Looking for CC / evaluations on my zenfolio site PLEASE!!

Im really looking for feedback on my zenfolio site as I want to upgrade from a photo "hosting" account to a full blown "Buisness" account / package. Im looking for feedback on everything from layout, navigation, tackiness (cheesy), quality of photographs (are they snapshot like or lack in any way) and anything else the forum members can think of. I appreciate honesty and feel I can only benefit from it.

One thing that I am concerned about is having to many folders within my portfolio link. I enjoy photographing many things and I would just like to share my perspective on things. Could this hurt me if I were to say...........head in the direction of a profitable photography venture (I don't want to use the word "business".....yet). The pricing link (packages) is still very much Under Construction and will see a few more changes in the future. This is a work in progress...

Thank you!! Here is the link to my zenfolio site (which is also in my signature )

http://shugyofoto.zenf​olio.com/


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I HATE music on a website. I didn't bother to find the off button, so I left.

Hikin Mike wrote in post #15493932
I HATE music on a website. I didn't bother to find the off button, so I left.

Thank you, I WILL to take that into consideration. The music only plays on the landing/main page. Shame you couldn't stick around a bit longer.

May I ask - do any others dislike music accompanying photos?

Hate music on a website.... IMO I don't think music should ever be on a site.

Me too - I really dislike it. I never stay on a site that has music.

Ok, i'll disable the music for the time being....hopefully to get evaluations in other areas of the site.

Also looking for feedback on the images themselves....Ive only been shooting DSLR for about 10 months (no real formal training) and though I wish I could afford more, my gear is also very limited....so I must rely heavily on thought and creativity.

I currently have a Canon 7d, a 11-16 mm wide and a 70-200mm zoom. One 430ex II and two YN 560 II's. I'm trying HARD to make it work. Really wish I could get more Paid gigs...

U have quite a few photos in your slideshow, a bit too many. On the home page you have categories on the left, why not link them to the gallery groups.

U dont have weddings listed as a category

The picture of the people on the beach looks like a setup photo with them moving all over the place

I personally dont like greyscale baby pics, but its because I think they have the best skin ever and I would want to show that amazing translucent quality, grey skin means a corpse to me.

OK, just my opinion since you asked:

I don't care for the White Border around the images. At times a Black Border looks OK, but mostly I prefer none.

For some of the Categories I think you have too many "similar" images. For example, in Sport there are alot of the same type Surfing Shots taken from a far distance that all start to look the same. In Flora you have the several color variations of the same Flower image which gets boring when viewing. In Celestial you don't need 4 pictures of the Tents under the stars.

For me, your Gallery Site should be the "best of the best" and the "cream of the crop" for each type of shot and not all of them! So show the best 1 or 2 Surfing Shots - 1 close up and 1 farther away, and the best of each type of Flower and the best tent etc.

If I pick the best "4" shots from each category than I think you really have some great shots. My favorite is the Horse Head !!

Happy Shooting!
Tom

Thank you all, I really appreciate the feedback. Thing is...95% of the people photography I've done so far is of Family. Family who says "if you give me a good deal I'll refer people to you." I have booked NO sessions through referrals!?!

I really don't want to confront family members and ask "is there something wrong with the images I delivered to you..." I have sort of a "what did I do wrong feeling" right now??!

I am currently working on some extensive marketing strategies and a solid business plan at the moment. I'm looking to invest a lot more into this in 2013.

tak0eye wrote in post #15495908
Thank you all, I really appreciate the feedback. Thing is...95% of the people photography I've done so far is of Family. Family who says "if you give me a good deal I'll refer people to you." I have booked NO sessions through referrals!?!

I really don't want to confront family members and ask "is there something wrong with the images I delivered to you..." I have sort of a "what did I do wrong feeling" right now??!

I am currently working on some extensive marketing strategies and a solid business plan at the moment. I'm looking to invest a lot more into this in 2013.

I wouldn't give them a "good deal". If your photos are good enough, people will spread the word.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Definitely my attitude going into 2013. I've been browsing zenfolio sites that belong to other forum members and I have to say.....there is A LOT more I can learn and do with this particular web host. Keep up the awesome work to all those who are creating those great zenfolio pages.

Can someone look at the pricing packages I have listed and see if those prices "Jive" with the quality of work (images) I am producing.

I average 100 - 120 images per portrait session and I delivered about 350 images for the only wedding I've done. I try to deliver more unique images rather than 1 pose shot from 1000 slightly different angles.

Thanks again...!

P.s. I'm also trying to break away from handing out CD's in order to sell more prints, so could someone take a look at my print pricing...thanks again. :-/

Beski wrote in post #15495745
OK, just my opinion since you asked:

For me, your Gallery Site should be the "best of the best" and the "cream of the crop" for each type of shot and not all of them! So show the best 1 or 2 Surfing Shots - 1 close up and 1 farther away, and the best of each type of Flower and the best tent etc.

Happy Shooting!
Tom

While I agree with putting forth your best, I think Zenfolio allows for both conditions with their Collections. For example, you could put the best of the best in collections and highlight a link to them in your menus but still have galleries within your site that contain the other good, perhaps repetitive, ones of the shoot.. perhaps tucked away a little more. Some use Zen for storage and easy access/reference to their photos on the web.

tak0eye wrote in post #15496511
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Definitely my attitude going into 2013. I've been browsing zenfolio sites that belong to other forum members and I have to say.....there is A LOT more I can learn and do with this particular web host. Keep up the awesome work to all those who are creating those great zenfolio pages.

Can someone look at the pricing packages I have listed and see if those prices "Jive" with the quality of work (images) I am producing.

I average 100 - 120 images per portrait session and I delivered about 350 images for the only wedding I've done. I try to deliver more unique images rather than 1 pose shot from 1000 slightly different angles.

Thanks again...!

P.s. I'm also trying to break away from handing out CD's in order to sell more prints, so could someone take a look at my print pricing...thanks again. :-/

My opinion on your sheet prices is that they're crazy low....

the service you provide is better than that of walmart or jcp...your prices should reflect that.

a few comments. I would get rid of the music asap. I would make an "about" tab and put that info in there and omit it from the front page.

I also agree that your print prices are wicked too low. I think I have 16x24 prints priced at $150 un-matted/un-framed. Also, have you priced wedding albums and such? Also, where are you getting the prints done from?

When looking at your portfolio, I see prices listed - and again, they are so low priced. Also, I would tidy up your categories. On my site, I have landscapes broken into 4 main categories ; pacific (beach shots), mountains, waterfalls and deserts (something like that).

Also, put your very best up there. You have some good stuff, but i don't know how many people are going to buy a print of a guy skateboarding, ya know? You could put those photos in a "portraits" section or something, to showcase your ideas and such. Just an idea