A web presence is not very useful when all the photographer does is to set up a crappy-looking website (or worse, a flash-overflow one) and expects millions to flock to the site.
How important is a web presence to a commercial photographer?
- Thread starter Sion
- Start date
A web presence is not very useful when all the photographer does is to set up a crappy-looking website (or worse, a flash-overflow one) and expects millions to flock to the site.
have a web presence for photographers is very important.
but I can't tell you is it important to a commercial photographer as I'm not.
to me is just like a virtual shopfront, many customers get to know my works, products and services before decided to engage me, especially many people get to know me from their online social networks.
But Steve Stint wrote in his book said that he don't have a website, and don't use mailing list too, since he only able to serve about 100 customers per year, why waste the money and energy to reach out few thousands potential customers and not able to serve them? by word of mouth he already can get more than he able to handle.
To me which is very truth, to maintenance the website which is very high cost, either you pay someone to do it or you do it yourself.
I believe what the TS mentioned, commercial photography is very much what we are doing, offering our photography commercially.
yes, some don't do much in terms of website and mailing list but they have a very different approach.
If you are looking for more exposure and allow your existing client to show your work around, website is quite handy to complete the form of word of mouth.
Regards,
Hart
sorry Hart, my definition is slightly different, we are professional photographers, but both of us serve in wedding, portraiture field etc, and the end users are consumers. and of course, our photos are merchantable, by MPA definition.
commercial photography to me is like Fashion, Advertising, Industrial, Architecture, end users are mainly corporate or company.
For Sion, I know he don't do what we do, so best let him clarify a little, so able to answer his question better.
sorry Hart, my definition is slightly different, we are professional photographers, but both of us serve in wedding, portraiture field etc, and the end users are consumers. and of course, our photos are merchantable, by MPA definition.
commercial photography to me is like Fashion, Advertising, Industrial, Architecture, end users are mainly corporate or company.
For Sion, I know he don't do what we do, so best let him clarify a little, so able to answer his question better.
I agree. The topic TS is asking is one big umbrella. Its hard to explain it cause there are many industries and different types of customer base. Whether its a freelance job, Full time or maybe TS wants to be a boss of his company starting small or thinking about increasing the size of the company etc.
It depends on what TS hope to achieve or the target he hopes to see at the end.
saveDqueen
New Member
Back to the question,
Imagine you are buying or seeking a service/product, searched online and no relevant results.
Would you engage or purchase it on this first impression?
In my case, I would give it a second thought. Any proper modern products/service ought to have a proper website set up, introducing themselves, publishing their works or whatsoever.
Imagine you are buying or seeking a service/product, searched online and no relevant results.
Would you engage or purchase it on this first impression?
In my case, I would give it a second thought. Any proper modern products/service ought to have a proper website set up, introducing themselves, publishing their works or whatsoever.
marios_pittas
Senior Member
Hi Sion
You may find PDN July 2010, "make your web site client-friendly" a good read.
You may find PDN July 2010, "make your web site client-friendly" a good read.
when you mention "commercial photographer", what is your defination?
As a wedding photographer a website is perhaps important as your client are the general public.
If you're a photographer in the advertising industry working with advertising agencies and design house, the web presence will make little difference. The advertising industry is a small and tight nitted industry, if you're good, the market will know by word of mouth. Most agency do not source for photographers from the web but work with those they have work with, those already known in the market or by recommendation.
As a wedding photographer a website is perhaps important as your client are the general public.
If you're a photographer in the advertising industry working with advertising agencies and design house, the web presence will make little difference. The advertising industry is a small and tight nitted industry, if you're good, the market will know by word of mouth. Most agency do not source for photographers from the web but work with those they have work with, those already known in the market or by recommendation.
brotherock
New Member
I think having your portfolio online is important.
But, unless you advertise heavily or have keywords that rank high in google, it won't bring in many clients who don't otherwise know about you.
However, when a client finds you and needs to see more examples of your work before making their decision, it is invaluable to have an online presence.
But, unless you advertise heavily or have keywords that rank high in google, it won't bring in many clients who don't otherwise know about you.
However, when a client finds you and needs to see more examples of your work before making their decision, it is invaluable to have an online presence.
Not contesting, but why?
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