[speakingofamethyst]

Thank you all very much! You’ve been a tremendous help in more ways than I can count. Thanks for the note on the photo borders, OctoberMoon, I’ll take another look at that, as well.

I have to say that once upon a time I used to LOOOVE spot color, but my opinion on that has changed dramatically. I don’t even care for my own spot color images any more, even though there are still clients out there who think they’re just grand. It looks really dated to me now. I also try to avoid “snap-shot” looking photos and really try to avoid them. I’ll look again and cull further.

I’ve adjusted my logo, too. It’s sort of a work in progress, but I’m sticking to the simpler is better idea for now, until I land on something I like better.

Once again, thank you to everyone for your help and your opinions. It was scary, but I lived. I hope others will be brave and put themselves out there, too.

-Valerie Davidson, Lily & Daisy Photography

[speakingofamethyst]

So, ok. I’ve been reworking my website, my blog and my Facebook site trying to tie them all together thematically. I’ve taken down the photos I don’t feel reflect my current vision. I fixed the slideshow on my website homepage so the photos are all oriented correctly and have a consistent look and feel and updated my website’s portfolio pages, breaking them into specific categories (i.e., animals, children, sports, etc.) I redid my “About” page in an attempt to be a little more direct and to the point, less flowery and more honest.

Please check out the following sites and let me know your thoughts:

http://www.Facebook.com/LilyandDaisyPhotography <—I haven’t taken down all the photos, but I’ve added new ones.

http://www.LilyandDaisyPhoto.com <—Reworked the main page, will fix the font soon.

http://lilyanddaisyphotography.wordpress.com <–Totally redone.

https://twitter.com/LilyandDaisy <—Still not completely happy with the header. Will fix soon.

A couple of points:

-The Web Site is a stock design. I like the colors and the pattern, but I HATE the font. Changing it is a huge pain, but I’m working on it and will update it soon.

-I live spitting distance from one of the most famous Ghost Towns in the world and one of the oldest military bases in the West which is why I went with a more classic look and feel.

Thank you for your help, especially user “I hate Fauxtography”. I’ve learned a lot in this process. I took a huge step back and tried to look at my web presence and my photos through honest, unbiased eyes, taking off my “mommy goggles”. It was initially tough to do, but I am grateful for the help you’ve offered. I focus a lot on learning photography, lighting, digital editing and so on, but I’m a one-woman show. I don’t have a degree in marketing or sales, web design, or any of the other myriad skills which running a photography business requires above and beyond photography itself these days, so I feel I missed an important part of the face of my business. I hope that’s fixed now.

I really hope I’m not a ‘fauxtographer’. I’ve been watching this site for some time and I think I’m at least a little more skilled. I know I’ve made some of the same novice mistakes a lot of folks make, so I’m glad I have you all to catch me before I end up on the highlight page.

Here is my solemn promise: (1) I will never do a wedding for free “just for my portfolio”. (Even with regular portrait building for friends I only offer 5 web-size, branded photos which they can download from my website and an option to purchase prints at 50% off) (2) I won’t shoot for $25 and give away all the copies with a release(!) and, (3) I won’t advertise cheap services on Craigslist.

Thanks again for your time. -Val

[speakingofamethyst]

Wow, you definitely went the extra mile. I asked about the portfolio on the link I sent and you found everything I think I have on the web!

It stings, and I suppose it should. The truest pain hits closest to home, and you stumbled into my self-doubt, my worry and the niggling little bug which has been crawling through my brain. I’ve noticed a lot of photographers have a consistent look and feel from their blog, to their website, to their Facebook page. In truth, I’ve been thinking of each of these things as separate entities and as you pointed out, I shouldn’t. I will come up with an overarching theme which I think most closely matches who I am and who I am looking to attract.

And that takes me to the photos. I thought I was looking for a technical critique on the images, but in keeping with your overall critique,  you looked for the way they all tie (or don’t tie) together. Yet another thing I’ve been worrying about. I’m in a small town and a fairly saturated photography market so my error has been an attempt to throw a bunch of spit balls and make it look as though I can shoot ANYTHING(!) I can’t, actually, and I don’t want to. Thank you for calling this to my attention and not being “my mom on Facebook who thinks everything I do is amazing”. Your honesty is refreshing. I am attempting to be the photographer for everyone and am actually becoming the photographer for no one.

[Deep breath.]

Ok, when I first read your review I wanted to cry, but I found my big girl pants. Thank you again for your review. I will reevaluate and revamp. I hope you’ll be here when I get back.

[Author]

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