Here was our tweet to you: "I hate it when my client....."
- thinks they are my only client. :-p - SusanDoddPhoto
- i hate it when my client sends tons of emails, has me do all sorts of extra work and then places a really small order. - kellydecoteau
- I hate it when my client grrrrrrrs like a tiger and then asks " should I do Blue Steel or the Magnum" - coryweberphoto
- hires another photographer to shoot a wedding with me and doesn't understand why "we need to talk" - austinjwalker
- i hate it when my client comes to my site and can't scroll the bar to the right. it's frustrating. - seloti
- my client:makes me wake up at 6am for a conference call and then have him say he didn't get a chance to review the changes. - minonina
- I hate it when my client asks me to shoot at high noon on a FL beach. Sure sure bc squinty eyes & sweat is in this year. - alisonwaring
- I hate it when my client doesn't warn me about how awesome their event is gonna be & then we get there & it's magic - jenaew
- let's their mother make all the decisions for their wedding!! - chrisward86
- I hate it when my client.....doesn't read emails and I have to repeat myself :) - theKaraSchultz
- isn't happy. - memycameraandU
- wants to see EVERY image I shot of them. - jesset23
- when clients get their prints from Walmart (instead through @pictage) and show those off to their friends ;) - CorinnaHoffman
- calls me at 11pm thinking it's cool to chat about there wedding.. - Jason_McGrew
- keeps asking for something free repeatedly...like "oh well this other photography was doing..." that's OK for them not me - ericavelascowed
- shows up for a family session for 4 with 20 relatives and says, we want group shots and individuals, at the same price. Ugh - kolodczak
- I hate it when my client.. Is unhappy. - christinearnold
- I hate it when my client not happy with my work.. i need to get better and better.. :) - melvinnyacindy
- when a client shows up in k-mart like wht chunky tennis shoes. You know the kind that a 60yr old man would wear! - getnickeled
- doesnt let go and have fun! - ameliakatephoto
- ....reprimands and/or bribes their child(ren) during a shoot. doesn't happen very often, thankfully ;). - urbanbaby
- make ridiculous request to remove things from photos to please their own asinine attitudes about class - scoooooooooooty
- ...bugs me to get their design done when I am busy riding my bike and goofing off. - itinerantstudio
- ...wants to form a large heart shape for their family photos in hopes it will look cool when shot from above. ick. :) - katienealphoto
- asks for a discount- stacybroganable
- Would love to win, but I have clients that follow me on twitter! So maybe: "I hate it when my clients don't follow me" lol - freshsugar
- .....calls with "just one more thing..." - WeddingsByRyan
- I hate it when my client.....asks if they can get a discount for ordering "so much". - Audreywoulard
- ...I hate it when my client... doesn't communicate! - josefnorris
- naaah, we love our clients, as much we'll love that horizontal template... cheers team! - mcorrea
- I hate it when my client...haggles on the price:( - sarahstepan
- when my client feels the need 2 ask my advice on every single detail of her wedding advice regarding her underware is 2 far - ELITEVENTS
- I hate it when my client...serves roast beef at the wedding...highly overrated :) - sharileephoto
- I hate when my client thinks they look pale & wants the photos 'warmer' to the point that everything looks orange! - NicoleDavis
- doesn't trust me! - BrookelynP
- ...forgets my birthday. - ericalovesry
- says they have a hard time navigating my blog;) - thewhywelove1
- says photgraphy is so important to them, books The Ritz, books our basic package and then go to Fiji on the honeymoon. - RBothwell
- Thinks I am a virtual plastic surgeon. - mikebrice
- designs her own album in microsoft publisher an shows me so i know what she is looking for. - radphotographer
- says "I can't afford "x photographer" but I love her work. Can you shoot just like her? Lol - LHensleyPhoto
- decides they'd prefer to see their landscaped color photos in portrait black and white, contradicting their consultation! - snapshotartist
- I hate it when my client... ...gushes about the gallery and then only buys desk prints. Ugh. - mzihlman
- ...brings their friend to a consult. and the friend hates everything. - gregghart
- doesn't like the vision i have....but waits until after to inform me. - austinjwalker
- I hate it when my client wants to talk photo gear to passive aggressively let you know how to shoot! - thelongcut
The winner of the horizontal blog is @seloti!!! Thank you to everyone for participating. As a thank you we would like to offer you all this 50% discount code for the horizontal blog template, Perilla: PERILLA5.
This fantastic WordPress plugin eliminates those annoying spam comments that are otherwise unavoidable. The setup is a little more work than most plugins but it is well worth the effort in the long run. We think this plugin is so important, in fact, that we created a step-by-step guide to setting it up on your blog.
