I’ve been editing a lot of websites lately, and the thing I’ve noticed is many photographers are not showing the best of themselves. When I worked at the Los Angeles Times, I often hired freelance photographers from all around the country. I needed to find someone quick, in a place where I didn’t know a photographer, and it was always a last minute request.
Looking at a photographer’s website, I am forming a decision, good or bad within the first three images I view. I might get to 5 or 10 images if you’re lucky, and I’m either calling you or moving on. It’s brutal, but it was my reality. Those first few images should make me want to see the next one, want to make me want to explore your projects, so it’s your job to make me want to look.
How do you do that? The best of the best of the best should be the first photos I see and at the top of your site. Is your strength sports, or projects, or videos? Whatever it is, move that to the top spot. There are no rules on how a website should list your images, so move them to suit your strengths. A tighter edit is always best. You know the saying “less is more.” Make it so I move on to the next set of images.
If your photos are good, I move onto the “About You” section. I want to know how long you’ve been working and for who, and that you can deliver what I need. So I don’t want to read about your hopes and dreams; I want to know how long you’ve been working, where you’ve been working, and for who. Keeping it simple is best. If you feel the need to tell me more, bring that into the second paragraph.
One last thing, your phone number and email should be easy to locate and in multiple spots.
