Hello all! My name is Lauren and I'm very new to these boards. I love them already though--lots of info to feed my eager mind!

Anyways, I wanted to post my website. I have just recently started Pet Imagery, my business, and I'm completely open to comments, questions and more importantly, any advice people may have for me.

www.petimagery.com
Thanks for taking a look, I appreciate it!
~laur

Hi Lauren,

Welcome to NWP. I took a look at your website last night and then took another look today (I always like to look a bit before I actually make any comments).

First, I really like the look and feel of your website. Even though it is a flash site, it loads up very quickly (at least for me with the T-1).

The photographic content of the site, I think, for the most part is pretty solid. Images #1, 3 and 5, 10 and 11 are great (mostly cats, I will add. ).

However, I think some of the other shots could use a little PS work. This is particularly evident in the shadow and midtone areas of the shots. I think that this detracts from really getting to see the dogs (and other critters) personality. Let me give you a few examples. Images # 6 and # 7 and 12 come to mind. #12 is interesting, and I think intentional, however, the darker eye is not dark enough to really provide a full shadow effect, and it is not bright enough to provide symetry - so it is neither bright enough or dark enough.

The rest of the layout is great. I think your prices are more than a bit low. Also, when you give the images - are you providing high quality jpegs that can be printed at any size, or just at 4x6? Because if you are giving full size files, your first package is worth a lot more than your second package - for 1/2 the price.

James

Welcome to NWP, you will like it here.

I have only one comment about your site - IT DONT WORK FOR PEOPLE ON DIAL UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


LOL - really, it's probably a great site, but I'm not going to wait for it to load, sorry. . .

Hello Lauren,
Welcome to this site and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Your site is really fun.

I am glad you do not live close to me since I do agree with James on the pricing. Normally competition is good but these prices would make it more challenging to complete. What would be the point of me as a client to buy any of the higher price packages if in the first one I get high resolution images?

Your ability to capture animals in your own style is very nice. Hope to see more.

thanks for everyone that checked out my site!

About the prices, yeah, I need to change them and some of the package details. I want to have the option for people who don't want prints, just to upload onto their computers and so forth--so essentially the CD will be in low-res format. I'm having a hard time coming up with my prices because there aren't really any exclusive pet photographers in the Philadelphia area that I'm drawing comparisons from. I would like them to reflect an air of quality and professionalism, but I want to be able to target a wide range of customers. Well, I'm going to give it some more thought.

James, thanks for the crit on the site images. I definately agree that some images are a lot stronger than others. When I start gaining some clients, I hope to replace the photographs weekly (at this moment, most of the images are MY PETS..hehehe). Also, it's quite possible I need to calibrate my monitor because the shadow/highlights look a little off to me as well.

OH, and, yeah dial-up users will prob have a difficult time with it--but I knew I wanted to create the site in flash so it works with my other website (www.laurenphoto.com) SORRY!
~Lauren

I have seen your site posted elsewhere and I probably said the same thing at the time. I really hate intensive flash. It ranks up there with music on a website. I despise intros and pages that I have to click to enter.

The photography is very good, the website is pretty and flashy. I would probably pass on it though even with the 8mb cable connection I have. Just too much clicking and waiting.

At least there is no music

I agree with julie and I do get on highspeed a couple times per week and I usually dont stick around on sites that are to intensive. . .

well, i guess creating a website that attracts absolutely everyone is nearly impossible! I wouldn't describe it as "intensive" though--I wanted it to be as user friendly and smooth as possible, utilizing some modern design techniques. As they say, however, different strokes for different folks I am actually thinking of creating an html version for those who do not have flash players.

Thanks for the compliments on my photography. I hope to post some new stuff in the near future!

Hi Laruen,

I disagree with the comments about the flash sites. While I completely agree that they are more difficult for folks dialing in at 56k, they are used by most folks running a virtual storefront for good reasons. For me, the fact that they are 'seamless' allows an element of protection to images (among other things...like your site design).

It really is about whom your intended audience is. Your site exists for one purpose - to sell a product (you).

The one thing I will bring out of this is that an issue has been raised - that folks who might go to your website might be deterred by the length of time it takes to get in. For those with dial-up, it is a real problem (even Julie, with broadband is not happy loading the flash sites). This may be something to consider as it may translate into lower sales. It is a trade-off that everyone needs to consider.

I think that as broadband becomes more and more common this will become less of an issue over time.

James

PS The one quibble I have with the flash on your site is the audio sound that fires between images.