I am curious about NPN Members use of, and results from PhotoPortfolios.net, our sister site.
1. Do you have a portfolio there?
2. How many images do you have displayed?
3. Do you keep your portfolio updated?
4. If so, do you actively use it as part of your marketing strategy?
5. Have you been contacted by potential customers through your portfolio?
6. Have you realized any sales from your portfolio?
7. Are there any other thoughts you may have regarding PhotoPortfolios.net?
Again, I am just curious about this. I see that there are a goodly number of folks who have porfolios and am wondering how it is working, or not working, for you.
Disclaimer: I am speaking strictly as a member of NPN, not as a NPN staff member.
Thanks for your thoughts,
--P
Posted by Charlie Baugh on December 7, 2011 at 1:38 PM
A "disclaimer"?
Posted by Phillip Noll on December 7, 2011 at 3:15 PM
1.) Yes
2.) 38
3.) Not for a while but will be updating it soon.
4.) No. But I am looking at starting.
5.) No
6.) No
7.) I would like to see it promoted more on NPN (and other places?) and I would also like to see it revamped and updated to look more attractive and be more useful.
Posted by Jim Erhardt on December 7, 2011 at 3:32 PM
Ultimately, I would prefer to make the NPN Personal Galleries fulfill this role.
I am an NPN Staff member and I wanted to ensure that everyone understood that my questions were not posted in an 'official' capacity.
So, how do you feel about answering my questions? Your participation is welcomed.
--P
Posted by Charlie Baugh on December 7, 2011 at 9:02 PM
I don't sell images and truth be told no one has asked.
Charlie
Posted by Gary Yeoh on December 7, 2011 at 9:04 PM
JIm:
I like the idea of the galleries 'replacing' the portfolio as this would be current and easier to update without having to manage another site. However, there is as yet no easy way to link or refer to our personal gallery in a human readable format. It would be great to have a shortcut such as www.naturephotographers.net/username or www.username.naturephotographers.net which point directly to the user's gallery.
Hi Preston. I have almost 120 on photo portfolios, use it often to show my photos. Have had no direct sale inquiries resulting from it but have gotten acceptances into galleries, etc. Do not have a personal website so this is my only showcase. Wish the current images from the critque gallery were linked, but keep the photoportfolios name so I don't have to redo my business cards. Also wish the thumbnails were bigger and the "next" buttom didn't require scrolling to use.
Photoportfolios was my main draw to NPN and the images for critque came later. Please keep it or I'll have to hire you to set up a website for me.
Pat
Posted by Jim Erhardt on December 8, 2011 at 7:37 AM
Here is a short list of PhotoPortfolio features that could be added to the personal galleries;
1. Member List like the Photographer Index
2. A method to create a short URL to your gallery
3. A Member Profile page
4. Redirect the PhotoPortfolios domain name to the NPN galleries as an alternative way to access the galleries
5. Creation of a NPN Member Galleries home page
All it takes is money.
Posted by Bill Maile on December 8, 2011 at 8:14 AM
Personally, I have not updated mine in I don't know how long. I have a fully functional photo website, and find resizing images again, and entering all of the information, again--to be too time consuming and very cumbersome in using my PhotoPortfolio. I wish some change could be made, just IMO because you asked! ;)
Also, this is something I've had in my mind--in the NPN galleries, it would be nice to enter the smaller (720 pixels) while entering the larger (1200 pixel) images at the exact same time. If there is a way to do this, and I am not aware, I apologize. And I realize it is by no means a major step to enter one, then go back and enter the 2nd.
That's all!
Posted by Jim Bullard on December 8, 2011 at 8:20 AM
In answer to your questions:
1. Do you have a portfolio there? Yes, it the prime motivator for me to join NPN.
2. How many images do you have displayed? 82
3. Do you keep your portfolio updated? No, like many of my marketing chores I mean to but haven't gotten around to it.
4. If so, do you actively use it as part of your marketing strategy? I list it in my email signature file along with other places that I have photos online. It is also listed on my blog sidebar.
5. Have you been contacted by potential customers through your portfolio? No
6. Have you realized any sales from your portfolio? No, not directly.
7. Are there any other thoughts you may have regarding PhotoPortfolios.net? In the 8-10 years I've had photos online I have had only 2 or 3 sales that I could trace directly to any of the sites, two of those from my blog. OTOH I get blog traffic from those other sites and from Blurb where I have a small book of B&Ws. I've never sold a copy of that book through Blurb (I've sold several locally) but recently a majority of my blog referrals come from Blurb. In terms of visibility in an over-saturated web it certainly doesn't hurt to have those images there under the NPN banner. All together I've had over 26000 views of individual images there. I note that in order to contact a photographer from the portfolios one needs to be a member and be signed in. I just went to my portfolio to check the views and when I clicked on "Contact Photographer" I had to log in to get the form. IMO that contact form should be available to anyone looking. I wonder how many of the 26K have simply moved on because they didn't want to join in order to send an email to me from that page.
