Boudoir site.

[JBrunner]

Ok, I've started a little venture to have a web presence for boudoir photography. Nobody is being directed to it as of yet, and many more photographs need to be scanned and uploaded, but I won't be doing that until the basics are set. Although it is "public", it's beta, as in it won't get traffic until I'm happy and begin to promote it. I'm mostly interested in feedback on the theme and layout, stupid mistakes I haven't noticed, subtle mistakes, or nuances that 3rd parties to the effort can provide. Also the gamma on the pictures.. do they seem too light?

http://boudoirutah.blogspot.com

 

[david b]

I am not sure about the blogspot host. Does not seem professional enough for fine art nudes

 

[JBrunner]

I am not sure about the blogspot host. Does not seem professional enough for fine art nudes

If I get happy with it I will switch the domain to boudoirutah.com which I now own, Or do you mean the blog format in general?

 

[david b]

I think the layout is fine. It would be much better with a custom domain. Also, you can direct blogspot to it. Check the dashboard

 

[jd callow]

Nice work. Its cool you labeled it Boudoir (avoiding any pretense) even though it seems to me that it is a step or two more sophisticated than what I associate with being Boudoir photography.

Site is good looking and I too think you need to get it under your own URL.

 

[Gary892]

I kept looking and looking thinking that something was not right. Then it occurred to me. The pattern you have on each side of the page is the same pattern my grandmother had in her living room many, many years ago. Not the same color but the same pattern. Thinking of one's grandmother and viewing fine art nudes does not mix well. For me the pattern feels too puritanical when combined with the subject matter.

Just me 2 cents.

Gary

 

[pcooklin]

The imagery is great, well done. But I think the comments above are true, you need your own domain.
Another option would be to put all the 'info/pricing/etc' on another page, people will always find it if they want to know about it, which leaves the main body of the area for images like mine at www.paulcooklin.com
Just a thought.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Those images are WAY too nice to be called boudoir. I find the background pattern on the page to be too busy and a bit distracting. I'd prefer something solid, or at least less obtrusive. I didn't find the pricing info on the main page to be objectionable, but I do agree it might work better logistically to have ordering and pricing info on a separate page - hook them in to it as it were.

 

[Joe Lipka]

You do need your own domain, not a blog. Upon clicking the link I was presented with a dialog box informing me that there was adult content ahead and I had to click a box to proceed to your site.

Now there's "adult content" and photographs for grown ups. You know where you fit in, but the blog world can't differentiate. There is a difference between a blog and a commercial web site. The choice of a blog to start just does not ring true to me. If you are starting a business, start on the right foot.

 

[2F/2F]

I think it looks good. Good idea, good work. Maybe a little too much technical info. I realize the techniques used are fairly unique to this sort of shooting, and you really want to play that angle, but I still don't think people want to read so much about the details of alternative processes, print sizes, etc. Maybe talk more about concept and the emotion/mood of the work. The pix seem more like fine art nudes than boudoir shots, but that stylistic issue is really up to you and your clients.

 

[BrianShaw]

I like your photography (even the self-portrait) a lot. The blog format doesn't bother me so much but I was immediately wondering who "we" and "our" is. Are you plural?

Nice play with the innuendo about your home base of SLC. Folks always seem to have an impression of Utah. Your photography elevates that impression to new heights!

 

[MenacingTourist]

Agree with the above statements regarding the blog domain.
I would add that allowing comments makes me worry a little bit. Quotes from customers are one thing, random comments by unknowns are another.

Images look very well done.

Alan.

 

[elekm]

I tend to agree with this too. A free blog doesn't seem to be the way to go with this type of site that showcases your excellent work.

I also would encourage you to build a regular site under its own domain name.

You put a lot of energy into creating your images, and your Web site should be a reflection of that. It will cost you money, but not too much, but you will have complete control over the look and feel.

Don't take this the wrong way, but a free blog to me says, "I'm too cheap to pay for my own site." That's not the message that you want to project, because I think the photos you have displayed are excellent.

 

[phc]

I don't think the design of the site looks right J. Your work is very subtle and clearly takes a lot of thought, but the site looks like it came from a standard template. You pictures are worth much more.

Cheers, Paul.

 

[monkeytumble]

Having grown up in southern Idaho, seeing the blog name, and encountering the adult content warning, I expected to see multiple women in each photograph and interacting with each other in a manner that bordered on internet style adult content. That wasn't what was found... instead it was about a fine art photographer offering fine art boudoir photography who has a sense of humor.

