Wedding web sites & music

[mmahoney]

I'm an established commercial & event photographer and will be offering weddings this year and have been looking at just about every wedding shooters site that I can find for ideas & inspiration.

Many have music along with their intro page or slideshows and my reaction to their music choices ranges from midly pleased to amused to "get me outta this site NOW".

Just a quick note to say that potential clients will probably have the same reaction as me.

And yes I know about the (often very small and hard to find) music on / off button, and I know that even if his choice in music is lame he could still be a great wedding photographer .. my view is why take the chance that someone may exit out of your site before looking at it simply based on the sound.
Mike

[CyberPet]

I tend to agree, I'm not a big fan of music either on websites.

[jamesdean007]

I could go either way. I've been to sites that have great music in the background and others that make me want to head for the back button. I'd like to think that people would be more interested in the quality of the photo's but we all know that's not often the case. I am sure you've seen postings here saying that someone's gallery looked good while admitting that they only saw the first few pictures because of the speed of the site / presentation was slow.

I also think that people have their own idea of their own perfect music in their head and since everyone is different can you really nail it with one or two songs. . . . well, there you go, I just talked myself into it - I vote for no music.

[Phil V]

I wavered on this for a considerable time, but I'd have to say that in the end I agree entirely.

Someone here in the last few days picked up on someones website music and was given 'but it's aimed at 20somethings, and they like that kind of thing' as an answer. :confused:

All I'd say is that if you can round up 50 '20-somethings' that like the same kind of music, you're either in a nightclub or at a gig. ;)

The first sign of old age is to see young people as a group of likeminded people. Just the same as young people seeing 'old' (everyone from 40-80) people as all being the same.:)

[RobKirkwood]

I really have no time for websites that just have a piece of (naff) music playing in the background - leave it out, please! (Can you tell I'm a 50-something grumpy old man? :lol:).

However, I do like a well done slideshow with appropriate music, and here I think the choice and timing should properly match and support the imagery. To be able to do this well is an artform in itself.

Rob

[LeesaB]

I like the music... got mine at stockmusic.net.

Plus my on/off button is right there and you can turn it off..

[Nic V]

I'd vote for music, if it's done properly. Now this guy knows what he's doing, you can listen to the music for ages (whilst getting lost and inspired with the quality of his work!) and you don't get sick of the music at all. it has a simple classic feel to it.
http://www.jeffascough.co.uk/

[coreypolis]

I have it on slideshows, but not the actual site, and the sound can be easily turned off with one click

[xandria]

I'd vote for music, if it's done properly. Now this guy knows what he's doing, you can listen to the music for ages (whilst getting lost and inspired with the quality of his work!) and you don't get sick of the music at all. it has a simple classic feel to it.
http://www.jeffascough.co.uk/
You know what's interesting? The music on this site makes me feel sad or like something bad is about to happen, almost like an old horror film. Just goes back to taste and individual experience. I personally like music with slideshow's etc, but not when I first enter a site. I've learned to keep my volume on mute until I brave turning it on for a specific reason or to watch a slideshow, etc.

[Phil V]

You can listen to the music for ages and you don't get sick of the music at all
The music on this site makes me feel sad or like something bad is about to happen, almost like an old horror film
This exactly proves the point as to why music is bad, no 2 people hear the same thing.
And if music can put people off Jeff's site, what chance do I stand?:(

[dlcx]

I agree with the original poster 100%

You cant control how an individual will feel hearing music, which = not worth it in my books... you may get the wrong reaction.