| Nov. 29 2007 at 5:07 PM |
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I agree completely. As a new ecommerce vendor, www.sterlingpear.com, we decided investing in good product photography was critical to our credibility. If we want to be taken seriously our photogrpahy needs to look at least as good as our competitors. We decided we wanted our website to look like we're a major player. So we hired a team of up and coming photo stylists and photographers who have shot for a number of of the major competitors such as Martha Stewart, Pottery Barn, and Crate & Barrel. So far, we really think the investment has paid off. We get nothing but compliments and I'm sure that people wouldn't buy from us if the pictures didn't look as great as they do. (If anyone wants some referrals to some great photographers who charge a fair price, send me an email.)
Edited by: Sterling Pear - Nov. 30 2007 at 9:21 PMJanet Hayden
Sterling Pear™
www.sterlingpear.com
Holiday Elegance Made Simple™
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| Nov. 29 2007 at 5:31 PM |
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The photography on your site is top notch and looks great. You sure don't appear as a startup. In fact, I think you should display the product photos even more! I know you're not asking for site critique but I think on your individual product pages, you should display the thumbnails and not make someone click on 'additional views' to see more. Just my two cents.
Good article too. I think many startups underestimate the importance of image. Either that or it just gets put on a back burner because other aspects of business take precedence. I think it's important to appear professional right from the start. It gives a startup a huge competitive edge.
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Zingerding - the Internet's Funny Pages (coming soon!)
Steve Lowtwait, artist and entrepreneur.
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| Nov. 29 2007 at 5:47 PM |
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Kudos on realizing that PROFESSIONAL photography can make or break a company's branding efforts. With the availability of inexpensive stock photos, logos and marketing templates; I see the same stuff reused so often that I'm becoming desensitized.
Since my partner is lifelong photographer (corporate level - not babies and weddings) focusing on QUALITY and the importance of building an image library for consistency.
Love the Sterling Pear product line... very attractive and stylish which shows in the images.
Joann Sondy
Creative Aces
Graphic Design and Digital Imaging for Print, Web & Beyond
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| Nov. 29 2007 at 6:31 PM |
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Thank you CampSteve for the great feedback on our photos. I've asked for the thumbnails instead of the "Additional Views" button but my web developer says that the software she's using doesn't allow for that. The limitations of the software they're using (Joomla) is driving me nuts!
Janet Hayden
Sterling Pear™
www.sterlingpear.com
Holiday Elegance Made Simple™
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| Nov. 29 2007 at 6:53 PM |
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On the other hand, taking some serious time to learn Paint Shop Pro or
Photoshop is invaluable. Not everyone can afford to pay for pro
photographers.
Then, in addition, there's the whole issue of layout. It's a fine thing
to have excellent photographs (or images, to be more exact). But if
those images are laid out on a badly designed Web page, it defeats the
entire purpose.
Even the most basic ads can look really nice if there's some knowledge
of traditional HTML, a little bit of info on inline styles, and some
really nice, creative work with a photo-editing program.
Here's an ad
we put up on eBay on a regular basis, for our signal flag window
treatments. None of the images were photographed, they're all done in
Paint Shop Pro.
Edited by: CraigL - Nov. 29 2007 at 6:57 PMCraig Landes
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Defining the undefinable. "There are 10 kinds of people in the world---those who understand binary numbers and those who don't." - Unknown
International Society of Curmudgeons
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| Nov. 29 2007 at 7:42 PM |
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Elegant photography. I am delighted to find the storage boxes, so I will be back to visit sterlingpear.com.
CraigL makes a valid point. The third set of images which display on our website are my works created in my gardens. Third time is charm and after the disappointment in other's works, I decided I would take the photos. I also realized they needed tweaking to show well on the website. The best solution for me was to contract the services of our graphic artist.
Of course, as will be the case with packaging, the product we carry has a new look. The good news is the process goes much smoother and that helps the budget.
Anne
[URL]http://www.healthierskinnaturally.com[URL]
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| Nov. 30 2007 at 11:27 AM |
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That I know of, Joomla doesn't have limitations - only limitations in how it's programmed.  * Bad Habits
* A True "Lifestyle Business"
(from Small Business Essentials)
writing | marketing | web: NHG Consulting
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| Nov. 30 2007 at 7:35 PM |
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Janet,
What a perfect photo on your home page! And what a great time of year for your business.
Will you change from the holiday theme throughout the year?
You do look like a major player! I agree, top nocth
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