My Website

[Grant Zoschnick]

I am a html retard any suggestions would help greatly. Thanks for looking
www.GrantZoschnick.com

[John Thawley]

I am a html retard any suggestions would help greatly. Thanks for looking
www.GrantZoschnick.com

I'd suggest losing about 2/3 or your portfolio. Please accept this as constructive criticism... but the work is weak. Race cars through fences screams amateur... not saying you are one... just saying that's what the photos say. The girl shots look like snap shots of your sister... nothing special.. not portfolio caliber...

There are few nice shots... you need to be very selective. Less would definitely be more.

The web site is basically a home page. It's rough. The writing on the front page is grammatically horrendous and does not serve your business efforts at all.

Being born in a visual world, light the essence of photography, has always come natural to me. I have come to love capturing this light and the people, products, automobiles, and buildings it illuminates. My zeal for this capture is what drives me to create the images that I’m compelled to share with the world.

I look forward to conveying my vision with you.

This just makes NO sense. I don't understand your first sentence... even if you wrote it correctly, "Being born in a visual world, light, the essence of photography, has always come natural to me." What does that mean? I don't understand a "visual world." It's the world. You were born. We all fall into that category. So, you're trying to sound special and individual while pointing out the obvious and something that applies to everybody. Just say... "Light, the essence of photography, has always come natural to me." That is a correct sentence... but still MAKES NO SENSE.

And the last line.... You do not convey "with." You convey "to." Speak to people normally. Don't try to sound highbrow...

Lesson number one... having a bad website is worse than having no website at all. Get help. Tighten this stuff up and put together a small elegant presentation. Again... less is more.

And please... I'm not just beating you up. I hope you appreciate honesty. If you're serious about this, you should.

JT

[Grant Zoschnick]

No I don't take offense at all! This is what is needed. The portfolio is temporary and is already going through changes. Thank you!

[John Thawley]

No I don't at all! This is what is needed the portfolio is temporary and is already going through changes. Thank you!

We crossed posted while I was editing.... so read again.

Honest, make a sign and put it on top of your monitor... KEEP IT SIMPLE - LESS IS MORE

JT

[Grant Zoschnick]

I cut the crap now very simply worded. Now If you could help me by defining home page? I find the rest of the website very spartan do you mean the website or the words. Thanks again you are one of my photographical idols so its very nice getting this help from you.

[Todd Corzett]

IMO, I always try to let my images speak for themselves. When looking at your first page I see only a single image. The 'about' text, while now less than when John was posting, is still very unprofessional sounding (dad's camera... hobby... etc.). If you are trying to get me to hire you, it's not working... all I read here is 'kid with daddy's camera' and not 'professional photographer'. Even if you aren't a pro (we could spend hours defining that alone) you should place yourself with the company you want to be with.

I agree with John about the portfolio... less is more. Also, it seems very scattered between different types. If you wanted to show all the photos (which I wouldn't suggest anyhow) you should break it up into several sections maybe. Or, rather than calling them all portfolio shots... have separate galleries for each type of photography you do.

Minimize the time it takes for me to see your work... most visitors are quick to leave pages and you want them to see your work and understand you quickly. Having to wait through all sorts of images in the portfolio section doesn't work (I was interested and I still only looked at a few images before getting tired of it - thankfully I clicked on some of the mini shots at the end)

could help me by defining home page?
I would hope that you'd want more than just a home page (which was originally used to describe the first page your browser would open to - ie. a page for you to up links to your favorite places and the what not). What you should be after is a website... multiple pages that work together to give people an understanding of who you are and what you provide. John's website does this very well... and what I like most about it, it does it with photos... not fluffy words. I'd eventually like to go to a more photo based website, but I've been having some success with this design and search engine hits (due to the words).

Maybe it would be a good exercise to check out other photographer's websites and see what they are doing. What elements do they use they you like? What don't you like? Why did someone include something that they did? etc...

-Todd...

[John Thawley]

Look at this way, you're too new to pretend you've developed a philosophy. People will see right through it.

A web site is simple.. it's an introduction to potential clients to get you a CONTACT. Notice I didn't say get you work? It's to make content. YOU have to get the work. All you want is to get an introduction. Don't ever forget that. Only YOU can close the deal.

So... your website should be simply,

Welcome
This is who I am
This is a sample of my BEST work
This is how to reach me.

Emphasis on BEST WORK.

