... for now?

I'm just about ready to release my bludomain site, even though I know it doesn't have some of my best work on it right now. I wanted to have it done January 1, but that didn't happen, so I kind of scrambled to put it together with the time I had. I've been going through so many images that I can barely see straight now, let alone be objective about my own work. Please let me know if you think certain images don't apply to certain galleries, or if I have stronger images buried too far down in the galleries. Your opinion means a lot to me!! Here's the pre-release link....
http://www.bludomain6.com/anneruthmann/

Anne, I of course love this template! I like the colors. I am short on time right now. I could not look through all of the images. I will try to later. What I saw was great though. Are you going to put music on the portraits page? It was a little confusing when there was music on the weddings and then you click on a slideshow...that opens a new window with more music playing at the same time. I don't know what you can do to fix that. Some people get irritated with that type of thing. *Just a thought*
I think it's great. The wonderful thing about Blu is that you can launch now and make all the changes you want tomorrow and from then on. It's so easy and effortless!

I really like it Anne. Very nice work!

Bentley

Hi Anne,

I really like the photos/colors on the first page, but there is a broken link showing up (on my computer anyway) above the photos. On this first page, the lifestyles pictures is really great - but to me - it looks so much like a wedding photo. Maybe something a little bit different to show that you do things other than weddings/couples? Just a thought.

Your photos are beautiful. And there is that gorgeous B&W flower shot. I remember you showing us your steps in doing that! So cool.

I like your about page, (and I love the picture that you have on there) but I think it would be great to see your face. You have such a friendly, fun, approachable look. I think it would really help your potential clients connect with you.

Great job!!!

Hi there Anne looks good.

Question for you. How hard is it to work with the templates? I've been itching to re-do my website and don't really have the time to do it myself like I used to. Is it worth the $800? Let me know =)

It is CRAZY easy! Really....it's amazing how simple it is. NOT complcated at all!

Sweet! Guess I'll be saving myself a boat load of time... ***doing the happy dance... doing the happy dance***

thanks =)

+1!

Anne, it looks great. I didn't get a chance to look through them all, but I think your pictures are very moving! I like the color too!

BTW, are you seriously up at 5 am?!

Thank you for the excellent criticism. Right now, I only market myself to couples who are getting married, which is why the lifestyle picture is so similar. I have the other categories out there as mere suggestions that I do other things, but that's not what I'm focusing on for revenue.

The odd thing about this site is that I have an about page on both the lifestyle and weddings section. In lifestyle, I share more of my personal journey, while in the weddings, I share more of my photographic style. I expect that most of the clients I'm attracting, will click on the weddings link first, and will only head to the lifestyle section after I've directed them there, or after they've decided I'll be their wedding photographer.



I agree about the music. I did put a note on the weddings site to turn off the music in order to enjoy the music on the slideshows, but already knowing what slideshows are- we, as photographers, probably don't read that little text at the top... but hopefully a first time visitor will. However, I will still try to work it out with blu that they get the music to turn off... especially since they were able to do it with the external blog link at the top of the site.



... yes, but it's only because I work best when my hubby is sleeping!

Looks great. You do really nice work. I love love love that Michelle Featherstone song. We're using it in everything we can this year. I get a little catch in my throat when I hear it... I'm just hoping it does the same for brides out there!

I think you must be so exhausted that you're delirious! GOOD ENOUGH FOR NOW??? It looks awesome! Your photos are incredible. I saw two photos in your Emotional gallery that I personally would love to see moved up - looks like groom with grandma (B&W) and one of possibly groom and Dad hugging (bronze tone). I wish I had thought to look to see what #'s they were.

Great job! If this is only "good enough for now", I can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve down the road!

I don't know if it's her music, or if it's the connection I feel to the brides & grooms in the images... but I seriously start crying every time I go through my emotional gallery!! You'd think I'd be numb to it by now!!!! What's wrong with me?!



I think delirious would be a very accurate description. Thank you so much for that feedback... I love the images you're talking about too!!! Do you think it would get too redundant if I put all of my hugging images up front? I'm a little torn on how to balance that.

I think I would just move them up a little bit... not all the way up. You have to remember that MOST people will not sit through and look at ALL of your images... they might sit through the first page or two, but not all of them. I think those are some very strong images that deserve to go higher up on the list and need to be seen. I'll go back through and PM you after.

I think people might click on Lifestyle first, only because it is first on the page. You never know what people will do!

Regarding your slideshow on the first page, it doesnt seem like the Talent image is really a display of any talent. Maybe come up with a new word, or get an image where someone is doing something more interesting.

Overall, great site! Good work!

Shannon, I agree with you about the talent image and word.... I have a hard time with that as well. I'd love suggestions for something else to put there- a guitarist maybe? What would be a better word? That particular gallery (which is currently hidden on the site, because I haven't really worked on it) will be for model portraits and live music (bad combination?) I think I can eliminate that image for now to avoid confusion.

On the matter of which link potential clients will click... I've run an informal test and found that most brides clicked weddings first. People who were viewing my website without purpose for specific information, clicked lifestyle first.... but that alone is enough to make me consider switching the order, so I will think about that.

It looks awesome Anne! Get it out there and futz with it later if you want. Congratulations....you have a site that does your beautiful work justice!

p.s. That redheaded baby in the family section is adorable! I mean, could he BE any cuter!

You should see his hot mamma!!! Woooweeee!!


Can someone tell me if I fixed the red X problem on the splash page?
http://www.bludomain6.com/anneruthmann/

Anne,

I just went through your site. Nice job! Images and layout look great!

Taka

Blown away Anne. Beautiful!

Yeah, you're right...she should join OSP and use that picture as her avatar!

I really posted again to tell you I see no red x on the splash page. I didn't read above what the issue was before, but whatever it is, I think it is fixed.

Again, nice work!

Anne-
Simply beautiful-

The images are gorgeous-
the music is clean, clear and crisp-

i esp. like your "artistic" wedding images-

really sweet-

it was worth staying up late!!!

Go get 'em!

Lisa

Quick answer: it looks excellent!
Congrats on the new site. I'm looking forward to one half that nice.
-Eddie