aside from your beautiful photography, your photography website is what is going to truly set you apart from other photographers. today, clients are busy. it is your job to make the process of hiring a photographer an easy one. one way you can do that is by having an informative and easy to navigate photography website. to be truthful, if a client can’t find an answer to a question they are wondering, they are more likely to leave your website than contact you to ask the question. knowing this, there are 10 things your photography website needs to have and i am going to tell you about each one.
did you know about the 5 ways pinterest can grow your photography business? be sure to know about them so pinterest can help your business!
10 Things Your Photography Website Needs to Have
.jpg "10 Things Your Photography Website Needs to Have | bethadilly photography")
1. Your Pricing
this is something that some photographers like to keep a secret, but it is best to have your pricing upfront and available on your website. and here’s why. clients who are wanting to get answers right away are going to be frustrated when they can’t find your pricing. most likely, this client will give up and look to another photographer instead of contacting you to inquire about your pricing. again, you need to make scheduling a session with you easy, so don’t provide roadblocks for clients. if your pricing is not available, you will also find your email flooding with email inquires from clients that may not be right for you. instead of spending time answering emails for the right clients, you will be talking to clients who will not even end up booking you because you are out of their price range. don’t waste people’s time, put your pricing up.
2. The Location You Serve
make sure your location is available for clients on your photography website so they know in what areas you accept clients. for those clients who are out of your area, be sure to let them know if you are willing to travel to them and what that additional pricing would look like.
.png "10 Things Your Photography Website Needs to Have | bethadilly photography")
3. An Awesome First Impression
when a potential client first clicks onto your website, it is your job to get them to stay awhile. wow your audience with an amazing landing page that intrigues them and makes them want to browse your website. if your website is not visually interesting or doesn’t have easily accessible information at the very top, your potential client will give up and start a new search for another photographer. again, clients want the process to be simple and effortless so keep this in mind as you are designing your photography website. when a client first arrives on your page, they should easily be able to access the following things:
- your portfolio
- your pricing
- information about you
- client reviews
- common Q+A’s
- your contact information
- your location
4. Your Social Media Links
once clients fall in love with you and your work, many will be interested about your social media presence. be sure to add links to your facebook, instagram, pinterest, and any other social media platforms you are on. because clients are looking at you at all times, be sure you keep that in mind when you are posting on those particular sites to ensure that you are constantly representing yourself and your brand in the very best way.
5. Your Portfolio
.png "10 Things Your Photography Website Needs to Have | bethadilly photography")
5. Your Portfolioyour photography website should be full of beautiful images that speak for you! show off your portfolio so that potential clients immediately know what type of photography services you offer. only post photos of sessions that you will accept. for example, if you don’t intend on accepting wedding inquiries, don’t post any photography that is related to wedding photography because it will be confusing to your client. make sure your portfolio is organized so that clients who are looking only for newborn photography know exactly where to look, where as the client who is looking for engagement photography has a separate place to browse.
6. An About Page
clients love to learn a little bit more about the photographer they are looking to hire. create an about me page that gives clients a little behind the scenes look at who you are. while you want to be professional, don’t be afraid to have a little fun and show your personality as you share a little bit about yourself. and it’s totally okay to brag. do you write photography articles that have been published or have you been recognized for your photography? share those things! clients love to see that their photographer is popular, as it further shows your passion for photography and shows clients that you are serious about your business.
.png "10 Things Your Photography Website Needs to Have | bethadilly photography")
7. A Clear Photography Style
it’s important that your photography website shows a clear photography style to your audience. your potential client should immediately see what your style looks like so they can determine if your style is something that meets their needs. for example, because i am a lifestyle photographer, my photography website only contains images that represent that style. my images are carefree and natural, instead of posed. because my clients only see organic and naturally styled photography on my website, they know exactly what type of images they will receive if they are to hire me. because they don’t see propped or posed photography, they know not to ask me to do that type of work and another photographer will be a better fit for them
if you are having trouble finding a photography style that truly represents you and your brand, be sure to check out my ebook the styled photographer. i will teach you how to develop a style that is unique to you so that you can represent yourself as an artist in your images.