JT

[Grant Zoschnick]

I made some changes again. To clarify I'm new to the profession so I don't have a lot of releasable work model and car wise. I don't find my page to be my home page at all I do find my blog to be that way though lol. I've moved my automotive portfolio to the "home page" of my website. Another issue I have is hosting space at the moment. My photography is funding my gear/website as I have little work due to being a full time student and having a part time job. So I can't host my own photos on my website yet. eventually I will be moving to a autoviewer based flash slide show for my images which will solve a lot of issues with the current flickr based one. Thanks again this is my first website and first business so its a learning process lol

[Todd Corzett]

I don't find my page to be my home page at all I do find my blog to be that way though lol. I've moved my automotive portfolio to the "home page" of my website.
I wouldn't be worried about what the page is called (home page, index, start page, etc.) just what the information is (I don't think that the first page people see at your website should be a 'home page' as I defined it earlier). I like having a photo (or in your case a series of them) on the first page that people go to. I like the portfolios being split, but I would still work on the image selection some more. You don't necessarily need to have a bunch of work... but what you want is the work you have to be the best it can be. Less is often more, as you are only as strong as your weakest image. I saw you changed some of the 'About' page, but it still comes off to me as a guy with a hobby (or passion, whatever that means)... and not a professional.

Maybe you need to step back a moment and think about what you want your website to say and do for you. Do you want it to make you look like a professional? Are you looking to have people find you via search engines? Are you looking to impress a potential client with your portfolio? Is it for automotive photography? Personal photography? etc... ? Are you just looking to have a place with yourname.com to show to friends? Once you have a better understanding of what the website will be for, it will be easier to figure out what to (and not to) include... how it should be structured... etc.

-Todd...

[Grant Zoschnick]

I am looking for it to be on more of the professional end. I will be using search engines and word of mouth as advertising. The services page describes in detail what I have experience in so that is what I'm selling. I don't need it to make me look like a professional as that would be evident in me selling my services as a photographer. I do however need to construct it in a professional manner so I empress that on clients who don't know me.

[Curtis Creager]

This really gets me. "You don't need it to make you look professional" what exactly do you mean by this?!

Please don't take this the wrong way but your site does not sell you as being professional at least to me. I am working on a site and it will take some time to get it all together to make it right for me. But you need a site that shows you are a professional whether it is in the images you’ve posted or the text that describes you and the work you do or can provide. Keep out the needless information the catchy words and phrases.

IMO…the name of your site doesn’t lend it’s self as professional…Oh-G are you a Photo Gangster are you the oh-riginal photographer or a professional photographer. The name is just a little silly. This is just a question, what makes you a professional?

I think John and Todd have done a good job pointing out the areas that you should work on...and you should work on them!
Have someone that can write good copy and work with them to create the professional look and feel that people are looking for. Really think about what it is you are trying to sell. You should really take a look at the sites the Professionals on this board have you can learn a ton just by reading and looking,

Take a step back and have people that aren’t close to you critique your images or site (not unlike members of this site) and use the information to help make yourself look professional don’t build yourself up, you should be able to back up your words with high quality work.

Lastly, this photographic world is tough. People come and go all the time. Some spend tons of money and never make a dime. But make enough to get them to the next race/event and make that payment on the gear they rented or purchased on a 20% interest CC.

[Grant Zoschnick]

First Oh-G as in oh gee not "original gangster". Second I think only in person you can prove your self in person to be professional and at the end result I don't need my website to show that final proof but to show "in the website" me being on the plane of professional norms. Sorry my wording isn't always that great thanks for the help:p

[Grant Zoschnick]

Oh, and by paying for my gear with quality of work that has already happened. Its one thing to describe bad photographers coming and going but my work already makes me a profit. Lets keep this discussion to the website and not work as that isn't an issue for me as I have no problem finding paid work at my "quality" I am well aware that my work needs improvement but for the time spent, resources, and experience I have I don't think I'm missing the mark too far. Thanks again though as I'm new and DO have a lot to learn My peers that work off of car specific forums do have websites like that of mine before I made the changes here. keep in mind I'm 21 years old still in college and have a lot to learn in the "professional field" now that I'm looking at a lot of the older more "dug in" photographers I see a lot of talk in about sections of websites about experience and famous clients. I don't have a lot of either so Its hard for me to come up with something basic to put down.

Thanks again I hope this doesn't come off as rude I truly respect your opinions and greatly appreciate this help, but put yourself in my shoes for a second what should be put in an about me section that isn't there now?

[Brent Smith]

First Oh-G as in oh gee not "original gangster". Second I think only in person you can prove your self in person to be professional and at the end result I don't need my website to show that final proof but to show "in the website" me being on the plane of professional norms. Sorry my wording isn't always that great thanks for the help:p

?

