Start Small

When setting up a custom color scheme, start by picking 1 to 4 colors. Then use these colors to make the entire color scheme. For example, use the primary color of your background as a highlight such as headers or selected dropdown menu item backgrounds. This continuity of colors helps firmly establish your brand for your visitors mind. Our Expert Selected color schemes include four colors – 1 light, 1 neutral, 1 dark, and 1 highlight.

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

You can have as many as 10 Custom Color Schemes for your Flash and HTML portfolio sites and an unlimited number for the Store and Blog Sites, so you have lots of room to try out new colors! If you want to make minor adjustments to your colors you can use the “Copy” feature to preserve your original colors. You can also preview any color scheme by clicking on its name. This way you can quickly and easily compare the color schemes.

Free Resources

If you’re looking to build a color scheme from scratch you can also use these sites to help. They feature schems with 1 to 4 colors, with an easy click-and-drag interface:

• Color Scheme Designer
• Kuler by Adobe

Have fun customizing the colors on your website. To learn more, watch our recent webinar, “What’s Your Color?” by our very own Jeffrey P. on the Passionate Support Team.

The navigation menu bar is at the bottom of the design. When you click on an item with multiple options, the menu bar expands up to reveal a translucent bar and the additional options expand below it, while the image can still be seen underneath. A very subtle Close Menu is displayed at the far right. This state-of-the-art “lightbox” appearance has been utilized throughout the design. On the info pages the text box displays while the shadowed image can still be seen.

What makes Rio truly “marvelous” is the gallery page. One look will be all it takes to convince you that Rio is one of the most vibrant, contemporary designs that PhotoBiz has ever offered. In addition to the wonderful features you have come to expect from PhotoBiz we have added the largest thumbnail displays for any design ever! The oversized thumbnails, coupled with the translucent navigation, create a beautiful presentation of your portfolio images.

PhotoBiz’s unique color shifting technology can be applied to menu items, arrows, and icons. Since Rio is a full screen design there is no background, but a background can be added by using border padding, if you wish.

Each and every PhotoBiz template offers a unique loading symbol. Below is the symbol for Rio. And as always, all of the colors shown in the example are fully customizable.

Special thanks to Alante Photography for sharing his images for the sample of the Rio design!

View Rio Flash Design

Luckily, there are some great and free online tools that you can use to create beautiful and unique images!

GIMP
www.gimp.org                                                                                                
GIMP is a free downloadable software that uses controls similar to that of Adobe PhotoShop, including photo retouching and image format conversions. If you love PhotoShop controls and abilities then GIMP is a great alternative for you!

Sumo Paint
www.sumopaint.com
Sumo Paint is an online image editing tool that allows you to use painting and drawing elements, similar to those in PhotoShop. Once you manipulate your images, you can save them on your computer, and then upload them to your website.

ipiccy
www.ipiccy.com
ipiccy is a great online solution for people with no photo editing experience! This site allows easy uploads of your images with lots of really neat one-click filters and color effects. It also has a nice font bank and the ability to make transparent .png files.

Picmonkey
picmonkey.com
Picmonkey has lots of great filters and frames for you to use on your images as well as an ever expanding font bank! This can be a fantastic tool for creating some unique and special images for your site.

Take advantage of free online image editing tools to enhance your website, and let your creativity soar!

Having an HTML or mobile mirror site gives your customers the best of both worlds: the beauty of Flash on their computer, and the accessibility to view and navigate from mobile non-Flash compatible devices (e.g., iPad, iPhone, Android). No matter what device they access your site from your customer can explore your work, learn information about your company, and contact you with ease. In fact, our system does all the work, automatically recognizing what device someone is viewing your site from to determine which version to display.

HTML mirror site. An HTML mirror shows all the same pages and links as your Flash site, but in HTML format. This allows your site to be seen in its entirety from any non-Flash device. You even get to choose an HTML template and adjust the colors to compliment your Flash site. This is a great way to present continuity between your sites and provide the same experience to your customers, no matter what device they access you site from!

Mobile mirror. Having a mobile mirror is another way to provide easy access to your website from mobile devices. This format is presented with the feel of an “app”. You get a clear navigation menu, and your beautiful images can be easily seen.

These products are available for purchase through your Flash/HTML control panel under the “Extras” icon.  This is a great way to invest in the accessibility of your website!