.png "10 Things Your Photography Website Needs to Have | bethadilly photography")
8. A Contact Form
make it easy for potential clients to contact you if they would like to move forward with booking you or have a question about your photography services. make sure your contact button is easily visible so your clients don’t waste time searching for it. create a contact form that encourages your clients to tell you more about what they are looking for and to provide you with their available dates, as this makes the booking process go a lot quicker and reduces the number of back and forth emails you will have to send.
9. Q+A’s
your photography website needs to answer every question a client could think of so they are encouraged to stick around and hire you. the best way to answer any lingering questions your client may have is to provide a Q+A section on your photography website to address any potential questions. on this page, you can address refund policies, your travel guidelines, timing for photo delivery, and questions about what to expect during their photo session. think about what questions you would ask a photographer you were looking to hire, and be sure to answer them on this page.
.png "10 Things Your Photography Website Needs to Have | bethadilly photography")
10. Testimonials
some people think testimonials are worthless because…would your really share a bad testimonial on your website? probably not. but giving your potential client a peek into how others really feel about your photography can be really beneficial because they are given a glimpse of how you make others feel. testimonials can reveal a lot about you and your character, so feel free to share them on your photography website to encourage potential clients to learn a little more about how your clients feel about their experience with you. testimonials can’t hurt, they can only help!
by keeping these 10 tips in mind when you are designing your photography website, you will ensure that your potential client will turn into a booked client. think of your photography website as a tool that works for you! a successful photography website is like an employee, as it will answer all of the questions for you and leave you only answering emails to clients who are truly right for you and ready to book a session!
are you on my exclusive email list? be sure to join so you can be one of the first to know about my latest photography tips + tutorials. plus, it’s free!
need some photography tips + inspiration? check out what posts are trending below!
Letters To My Little One | One Month Old
.jpg "Letters To My Little One | One Month Old bethadilly photography")
tuesday, may 24, 2016
hello my love!
if there is one thing you will learn about life, it’s that it’s unpredictable. and i will always remember every detail about the day you were born, even though i couldn’t predict a single moment of it. on the day you were born, i enjoyed a quiet and relaxing morning. instead of getting up and getting ready right away, i took my time and went about my morning a little lazily. i watched a couple of my favorite shows in my pajamas, i talked to your grandparents on the phone just because, and enjoyed just taking a little time to myself.
slowly i got ready for the day, with my only plans being…even more relaxation. i was 2 days away from our schedule c section with you, and planned to have a relaxing week of nesting and taking time for myself. on that day’s agenda, enjoy a manicure and pedicure at my favorite salon. after getting one foot painted blue and one foot painted pink (because we didn’t know your gender!), i drove home to enjoy a lunch of grilled chicken and apples. i called your daddy on the way home, telling him how much i enjoyed my relaxing spa morning and was looking forward to having an afternoon nap.
looking back on it, everything changed so quickly. one moment i was getting ready to lay down on the couch for a little snooze, and the next moment i am jumping right back up because you were on your way! i will never be able to describe my feelings in that moment. instead of being nervous or scared, i felt so incredibly relieved and excited. i called your daddy right away to tell him to come home quick, then waddled around the house, excitedly packing up the last few hospital items and buttoning up the house…all the while being trailed by two very curious puppies.
even though your daddy arrived home quick, i was so excited to head to the hospital that i packed up the car and was found sitting in the passenger seat in the driveway when he came home. we both gave one another excited waves and from the moment he hopped in the car we held hands until we arrived at the hospital. before i could even think, we were in the room where we met you for the first time and daddy announced to me “it’s a girl!”
our lives were forever changed. from your very first cry, i cried tears of my own. i have wanted you from the moment i met your daddy and you have brought everything i ever dreamed into my life. from the moment i first held you, i knew we would be the best of friends. it was like i was looking right at myself and i cried when you i first saw your eyes because they are the exact same color as your daddy’s. while i remember every single moment of the day you were born, at the same time it is a blur because all i saw was you.
