I'm currently beta testing a brand spankin new photography WordPress theme from Jared Henderson of Netrivit and have to say I'm VERY impressed so far! It's called ProPhoto2 and it really rocks. It gives you so much control over the look and feel of your photo blog and really has a lot of features and customizations you can do, more than I've ever seen in any other theme or even custom blogs that cost thousands and thousands of dollars!

It will be really interesting to see all the different layout possibilities and different looks people accomplish with this theme going forward. I won't go into too many details because it's still in beta.

For now, you can see it in action on my site here -

http://tristantom.com/

I know others are also testing it too, and I'm anxious to see their examples as well.

I'm another beta tester (my site), and I think there are a couple more OSP peeps who are too.

It's been fun to play with it, and for those who bought the original theme, way way way easier to customize (no foreign language requirement--by that I mean HTML/CSS). Tristan's right, there is a lot more you can tweak on this one--I remember seeing a comment on here that all the ProPhoto blogs looked the same, which was a valid criticism. Although you could do a lot of tweaking then, it was not for the faint of heart, but the new version makes it so much easier. As we work on them I think the ability to label "oh, that's a ProPhoto blog" at first sight will fade.

Does the term tease me anything to either one of you?

Mike - eager to upgrade to next ProPhoto Theme....

How did you get to be a beta tester?? I want one!!!

It was an invite request approval type of thing. I believe the beta sign up period is now closed though.

But take heart, Jamie, we're allowed to talk about it now because there is a light at the end of the beta tunnel! P2 is coming soon.

And if you have the current ProPhoto, Jared has a quick setup so that the transition can be really seamless.... at first no one would probably notice that you've changed anything. And then you can start playing.

I'm also a tester. I didn't use the original theme so I can't compare the usability but I love, love, love this one! Its been so simple to customize and fit to my branding. You can see it here

Dear Jared... If you're reading this... I want in!

I'm listening! ...but we're about two weeks away. I can't say exactly because I'm not releasing until WordPress officially releases version 2.7 of their software.

It's coming soon!

He's lurking.... Can I also get on the super secret list for #3??? I'm a ProPhoto Junkie!

Jamie, the trick is to subscribe to his blog. Then when he posts that he needs beta testers, you know about it right away and can sign up. That's how I found out anyway.

ProPhoto 2 is completely worth the wait. Jared's explanations for how to customize the original were awesome, but still not quite for the faint of heart. P2... the faint hearted can rejoice and join in the fun. Amazing.

I'm also in the beta, and let me tell you guys this thing is the bomb. You'll never have to pay $1000 for blog designs with the simplicity of pro photo. It's so easily customizable that no matter what look you're going for you can achieve it easily with the click of a button. Imagine a wordpress blog with the back end as easy a blu domain site but even more functionality and better navigation.

Jared i've been stocking your website and blog every other day just waiting for this to be released. Glad to here there is light at the end of the tunnel. So many times i held back the email cause i didn't want to bug you.

aloha, Noah

I have to say, I've been super impressed with Jared's customer service and I love the 1st template, so I'm excited that he's coming out with a new version. How does that work? Is there a fee to upgrade? I can't imagine it's free.

waiting...

Color me excited. Now that I know about ProPhoto 2, I'll wait for it's release to re-launch my blog...

I'm a beta tester too! Jared, I'm sooo sorry I have been so quiet! I'm drowning in work and John has been doing all the tinkering for me, but I'm loving all of his hard (ok, not so hard) work!

Jared, you rock. I'll come back and list all the things that make me happy, but so far, it's like no rock has been left un-turned.

My blog will give you total ADD with all the craziness I have going on, but that's my fault, not Jared's! If you want to check it out, please do! I'm always evolving and it happens in real time, so check back often. I chip away at changes as I can.





It helps if you knew him before he was famous. ;-)

I am also a beta tester and I think this rocks! From a user's standpoint (and not a web designer) you guys will totally LOVE LOVE LOVE this. It's SO user friendly. It's definitely a theme I will support! Jared you rock

So, can't anyone answer my question? Do we have to buy the whole thing again? I looked on the website and don't see an upgrade price.

I have a question about this too. We JUST bought v.1 last week. I haven't even started setting it up. Hopefully I can just wait and exchange it out for v.2 or pay the difference?

I'm pretty sure there will be an upgrade price for people who purchased the first version but we may have to wait until it's officially released and Jared figures out the specifics to know for sure.

When is it due for official release?? Anybody know?

There is not an official firm release date quite yet but I understand it should be a few weeks or so. (It's totally worth the wait!)

I believe we are just waiting on the release of WordPress 2.7--apparently it's a major revision.

If you like to tweak but aren't a CSS guru, this theme will rock your world.

edit: yes, there will be a discount if you bought the original. Don't know any numbers yet.

Anyone know where to look to see when WordPress officially releases version 2.7 or how close it's getting. I checked there website but couldn't find anything.

Yep, follow their blog - http://wordpress.org/development/

Glad to hear everyone is excited! I am too!

I've been working on this baby non-stop for about 6 months, and I honestly don't think its an overstatement to say that it's going to be the most powerful WordPress theme ever released, plus the most user friendly. (I know, all I do is WordPress development, and I've used the best premium themes around)

Almost every feature/functionality is borne out of the continual customer service I've been doing for my old theme for the last 9 months. Every time people struggled with something customizing their theme, I've been thinking, "how can I make this dead simple in the next one?"

For those who have already purchased ProPhoto 1, (even those who purchased recently) you will only have to pay a bit less than the difference between the two prices, and it won't be that much.

Still waiting for WordPress to finish 2.7 (it's in Beta3 now, so getting very close). honestly, I hope its a few more days because I'm still cramming a few more features in and I've got a ton of documentation to do...

I'll keep you all posted!

right on, alright, bring it. thanks Jared.

Oh I can't wait! I just got the other ProPhoto and I know I will adore the new one! (Easier = Better!!!) YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!