Some advice for a new website.

MDCasino · Aug 2, 2011

I am currently helping a photography studio put up a new website and i am thinking they picked too many samples but they dont believe me.

Just for communions they picked out 106 pictures and this isnt a flickr its a normal website. Also they are putting multiple pictures of the same shoot and the same child.

I rarely see this on other sites. They also want about 15 categories so its going to come to close to 1000 pictures just as samples.

I think its better to put about 15-20 for each category no matter how many they want to put.

Does anyone else agree or have any other opinions?

Thanks in advance

The_Traveler · Aug 2, 2011

You are right, they are crazy.
Pick the top few and show them.

tirediron · Aug 2, 2011

I would go with no more than will display nicely as thumbnails on one web-page viewed at a reasonable resolution.

MDCasino · Aug 4, 2011

MDCasino · Aug 10, 2011

anyone else? ...they still dont beleive me...

bigtwinky · Aug 10, 2011

People will do what they do.

I believe that your website should represent a portfolio of work. I don't see myself bringing 100 images in a portfolio book to present to someone. 12? 16? that's a bit more reasonable.

This can vary though, but no where near 1000 images on a website for portfolio purposes. In my weddings section, I have about 20 shots per wedding. If I had a wedding portfolio, I'd aim for the 16 (or so) best wedding images. The reason I have 20 in each is that I want people to see the variety of shots I can get consistently at a wedding, to somewhat give them an idea of the final set they will get. Each of these weddings have 300-400 shots handed over to the bride, but I wouldn't show all those online.

For my concert shots (and I need to redo my online portfolio), I have the same logic. I have a Galleries section that will show a full shoot during a show. These are used to send out and market myself, showing that I'm not a one shot wonder at shows and can delivery consistent results that capture the emotion and intensity of a show. I shot 2,000 images during a 2 day music festival. The final wrap up had 90, with a few highlighting bands having their own galleries with 20-30.

And when it comes to showing multiple images of the same child during the shoot, that is fine, if the shots are varied. Showing 7 shots of the same kid, same light, same clothes, one from higher up, one from down low, one with him looking at the lens, one way... gets tedious. It's the photographers job to show the right images to the client. If the photographer is unable to pick the best images out of the bunch to show in a portfolio, that makes me think they are just shooting and throwing things at me, quantity over quality. As a client, I want quality.

tirediron · Aug 10, 2011

Put together two example galleries - one with 10-20 (max one page) of images in the largest thumbnail size that will fit, and the other with all 100+ images. Show them the benefits of only having to look at a few. If they still want you to do the work their way, they are the customer, so you can either do it, or pass on the job. I did a materinity shoot a few months back. The client insisted on that cliched 'finger-heart on the belly' shot. I tried to talk her out of it, and tried again. She insisted... so I shot it. I didn't like it, but I did it.

bigtwinky · Aug 10, 2011

tirediron said:
Put together two example galleries - one with 10-20 (max one page) of images in the largest thumbnail size that will fit, and the other with all 100+ images. Show them the benefits of only having to look at a few. If they still want you to do the work their way, they are the customer, so you can either do it, or pass on the job. I did a materinity shoot a few months back. The client insisted on that cliched 'finger-heart on the belly' shot. I tried to talk her out of it, and tried again. She insisted... so I shot it. I didn't like it, but I did it.

LOL... sounds like me. Same thing, but with the baby name spelled out in blocks on the tummy. Really, not my thing, but if it's what they want (to a certain degree), I'll make sure it's done to the best of my ability

The_Traveler · Aug 10, 2011

Find several sites from the top-level wedding photogs and show them.

EmilRye · Aug 10, 2011

Make the portfolio with 1000 photos and "force" them to go through them all with you .. After an hour or two I believe they'll get your point

SunnyHours · Aug 10, 2011

EmilRye said:
Make the portfolio with 1000 photos and "force" them to go through them all with you .. After an hour or two I believe they'll get your point

Haha yeah...
The easier way if you know a little about web design...is to explain to them the way people use these type of sites. That way they will understand the reason why you think that way and they'll stop trying to get all their pictures in one site. You showcase your best pictures...the client is interested so they call you and you tell them to come to your store where you can show them whatever you want. You can also link to your Flickr page so they can see ALL the pictures there, too...

Bottom line is: if you just tell them people don't want to see 1000 pictures they'll keep thinking the way they would, but if you explain to them how people think and how they'll use your page then they might change their ways...
Good Luck! I know how sometimes it's hard to deal with some clients...

P.S: S.E.O optimisation is your best friend don't forget!