our first days in the hospital with you will be the days that i cherish forever. it was just the three of us and everything that i ever imagined it would be. in our first hours as a family of three, we made some of the sweetest memories. getting to know you as each hour passed, we fell even more in love with you and everything felt simply perfect and natural. it was as if we had always been a family of three, instead of only being one for a few hours. it just felt so right to be your parents and seemed like everything happened the way it should have. those first days as a family of three in the hospital were full of happy tears, laughter, loving looks, and bliss. i will always remember looking at your daddy and simply thanking him for giving me you.
you have grown so much already in your first month and i am amazed every day at how much you change. during your first month of life, you are already so strong. even the nurses in the hospital commented on your amazing strength, as you lifted your head right away and clung your hands to our fingers with a mighty grip. and not only are you so very strong, but you are so curious. not only do you look around in amazement, but you look around in wonderment. i wish i could know what you are thinking, as your expressions are just priceless.
our favorite thing that you do is smile in your sleep. from the day you were born, you smiled in your sleep. your great grandmother says that means you are talking to the angels and i know this to be true because you have some of the very best guardian angels watching over you. you also love to clasp your hands together and it looks like you are praying. it is the sweetest thing and i had to photograph it so i could remember it for always.
you are just like mommy in that you have quite the appetite and when you want to eat, you want to eat now! you are starting to sleep more and more through the night, and even though i like my sleep too, i find that i miss you so much when you sleep. when you finally stir and give out a little squeak, i can’t wait to kiss your sweet little cheeks and cuddle you close again. watching you fall asleep in my arms is one of my favorite things. i find myself simply staring at you, wondering what you will be when you grow up and what will make you the happiest.
daddy has become the expert diaper changer at our house and he also swaddles like a pro. watching him become your daddy has been the single highlight of my entire life, as he just assumed the roll perfectly and loves you like crazy! he calls us “his girls” and takes such amazing care of us. he always tells you what he wants to teach you as you grow up and just listening to how excited he is about your life warms my heart. he has been anticipating your first smile so much that you went ahead and gave it to him when you were 5 weeks 4 days old. it was a quick little smile, but we both squealed in delight and are eagerly awaiting your next sweet grin.
your first month has been beautiful and everything we wanted it to be. the only thing that overwhelms me is watching just how fast you are growing already. even though the nights were sleepless in the beginning, it seems as if your first weeks disappeared in a blink of an eye and i am begging for them back. every morning that we wake, you are completely different. i am stuck feeling so excited to see you grow, yet wishing time would slow down so i could savor the moments even more. maybe that is why i sometimes just sit and stare at you, willing the clock to stop for just a moment so i can savor your every detail so i will never forget.
of all the things we want you to know about your first days with us, know that you make us the happiest. you are the perfect daughter and we love you more than life. we grin over your little baby squeaks and gush over your perfect blonde locks. we laugh at your expressions and savor your sweet baby smell. we stare at you in amazement and we dream big dreams for you. you are our greatest blessing, our greatest adventure, and our greatest achievement. get ready, sweet baby…this life of yours is going to be everything you ever dreamed it would be.
i love you forever.
love, mommy
to read more of my mama bee adventures with #babyadilly, check out the posts below!
more than ever, iPhones are becoming one of the most popular cameras to use to take photographs of our everyday. because we always have our iPhones in our purse or back pocket, it’s a very reliable camera to depend on because it’s always with us. not only are we using our iPhones to take photographs, but we are using them to also edit and share our photography with others. with so many apps to choose from, here are 11 iPhone apps for photographers that you may want to try.
in case you missed my post about how to find your photography style, be sure you check it out if you are struggling with finding a style that is unique and true to you as an artist.
photographing my everyday is one of my passions. to inspire your everyday photography, be sure to read the everyday photograph.
this post contains affiliate links. thank you in advance for supporting bethadilly photography!
11 iPhone Apps for Photographers
.jpg "11 iPhone Apps for Photographers | bethadilly photography")
11 iPhone Apps for Photographers
1. instagram
2. pic tap go
3. collect
4. snapseed
5. vsco
6. 1967
7. lightroom
8. manual
10. clickin moms
and if you really want to have fun with your iphoneography and take your iPhone photos to the next level, i recommend the following photography accessories for your iPhone:
- the lensbaby creative mobile kit : if you want to get really creative with your iPhone photos, this lens will help you achieve creative blur that is unique to lensbaby lenses.