The samples of this new template feature images by Tracy Allyn (Store Site sample) and Larry Perez (Blog Site sample). A special thanks to these amazing photographers and awesome PhotoBizzers for sharing their images!

Too BIG to just call them “Enhancements”

Our PhotoBiz development wizards have been hard at work and have truly revolutionized your control and level of customization for the Blog and Store Site banners and gallery pages.

The banners for Blog, Marquee (if banner layout is selected), and Marquee Plus pages have a completely new control interface that is very easy to use and understand. You can now choose if you want your slideshow to display in sequence or at random, select which controls appear with the slideshow, and customize the height of the banner (between 100 and 500 pixels). You can also select from five transition styles and set the speed or time (from one to ten seconds) that the image is still before the transition begins to further personalize the slideshow.

Pick Your Focal Point

Another radical new feature where the PhotoBiz developers really “raised the bar” is the Image Focal Point. Previously the banner image was always centered to fit the width of the site. Now by selecting Customize and Edit the Image Focal Point can be dragged to any point within the image. Once selecting the Focal Point you get to enjoy instant resizing and cropping!

Full Screen Gallery Viewing

Another subtle enhancement that can make a big impact on your presentation starts with the click of an icon in the lower right corner of the screen. That’s right, with just a click your customer can see the images in fullscreen for a spectacular display of your images.

Plus, PhotoBiz’s unique color shifting system has been added to the image control panel. After selecting the “Color” tab you can use the “eyedropper” to select any color within the image, and set it to display as your background when that particular photo is viewed in fullscreen.

Two New Gallery Layouts

In addition to these wonderful enhancements, the Store and Blog Site gallery pages now have two more layouts to choose from: Top Large Thumbs and Bottom Large Thumbs. The layouts allow you a better opportunity to “style” your gallery.

New slideshow controls, layouts, fullscreen viewing, and color shifting – all for you to create the most compelling presentation possible. We hope you enjoy all of these new features! As always, you can make a one-click switch to enjoy these new designs and layouts.

A Splash Intro is a great way to advise your customers about how to find different aspects of your company’s’ online presence, and the best part is it comes with a PhotoBiz Flash or HTML website. 

Here is what a Splash Intro page should do:

• Welcome your customers, without being a hindrance to get to your site
• Prominently feature your logo
• Have at least two links,
• Include your contact information such as.your company name, address, phone number, and email.
• Feature the same color scheme and background as your website

You can also use the Footer Text box to add HTML features, such as a Facebook “Like” box, a badge for your favorite organization, or deep links to improve SEO. Take advantage of the HTML ability of this box to add some pizzazz to your Splash Intro!

There are so many cool things you can do with a Splash Intro page, and this is only a hint at what was discussed in today’s webinar titled “Perfecting Your Splash Intro Page”.

And as always, the PhotoBiz Passionate Support® team is eager to help you make the Splash Page of your dreams! Feel free to call us here with any questions you have to help you utilize all portions of your Splash Intro so you can make the best first impression!

A longstanding personal and business practice of giving back is one of Sandy’s trademarks. This commitment to community inspired her to co-found the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation in 2005. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to providing in-hospital portraits to families suffering the loss of a newborn. Today the organization has over 12,000 photographers registered as members in over 40 countries. 

Sandy has served on the Board of Directors for the Professional Photographers of America, and holds the prestigious titles of Print Master and Explorer of Light from Canon USA. When she isn’t busy with a speaking engagement, a portrait session or overseeing her studio, Sandy is spending time with her four amazing children and her boxer Canon.

The Interview

1. Tell us something about your business and how long you have been a professional photographer?

I’ve been a full-time photographer for more than 20+ years. What started as a hobby at 17 years old, by 18 it soon became a career that has taken me from an at-home business to a thriving, high-end portrait studio with over 20 employees.

2. What equipment do you use?

I have always been a big fan of Canon products. I shoot with the Canon Mark II, but I am excited to go to the Mark III. Because I specialize in children’s work, my lens of choice is typically the 70-200mm 2.8. I also love my 50mm for environmental work and the 100mm macro for babies as well. 

3. Where are you located?

My studio is located in Littleton, Colorado. It’s a beautiful area to live and work, and though I love traveling and discovering new places, there’s no place like home. 

4. What type of photography do you like to create?

I enjoy photographing babies, children, seniors, and families. There are so many tender moments that can be captured during a traditional, posed session. I like bringing out the true emotions and personalities of my subjects. It’s one of the most rewarding things about what I do. I love the variety that each day brings. When I walk into the studio every morning, everything is new again. 

