Posted by Luke Ormand on January 23, 2016 at 4:18 PM
Hey everyone,
I'm looking at building a few different portfolios to submit to magazines to be included on their photographer lists. One of the publications asks for the following:
If you would like to be considered for our pool of “want list” photographers, please prepare a website of 20 of your best bird or birding photos, and email a cover letter requesting such consideration and providing the URL of the site you have prepared to us. Provide captions with each photo, identifying the species or activity and location.
Even though I'm young and technologically savvy, I'm not sure what website I should use to build these portfolios (I know there are several options, not looking for THE best, just where to start). Any information would be very appreciated!
- Luke
Posted by Basil Greber on January 23, 2016 at 6:58 PM
Depends a bit on what you want. I guess that a simple Smugmug page (or any of the direct competitors of smugmug) would do for that. Or, if you already have web space somewhere, you could simply create a small and simple HTML website yourself. Good luck!
Posted by Nancy de Flon on January 24, 2016 at 8:43 AM
Luke, you might also want to consider the Wordpress options. Wordpress.org is a bit more involved, but Wordpress.com gives you the basics -- there are several themes to choose from that are specifically designed to show off photographs -- and you can go with the free ones or pay about $79 for a more professional looking theme.
Posted by Jim DeWitt on January 24, 2016 at 8:58 PM
It dpeneds on where you want to go with it, beyond getting the minimum images posted. I've had good luck with Zenfolio, which charges a variable fee based on services provided, but it very reliable and will handle the printing for you as well.
Posted by Eva McDermott on January 26, 2016 at 2:22 AM
I second Jim's recommendation on Zenfolio.
Posted by Ed Cordes on January 26, 2016 at 10:08 AM
Another vote for Zenfolio. You can create multiple private galleries with private access.
Posted by Mike Ramy on January 26, 2016 at 2:49 PM
Luke,
The three main Photography Web Hosting sites for a professional Photographer are:
Photoshelter, Smugmug and Zenfolio
Of these Smugmug and Zenfolio are the most used and recommenced by fellow photographers that I have talked with.
First you have to pick and purchase an available domain name. This is done thru GoDaddy or Network Solutions
Then you decide on a host and purchase a plan. If you start with a basic plan and are with a good web host, you can upgrade that plan to include more features and all your work and uploaded images so far will upgrade also. No need to duplicate any work you have already performed.
Pricing at a one time annual charge:
(the plans may have different names per host)
Photoshelter - Basic = $96.00 - Standard= $300.00 - Pro = $540.00
Zenfolio - Basic = $60.00 - Standard= $240.00 - Pro = $360.00
Smugmug - Basic = $60.00 - Standard= $150.00 - Pro = $300.00
(plus a below basic plan at $40.00)
The main difference between the three besides price are:
1) Their photo lab partners which will determine the products you will have available to offer, the base prices you pay for those products, the fees charged on sales, the quality of the products and the turn around time.
2) The number and quality of preset options and /or custom options available to aid in the designing of your site.
Whichever venue you choose, be sure it offers room for growth. You may not be marketing and attempting to sell products now, but you may in the future. So, having those options available may prove useful and will prevent you having to seek another site later on. A good web-site is built-up over time as your skills and body of work grows. Starting a web-site now is a very important element in the growth of your photography career. You do not want this part of your presence to lag behind, you want it to grow and develop along with all the other aspects of taking your passion to the next level.
Your web-site is the perfect venue to showcase all your images. You can set-up special galleries for events or trips and make those images available for free digital downloads to whom ever you please. In the long run it will save you time and money over preparing and emailing or printing images to loved ones. Once you are ready to start selling images, you will have everything all ready in place. Your web host will handle all the transactions with your prior approval, take payments of any type (credit cards, pay-pal, etc), print through their affiliated photo lab partners and ship directly to the customer with a 100% guarantee. It is all made very easy with the right web host, all you have to do is set your pricing, get out and take pictures and upload them to your web-site.
I chose Zenfolio 2 ½ years ago to host my web-site because of the dependability, continued growth commitment they displayed, user friendly design and photo lab partners. In addition Zenfolio offers a vast array of Gallery, Collections and presentation options for both public and private viewing, Slideshows and full screen options with provided royalty free music available.
I have been making presentations at local camera clubs about starting your own web-site and can offer a 10% discount on any of the Zenfolio plans. Simply use Referral Code: ZB9-695-W6T when signing up.
