Small Business Website Tips - Asher + Rose Studios Blog
As a photographer, showcasing your work on a website is essential to your online presence. Your website is a virtual gallery where potential clients can view your portfolio and understand your photography style. To ensure a smooth website design process and timely completion, here are some best practices to keep in mind when organizing and preparing your photos for your website.
Tip #1 Match Color Schemes to Your Photography Style:
The colour scheme of your website should complement the overall style of your photography. Consider the mood and tone of your photos and choose a colour palette that enhances them. For example, if your photography style is bright and vibrant, you may want to use a colourful and bold colour scheme for your website. On the other hand, if your style is more muted and moody, a darker and more subdued colour palette might be a better fit.
Here is an example.
Tip #2 Optimize for Web Viewing:
Website images should be optimized for web viewing to ensure fast loading times and a smooth browsing experience for your visitors. Compress your images to reduce file size while maintaining image quality. Avoid using excessively large image dimensions that may slow down your website. There are numerous online tools and software that can help you optimize your images for the web without compromising image quality.
Windows 11 is a great tool to use when sizing down images.
Tip #3 Choose Landscape Photos:
Landscape-oriented (horizontal) photos generally fit better on websites compared to portrait-oriented (vertical) photos. Landscape photos tend to be more visually appealing and allow for better placement on web pages, especially in banners or sliders. However, this doesn't mean you can't use portrait-oriented photos if they align with your photography style or specific website design.
Here’s an example of different layouts with various sizes of photos:
Tip #4 Be Intentional with Your Photo Selections:
Take the time to curate and select the photos you want to showcase on your website beforehand. Having a clear idea of which photos you want to include on your website will speed up the design process and ensure that your website accurately represents your photography style and portfolio.
Tip #5 Have Separate Folders for Website Photos:
Create separate folders for general website photos, such as the Home page, About page, Portfolio photos, or other specific categories. This ensures that you can easily locate and send the photos to your web designer when needed. This will streamline the process and avoid delays in designing and uploading your photos to your website.
Tip #6 Use High-Quality Images:
Ensure that the photos you send to your web designer are high-quality images. Avoid using low-resolution or pixelated images as they can diminish the overall impression of your work. Use high-resolution images that are sharp, well-exposed, and properly edited to highlight the details and beauty of your photos.
Tip #7 Communicate Your Vision to Your Designer:
Clearly communicate your vision and preferences for your website's design and layout to your web designer. This includes the placement of specific photos, desired image sizes, and any other design elements you want to incorporate. Providing clear instructions and feedback will help your designer create a website that aligns with your photography style and meets your expectations.
Tip #8 Don’t forget to Add Testimonials
Testimonials as a small business is the most important tool you can use. Do not forget to add a page or section dedicated to showing off those glowing reviews. Pick your favourite testimonials that are 5-star and showcase your hard work and what makes you stand out.
By following these best practices, you can ensure that you are well-prepared and organized when providing your photos to your web designer, resulting in a smooth website design process and a website that beautifully showcases your photography skills. Remember to collaborate closely with your designer and communicate your vision to create a website that truly represents your unique style as a photographer.
Happy website building!
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