Why should I hire you in the hope that you'll be 'professional' when I meet you? If I want to gamble I'll buy a lottery ticket or hit up the casino.

As for your website, I would not release a WIP for the world to see. If you're going to be constantly changing the site then don't let everyone see the pre-release versions.

[Grant Zoschnick]

?

Why should I hire you in the hope that you'll be 'professional' when I meet you? If I want to gamble I'll buy a lottery ticket or hit up the casino.

As for your website, I would not release a WIP for the world to see. If you're going to be constantly changing the site then don't let everyone see the pre-release versions. The first part was miss interpreted from my text I am fully aware that I need a professional looking website I was further clarifying my point. The part about the website being there for the world to see is true but since I'm not advertising anywhere but here and a few other forums I doubt a potential client would find it to begin with:D

[Curtis Creager]

Everything I'm saying has everything to do with your site.

The things I pointed out earlier are for the most part the exact things other people will notice straight away about your site, your images and you. People want to know who you are and will actually read your words. Whether you’re trying to cater to a single or a larger audience then you need to make sure your website does that easily.

I figured that the Oh-G was more on the side of ‘oh gee’ not the gangster. But the way you’ve spelled Oh-G doesn’t necessarily mean ‘oh gee’ unless you target market speaks the speak others may not get it, ya hurd!

I wasn’t intending my comments to imply that you didn’t have quality work. I think most photographers regardless of their market want to speak to their potential customer(s) with their images and if your able to do that then cool. Do you have a portfolio of images to show potential clients?

If you want to be a photojournalist then do that. If you want to specialize in one area do it. But don’t show pictures of pumpkins and cars and then try and sell yourself as an automotive photographer or product photographer. Your 21 in college and at the same time you juggle product, nature, architecture, portrait and automotive photography not sure how you do it.

The statement you make on your site ‘you started Oh-G Photography as a solution for a growing need in advertising and media coverage’ what does this mean? If this is the statement of your work then you need to be able to answer this question and answer it with confidence. Someone will want to know what media you’ve covered. They will also want to see samples they will want to know if you have model or property releases with your work. I’ve worked in the digital stock photography industry these are the types of things you need to know and prepare for.

Just curious do you have a model release for the Danica picture?


Bottom line...First impression is everything.

Best of luck

[Grant Zoschnick]

Thanks. I'm in no means selling the pictures in my portfolio but I am selling my services as a freelance photographer for events products cars and people. If I did just one at this point I wouldn't make enough money to continue. I'm just not to that point yet. As to the Danica picture Its not being sold therefore it doesn't need a release its fair usage. As I grow with more work so will the site and experiences I can put down. The main reason for having this site is everytime I'm out shooting I get asked if I have a website. So if I can look at least somewhat professional when they go home and see that my photography is up to snuff I might get a client. I'm not trying to draw in the big three yet as I don't have the expertise. My site will be there to evolve as I do. I think not having one all together will make me look less professional when someone asks for my services.

Thank you everyone and thanks John for forming such a great community

[John Thawley]

As to the Danica picture Its not being sold therefore it doesn't need a release its fair usage.

BUZZ!!!! Wrong!

You are using her image to promote your services.

Now, that said, as credentialed shooters, we have some wiggle room as we were authorized to shoot the event and the activities that take place in and behind the walls.... but to be sure, you are using her image commercially.

Also, you should know, just because you aren't selling or not taking profit does not relieve you of liability. It's not about YOUR profit... it's about HER profit. Only she has control over the use of her likeness in any way, shape of form.

JT

[Grant Zoschnick]

Not totally true. If you are in a public place(I was) and are using the image is not commercially used I'm in the clear. Now you do bring up a point about whether I'm using the image to promote my services which is in a kind of grey area as it isn't a direct advertisement its a fine art piece that displays my work.

[John Thawley]

Thanks. I'm in no means selling the pictures in my portfolio but I am selling my services as a freelance photographer for events products cars and people. If I did just one at this point I wouldn't make enough money to continue. I'm just not to that point yet. As to the Danica picture Its not being sold therefore it doesn't need a release its fair usage. As I grow with more work so will the site and experiences I can put down. The main reason for having this site is everytime I'm out shooting I get asked if I have a website. So if I can look at least somewhat professional when they go home and see that my photography is up to snuff I might get a client. I'm not trying to draw in the big three yet as I don't have the expertise. My site will be there to evolve as I do. I think not having one all together will make me look less professional when someone asks for my services.

Thank you everyone and thanks John for forming such a great community

It is a great community and there is an abundance of good information here. Grant, you really need to stop defending your attempts and start listening.