2. Google XML Sitemaps
Google XML Sitemaps automatically generates a sitemap that is crawlable by all of the major search engines. This ensures that the search engines don't miss a page when crawling your website.
3. All in One SEO Pack
The All in One SEO Pack is an incredibly comprehensive SEO tool, possibly even too comprehensive. Most of its users will only use about 5 percent of its functionality but right out of the box it provides the ability to change the all important Title, Description, and Keywords for each post, an otherwise missing element in WordPress.
4. SEO Smart Links
This is another great SEO tool. It automatically links phrases in your text to other relevant posts. This interlinking of posts is important to your rankings and SEO Smart Links does all the work for you. This is especially useful if you already have a bunch of posts on your WordPress blog that aren't interlinked.
5. WP Super Cache
Want your blog pages to load faster? This nifty little plugin is your answer. WP Super Cache speeds up load time by caching your pages on your server. This is a very handy plugin for photographers who put a lot of images in their posts.
6. WordPress.com Stats
We recommend using Google Analytics to acquire your web statistics but if you don't want to go that route then this plugin is the next best thing. It is hands down best stats plugin for WordPress, but does require a little more work to set up.
7. LinkWithin
LinkWithin adds a "related posts" section with pictures to the bottom of your posts, which is great for keeping your readers on your website. You won't find this plugin in the marketplace so don't waste your time searching for it. You have to get it on their official website.
8. WP-DBManager
WP-DBManager may be the best plugin you will ever use. It allows you to schedule automatic backups of your database, which will be a life saver if something tragic ever happens to your database.
9. SexyBookmarks
SexyBookmarks is the ultimate social media WordPress plugin. It embeds social media icons on the bottom of your posts, allowing your readers to share your blog with the world. The best part: it allows you to choose from an astounding 90 social media sites.
10. Flaunt
Our photography slideshow, Flaunt, isn't a WordPress plugin but it can be embedded in your posts to give your blog an edge. Each Flaunt album has an embed code that you simply copy and paste into a post and viola, Flaunt is in your blog. Why is this useful? Well, for starters Flaunt looks awesome, duh! And using Flaunt will improve your blog's load time dramatically because it eliminates the long, almost endless, trail of images down your blog.
Finally! I've been seeing the Linkwithin feature on other blogs and wondered how they were doing it. Now that I know it's a plugin - oh yes, it will be mine! Thanks for sharing, guys! And keep the great info coming. :)
(06.10.10 @ 05:31 PM)I found your article very interesting, do you still have another article? maybe we can share the article
(07.06.10 @ 10:37 AM)
The Naked Clove blog and website template set is the latest to hit the intothedarkroom line up. Why is it called Naked Clove? We stripped down the design to a perfect white background, images, a drop shadow...basically naked. Not simple enough? Ditch the drop shadow and make this design even more minimal than it currently is. But don't be fooled. This design is ready to be dressed up with your custom uploaded background, logo, colors, videos, and photos. As always, this flash site is white hat search engine optimized, works on many mobile devices, and the blog template is built on WordPress. Wanna get Naked?
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- a nice comfy desk chair for those long editing sessions. :) - @AsgPhoto
- the lastolite ezybox :-) - @douglevy
- canon 35mm 1.4L, can shoot everything with it! Its the swiss army knife of lenses - @william_kim
- hands down, 50 mm 1.2. Close second: my husband/ second shooter. - @lisahessel
- sense of humor. - @jennyjimenez
- the 85L that I just ordered. - @StudioPhenom
- My favorite piece of equipment is my eyeball. It sees what I need to shoot. - @KeithCzechanski
- my video light for first dances... :) - @r_madrid
- 50mm 1.2L Canon lens... perfection. - @marywyar
- does my awesome blog count as my favorite piece of equipment? - @karenard
- Tie between my Nikon 50mm f/1.4G or my Sigma 14mm f/2.8 - @joshuawhite
- 27" 16gig i7 iMac...mmmmm hmmmm - @marywyar
- my heart. - @jcogliandro
- laughter... - @clints
- my expodisc - @jennyboxmorphy
- that would have to be my 70-200 vr - @photosbynick
- the 85mm f/1.2L. "I love it more than taffy, and I'm a man that loves his taffy." - Mayor West - @dbickley
- the 45mm T/S lense - @JNPStudios
- My eyes. - @zoeica
- my canon 70-200 f/2.8 amazing images!! - @sergioaruiz
- My Nikkor 17-55mm 2.8 lens :) - @allisonbess
- my mind is my favorite piece of equipment. Then my 24-70 lens :) - @iamparris
- my eye... Does that count as equipment?!? :) - @soulmatesphoto
Do you have something you would like to add to this list? If so, please leave it in the comments area below.