I like your ideas above Jim but I think a rework of the Portfolios would serve as well I think, perhaps a merger of the two. Rename it "NPN Member Portfolios". An online gallery or portfolio are essentially the same thing.
Posted by Phillip Noll on December 8, 2011 at 9:50 AM
Some issues I see with with the current NPN Personal Galleries:
1.) You have to post your photo in a critique gallery to get it into your personal gallery (and there are time limits on how often you can post a photo in a critique gallery)
2.) You can't remove a photo from your personal gallery without asking Jim to remove it for you (I've had to do this in the past)
3.) Your photos in your personal gallery are linked back to all the comments on your photo in the critique gallery and you may not want that if you are trying to sell images (some comments could give a customer pause or send your customer to someone else!)
Correct me if I'm wrong on these points. With the PhotoPortfolios you are in more control over what photos are posted there and what information people (potential customers) can see. You also have a profile and a link to your own website. Personally I would like to see PhotoPortfolios revamped with larger thumbs and a smoother flow from one image to the next. There are several relatively new photography sharing sites out there that could serve as sources of inspiration for useful and aesthetic changes to PhotoPortfolios.
Posted by scott lanz on December 8, 2011 at 1:31 PM
Phil, you can remove an image from your personal gallery by editing the image and unchecking the box that you checked to save the image in your gallery. But I think you are correct about having to post a photo into a citique gallery to get it into your personal gallery. Personally, I'd like to get some images I previously posted, but which I forgot or neglected to save in my personal gallery, back into my personal gallery. Jim, is there (or could there be) a way to do this without reposting them in a critique gallery? I kind od assume there isn't, but I thought I'd ask. Thanks.
Posted by Phillip Noll on December 8, 2011 at 3:20 PM
You are right Scott! I forgot about unchecking the box. I think my problem was with an image that was a Weekly Pick and I couldn't delete it from my gallery without Jim's help.
Posted by Basil Greber on December 8, 2011 at 6:02 PM
Jim - it comes as no surprise that there are plans to replace the portfolios by the NPN galleries. However, I think the portfolio has some advantages over the personal NPN gallery:
- You can order/arrange photos as you like.
- You can upload also stuff that you don't need critique for.
- You can upload stuff that doesn't really fit into NPN categories.
Also, generally, it takes a long time to build a good personal gallery on NPN, while a portfolio is easier to set up (well, given you have the photography handy ).
Just MHO. Of course adding some of the features you mentioned to the NPN galleries may facilitate their use as a portfolio.
Posted by Jim Erhardt on December 9, 2011 at 6:17 AM
Thanks to all for your feedback!
No doubt, we're either going to (1) revamp the portfolio site or (2) add features to the NPN personal galleries to replace the portfolio site.
Right now, checking the "personal gallery" box simply avoids having the photo auto-deleted after 35 days. Here are some other functions that could be done when the box is checked;
1. Hide comments and not display in any of the IC galleries. So, you could upload a photo for critique just as you do now, and check the personal gallery box later - or check the box immediately upon upload and send it directly to your gallery.
2. Over ride the "posting speed limit" so that if the box is checked, you could upload more photos immediately
3. Hide the gallery designation under the thumbnail. This way, you could also upload non-nature photos and not have them appear in any IC gallery.
Along with those changes, you would also;
1. Have the ability to add/delete photos from your personal gallery as you see fit
2. Be able to add keywords for search purposes
3. Create a Member Profile page
4. Create a user-friendly URL for your portfolio
This is a major project that we would tackle in 2012, so right now we just want to get feedback so we can plan accordingly. Thanks!
Posted by Basil Greber on December 10, 2011 at 9:43 AM
Now that sounds great, Jim!
Posted by Andy Richards on December 11, 2011 at 9:58 AM
Jim: I think the Personal Galleries option is the way to go. Preston, in answer to your question, the Portfolios was actually the reason I dropped my NPN membership the first time (not meant in a bad way, Jim ). I had more than just "Nature" images and needed a place to "showcase" all my work. I needed to allocate the "$" resource to my website. I have that up and running now, and felt the benefits to membership was worth re-joining -- however, although I started to upload some images to the Portfolio, I have ultimately concluded it wasn't worth my time. I have never had an inquiry other than those emails that so and so is looking for an image of such and such. Its just one more place to have to maintain.