You've got a handful of decent images.. you want to make yourself commercially available... I understand that. And, you're just starting out, your in school etc. etc. ... I understand that too. However, there is an old saying... "dress for the job you want, not the job you have."

Professionalism, or lack there of, can be extremely transparent. It's not just the difference between professional and unprofessional. There are fundamentals .... and when not acknowledged, they can be a dead giveaway.

The font for oh-g (and I agree... it's a poor choice for a name) is dated, not very legible and FAR from being edgy or hip.

The header photo... makes no sense. I know, I know... you think this urban decay thing is cutting edge and all.. trust me, it's not.

You need to lose the Dyson car in front of the transporter (that's a "fan" shot.. c'mon) and the Vette behind the fence.. another fan shot. Your portfolio will be a lot stronger without them. And the rule is, by the way, your portfolio is ONLY as strong as the weakest shot.

Now... you're in school... go to the library or solicit someone who is taking a writing course and FIX the copy on the site. It is a disaster. No punctuation, improper use of words. Extremely poor sentence structure... and words that make no sense. What's bad about this is the fact that there are only three or four sentences on the site and they all have something wrong with them. That screams UNPROFESSIONAL.

This sentence/statement makes me crazy: "Grant in early 2007 started Oh-G Photography as a solution for a growing need in advertising and media coverage."

Are you kidding... there is NO growing need. The market has become saturated with wannabes that got their hands on a digital camera and discovered they can hide behind a delete key and Photoshop. There is NO growing NEED, and if there was, are people really going to believe YOU are the solution? I'm not putting YOU down... I putting down the absurdity of the statement.

But... more to the point, if a media buyer or potential client saw all these grammatical errors they will immediately know that you are not a professional. And I don't mean, not a professional photographer... I mean a professional person.

Anyway.. don't open up your HTML editor and start writing. Open up Word or some sort of writing program and gather your thoughts. Get this right.. it says a lot about you. And, right now, it says "this guy doesn't know what he's doing."

If you aren't going to do that... do this.

ABOUT

As an active participant in the Southeast Michigan photographic community, Grant Zoschnick maintains a blog sharing ideas and networking with other local Detroit photographers . Early in 2007, Grant formed his company, Oh-G Photography, making his services available to Detroit's growing advertising and media outlets.

You can view Grant's portfolio HERE (hyperlink)

SERVICES

Oh-G Photography is available to assist in all of your photographic needs. Oh-G Photographic specializes in portrait, automotive, architectural, still life, and product photography.

To inquire about pricing or to discuss on location services please contact Oh-G Photography at: (email link)


I know it's not much... but at least it's accurate. Though, feel free to get a second opinion.

JT

[John Thawley]

Not totally true. If you are in a public place(I was) and are using the image is not commercially used I'm in the clear. Now you do bring up a point about whether I'm using the image to promote my services which is in a kind of grey area as it isn't a direct advertisement its a fine art piece that displays my work.

Grant. You are quite wrong. There is NO gray area. TIme to listen, Grant.

[Grant Zoschnick]

Thanks so much! Sorry for defending my crappy job I'm a very stubborn person. The urban decay thing is my passion although it has become trendy its what I do on weekends. Its not as obvious to me that certain things are wrong as I haven't the expertise in this area so I often need things spelled out. Thanks for spending the effort on me no other forum is this constructive

[Grant Zoschnick]

Picture removed thanks listening now

[John Thawley]

Picture removed thanks listening now

By the way, you were NOT in a public area... you were at a commercial event. She was part of that event and that event is INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. It's a show. No different than taking a photo of Madonna singing in concert. All you can do is hang that photo in your bedroom. It is for your PERSONAL use. It's just like the end of a sports TV broadcast... "this program is for the enjoyment of our viewers and may not be use or rebroadcast... blah, blah, blah.". Even though bars can broadcast a game on their big screen... they can't sell tickets. etc. Read the back of the a ticket too. I just took my five-year old down to the Dinosaurs Live show at Cobo Hall... while you are allowed to take pictures, NO PROFESSIONAL cameras allowed. LOL - I didn't ask how they determined what was professional and what was not.. but, it's obvious what they were attempting to accomplish.

A race, a sporting event, a concert.. etc. etc are intellectual property. Heck, even buildings are being trademarked. You can't shoot the Trans-America building in San Francisco and use the image without permission.

JT

[Grant Zoschnick]

To clarify that picture wasn't taken on Bele isle. She wasn't at the event when that picture was taken see was off-site down town doing something for the Girl Scouts of America. I was in public space taking the picture. But your right unless I use this photo in editoral or personal use I don't have very many rights

[John Thawley]

To clarify that picture wasn't taken on Bele isle. She wasn't at the event when that picture was taken see was off-site down town doing something for the Girl Scouts of America. I was in public space taking the picture. But your right unless I use this photo in editoral or personal use I don't have very many rights

Ah... I just assumed since you shot on Belle Isle, that's where you saw her.