Click HERE for additional information and a link to a helpful video by Zenfolio on applying for and setting up your Domain Name and account.
Hope this helps,
Mike
Posted by Luke Ormand on January 27, 2016 at 6:18 PM
Mike,
Thank you so much for the very detailed explanation, it is very much appreciated. I'll defintely check them out. One of the goals of 2016 is to take things more seriously and stop making excuses and letting my photos rot away on my HDD.
- Luke
Posted by Luke Ormand on February 10, 2016 at 6:33 PM
Mike,
Thank you so much for the very detailed explanation, it is very much appreciated. I'll defintely check them out. One of the goals of 2016 is to take things more seriously and stop making excuses and letting my photos rot away on my HDD.
Discussion
8 repliesI'm looking at building a few different portfolios to submit to magazines to be included on their photographer lists. One of the publications asks for the following:
If you would like to be considered for our pool of “want list” photographers, please prepare a website of 20 of your best bird or birding photos, and email a cover letter requesting such consideration and providing the URL of the site you have prepared to us. Provide captions with each photo, identifying the species or activity and location.
Even though I'm young and technologically savvy, I'm not sure what website I should use to build these portfolios (I know there are several options, not looking for THE best, just where to start). Any information would be very appreciated!
- Luke
The three main Photography Web Hosting sites for a professional Photographer are:
Photoshelter, Smugmug and Zenfolio
Of these Smugmug and Zenfolio are the most used and recommenced by fellow photographers that I have talked with.
First you have to pick and purchase an available domain name. This is done thru GoDaddy or Network Solutions
Then you decide on a host and purchase a plan. If you start with a basic plan and are with a good web host, you can upgrade that plan to include more features and all your work and uploaded images so far will upgrade also. No need to duplicate any work you have already performed.
Pricing at a one time annual charge:
(the plans may have different names per host)
Photoshelter - Basic = $96.00 - Standard= $300.00 - Pro = $540.00
Zenfolio - Basic = $60.00 - Standard= $240.00 - Pro = $360.00
Smugmug - Basic = $60.00 - Standard= $150.00 - Pro = $300.00
(plus a below basic plan at $40.00)
The main difference between the three besides price are:
1) Their photo lab partners which will determine the products you will have available to offer, the base prices you pay for those products, the fees charged on sales, the quality of the products and the turn around time.
2) The number and quality of preset options and /or custom options available to aid in the designing of your site.
Whichever venue you choose, be sure it offers room for growth. You may not be marketing and attempting to sell products now, but you may in the future. So, having those options available may prove useful and will prevent you having to seek another site later on. A good web-site is built-up over time as your skills and body of work grows. Starting a web-site now is a very important element in the growth of your photography career. You do not want this part of your presence to lag behind, you want it to grow and develop along with all the other aspects of taking your passion to the next level.
Your web-site is the perfect venue to showcase all your images. You can set-up special galleries for events or trips and make those images available for free digital downloads to whom ever you please. In the long run it will save you time and money over preparing and emailing or printing images to loved ones. Once you are ready to start selling images, you will have everything all ready in place. Your web host will handle all the transactions with your prior approval, take payments of any type (credit cards, pay-pal, etc), print through their affiliated photo lab partners and ship directly to the customer with a 100% guarantee. It is all made very easy with the right web host, all you have to do is set your pricing, get out and take pictures and upload them to your web-site.
I chose Zenfolio 2 ½ years ago to host my web-site because of the dependability, continued growth commitment they displayed, user friendly design and photo lab partners. In addition Zenfolio offers a vast array of Gallery, Collections and presentation options for both public and private viewing, Slideshows and full screen options with provided royalty free music available.
I have been making presentations at local camera clubs about starting your own web-site and can offer a 10% discount on any of the Zenfolio plans. Simply use Referral Code: ZB9-695-W6T when signing up.
Click HERE for additional information and a link to a helpful video by Zenfolio on applying for and setting up your Domain Name and account.
Hope this helps,
Mike
Thank you so much for the very detailed explanation, it is very much appreciated. I'll defintely check them out. One of the goals of 2016 is to take things more seriously and stop making excuses and letting my photos rot away on my HDD.
- Luke
Thank you so much for the very detailed explanation, it is very much appreciated. I'll defintely check them out. One of the goals of 2016 is to take things more seriously and stop making excuses and letting my photos rot away on my HDD.
- Luke