I would encourage you to consider keeping the blog posting information for two audiences, photographers and people, women primarily, who might be considering being the subject of boudoir photography. If your blog contained information that describes how you work with your subjects, the sequence of and what happens during the shoot, and how you deal with body issues, e.g., stretch marks, it could help your business and be a good information resource to photographers who might venture (rather than stumble) into this type of work.

 

[JBrunner]

Great input everyone...

Here's what I can act on...

I can point the bog to a custom domain. When I get it populated and looking tight, that is exactly what I intend to do.

I switched to a black background... might work better for the images, and look a little less canned, or at least more what folks are used to.

I shut off the warning page. May put it back up. I'm in Utah, advertising to a Utah audience, plenty of liberal people, and underserved in this kind of work, but also the community that had a Rodin exhibit draped, and a replica of Michelangelo's David declared pornography.

Comments are fully moderated. Only what I approve will show.

I would much rather have a custom site, and hope to down the road, but right now I have zero money, as in zilch. Once it's formed I'll sell something and put an add in the paper. I have enough paper and chemistry to conduct business, and that's about it. I haven't a real gig since the end of November.
Not complaining or whining, just that's whats up right now. Been here before, still have the T-shirt from last time. I agree about the custom site, dead right, but I'm stuck with this, or something like this for right now.

Brian, you are right about the plurality. I need to figure that out.

The points of monkeytumble and 2F/2F I must consider as well, and everything else that has been contributed thus far. It is all very lucid, a question of weaving remains.

 

[BobNewYork]

As it's a development tool the "blog" is immaterial. As a sales tool I have to agree that a stand-alone domain would be better. I rather like the use of boudoir. I suspect it will resonate better with potential clients than fine art nude. I know us lot on the inside tend to think of boudoir as synonymous with cheesecake, (dating myself!!!) but for the intended market boudoir works better I think.

The work itself is awesome and conveys exactly the right degree of sensuality for the target market.

There may be a little too much technical information for the prospective clients. We Apuggers love that stuff, but I wonder if clients understand or care. Is there another way to get across the depth of craft that goes into the production of these images that is somewhat less technical? The technicals are bread and butter to us but they are probably too esoteric for the clients.

Great idea. wonderful and unique gift for husbands and boyfriends; and it is the "uniqueness" of it which should command a premium.

Go for it man.............and good luck.

Bob H

 

[JBrunner]

Thanks Bob,

Switched to white.. IDK.. Condensed the sizes dialogue...

The techie stuff I have to find a balance....

I need the Banana... he's a sooper jenious at this stuff.

 

[Gary Holliday]

The approach is great, but I would agree that the blog makes it look like a hobby site. If you wanted the ease and cheapness of a blog, consider wordpress and the 100s of free themes out there that make it less blog like.

Mine needs some tweaking with the layout, but here's an example of a Graph Paper Press theme :
http://www.natural-light-cambridge.co.uk/wordpress/

 

[df cardwell]

J

This might be a quibble, but I don't think so.

Fine Art vs Commercial Art.

If I buy a picture at a gallery to hang on my wall, its Fine Art.
If I pay a gunslinger to take a picture, its Commercial Art.

I guess I don't care who is wearing clothes,
but I don't believe there is any shame in saying that what we do is Commercial Art.
It becomes double talk when we clothe ourselves as artistes,
and look down our nose at fellow photographers who are in it for the money.

It isn't right to say, "Well, I'll take your picture, and accept your money,
to make a boudoir portrait, but I am purer and finer than the guy down the road who
charges money to take pictures of naked women !"

Bruner = Fine Artist
Cardwell = Commercial Hack

???????????????????????

Just a thought. Good luck.

d

 

[JBrunner]

J

This might be a quibble, but I don't think so.

Fine Art vs Commercial Art.

If I buy a picture at a gallery to hang on my wall, its Fine Art.
If I pay a gunslinger to take a picture, its Commercial Art.

I guess I don't care who is wearing clothes,
but I don't believe there is any shame in saying that what we do is Commercial Art.
It becomes double talk when we clothe ourselves as artistes,
and look down our nose at fellow photographers who are in it for the money.

It isn't right to say, "Well, I'll take your picture, and accept your money,
to make a boudoir portrait, but I am purer and finer than the guy down the road who
charges money to take pictures of naked women !"

