Good advice.

As a "helper" what is the main photographer expecting from you,,and is he aware of your equipment limitations??

My helper is usually setting up, tearing down and hauling equipment (strobes, umbrellas, stands). Have you shared your ideas with the main photographer yet? At most, you should be taking a few candids, and remember to stay behind (out of the shots) for the main photographer.

I don't mean to sound cruel, but since it's your first wedding and you have been asked to help, your primary goals should be helping, observing and learning, not taking photos.

If you want your web site to help you establish your name in the photography world, you need to set yourself apart from all of the others. To do this, you will need to gather ideas from your competitors and build on them. Your current web site is well done but lacks a certain level of creativity that you need to brand yourself as an artist, of which you are.

Big fancy web sites are a result of a metamorphosis. You are off to a good start. Recognize your strengths and build on them. Gather ideas from other web sites and build on them.

Looking better. You still need to change the text colors on your contact page. Also, it is possible to center the nav bar on your home page? It would increase the symmetry. And to tell you the truth, I'd drop the Bravenet Calendar. They're an OK service, I've actually been a member there for several years, but their free calendar is just too full of third-party pop up ads. If you ever get so busy that your potential clients actually have to book you weeks in advance, you'll be able to afford a real calendar.

Looking better. You still need to change the text colors on your contact page. Also, it is possible to center the nav bar on your home page? It would increase the symmetry. And to tell you the truth, I'd drop the Bravenet Calendar. They're an OK service, I've actually been a member there for several years, but their free calendar is just too full of third-party pop up ads. If you ever get so busy that your potential clients actually have to book you weeks in advance, you'll be able to afford a real calendar.

~You've got five different typefaces on your home page, not including the title graphic. The navigation bar is one, the little "welcome" paragraph is two, the word "Thanks" is three, and then the "Calendar of Availability" is four, and the blurb at the bottom in blue for iPage is five. Not good.

~I would move the counter down to the very bottom. No one needs to see that junk smack in the middle of the home page. Or get rid of it entirely. Page counts are simply not useful measures anymore.

~On your contact page, use a brighter color for your text. Grey on black is for Myspace 12 year olds...

~You don't need a "Photo Gallery" and a "Photo Gallery New". Just have one gallery, and put the newer photos at the top. Would a potential customer care if a sample photo is from yesterday or last year? Probably not.

~On your "Packages" page, remove the entire paragraph about not being a professional. If you find yourself having to apologize for your work, you're in the wrong profession. It's fine to say something like "Your satisfaction is guaranteed" or "We're not happy until YOU'RE happy", but don't apologize, or tell a potential customer "I only do this for spare change and to buy new equipment". That really sounds pathetic.

~Get rid of the blue, orange and purple text colors on the "Packages" page. There's a reason books and newspapers are printed in black on white.

I'm sorry if I sound like a crabby old SOB but I've designed websites since about 1990 and taught college courses in FrontPage and Dreamweaver, so I kinda know what I'm talking about. Plus, you asked. :)

If you want to be a Professional, your site has to look like you are.

You need not to short change yourself or your abilities. So on your page for Packages, I rewrote how I thought you should write it given the words I had to work with. You may take it for what it is worth. I just think you need to be more positive in order to sell yourself.


My prices are comparable around my location. I am a semi-professional, and do this mainlyas a hobby to earn some extra income to help pay for equipment, resources, and my time. I am trying to get my name recognized and known in the photography world. With some companies you go to, you can afford to go to studio and get professional pictures done, but then you only get 1 or 2 poses. I offer you several poses and different edits for half the price. So please consider contacting me about setting up a session.

Normal Package Price $100.00**
Includes, but is not limited to:
• Maximum 2 hours
• Up to 2 locations (travel time not included in 2 hours ; unless (here you should specify distance)
• Include up to 4 people
• Each additional person is $5.00 extra
• 30 customized edits
• 5 Custom Collages
• A disc of the entire session and edits $20.00
________________________________________
A low income package is also available with less shots. I can also work out a payment plan if you are interested.

Your photography is really lovely and the website is easy on the eyes and easily navigated. All good. My only question is the business name. "Dragon-aries" makes me think of a "head shop" (if you're old enough to remember those!). lol