Promote Your Photography- Using The Web As Your Online Exhibition Space
Photographers face a highly saturated market when entering the field of professional photography. One of the best ways to help promote your images and get your name known is to start a successful website. Gone are the days of old school art show exhibitions - we have entered the digital information age and nothing is more important than having an online presence. This is absolutely essential in gaining a following, and making a living or a hobby out of photography.
1. Build Your Site
Building a website is perhaps the hardest part - this involves choosing a domain, selecting an appropriate name, and designing your site not only to be user friendly, but to look professional and creative at the same time. All these things take a significant investment in time, and possibly even money, if you want to pay someone else to do it all for you (this may be the best option if you lack the know-how and skill to develop a webpage).
2. Compile Your Portfolio
Are you a nature photographer? A wedding photographer? Or an action photographer? Or a little bit of everything? Be sure to compile your portfolio in such a way that exhibits your talent - whether wide ranging or specialist. Write a short description of each style, and what attracts you to it, and what you enjoy about it, to make it personal. Make it easy for you followers and possible clients to determine if your skills and specific interests best align with theirs. [http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-5530893012]
3. Have Compelling Content
All photographers know that it takes dozens, even hundreds, of unsuccessful shots to get that one perfect shot. Know which of these you will be putting up. It helps to go ahead and before hand pre-organize all of your shots, whether in Picassa, Photoshop, or Lightroom. That way you save time and can quickly tweak photos before posting them online. Don't forget your watermark! Captions for each photo, whether remarking on a rare bird species, or telling the story of the hardships you went through to get that shot, are highly compelling. A handful of great shots speak much more loudly than repeat versions of the same mediocre shot.
4. Optimize Your Site for Search Engines
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a tricky game, but needs to be played if you want your website to come up when people search the web. Make sure that each web page has its own URL for better indexing within search engines. Localize your site so that people in your area can find you personally. Use as many accurate tags as possible for all of your pictures.
5. Write! Write! Write!
Or rather, blog! Keeping a blog makes your website fresh and active - this is all too important when it comes to increasing traffic to your site. Its all about successful communication and building a relationship with your potential clients. Writing about what you know really increases your level of professionalism, and it will help you out in the long run. [http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-3022965984]
There are thousands of photography sites out there, but most of them are poorly developed, managed, and in the end, it is these that fail. If you continue in the field of photography, you will realize how much a good website can contribute to the success of your endeavors. Finding your way to the top of the photography field is a realistic goal when you incorporate all that the web has to offer.
1. Build Your Site
Building a website is perhaps the hardest part - this involves choosing a domain, selecting an appropriate name, and designing your site not only to be user friendly, but to look professional and creative at the same time. All these things take a significant investment in time, and possibly even money, if you want to pay someone else to do it all for you (this may be the best option if you lack the know-how and skill to develop a webpage).
2. Compile Your Portfolio
Are you a nature photographer? A wedding photographer? Or an action photographer? Or a little bit of everything? Be sure to compile your portfolio in such a way that exhibits your talent - whether wide ranging or specialist. Write a short description of each style, and what attracts you to it, and what you enjoy about it, to make it personal. Make it easy for you followers and possible clients to determine if your skills and specific interests best align with theirs. [http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-5530893012]
3. Have Compelling Content
All photographers know that it takes dozens, even hundreds, of unsuccessful shots to get that one perfect shot. Know which of these you will be putting up. It helps to go ahead and before hand pre-organize all of your shots, whether in Picassa, Photoshop, or Lightroom. That way you save time and can quickly tweak photos before posting them online. Don't forget your watermark! Captions for each photo, whether remarking on a rare bird species, or telling the story of the hardships you went through to get that shot, are highly compelling. A handful of great shots speak much more loudly than repeat versions of the same mediocre shot.
4. Optimize Your Site for Search Engines
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a tricky game, but needs to be played if you want your website to come up when people search the web. Make sure that each web page has its own URL for better indexing within search engines. Localize your site so that people in your area can find you personally. Use as many accurate tags as possible for all of your pictures.
5. Write! Write! Write!
Or rather, blog! Keeping a blog makes your website fresh and active - this is all too important when it comes to increasing traffic to your site. Its all about successful communication and building a relationship with your potential clients. Writing about what you know really increases your level of professionalism, and it will help you out in the long run. [http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-3022965984]
There are thousands of photography sites out there, but most of them are poorly developed, managed, and in the end, it is these that fail. If you continue in the field of photography, you will realize how much a good website can contribute to the success of your endeavors. Finding your way to the top of the photography field is a realistic goal when you incorporate all that the web has to offer.
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