Looking to go pro

[rejs7]

Hi guys,

I could really do with some advise on the business side of things. I am looking to go pro in January, and could do with some honest opinions, advice, and directions on my work. This is my website (http://www.randomacts.biz) and I would be very interested in an assessment of the quality of my work, along with an appraisal of my price structure.

Thanks,

Rachel

[PhotosGuy]

Well, Rachel, the fact that you've had no response in 21 hours should tell you something? Based on what's on your site, I don't think that you're even close to ready. With the possible exception of this shot, (http://randomacts.smugmug.com/gallery/7866626_Kj9zg) the lighting isn't very nice, the faces need some PP, & the poses aren't flattering for a start.
Sorry, but I suggest that you get some more experience.

[loydall]

Hi Rachel,

I kind of asked the same question in my post - I'm looking to get into photography as well. I'm certainly in no position to advise you from a pro point of view but maybe I can offer my opinion from looking at your site (I have worked in web design and development for a good few years).

So - I actually think some of your photos are ok and, presented in the right way would be not too bad.

I think your site is a little disjointed - it's not immediately obvious what you do - remember: people don't tend to read anything on the web unless it's a forum or product reviews etc..

You've got seconds to tell the user what your site is about.

Also - your site seems to have a gothic/rock edge to it. Now - this may well be your style and hats off to you for sticking with it but it doesn't come across as a professional outfit - I would feel that, if I used you, I'd end up with harsh gothic looking shots.

I would look at the styling on your site - maybe change the logo and look at to create graphics for the web - the beveled text doesn't look great.

So - I would tone down your photos a touch, make sure all your horizons are horizontal, get rid of/correct some of the shots where the sky is too bright/subject too dark. And then look at the design of your site - keep it simple, really simple - get rid of 90% of your text - as I said, people wont read it. Get some professional hosting as well - it looks like you're using branded hosting on parts of your site. And .com or .co.uk looks much better than .biz

Hope that helps - like I say, I'm a total newbie at all this but all opinions are useful eh? Keep it simple, really simple and I think it would be better.

[bwolford]

Well, Rachel, the fact that you've had no response in 21 hours should tell you something? Based on what's on your site, I don't think that you're even close to ready. With the possible exception of this shot, (http://randomacts.smugmug.com/gallery/7866626_Kj9zg) the lighting isn't very nice, the faces need some PP, & the poses aren't flattering for a start.
Sorry, but I suggest that you get some more experience.

I don't think 21 hours to respond to it and Rachel's pictures are better than some of the garbage local photogs have been selling in my area, quite successfully, for years. Is she A Liebowitz, no. Are they horrible? No.

If you want to be a pro, your site needs to be more professional. While I appreciate creativity and humor, I'm not sure I want to deal with a monkey and her wranglers. And it's not quite clear that photography is your profession. It appears to be something that you do.

I'd reduce your portfolio to your best shots and display those prominently. Your link took me to a gallery of shots that I wouldn't consider to be a sample portfolio. Even when you do a shoot for a client, I wouldn't show them everything you took.

Good luck.

[SuzyView]

Rachel, I am a pro, but I don't get paid. I do everything pro bono because I love the work, not the business part. It's not just talent and skill. Advertisements, getting your name out there, signing contracts, dealing with clients, insurance, feedback, etc. Have you thought about following a paid pro around for a few months as a second? You can learn a lot hanging out with pros and seeing what they have to go through. Jim Askew and I shoot about 5 weddings together a year. It takes a lot to do the weddings, including the PP and printing. I shoot events all over the world and the clients can be pretty demanding.

The images on your website are fine, not extraordinary. If I were you, I'd look at some of the pros in the wedding forum and see what they present. There are a few that are very nice.

[JWright]

If your website is indicative of your style, then you've restricted yourself to a very narrow market: Twenty-somethings that want an edgy contemporary look... I'm of an older generation and tried taking an unbiased look at your site. When I came across the image of the young woman in the angel outfit making a vulgar gesture, I left immediately. Images like that do not say "professional" to me. It says immature kid with an attitude...

Your first step is to make your site more professional looking by removing images such as the one I mentioned and then offer a wider variety of images and styles for potential customers.

[SuzyView]

I had not come across that one in the 2 or 3 I saw. That is definitely a must. Remove offensive images and post only the very best. Clients who have the money to pay will pass on your services otherwise.