An amazing website designed by Into The Dark Room is the BEST TOOL!
(06.03.10 @ 11:17 AM)
There is a lot of buzz and debate going on right now about Flash, open standards, and things like "iPhone ready" sites. With the recent debacle of Apple vs. Adobe, and the cross-talk about standards, it can be very confusing to know what to think - especially since the majority of photography websites are being developed primarily with Flash and with the release and success of the new iPad.
Here at intothedarkroom, it just doesn't make any sense. If you understand browser technologies, and build a website on a solid platform, there is no debate -- only the right way to do things. You're probably left wondering "Is my site iPad/iPhone ready?". The question that you should be asking yourself is "Is my site progressively enhanced?".
Progressive Enhancement is a fancy web developer term for delivering the best possible experience based on the technologies available. In the case of the new intothedarkroom templates, it means if all your device can render is text, you get text. If your computer or device can render a styled HTML site, you get a styled HTML site. If you have Flash, you get the full interactive experience. And it does this all while delivering your site in a branded, cohesive package. This process of progressive enhancement allows for the broadest range of devices and users to view your website without singling out just Flash-enabled users, or just iPhones/iPads.
If you start with the question "Is my website iPad/iPhone ready?", you are already headed in the wrong direction. The iPhone, while a very popular and robust (not to mention cool) smartphone, is not the only fish in the sea. With Blackberry and Android devices picking up market share here in the States and the Nokia s70 platform being the gold standard in Asia, the iPhone is not the end-all, be-all. Sadly, many companies are creating band-aid "iPhone versions" of their sites that either look like an iPhone settings panel, or worse yet -- just plain ugly or generic-looking. Is that the branding you really want to convey to your users?
We don't think so.
We think that no matter what mobile device you are using, you should get a branded, consistent, page-for-page experience -- whether that is the Droid, the Palm Pre, the iPad, or the iPhone. We think your website should show up on a 10 year old Nokia text-only handset. We think Linux users (that usually don't bother with Flash) should get the same consistent experience that desktop users with Flash get -- even if it's a little more basic, and maybe it's not as interactive. In this environment, do you really want all the bells and whistles anyway? Chances are, if you are browsing around on your phone, you want the experience to be quick and easy, and crash free.
So, go ahead and ask yourself: "Is my site mobile ready?", "Is my site consistent to all users?", and "What happens if they don't have Flash?".
The answer to all these question is the same: develop your site with the right foundation, and the rest will fall into place. That's the beauty of standards, and how plugins like Flash should work. We don't think you should have multiple admin panels to manage different versions of your site. Those kinds of band-aid approaches have no longevity. We don't think user agent "sniffing" has any place on the web including delivering custom iPhone sites.
We've been developing progressively enhanced sites the right way for over 6 years, and we believe it's the only way to do it. Steve Jobs thinks Flash has no place on his devices, and we couldn't care less. Adobe thinks it can deliver to mobile web, and we say more power to them. We'll just keep on doing our thing.
So? Is your site just "iPhone ready"? Or is it progressive. You decide.
Want to see an example of progressive enhancement? Click the first link below to see the HTML version of our Pimp My Vanilla template. After viewing it, close the browser and click the "Turn Flash back on" to see the flash version. Both versions have the same content and use one backend tool.
See "Pimp My Vanilla" with Flash Off
Leave a comment for a chance to win up to 60% off any of our new "Buy - Install - Play" products and templates. Winners will be announced on Twitter.
I agree. It is all about adapting to the current environment and making it available to the users in different versions showing the same content. Technologies are always changing so you have to adapt and accept it no matter what.
ITDR is doing it the right way and I congratulate you on all your success.
Thanks to ITDR for a well written article! I've recently blogged about my concerns with the lack of flash on iPhones and iPads. With Steve Job's recent Press release on why Apple does not support Flash, the topic has become even more volatile. Kudos to ITDR for coming up with a method that supports the majority of users! As a photographer, I appreciate the kind of support that can allow my customers to view my website from any type of connection. I am seriously contemplating on changing my current site provider with a solution from ITDR. Thanks! -jp
(05.20.10 @ 09:49 AM)Exactly why I have an ITDR template! You guys are fantastic :)
(05.20.10 @ 09:50 AM)Adobe put out a great response to this "announcement" by Mr. Jobs
http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/adobe-targets-apple-in-ad-campaign-launched-today-publishes-ope/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+weblogsinc/engadget+(Engadget)
i think it's worth taking a look.
