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Tom Beckman's picture

I'm looking for thoughts on my website

I like my website a lot but everything can always be better. I know it's not world class. It's simple and basic but I'd like to hear what others think.

https://tombeckmanphoto.com/

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12 Comments

Hey Tom - Nice work setting up the site! Overall, it is easy to navigate and is clean and simple. I have some thoughts but am wondering what you goal is for the site. Are you looking to see images or your services or both or are you just wanting a place to share your work?

That's a good question. A question I don't think I've really thought about. I guess It's kind of a mix of both but more focused on showing my work and my style.

Excellent! Here are some thoughts then. When I first got started I was just throwing everything on my site because I wanted to show everything. I love my work and was sure that everyone else would. It was an unorganized mess and I Iooked schizophrenic. I got some really good advice and that was to pick no more than 5 themes of my work, organize my presentation, and only post 12 or fewer photos in each category. Picking only 5 or fewer topics helped me define a photography identity. Only allowing myself 12 images to represent each category made me winnow out anything but my best work.

So... I would come up with categories for your work and put them in the drop down (ie: Action (or BMX) or ...; Portraits (or whatever you want to call this) and maybe the three that are already there.

Then, on your main, I would put one photo for each category and, if you can put text on this page, title them with a one sentence blurb. ACTION - My passion for BMX and photography has led to my Action work. (whatever...)

This way people get an idea of who you are from the main because you tell them and then they understand what will be under each link in the album drop down.

Your work is awesome! I hope this helps. It is given with a sincere desire for you to excel!

Understandable, I actually just changed it from a format very similar to what you're describing. I wasn't really feeling it.
I guess I wanted it to be more focused just on the photos and showing them.
I feel like there's really only 3 categories on my site. Action, portraits, and business promotional. I think that's how I would classify them.
I'll keep what you've said in mind of course. I always like hearing another opinion. It's all learning. Learning everything. I like learning. Especially when it comes to the way other think and view things. It's extremely interesting to me.

Hey Ruth - what s your website? I don't see one mentioned in your Bio :-(

Hi Tom, I'm much in agreement with Ruth on this. If your goal is just to display your images then your site certainly achieves that.

If trying to attract customers I would add a statement on your home page, perhaps a short bio of you as a photographer, indicating the type of work your are interested in undertaking etc.

If directing toward potential customers I would also limit your galleries, providing only a sample of your best work so that potential clients can imagine what they will be receiving.

I had a professional review (and rant about) my own website and went through a similar process. The target audience may be different but I'd be interested to hear your feedback.

https://alanbrownphotography.com

Awesome. what you've said definitely helps and makes what Ruth has said help a ton also. I like your site a lot. Seeing it gives me a good view of things. I do want it to focus on the photos but I think the little bit written on your main page might just be a little touch to enhance. thanks both of you for your words. I think it's just the info/push in the direction I needed.

I almost hate to share it now that I gave the 'less is more' speech but here she is! www.ruthcarll.com

Nice site Ruth - it reminds me that I have to be better at updating mine.....

okay, so I've changed it up a lot. Thinned out a lot also. It's even more simple, I like that. I think it does a better job of focusing on the important photos

Hi Tom
In my opinion you have to improve your page speed. The pictures are needing too much space and slow down the loading. The rest is simple but definitely solid.

Cheers

I will definitely look into that. Thank you!