I think the personal Galleries here are great, though it has taken me a while to understand how they interact. I do like Jim's enhancement ideas.
Posted by Lynn Jones on January 17, 2012 at 3:15 PM
Hi Preston,
I teach this subject for graduating professional photographers and we deal with this according to the person with whom you are being interviewed. First, if you have no reputation with this person, bring prints, not just a lap top or CD/DVD, they want to know exactly what you can do. Experienced photographers are often hired on the basis of their reputation, but not those who don't have a strong requtation. Don't bore them with too many photos or too little is also bad,, they will figure you don't know enough to produce 10 or 12 good photos.
Advertising-Fashion-Commercial-Architecture, etc:. 10 or 12 photos up to 11x14 (no large mounted prints, it makes you look like you just graduated from school) in an atache case with a business card and a photo CD with the same pictures and your address &,phone and I never recommend using your web site if you have one, you shouldn't appear to be competing with them, however if you are interviewing with an advertising executive then show your web site.
Portrait-Wedding: a couple of 16x20's, a wedding album, and a portrait book, business card, CD to leave behind.
Fine Art Gallery: business card, 5 to 10 8x10 or 8.5x11 prints of the same basic style in which you wish to be considered, one mounted and framed (w/glass) of a size and style seen in their gallery and discuss and if desired show your web site, leave behind a CD with only the photos you have previously shown.
These are the kinds of consideration regarding portfolio,
Thanks for the information. The actual topic of this thread is the on-line portfolios at NPN's 'Photo Portfolios.net' site.
You do make some excellent recommendations in your post. Considerations for presenting porfolios to potential clients or galleries would be a great topic for a seperate thread.
--P
PS: Any other NPNers have thoughts about Photo Portolios.net?
Discussion
19 repliesI am curious about NPN Members use of, and results from PhotoPortfolios.net, our sister site.
1. Do you have a portfolio there?
2. How many images do you have displayed?
3. Do you keep your portfolio updated?
4. If so, do you actively use it as part of your marketing strategy?
5. Have you been contacted by potential customers through your portfolio?
6. Have you realized any sales from your portfolio?
7. Are there any other thoughts you may have regarding PhotoPortfolios.net?
Again, I am just curious about this. I see that there are a goodly number of folks who have porfolios and am wondering how it is working, or not working, for you.
Disclaimer: I am speaking strictly as a member of NPN, not as a NPN staff member.
Thanks for your thoughts,
--P
2.) 38
3.) Not for a while but will be updating it soon.
4.) No. But I am looking at starting.
5.) No
6.) No
7.) I would like to see it promoted more on NPN (and other places?) and I would also like to see it revamped and updated to look more attractive and be more useful.
Thoughts?
I am an NPN Staff member and I wanted to ensure that everyone understood that my questions were not posted in an 'official' capacity.
So, how do you feel about answering my questions? Your participation is welcomed.
--P
Charlie
I like the idea of the galleries 'replacing' the portfolio as this would be current and easier to update without having to manage another site. However, there is as yet no easy way to link or refer to our personal gallery in a human readable format. It would be great to have a shortcut such as www.naturephotographers.net/username or www.username.naturephotographers.net which point directly to the user's gallery.
Photoportfolios was my main draw to NPN and the images for critque came later. Please keep it or I'll have to hire you to set up a website for me.
Pat
1. Member List like the Photographer Index
2. A method to create a short URL to your gallery
3. A Member Profile page
4. Redirect the PhotoPortfolios domain name to the NPN galleries as an alternative way to access the galleries
5. Creation of a NPN Member Galleries home page
All it takes is money.
Also, this is something I've had in my mind--in the NPN galleries, it would be nice to enter the smaller (720 pixels) while entering the larger (1200 pixel) images at the exact same time. If there is a way to do this, and I am not aware, I apologize. And I realize it is by no means a major step to enter one, then go back and enter the 2nd.
That's all!
1. Do you have a portfolio there? Yes, it the prime motivator for me to join NPN.
2. How many images do you have displayed? 82
3. Do you keep your portfolio updated? No, like many of my marketing chores I mean to but haven't gotten around to it.
4. If so, do you actively use it as part of your marketing strategy? I list it in my email signature file along with other places that I have photos online. It is also listed on my blog sidebar.