(05.20.10 @ 09:53 AM)Yes, I believe that flash's days are numbered. There is just not enough bandwith to support flash for mobile devices. And the move is to mobile devices.
(05.20.10 @ 09:58 AM)I think Flash is dying, although it's not dead yet. I wouldn't think about investing time, money, or energy now into a site that was not iPad compatible... and the iPad is looking very attractive as an option for a portable portfolio.
(05.20.10 @ 10:04 AM)Dead, no.. on the way.. probably not. Who knows where the debate will go.
(05.20.10 @ 10:04 AM)Great article. I am totally ready to ditch the flash. Your product looks excellent.
(05.20.10 @ 10:06 AM)Great points and the correct approach considering the number of changing platforms that may be used to view our sites/content.
(05.20.10 @ 10:09 AM)I don't think Flash is dead - but I've considered not using it. Many of my clients don't have high speed internet (in rural areas), so it slows things down.
(05.20.10 @ 10:09 AM)Honestly, I think that definitely clears up any questions I have had and clearly defines how I need to approach looking for a new website. Great article.
(05.20.10 @ 10:16 AM)The sample is wonderful! Flash certainly isn't necessary because the branding is brilliant. Thanks for sharing this. I will be sure to keep mobile device compatibility in mind when i can get a site of my own designed! :)
(05.20.10 @ 10:25 AM)Tenho visto quase todos os blogs, layouts feitos pelo ITDR, gosto muito dos layouts e principalmente da facilidade, navegabilidade, e uso. Acredito que sempre vão sendo lançadas novidades, novas plataformas de desenvolvimento. Então, acredito que com isso, toda a comunidade "programadora" vão se adaptando as novas plataformas. Honestamente, considero os layouts da ITDR os melhores, voltados para blogs de fotografia.
muito sucesso pra vcs.
I am so glad I switched from Blu to ITDR. Thank you for being awesome.
Now I just need to get my site ready to launch.
Great blog post! LOVE the way ITDR handles both mobile devices and flash-enabled browsers. Also love the new templates... keep them coming!
(05.20.10 @ 10:53 AM)interesting. great article. thanks for the information. I would love to win 60% off.
(05.20.10 @ 11:05 AM)Thank you for addressing this issue and explaining how your templates work & look on mobile devices. Can't wait to see what other awesome templates you guys develop!
(05.20.10 @ 11:24 AM)What a great article! There are too many people out there that think the iPhone is the end all mobile device, but that's just not true. Having consistent branding throughout your business is such an important aspect, and you guys hit the nail right on the head. I could really use some consistent branding for my new photo business and would love 60% off of your templates! Plus I would shamelessly plug your name in everything I do if I had a ITDR website ;)
(05.20.10 @ 11:34 AM)Agree 100%. Also, I've noticed that so many of the flashed based site look alike. There really isn't a strong brand, and it seems like flash is what is being relied on to "impress". I totally agree about building a strong brand and progressive site! Well put ITDR, well put!!!
(05.20.10 @ 11:58 AM)This is a really amazing blog post! I have been in the interactive website industry for about 5 years now, in mainly eCommerce, SEO, and design sales. I have worked for some of the largest companies providing small companies quick and easy website solutions.
One thing I have known for awhile is flash dynamic way to catch your customers eye and make a big slash because it is beautiful. Yet, on the down side flash has not had the best reputation if you want to get to the top of the search engines. Now with it not beginning supported for the iPad/iPhone that will be one other thing that will be a hurdle for Flash based sites. You are right who wants a band-aid for that or two admin panels to update your site? You should not be a slave to your website, nor should it be something that sucks up all your free time.
With that being said, I think that your team at ITDR has it right! You guys know about what is going to be best for your customers and obviously keep up with what is current and/or what will be happening next in the internet industry. With your style of "progressive enhancement" it should be a no brainier for potential customers that have done their homework to choose to build there site with ITDR. I have been researching different companies to build my new photography site with what I have discovered that your templates are not only amazing looking at but has everything that someone needs to cover all the bases in SEO and have the site mobile ready as well. Kudos to you guys, GOOD JOB, and WAY TO GO! It looks like you will stomp the competition in your industry.....keep up the good work!
(05.20.10 @ 12:01 PM)Came across this while having a look at Flaunt and your site templates. It's definitely something to think about. I'm in the market for a new site and would like one that's compatible, yet ultra simple on the Flash side. I think your Vanilla may suit my needs.
(05.20.10 @ 12:06 PM)Bluto: Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!
Otter: Germans?