Bruner = Fine Artist
Cardwell = Commercial Hack

Just a thought. Good luck.

d

Interesting DF. I am a commercial hack as well. In being that, I will of course take full advantage of a marketing angle. Most of the clients I think will warm to the idea of making themselves the subject of "Art". That's kind of the idea, anyway, I hope it proves out. I'd like to be the goto guy for the pretentious and monied looking for "the next level" in boudoir. I can certainly live with the dichotomy, and the more money I make, the easier it would be. I tried to sell my soul on ebay, but they have some kind of policy on that.

In other words, if I did it on my own, and then managed to get a book published, or I am commissioned to do the work and be paid, it's all the same to me at this point. I'm tired of starving.

 

[BrianShaw]

Whether a dedicated site or blog format, there is a comforting factor associated with the informality. My wife was looking over my shoulder and made a few comments you might be interested in. There is nothing about the experience from the model's perspective. She has posed for me but can't imagine what it would be like posing for a "stranger". Perhaps some words to calm her down would help. Also, she was asking if "boudoir" always means nude. My wife is the most beautiful woman on the face of ths earth -- that's just in case she reads this -- but the effects of 40+ years and several children has left her a bit insecure about her body. Perhaps some comforting words for the other "most beautiful women who have aged and/or had children" would also help.

Keep going, J!

 

[eclarke]

Ok, I've started a little venture to have a web presence for boudoir photography. Nobody is being directed to it as of yet, and many more photographs need to be scanned and uploaded, but I won't be doing that until the basics are set. Although it is "public", it's beta, as in it won't get traffic until I'm happy and begin to promote it. I'm mostly interested in feedback on the theme and layout, stupid mistakes I haven't noticed, subtle mistakes, or nuances that 3rd parties to the effort can provide. Also the gamma on the pictures.. do they seem too light?

http://boudoirutah.blogspot.com

I like it and I like it being a blog, more personal than a flash site/sales gimmick. People who are from the 21st century should respond well to it. I'm for way back in the 20th and I like it...Evna Clarke

 

[JBrunner]

Whether a dedicated site or blog format, there is a comforting factor associated with the informality. My wife was looking over my shoulder and made a few comments you might be interested in. There is nothing about the experience from the model's perspective. She has posed for me but can't imagine what it would be like posing for a "stranger". Perhaps some words to calm her down would help. Also, she was asking if "boudoir" always means nude. My wife is the most beautiful woman on the face of ths earth -- that's just in case she reads this -- but the effects of 40+ years and several children has left her a bit insecure about her body. Perhaps some comforting words for the other "most beautiful women who have aged and/or had children" would also help.

Keep going, J!

Hi Brian,

Points well taken. I think I'll have one of the clients write a testimonial on the experience.

Boudoir doesn't have to mean nude, and I will be posting some work to that effect.

The nice thing is that between the film and the paper, everything comes out smooth as a baby's butt, and what might be left can be retouched on the negative, I'm trying to wrap my head around explaining that. What I do know is that a subject who isn't comfortable with his/her body isn't a prime candidate, and I'm not going to nudge somebody very hard who will most likely be displeased because of their own self image issues. A fine line indeed, and I'm not saying your wife fits that category. I'm sure she's lovely. Personally, I wouldn't trade my smokin hot 44yo for anything!

 

[Gary892]

All this talk about site design is great and has provided good points.
I think DF Cardwell’s remarks are valid and they remind me of a Studio Photographer that did boudoir photos.

This photographer had a thriving business in the late 80’s early 90’s. He had become well known and several well known people had their photos made by this person. One of those people was the mayor’s wife. She was very attractive and the photographs that were a result were very impressive, no nudes but very seductive. The photographs were so good that the photographer decided to use them as samples. He had a very large print made and displayed it in the window of the studio. He also has an album made up of just her photographs so he could show potential clients.

The mayor’s wife had recommended this photographer to a female friend of hers. When the friend arrived at the studio she saw the large print of the mayor’s wife displayed in the window and she immediately called the mayor’s wife. The large print and samples were made up and displayed without the client’s approval and a law suite followed.

I happen to have known this photographer and I had asked if he had a model release and if the client had signed some document allowing him to display the work. He did have a model release and it was signed by her, but did not have specific permission to display the work, the judge in this case found in her favor.

The bottom line is the Studio closed and the photographer lost everything. He eventually left town.

The reason I bring this up, is the incident I refer to was before the internet, so only people who walked by or were customers saw the image.

J Brunner is posting on a medium that is viewed word wide and it seems to me that having specific permission to display the images on the internet and all that goes with it is even more important and should be obtained.

This aspect may have already been dealt with but I felt it needed mentioning for the benefit of others that might be thinking of taking their photography in this direction.

Best of luck to you Mr. Brunner.

Gary