondly, your website is very user-friendly and I love how you have it set up. In fact, I like it so much that I showed my husband and asked him if he can design a website for us that's similar to yours. One final note...your prices are really cheap. I think they're worth a lot more. :) Reply

From log/Louise (27,206) on February 9, 2012 3:34:12 AM CST "There are no products available for the selected destination." Maybe that should come earlier.... Reply

From onajourney/Chris (1,259) on February 9, 2012 8:14:40 PM CST I'm not sure where you got this message? Reply

From log/Louise (27,206) on February 10, 2012 2:00:39 AM CST Some way into the process of trying to buy something. If you don't want to do "International" shipping, please say so up-front. Reply

From loiswakeman/Lois (16,398) on February 9, 2012 3:59:30 AM CST You need to engage with your audience and make them feel they know you so they want to buy your beautiful photos. At least have a shot of yourself (in action if you don't want a portrait), and lose the third person bio - that is so stuffy art gallery - you need to come across as a real person talking to the viewer! I wrote a bit more about this here. Reply

From onajourney/Chris (1,259) on February 9, 2012 8:18:53 PM CST Your suggestions make a lot of sense and I will be making changes based on your ideas. Thank you. Reply

From stmv/Sebastian (59,807) on February 9, 2012 9:33:39 AM CST where are you printing? your home printer, or service. and are you sending out with a precut Matte or raw prints. I am not sure your prices are that far off, typically I see 8 by 10s sell for 25 dollars locally, ll by 14 at 35 dollars, and these are put in a precut matte. Reply

From sheenawilkie/Administrator (0) on February 9, 2012 10:46:53 AM CST He is selling an 8x 10 print for $8.95. That's crazy cheap, pretty much working for free. I think 25 bucks for a print is dirt cheap too. Reply

From stmv/Sebastian (59,807) on February 9, 2012 3:00:26 PM CST 8.95 yes, dirt cheap, 25 dollars for an 8 by 10,,, unframed, seems reasonable. Guess it depends on the market. I charge 25 dollars for 8 by 10, 35 for 11 by 14 prints. Framed pieces go up, but than the overhead of framing justisfies the cost. Perhaps this a forum topic on its own,, pricing. Reply

From sheenawilkie/Administrator (0) on February 9, 2012 4:06:30 PM CST So how much do you figure you make an hour selling a print for 25 bucks? Reply

From marshall/Marshall (11,928) on February 9, 2012 8:40:39 PM CST It's much bigger than a forum topic, to be sure. Prices like that sound to me like charging for the craft, but not the art. Reply

From oevt/Oscar (32,260) on February 9, 2012 10:12:43 AM CST I did not see prices. I do think a small bio on yourself (and maybe a portrait of you) might add. I gave a really 'quick' look and the web page is fast easy to read and see but more specific is enjoyable...regards...O Reply

From sheenawilkie/Administrator (0) on February 9, 2012 10:47:43 AM CST The others have made good comments on your site but dude, you're giving your work away! Reply

From onajourney/Chris (1,259) on February 9, 2012 8:13:25 PM CST Truth be told, if someone wanted an image, I would be glad to give it to them. Then I'd start charging. LOL Reply

From sheenawilkie/Administrator (0) on February 9, 2012 8:33:14 PM CST I know it's difficult but if you don't value your work then no one else will either. If you want to sell your work later, it will be hard to do if you give it away now. You're also making it tough on people who are trying to make a living making photographs. Reply

From ollie0626/Jonathan (3,494) on February 9, 2012 12:35:56 PM CST Just a quick comment - I find when people refer to themselves in the third person, it comes across as a bit impersonal (your about page). Also - is this smugmug? If so, how did you develop it? I am totally struggling with my smugmug page. Reply

From ollie0626/Jonathan (3,494) on February 9, 2012 12:57:29 PM CST Sorry - that was mentioned above. Reply

From onajourney/Chris (1,259) on February 9, 2012 8:24:31 PM CST Agreed, consider it done. Thanks for the pointed comments. Reply

From muralist0221/George (7,874) on February 9, 2012 2:30:37 PM CST Like your work and the post processing! Reply

From darrell/Darrell (8,177) on February 9, 2012 2:46:53 PM CST I'm pretty sure its Zenfolio with Mpix doing the printing. Reply

From stmv/Sebastian (59,807) on February 9, 2012 3:10:27 PM CST interesting site, 100 dollars a year for an e-commerce site, anybody else using ths service? and do they allow you to print your own or do you have to use their service? Reply

From stmv/Sebastian (59,807) on February 9, 2012 3:37:56 PM CST I see that if you go premium, they allow self control but they charge 4% tax on your printing. Reply

From darrell/Darrell (8,177) on February 9, 2012 5:04:57 PM CST Yes I am and it is great because I shoot large groups such as Hockey teams and Soccer teams. And the occasional wedding works well for out of towners. Not to mention the customer service is fantastic. Never had a complaint about the quality of printing the only thing is that the shipping charge is a little steep usually $6-7. You can self fulfill any products you like and you can also have multiple pricing and assign different prices to different portfolios. Of course I have been to lazy to do that yet. Reply

From smoke11/Patrick (3,100) on February 9, 2012 5:17:44 PM CST I love your work. Very beautiful. Regarding site design, I would consider experimenting and try other approaches. The site, for me, opened with a slide show, which could turn some people off (some people don't like slide shows). Conversely, it may work for others. The photos are very dramatic and strong and immediately take you in. Reply

From onajourney/Chris (1,259) on February 9, 2012 7:56:58 PM CST First thank you all for the responses. I'm actually pretty overwhelmed by all the positive comments on my work. I love Psig and the great critiques, but I didn't think my stuff was very good. This is a Zenfolio site for $100 a year. I would recommend to anyone thinking about putting something up. It's super easy cause I'm no computer geek. There is a bunch of comments here regarding the pricing and such, but I honestly did not put any thought into that aspect of the site. I just added it because it was included. You all have made me rethink that part. The problem is I crop for the shot and I think I may need to start cropping for print output. The Zenfolio print partners don't have much for pano or odd sizes. I will have to look into self filling orders because of the odd sizes. I actually would hit the floor if someone wanted to buy one. Again, your comments are truly appreciated and I can't thank you enough. Reply

From sheenawilkie/Administrator (0) on February 9, 2012 8:34:27 PM CST You need to start cropping your shot in camera and producing shots in common aspect ratios if you want to sell them :-) Reply

From onajourney/Chris (1,259) on April 9, 2012 9:50:05 PM CDT Thanks Sheena. This is not as easy as said but I'm working on it. With a full frame, I honestly had not worried to much about cropping in the camera too much. What a mistake. Again you guys never make my life any easier. Lol Reply

Return to forum