Ok, I LOVE what you guys have done! I have a few thoughts…I hope this isn’t overwhelming. Most of them will be quick changes. I would love to meet up so you can show me how to navigate around the site and make changes to photos etc. My husband is going out of town so the only time I could do from what you mentioned would be tomorrow evening around 6:30?
Your question about the online ordering…
I don’t think we need to carry this over. I switched to using a new program called shoot proof. I email customers their galleries thru that site and they can purchase on there. Do you think there needs to be a link to shoot proof on the site?A link to shoot proof or a landing page is a nice option, but not strictly necessary; let's push it downstream since you have a process that works for you.
Testimonials - I have asked several people for these and I feel like I should have them all on there since they took the time to write them. Can we have a spot for a few more? I think I sent you two, I got another one today (Will send it in a few minutes) and still waiting on a few more.
I'll create a link to a testimonials page. There may be some interesting things to do by hacking together a "testimonials blog" and using summary blocks to pipe them into pages...but that can wait...forever.
How do I change and add photos to the galleries?
I can walk you through this, but here is the Squarespace guide for it:
Wording changes -
The main description on the Baby Packages - I like the 1st sentence, not sure about the rest. Maybe something more about remembering every detail of their baby? How they smile when they sleep, yawn, little dimple knuckles, how they smell, how they fall asleep on you. When you look at their grin you can hear their belly laugh. I don’t know, something like that?Perf
The main description on the Wedding Packages - maybe a different route than the stress? Even tho that is part of it and I do try to make it as stress free as possible, maybe something about telling the story in a real, documentary way? I know some people are old fashioned and like the more formal pictures - we can do that too, so I don’t want to scare them off.Yup
The main description on the Family Packages - maybe add something about letting the parents be fully be in the moment (maybe different wording but that idea) and enjoying their kids? This would apply to the “in-home” sessions especially. Trying to get them to relax and just document their life.Yup
I feel like this sentence in the “About Me” section reads funny, may be missing a word:When you look at your photos, I want them to that decisive moment in your life, and to experience again the love, joy, and honesty that created it.
t is most definitely missing a word.
On the tabs at the top - is it a big job to switch the order and have "Portfolio" first? (Before "Packages") If its a big deal then it doesn’t matter!IT IS A HUGE DEAL I WORKED FOR HOURS TO CHANGE IT (not really I'll show you how to do it, super easy, part of the awesomeness of Squarespace)
HOME PAGE - Love the image you chose for the homepage.
Could you change the bride and groom picture to the one attached? It is the same image, just edited differently.Chris handling these image changes
Is it possible to make the font a little smaller? That way the images stand out more than the text? Love what you wrote and the testimonial.
One other thought - Is it possible to have an "about me” (or something similar) tab on at the top with the other tabs? Instead of having that on the home page? You could add it to the “Contact” info..Yes, it's easy enough to add links to the top nav, but I'd rather keep it super lean. Let me ponder an alternative.
I love all the spots that you made it easy for them to book sessions or weddings or to contact me. So helpful. Do I need to attach my available dates somehow? Or just let them choose and then contact them to confirm availability?Squarespace has an integration with Acuity which is a booking app. It's slick and helpful. It's $15 or so each month, but might be super worth it if you want to take bookings on your site. Info here: https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-us/articles/206545577-Using-the-Acuity-Block
PACKAGES -
Can we use a different word in place of “Basic”? I know the goal is to get them to choose the middle (or highest!) package, but just not crazy about that word.No prob
-BASICS
I think we can loose this category.Consider it dead...or at least deactivated.
-ENGAGEMENTS
The Journey - excellent idea. The only thing is I think the price needs to change. If they were to purchase the more expensive engagement, rehearsal and the most expensive wedding day coverage - the total would be $4,600 - and an album would be included. Should it be less because it is a package deal? Or we could keep it at 5500 and include all day coverage. No time limits. Either way, an album should be listed in the description for “The Journey” package. Great idea on that! (If people go to the engagement packages first, I don’t want them to get scared off by the $5,500 price. Should we put somewhere on the engagement page that wedding packages start at $2000? Whatever you think.The Journey is one of my hairbrained ideas, just to get you thinking about different ways to present your hours. And yes, I think the albums are a great value add. Let me noodle on it.
-WEDDINGS
The Basic wedding package - instead of saying basic, maybe imply that it is meant for small/intimate weddings? I want to offer it for people who can’t afford the others, but really don’t want people to book it because 5 hours isn’t enough time to tell the whole story unless it is a short/small wedding. I still like having the option tho.Yup, good angle
The Extended wedding package - this is the standard one I am hoping most people will buy. Can we call it something that implies it is the standard? But maybe a different word lol. Or we can stick with extended.Standard sounds good and sensible. It's an easy change in the future if something else comes to mind.
-BABIES
This looks great! Only change would be that the newborn photos usually include outfit changes for the baby. So the extended could just be more time and another location if they want. Or we could make it $600 and include up to 2 hours a book of the photos.Two hours and a book is a great idea.
-FAMILIES
The Basic package - this would be more for family photo shoots, kids, high school seniors, etc.
The Extended package - I like everything you have here and may add that it would be for events like birthday parties or extended family photo sessions. Also - in-home family sessions are something I really want to do more of. Where they are comfortable and their home tells so much of their story. This is more of a documentary style. Maybe this should be the focus for the middle package.Excellent idea.
Sibling Shoot - instead of this (since it is pretty much the same as the extended package), lets put the full day photo session idea you had under basics.Perf
(FULL-DAY PHOTO SESSION – $2600
Book a full-day photo session for bigger events like family reunions or corporate retreats. Includes eight hours with two photographers, including travel time between locations.)
BLOG -
Looks great!! Just a couple things… I love how it looks on my iPad and on my phone. But when I look at it on my desktop the blog entry is really small; until you click it. Is there a way for it to be big when you click blog?Hmm. Let me investigate. Definitely a solution, just not sure if I'll need to use a Summary instead of the default Blog page.
Can you use the other picture I am sending of my kids instead? Sorry…I decided I don’t like the other one being upside down. :/Yup
One other thing - I want to add a sentence or two about the business being my moms and originally named In His Image Photography. Most of my clients still know it as In His Image so I want to make it clear it is the same business. And I want to have just a little of the story there about how my mom started it. This is part of what I sent previously - would any of this work or it can be changed. You are great at taking my random thoughts and making it make sense! I’m thinking it could be added to the “about me” tab. Or maybe the initial blog post. But the tab is more permanent. What do you think? And this can be totally re-worded. Some of it may be repetitive with some other spots on the site.
I have had a passion for photography since I was a little girl following my mom around on her photo shoots. She taught me how to take timeless and natural photos, illustrating the love and emotion of the moment. Alison DeMoss started the company, In His Image Photography. I took over the business 11 years ago. I am thankful for the opportunity to carry on the family business. We have documented hundreds of weddings and still shoot most weddings together.
think I can use an abbreviated version for the home page, then link to a more developed bio, history. Will take a bit of doing, but should work.
Dont hate me! Is this too much? I really love everything you guys have put together!!SO MUCH HATE! No, seriously, this is good feedback. Ultimately it's your site and it should represent you. We just want to nudge/shove you in a direction and get you to ask yourself the right questions.
Thank you for all your work.No prob. We'll get your changes incorporated and figure out the hosting swap. We'll touch base next week or weekend and tie a bow on this sucker so you can book some new sessions!
Rachel