But, you're right... editorial or personal. It's an interesting conundrum, because you do hold the copyright to the photo... your work. But she holds the rights to how her image is used... minus editorial.

JT

[Todd Corzett]

I am looking for it to be on more of the professional end. I will be using search engines and word of mouth as advertising. The services page describes in detail what I have experience in so that is what I'm selling.
So this brings up a bunch of different things... First, if it's going to be professional you need to be professional with it. Don't say the word 'hobby' anywhere on the site. I'd even try to stay away from the 'passion' sort of things as well.

If you are planning on having people find your page via search engines (which isn't easy) you need to have your site much more structured. My latest website was created for just this purpose (search engines) and therefore has many words in the text, galleries, images, etc. all linking back to keywords. It has taken almost two years of updates, etc. but I'm starting to see more and more people enter my site via search engines with the terms that I am using for keywords (new people), rather than just people search for 'Unit-One Studios' or 'Todd Corzett' (people who already know me).

The services page list examples of what you can do, but no where on your site do I see a single nature photo... I think you don't need to be so specific in the services you offer (ie. a listing of them), but rather have examples of your work from the areas of the photography you want to service in your portfolio(s).

I don't need it to make me look like a professional as that would be evident in me selling my services as a photographer. I do however need to construct it in a professional manner so I empress that on clients who don't know me.
You don't necessarily need it to make you look like a professional, but you don't want it to NOT make you look professional either. You have to have everything you do covey 'professional'. From the business name, to the web address... email@yourbusiness.com instead of gmail, etc... (and this may not all happen at once), but I feel as a new photographer one must be able to put their website side-by-side with the best in the business and never be able to tell which one has more years experience.

IMO…the name of your site doesn’t lend it’s self as professional…
This was my first thought as well... I figured it was more like "Oh-Grant" sort of thing with maybe a nickname, but my first thought was towards the gangster side of things.

Along those lines... I've found it difficult to have a business name (Unit-One Studios) and be a person (Todd Corzett) at the same time. I often try to push the business name, but the vast majority of people know me as the person. Rather than trying to split my effective marketing... it would benefit me to just go my Todd Corzett Photography. Since you have your name as a domain, why not just use your name? It saves you from needing to get a DBA (doing business as, aka. fictitious business), etc. You will learn how much it sucks when a client writes you a check to 'Oh-G Photography' and you can't cash it without doing all these things (that's what happened to me).

Lets keep this discussion to the website and not work as that isn't an issue for me...
I don't think that he was trying to be critical of your work, experience, etc... rather just point out that from the business standpoint most of these don't last long. I'd give you the same comment if you wanted to open a restaurant.

keep in mind I'm 21 years old still in college and have a lot to learn in the "professional field" now that I'm looking at a lot of the older more "dug in" photographers I see a lot of talk in about sections of websites about experience and famous clients. I don't have a lot of either so Its hard for me to come up with something basic to put down.
I started my business around the same age (and situation) as you. It's not easy building a professional portfolio, website, business, etc... but nothing good ever is. IMO, the key is to make yourself not look like a '21 year-old newbie' and rather a professional. If I'm looking for someone to do business with I want them to have the basics... a domain name, email addresses, phone numbers, etc. When they call/email you they should get professional from minute 1 (and that means not having a roommate answer your phone and tell them to call back later). All of this doesn't need to be done right off the bat, it takes time, but they should all be goals for you.

Picture removed
Don't be so quick to make changes... even when we say things... put it all together. Take some time and think about what you have where and why... if you can't defend why something is there, then it shouldn't. Work on things a bit then update the site. Don't just copy what John writes... but use it and what others say to build something of your own. This is a process that takes time.

What would I make it look like for now... one of my basic rules of design... keep it simple: Grand Zoschnick Photography (http://www.unitonestudios.com/_Other/GrandZoschnick.html). Take an image of your choice that is of high quality (and that is about what you are trying to sell) and put it as the first thing you see. Have a link to your portfolio and have the 'contact' link to your email address. You can add an 'About' and 'Services' page when you get them together. Just something simple for now. Yes, it's plain... Yes, it looks like every other photo website out there... but it's not going to get you negative points while you figure out how you want things to be all put together. Oh yeah, never put 'this site is under construction'... if it wasn't ready to go online it shouldn't be there.

-Todd...