- the olloclip : the olloclip allows you to capture fisheye, macro, and wide angle shots with your iPhone and takes your photos from simply being phone photos to being much more interesting.
are you participating in the bethadilly challenge photography project over on instagram? be sure to join my exclusive email list to gain access to the daily prompts and tag your images #thebethadillychallenge to join! we are taking over instagram!
be sure to join my exclusive email list to receive my latest photography tips and tutorials. it’s free!
need some photography tips + inspiration? check out what posts are trending below!
.jpg "11 iPhone Apps for Photographers | bethadilly photography")
let’s just admit it, picking out what to wear for family photos is one of the most stressful parts of getting your photos taken. you want everyone to look nice and happy, and preferably booger free…and it can be a little stressful. but it doesn’t have to be! the next time you are choosing what to wear for family photos, keep these 10 tips in mind.
need help choosing an outdoor area to get your photos taken? check out my 5 tips for scouting outdoor photography locations.
>>this post contains affiliate links. thank you in advance for supporting bethadilly photography!<<
10 Ideas for What to Wear for Family Photos
.jpg "10 Ideas for What to Wear for Family Photos | bethadilly photography")
1. match the style of your location.
be sure to keep your location in mind when you are picking out your outfits. if you are in an urban setting, you will want to make sure your clothes match your surroundings so you natural in the location instead of stick out like a sore thumb. if you are on a rustic farm, you may want to skip the heels and choose something more natural. whatever your location may be, make sure the tones and style of your wardrobe will compliment and not clash with your surroundings. on the flip side, be sure that you aren’t choosing outfits that will make you blend into the background. you will want enough of a contrast so that you shine!
.jpg "10 Ideas for What to Wear for Family Photos | bethadilly photography")
2. avoid match-matchy.
the days of everyone wears white on top and denim on the bottom are out. like, sooooo out. having your outfits coordinate does not mean that everyone has to wear the exact same thing. having everyone in a different outfit that still coordinates allows individualism and makes for a more pleasing photograph.
.jpg "10 Ideas for What to Wear for Family Photos | bethadilly photography")
3. think about your home decor.
this is something i do all the time when i am choosing our photo session outfits. where are you going to be putting these photos? on the walls of your home! therefore, think about choosing outfits with tones that will flow well with the style of your home. if your home decor is more bright and spunky, bust out those polka dots and red heels. if your home decor is more muted and calm, think about outfits that have more natural tones. yes, deciding what to wear for family photos can be as easy as looking at the walls that surround you for inspiration!
.jpg "10 Ideas for What to Wear for Family Photos | bethadilly photography")
4. mix textures.
having everyone wear a variety of textures can help create depth in your photographs and is a great way of incorporating a variety of tones. a great way of mixing textures is by using a variety of cotton, denim, tweed and lace. wearing textures is also a wonderful way of portraying your personality through your photographs. for example, a little girl in an lace dress enhances her sweet and precious demeanor, while a dad wearing a tweed jacket can can portray his sophistication.
.jpg "10 Ideas for What to Wear for Family Photos | bethadilly photography")
5. have a pop of color.
creatively incorporating color into your family’s wardrobe is a great way to draw interest into your photographs. whether you utilize color in someone’s shirt or in a hair bow, having a pop of color can be very pleasing to the eye when you are arranging what to wear for family photos. even choosing something as subtle as your earrings to incorporate color can make such a great difference.
.jpg "10 Ideas for What to Wear for Family Photos | bethadilly photography")
6. don’t forget the accessories.
accessories are a great way of adding interest to your family portraits. if you are not one who likes using a pop of color in a big way, using accessories, like a great pair of earrings, is a great way to still add a pop to you photographs. it’s also a wonderful way to incorporate textures and help coordinate your outfits.
.jpg "10 Ideas for What to Wear for Family Photos | bethadilly photography")
7. avoid high maintenance outfits.
does your little one hate wearing headbands? do you love a certain shirt but you always find your self fussing with it? make sure you eliminate outfits that could potentially cause problems during your session. even though that headband is so darling on your daughter, if she hates wearing it she is going to be miserable…and miserable in your photographs. once you show up to your session, the only thing you want to worry about is keeping the kids happy, not keeping them looking good.