5. Price range of portraiture

Although we are busy, we are considered a boutique studio. Our goal is to create a high-end experience, and our prices reflect that. Our least expensive 8×10 starts at $150 and packages can range from $650-$7,000. 

6. When did you notice you had a passion for photography?

Almost from the moment I picked up a camera, I was hooked. I started my company as a passion and eventually built it onto my dream. I am still obsessed with learning. I read, watch, and try every new thing and I never stop growing. 

7. What is unique to what you do or what you offer?

I think every photographer has a unique gift and a unique way of photographing. My work is known for a subdued, tranquil mood and timeless sets and posing. I have always felt that photography is more about relationships than skill. I feel blessed that I have the gift of listening, and I feel I really hear what my clients want. Not just their words, but with their actions and expressions. 

8. Most awkward moment during an event?

Oh man, I could tell story after story of stupid things I have done. Once I sprayed mace in the air and sniffed it to see if it worked. IT DID! The last wedding I shot I stood up and my baggy pants stayed down. Don’t even get me started on the kid sessions. Once, I was pregnant and a kid sneezed on me leaving a bunch of yuck on my arm, which caused me to start throwing up because I was so sensitive. We laugh so hard at work it scares me sometimes. No job should be this fun! 

9. What is the scariest thing that ever happened during a shoot?

Oh, I shot a wedding once, in a gazebo right on the ocean in the keys. When they did the butterfly release, 10,000 seagulls that were on the roof flew in and attacked everyone. It would have been terrifying but we were laughing so hard we could not be scared. See, this can’t be real life. 

10. Best advice that you’ve been given in your photography career?

When I was a younger photographer, I had a mentor that taught me to look at my work not as pieces of paper, but as a piece of art that represents everything from my education, experience, equipment, and beyond. That advice meant the world to me then and it has changed my business immensely.

11. Best advice that you could give someone else that is pursuing a photography career?

BELIEVE. I have seen amazing things happen in my life from a positive attitude and little persistence. You only get one life. One chance to follow your dreams and really become what you dream. Nothing is easy, not for me, or anyone. Life is about sacrifice and choice and keeping those balanced. 

12. Best moment of your photography career?

I have had so many best moments, but seeing my youngest son following in my footsteps and shooting from the heart thrills me. He has such a natural eye, where I had to try so hard to learn and grow. You can check him out at www.facebook.com/NikolaiPucPhotography.

13. How many sessions/events do you do each year?

I personally hold about 400 family and individual sessions each year. I love teaching and sharing my knowledge, but it is also really nice to spend time with my clients. Many of them have become very dear friends over the years.

14. Have you changed anything to adjust in the current economic times?

Absolutely. I think many photographers have. Consumers are spending differently, and there are a lot of ways to combat this. Model search campaigns, lower session fees, and lower-cost social media campaigns have helped keep a steady flow of business in the last year or two. More than anything, planning ahead and knowing that lean times always come has helped me thrive even during this rough patch.

15. Describe your shooting style.

As a photographer, I try to get to know my subject. I interact with them throughout the session, and try to evoke natural smiles and other expressions through a casual conversation. This works on varied levels with children, teens, couples and families alike. I find if I am smiling, they will too. 

You can connect with Sandy through the following websites and social media sites:

Main Website: http://sandypuc.com/
Seniors Website: http://sandypucphotography.com/
Tours Website: http://sandypuctours.com
Forum: http://sandypucuniversity.com
Marketing Tools Website: http://www.ukandu.com/
Blog: http://sandypucblog.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sandypucfans
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/sandypuc
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SandyPuc

We are pleased to introduce an amazing line-up of speakers for the month of May! Take a look below at the scheduled FREE Webinars and sign up today.    

Three of the PhotoBiz team submitted artwork, and so I caught up with them to learn about the art they submitted and why they choose that piece.

The All Seeing Eye with Dish Washing Gloves

Ana S. is a member of the PhotoBiz Passionate Support Team. She is also a painter, and submitted a mixed media piece with acrylic, oil, and ink.

Description of piece: This painting is a small study from a series of paintings I was working on a few years ago. It deals with the childlike idea of dress up, fantasy, and pretend. As children we intuitively play in grand fantasy worlds of our own creating and will use any household item at our disposal to take on the persona of our make believe world. 