5. Have you been contacted by potential customers through your portfolio? No
6. Have you realized any sales from your portfolio? No, not directly.
7. Are there any other thoughts you may have regarding PhotoPortfolios.net? In the 8-10 years I've had photos online I have had only 2 or 3 sales that I could trace directly to any of the sites, two of those from my blog. OTOH I get blog traffic from those other sites and from Blurb where I have a small book of B&Ws. I've never sold a copy of that book through Blurb (I've sold several locally) but recently a majority of my blog referrals come from Blurb. In terms of visibility in an over-saturated web it certainly doesn't hurt to have those images there under the NPN banner. All together I've had over 26000 views of individual images there. I note that in order to contact a photographer from the portfolios one needs to be a member and be signed in. I just went to my portfolio to check the views and when I clicked on "Contact Photographer" I had to log in to get the form. IMO that contact form should be available to anyone looking. I wonder how many of the 26K have simply moved on because they didn't want to join in order to send an email to me from that page.
I like your ideas above Jim but I think a rework of the Portfolios would serve as well I think, perhaps a merger of the two. Rename it "NPN Member Portfolios". An online gallery or portfolio are essentially the same thing.
1.) You have to post your photo in a critique gallery to get it into your personal gallery (and there are time limits on how often you can post a photo in a critique gallery)
2.) You can't remove a photo from your personal gallery without asking Jim to remove it for you (I've had to do this in the past)
3.) Your photos in your personal gallery are linked back to all the comments on your photo in the critique gallery and you may not want that if you are trying to sell images (some comments could give a customer pause or send your customer to someone else!)
Correct me if I'm wrong on these points. With the PhotoPortfolios you are in more control over what photos are posted there and what information people (potential customers) can see. You also have a profile and a link to your own website. Personally I would like to see PhotoPortfolios revamped with larger thumbs and a smoother flow from one image to the next. There are several relatively new photography sharing sites out there that could serve as sources of inspiration for useful and aesthetic changes to PhotoPortfolios.
- You can order/arrange photos as you like.
- You can upload also stuff that you don't need critique for.
- You can upload stuff that doesn't really fit into NPN categories.
Also, generally, it takes a long time to build a good personal gallery on NPN, while a portfolio is easier to set up (well, given you have the photography handy
Just MHO. Of course adding some of the features you mentioned to the NPN galleries may facilitate their use as a portfolio.
No doubt, we're either going to (1) revamp the portfolio site or (2) add features to the NPN personal galleries to replace the portfolio site.
Right now, checking the "personal gallery" box simply avoids having the photo auto-deleted after 35 days. Here are some other functions that could be done when the box is checked;
1. Hide comments and not display in any of the IC galleries. So, you could upload a photo for critique just as you do now, and check the personal gallery box later - or check the box immediately upon upload and send it directly to your gallery.
2. Over ride the "posting speed limit" so that if the box is checked, you could upload more photos immediately
3. Hide the gallery designation under the thumbnail. This way, you could also upload non-nature photos and not have them appear in any IC gallery.
Along with those changes, you would also;
1. Have the ability to add/delete photos from your personal gallery as you see fit
2. Be able to add keywords for search purposes
3. Create a Member Profile page
4. Create a user-friendly URL for your portfolio
This is a major project that we would tackle in 2012, so right now we just want to get feedback so we can plan accordingly. Thanks!
I think the personal Galleries here are great, though it has taken me a while to understand how they interact. I do like Jim's enhancement ideas.
I teach this subject for graduating professional photographers and we deal with this according to the person with whom you are being interviewed. First, if you have no reputation with this person, bring prints, not just a lap top or CD/DVD, they want to know exactly what you can do. Experienced photographers are often hired on the basis of their reputation, but not those who don't have a strong requtation. Don't bore them with too many photos or too little is also bad,, they will figure you don't know enough to produce 10 or 12 good photos.
Advertising-Fashion-Commercial-Architecture, etc:. 10 or 12 photos up to 11x14 (no large mounted prints, it makes you look like you just graduated from school) in an atache case with a business card and a photo CD with the same pictures and your address &,phone and I never recommend using your web site if you have one, you shouldn't appear to be competing with them, however if you are interviewing with an advertising executive then show your web site.
Portrait-Wedding: a couple of 16x20's, a wedding album, and a portrait book, business card, CD to leave behind.
Fine Art Gallery: business card, 5 to 10 8x10 or 8.5x11 prints of the same basic style in which you wish to be considered, one mounted and framed (w/glass) of a size and style seen in their gallery and discuss and if desired show your web site, leave behind a CD with only the photos you have previously shown.
These are the kinds of consideration regarding portfolio,
Lynn
Thanks for the information. The actual topic of this thread is the on-line portfolios at NPN's 'Photo Portfolios.net' site.
You do make some excellent recommendations in your post. Considerations for presenting porfolios to potential clients or galleries would be a great topic for a seperate thread.
--P
PS: Any other NPNers have thoughts about Photo Portolios.net?
-p