First website is up, need some C&C

^^^

It's up to you, depends who you're targeting and what you have in terms of pictures. I group my pictures based on what kind of pictures they are. Feel free to take a look if you want.

Your work is amazing. I truly hope to some day get to your level, honestly. The reason I hesitate to only post the best 2 photos from every shoot is because I don't have enough variety I think. I need to start experimenting with different kinds of themes and locations. Specially need to practice new lighting techniques.

How do you go about finding your models? And how do you approach new ideas for a shoot? Just freestyle it or have something planned out in advance?

Thanks for the helpful tips everyone.

I went ahead and selected my favorite 2-3 photos from every shoot and put them in a Studio and Location folder. All the other images I left alone.

Music bad. As soon as the music came blurting out of my pc at work, closed went your site. Others will do the same under similar circumstances.

If you refuse to browse the site because you're too lazy to pause the music or even click on a different section (both which take literally one second) then please don't bother commenting. Nothing constructive came out of it.

DigiNon wrote in post #12310322
If you refuse to browse the site because you're too lazy to pause the music or even click on a different section (both which take literally one second) then please don't bother commenting. Nothing constructive came out of it.

It's absolutely constructive. What if I was searching for a photographer from work? You would have lost my business without me even seeing what you have to offer. Would you call a potential customer lazy because they where annoyed and didn't seek out a pause button?

Music automatically playing on websites is practically #1 on the list of bad practices, unless of course yours is a music website or something just for fun, but otherwise it's very bad. If you want music, leave it off and allow the visitor to chose if they want to turn it on.

If you can't see constructive criticism then you shouldn't ask for it. Do you want visitors or do you want to play a song? I am really trying to be helpful, as I know a thing or two about the profession

Is your complaint about the song that it is too loud? disruptive? or just plain not your taste in music? The song starts out soft for the first minute, I don't see how that affects anything whether you're at work or not.

If you are looking for a photographer and you turn away because of the music on his/her site, then I think you have your priorities mixed up. Not only does it take one click to pause the music, but it also only plays on the home page.

I honestly don't see how this is such a big concern to where it will hurt sales. Thank you for your concern I guess.

DigiNon wrote in post #12310322
If you refuse to browse the site because you're too lazy to pause the music or even click on a different section (both which take literally one second) then please don't bother commenting. Nothing constructive came out of it.

I'm in that camp as well. If a website has music I usually close the window right away unless it's someone I really want to check out work. I usually have sound turned off at work but at home I usually have sound turned on and have music running in the background. I usually have multiple websites open in tabs (sometimes like 10-15 tabs) at once then go through them one by one. Last thing I want is hearing another music source and have to go through each tab and figure out which website is playing music and close the window or disable the music.

I understand, I do the same as well. I am always listening to music while on the computer. But it's always been easy for me to click on the pause button on websites with music.

I don't know I guess it's just me.

DigiNon wrote in post #12310415
Is your complaint about the song that it is too loud? disruptive? or just plain not your taste in music? The song starts out soft for the first minute, I don't see how that affects anything whether you're at work or not.

If you are looking for a photographer and you turn away because of the music on his/her site, then I think you have your priorities mixed up. Not only does it take one click to pause the music, but it also only plays on the home page.

I honestly don't see how this is such a big concern to where it will hurt sales. Thank you for your concern I guess.

It's not a complaint personally, and for a personal portfolio it may be fine once you've gained traction, but if your presenting to a wide audience it's a good idea present at the lowest common denominator. Photography is not about sound or music, so don't waste the energy and bandwidth on sound. Spend it on visual presentation and site speed.

Sorry to come off as crass, but photography is wickedly competitive and my suggestion is very sound (no pun intended). your photography is very good btw.

I'm also from the "I hate music on a website and I close it immediately" camp. I doubt people will leave your site if you DON'T have music, but I know people will leave because you have music.

If your your using your website to bring new clients via the web, you need to read my SEO link in my sig.

I'll go ahead and take your advice guys. I'm sorry if I came off arrogant.

Mike, I will read up on that, thanks!