Blog vs website to represent you?

Pros and cons of both? Which do you feel works better for you?

Both. Website to display your work and a blog to attract search engine traffic.

I find myself rarely browsing photographers' websites and usually going straight to their blogs. The question is - do you want to attract clients or viewers? If the first - then both website and blog might be useful. If vierwers - I'd go for the blog only.

This question came up recently on CreativeLive interview and I agreed with their conclusion. Website should stand to represent Photographer instead of Blog as sample/images are careful selected to create the first impression (3-5 seconds).

I never read blogs (well, maybe one or two a year). Never read a photographer's blog.

I always browse photo sites.

Regards,
GEWB

Both. It can be done with a single site - you don't need a separate site from a blog.

You need both website and blog! Website is static. You change it probably once a year. It's your store!

Blog is dynamic. Constantly changes and updates as your create new images for your site.

A blog can enhance a web site; it can be a great marketing tool if done right.

You don't need separate the two, both can be on the same website and usually works in each other's favours. In my case - although my current website isn't a great example because I recently did a complete overhaul, but on my old site I used to have the blog section and which goes over my preparation and outtakes and photos of my studio setup when shooting with a client it was sort of like documented through my blog.

I recently shifted focus (no pun intended) on my style and area of photography so my website is still a little fresh so not many blog posts, but I intend to do the same again, to attract more readers etc.

I'm confused, a blog is a website.

Link to blog on website and link to website on blog.

Post blog posts with one or two images, then make them go to your site to see all of them.

This might be an option for you.

People do have blog/websites its like two in one.

You MUST have a website and I do think both is a good ideal, if you're a working professionally. Your blog can drive traffic to your website but you should be updating your site much more than once a year (as someone else suggested). You should update every time you produce new work, so more like once a month. A blog should be updated a minimum of once a week to stay relevant.

But here's the thing, most photogs just post more about jobs they have been doing and so most of the people who look at are friends, family and other photogs looking for leads...

I took a different approach to my blog, rather than just posting more of my commercial work, I shoot specifically for it... I made it more like a little magazine about stuff I find interesting. It has gained its own following and I have not only gotten a lot of work because of it. I have grown a lot creatively and have gone from shooting mostly fashion, kids & portraits to also shooting food, lifestyle & interiors.

It was a bigger undertaking than I had imagined in the beginning and after being approached by a few companies, I did have advertisers for awhile... However it did not bring in much and I felt an obligation to post at least 4 times a week. So after a recent move west I changed that and now post just once or twice a week. I only promote clients (at no charge) and products through amazon which I get a tiny kickback for as an Amazon associate (which you must disclose on your blog) it does not even cover my operating cost but it is something...

I started with Wordpress but moved it to Squarespace which allows for a lot more customization. I designed everything on my blog in photoshop! I also have it linked from my website and designed them to be cohesive but separate.

http://www.piewacketbl​og.com

I'm curious if using your FB page as a "blog" would be more advantageous ... depending on the number of friends and "Friends" you have? I've tried blogging in the past, and I always let it lag at some point. On the flip side I am always on FB and connecting with new people. I also have several Friends on there with well more than 1000 Friends, thus leading to an instant much larger audience.
I do not have a broad knowledge of the connection aspect of blogs, so if I'm way off base please let me know.

I think FB is a good tool for driving people to your blog but I don't think it's a replacement. It is not very attractive for one thing and you will limit who will access your blog, not everyone has FB (believe it or not) and I think it is also not a very professional platform for branding your business. JMO.

I also don't trust FB with my copyright and never upload images to it other than social ones.