.jpg "10 Ideas for What to Wear for Family Photos | bethadilly photography")
8. patterns are great, but not on every person.
patterns are a great way to coordinate outfits together because they typically contain a lot of colors that you can match the rest of your outfits too. however, patterns can be overwhelming and chaotic if you have multiple people wearing them. if you choose to use patterns, it is best to have one person wearing a pattern and the other family members in complimentary solids.
.jpg "10 Ideas for What to Wear for Family Photos | bethadilly photography")
9. mom chooses her outfit first!
as a mom, we put our kids first all the time. but when it comes to figuring out what to wear for family photos, mom needs to pick out her outfit first. pick out an outfit that you love and then use that as your starting point. after your outfit is chosen, start picking out outfits for the other family members that coordinate well with yours.
.jpg "10 Tips for What To Wear for Family Photos")
10. avoid neon tones.
even though pops of color are great, avoid anything that is neon. neon colors can create color casts on your skin. this means that the bright neon color will reflect on your skin and turn it an unnatural color. for example, if you dress your little girl in a vibrant orange, your skin will start to look orange as the color bounces off of your skin.
these are just a few tips to inspire you as you browse through your wardrobe before session day! most importantly, make sure you choose outfits that you are comfortable in. outfits that make you feel confident. trust me, as a photographer it is always easier to photograph families who feel comfortable and confident in their outfits because those emotions reflect well in their final portraits.
to ensure that you are the first to know about my latest photography tips, be sure to subscribe to my blog. and to follow along with me on my daily journey with photography, join me on instagram!
need some photography tips + inspiration? check out what posts are trending below!
.jpg "10 Ideas for What to Wear for Family Photos | bethadilly photography")
do you have a photographer in your life that always has you scratching your head when it comes to gift giving? don’t worry, i’ve got you covered this year. with mother’s day right around the corner, show her just how much you appreciate her with a gift that encourages her passion for photography. here are 20 mother’s day gift ideas for photographers that will have her feeling special and appreciated this year.
are you participating in the bethadilly challenge photography project this year? it is totally trending on instagram, so take a peek at the daily prompts and join us by tagging #thebethadillychallenge on your images!
>>this post contains affiliate links. thank you in advance for supporting bethadilly photography!<<
20 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Photographers
.jpg "20 Mother's Day Gift Ideas for Photographers | bethadilly photography")
1. The Photographer’s Playbook
for the mother who needs a little photography inspiration, the photographer’s playbook is full of photography assignments and inspiration that will have her grabbing her camera and feeling inspired!
2. a trendy camera strap
for the mother who loves to look stylish, a new camera strap is a wonderful gift that adds personality to her camera. and let’s admit it, the stock camera strap that comes on our cameras isn’t so cute. plus, these camera scarves are so fun!
3. a photography magazine subscription
for the mother who loves to have inspiration and education delivered right to her mailbox, Click magazine is a wonderful magazine for photographers. plus, it’s the gift that keeps on giving because it allows her to take some time to herself as she sits down, pours herself a glass of wine, and enjoys her magazine each time it arrives! trust me, she will love you for it.
4. a new DSLR
for the mother who is in need of a camera upgrade, you will really be the husband of the year if you surprise her with a new DSLR this year! i recommend buying the body only and then having her choose a lens that works best for her.
5. a 50mm prime lens
for the mother who is looking for a new lens, surprise her with a new 50mm prime lens! this is a great lens for the mom who is simply taking pictures of her beautiful kids everyday or who is shooting professionally. trust me when i say, my 50mm was my #1 best photography purchase.
6. a camera infinity scarf
for the mother who loves clothes and accessories, this camera infinity scarf is simply darling! not only it is a cute way to dress up an outfit, but it is a subtle way for her to portray the camera lover in her.
7. a shutter hugger
for the mother who loves to take pictures of her beautiful children, but struggles with having them look at the camera…a shutter hugger is a life saver! just place it around the lens and it encourages little ones to look right where you want them to. she’ll finally get the pictures she wants.