Why she choose this piece: I chose this piece because I feel it is a good representation of the kind of paintings that I make. I have a deep love and appreciation for the human figure and enjoy painting it. The Center for Visual Artists here in Greensboro is a fantastic organization that supports the local arts. This is actually the second year that I have participated in the 100 for 100 fundraiser and it was an easy decision to do it again. I love the idea of giving back to the art community and it is a great opportunity to get a little exposure for my artwork! 

Tiny Galaxy

Chelsea P.  is a member of the PhotoBiz Design and Research Team. She is also a photographer, and submitted an “iPhoneography” piece to the showcase

Description of piece: ‘Tiny Galaxy’ is a result of several experiments in iPhoneography. The image was originally a horizontal image of a sunset that was taken using an iPhone, and I then processed the image to create the 360-degree effect, and after that I further processed the image to add the vignetting and nebula to the image. The piece was created entirely using an iPhone, from image capture to processing.

Why she choose this piece: I selected this image to use in 100 for 100 because I wanted to use an image with an interesting subject, and a high degree of saturation and contrast and I wanted to print the image on Aluminum, and I felt that this would be a perfect image to really utilize the unique reflective characteristics of photographic printing on aluminum.

Ubiquitous

Mike B. is a PhotoBiz Passionate Support Team Lead. He is also a photographer and submitted a photo transferred onto canvas.

Description of piece: My piece was a photo transfer onto canvas, so it would appear a little more aged in person. I took it originally as part of a photo-a-day project where I used a word, and tried to photograph it. The word that day was ubiquitous.

Why he chose this piece: I chose this piece for the fundraiser show because the symbols used in the image are symbols most people deal with on a daily basis. I don’t like to dictate what my work is about, but instead use it to open discussion for other people, which I feel this work accomplishes.

Have a clear idea of what searches you want to rank on. When working on your SEO, it all starts with determining which keywords are most important. For example, what type of sessions generate the most income for you? Or where are you looking to expand your market? It is often easiest to break into a niche market, versus general keywords. No matter what keywords you choose, the key is providing pertinent information and useful links.

Search engines index both Flash and HTML sites. While search engines once skipped over Flash sites because they didn’t know how to read them, Google has specifically improved their algorithm to accommodate Flash designs in addition to HTML. In fact, PhotoBiz has specific SEO in place to help optimize both HTML and Flash sites such as allowing you to set meta data on most pages of your website – with the goal of giving Google an in-depth view of your content.

Focus on select keywords, not every conceivable word customers will use. Unfortunately putting too many keywords in your meta tagging can actually hurt your SEO results. “Keyword stuffing” is a black hat SEO technique that is frowned upon, and search engines can penalize for it. Instead of thinking of every possible keyword people use to find your site, focus on the most important ones. They are after all called “key”-words.

Differentiate between content keywords and meta keywords. When we discuss keywords we have to make a distinction between meta keywords and content keywords. Both types of keywords are important, but they have their own purpose.

• Meta Keywords: These words and phrases are found in the coding of your website, and are part of what search engines look at when indexing your site.
• Content Keywords: In the broadest sense this is every bit of text on your website. Search engines not only crawl the coding of your website, but also the text on pages in order to have a complete picture of the work you do.

Updating content versus adding content. Updating your content is making changes to your existing pages and meta data on your site. When you make a change to the content of your website Google will re-crawl your website to take this new information into account and adjust your ranking. Adding content refers to new pages or blog posts added to the site. In the case of new content being added, search engines focus on reviewing the additional content, without rechecking the older content. New content such as blog posts is seen as a good thing, and why having a blog on your site helps to improve your SEO.

Good SEO is not an overnight fix. One of the most frustrating parts of setting up or improving your SEO is the time it takes to see results. Google, Yahoo, and Bing all have their own unique schedule for reviewing websites that we aren’t privy to. You can decrease the amount of time that it takes for a search engine to review your site, by submitting your site map to places such as Google’s Webmaster Tools. Whether you actively submit your changes or wait for crawlers to find you, know that it can easily take 30 days for changes to be reflected. So each time you make changes, the clock starts over again.

Let PhotoBiz Help You. PhotoBiz undoubtedly has the industry’s best SEO tools paired with Passionate Support consultants available by phone. Give us a call at 866.463.7620 or submit a support ticket to have one of our SEO Experts to review your website today!