8. a shutterbag camera bag
for the mother who loves to take her camera gear on the go, get her a shutterbug camera bag that not only looks like a purse, but also will protect her gear in the very best way. because her gear is expensive, it’s important that it stays protected while she is on the go.
9. mom’s one line a day journal
for the mother who loves to document her everyday with her children, the mom’s one line a day journal is a fun gift that will encourage her to document one sentence every day for an entire year. and because she loves to document with her camera, this is another great way for her to preserve her memories.
10. the styled photographer
for the mother who is trying to find or improve her own unique photography style, the styled photographer is a great ebook that will encourage her to find a style that truly represents her. full of activities and inspiration, this ebook will have her picking up her camera and improving her skill.
11. the lensbaby creative mobile kit
for the mother who loves to take pictures with her phone, the lensbaby creative mobile kit is a way for her to create images that are fun and unique with creative blur…all with a tiny lens that attaches to her phone! plus, its a great tool to take on vacations if she doesn’t want to pack her dslr.
12. a wireless remote
for the mother who feels like she is always taking pictures of everyone else and never is in the pictures, a wireless remote is a great way for her to step in front of the camera! even better, get her a tripod too and she will be all set up. trust me, even though she may not admit it, she will love being able to get in the pictures with her family too.
13. an ipad
for the mother who loves to read photography books, edit her photographs, and browse her favorite photography blogs, get her a new iPad so she can enjoy her favorite things whether she is sitting in the carpool lane or cuddled up on the couch after the kids go to sleep.
14. a year of mornings
for the mother who needs a little photography inspiration, a year of mornings is a beautiful book about how two ladies photograph the beauty of their morning routines. this book will have her inspired to pick up her camera to photograph morning light and cups of coffee, and see the beauty in the little things.
15. a lens cleaning kit
for the mother who loves to keep her photography gear clean, a lens cleaning kit is a great gift for her to keep in her photography bag so she can freshen up her lenses and remove any little fingerprints!
16. a lensbaby lens
for the mother who really wants to get creative with her images, a lensbaby composer pro sweet 35 lens is a really amazing lens that will have her taking images that are unique and creative! this is a great lens for any mother who feels like they really want to try something new with their photography.
17. a camera coffee mug
for the mother who is a lover of coffee and cameras, this adorable camera coffee mug is a fun way for her to sip some of her favorite caffeine. even better, give her a gift card to her favorite coffee shop to go with it!
18. an olloclip
for the mother who loves to take pictures with her phone, an olloclip is an awesome phone lens accessory that will allow her to do fisheye, macro, and wide angle shots…all from her phone! it’s a great tool for her to great creative with her phone photography.
19. adobe lightroom
for the mother who loves taking pictures and is ready to start editing them, lightroom is the best editing software and will help her get creative with her images and take them to another level through post processing. to help her get started, also give her the adobe lightroom classroom in a book to help her learn how to confidently use lightroom.
20. fingerless gloves
for the mother who loves photographing outside during the colder weather, fingerless gloves are a wonderful gift that will keep her hands warm while allowing her fingers to be free to navigate all of the buttons on her camera.
with this list of 20 mother’s day gift ideas for photographers, you are bound to make the lady in your life very happy this mother’s day as you give her a gift that shows her she is appreciated. even better yet, you are encouraging her passion for photography and showing her that you care about her interests.
are you on my exclusive email list? be sure you join so that you know about my latest photography tips and tutorials. plus, it’s free!
need some photography tips + inspiration? check out what posts are trending below!
.jpg "20 Mother's Day Gift Ideas for Photographers | bethadilly photography")
-
Hi! Congrats on your new baby girl! Just a quick question… Do you by chance use Lightroom Mobile? If so, which size iPad do you recommend, mini it iPad Air. I am needing a new iPad and while I love the size of the mini, I’m also toying with the option of a bigger iPad to use for culling photos and slight edits in Lightroom mobile. Thanks!ReplyCancel
How To Create Photo Collages For Your Blog » bethadilly - […] need some help making your photography website more effective? check out the 10 things your photography website needs to have. […]
3 Easy Ways Your Clients Can Promote Your Photography Business - bethadilly - […] need to improve your photography website? here are 10 things your photography website needs to have. […]