Boon: Forget it, he's rolling.
Bluto: And it ain't over now. 'Cause when the goin' gets tough...
[thinks hard]
Bluto: the tough get goin'! Who's with me? Let's go!
All that to say... I don't think it's dead or dying....but maybe I'm wrong? I guess that's why I'm thankful I'm lucky enough to have a progressively enhanced site.
(05.20.10 @ 12:27 PM)Very cool and insightful. ITDR keeps it hip and ahead of the trend.
(05.20.10 @ 12:50 PM)Flash use to be King....and now...what was hot....is NOT...
RIP...and google doesn't like flash..my website just needs a tombstone on it. Update or die..
Illuminating article. I've spent quite a bit of time the past few weeks doing research into a mobile option, nothing has laid out the concept so well. Most info is so biased towards iphone/ipad and ignoring other mobile devices. Your article discusses ideas that I hadn't seen elsewhere, thank you!
(05.20.10 @ 01:31 PM)WOW! This is really an interesting article!!! I have never thought about this to happen and so soon. I work in Costa Rica and I do think that there are some people here in this country (specially people in rural areas with low speed connections) that can not access a Flash template that easily! At that time, I was thinking the other way around, that Flash will never die and one day will be on every computer/phone in the world!! hehe... Now, I can see that I'm totally wrong. I am using Blu templates/server, but I'm considering seriously to switch to ITDR (I'll have to save up a lot of money now)!!! Also, I want to give thanks and praise ITDR for your AWESOME work and for you to be a step ahead of us, being so helpful and working for every photographer/client needs and even more!!! Thanks for being so thoughtful!!! Have a GREAT DAY!!! God bless!!! :))
(05.20.10 @ 01:37 PM)i'd like to show off a progressive website on an ipad, moblile phone, laptop and desktop...
i'd like to be in a client meeting and whip out an ipad to show my current work - that would be totally cool...
ITDR has been my website solution for years and I don't foresee that changing. I know you guys are on it, are forward thinking and that's exactly why I stay.
(05.20.10 @ 02:22 PM)thank you for your simply beautiful design and for setting a high standard in the industry. bravo
(05.20.10 @ 02:29 PM)Hey, thanks for the info. And, thanks for the great template options. I am glad I found you (and thisblog post) before purchasing a new site design. Yay for ITDR!
(05.20.10 @ 04:44 PM)Wondered about this and heard the other day that someone said Flash is dead. I don't think it is but there will be something else after it, and that's the way technology always worked and always will work. Gotta roll with the punches or get left behind.
(05.20.10 @ 05:05 PM)I don't think flash is dead. It still has its advantages over html5 and the other options and its disadvantages if your name is Steve "the control freak" Jobs.
From how I understand the situation I think the real question might be is flash overused? When a website is one giant unsearchable flash video I think flash has been over applied. Thanks for working to create sites that are better than that ITDR.
(05.20.10 @ 06:55 PM)great article! once i decide on which site i want, im switching from bludomain..it sucks that i only bought my template from them 2 months ago but thats what happens when you dont have a progressive company like itdr!
(05.20.10 @ 06:56 PM)That helps explain a lot for me. I wanted to know what all the fuss was about.
(05.20.10 @ 10:05 PM)I think it all comes down to your potential customers and their changing needs. Some photo editors prefer full-screen flash and are willing to wait a second or two for it to load, others might just hate it and want html only. The thing to remember is to try to build on a solid CMS/Database foundation so that no matter what the future holds your information/data can adapt to new ways of presenting things. Everything should be searchable and have deep links as well of course. So basically nothing new, just strive to keep everything flexible and ready for change and you should be ok.
(05.21.10 @ 04:58 AM)This is a start of a new era where "Flash" is not as cool. Great post ITDR and I think you guys are heading into the right direction.
(05.21.10 @ 06:11 AM)this makes so much sense. i don't want just iphone/ipad clients...or just clients with a desktop. I don't want my clients to have to think about their choice of software/hardware. i want them to see my work and call me. I'll be calling you guys soon.
(05.21.10 @ 08:36 AM)Finally a clear and concise article that explains many questions people have about mobile media devices, especially photographers. It’s a little unfortunate with so many flash sites out there that Steve Jobs and Adobe can’t find a happy medium. Nonetheless people are accessing the web more and more on their phones, and that can translate into sales if you have a good site people can see and use. It’s a must have in my world. Thanks ITDR - GRP
(05.21.10 @ 09:44 AM)Thanks to everyone for leaving such great comments! The winner of the 60% off discount code goes to.... (drum roll)... Mike Fan. We had such a great response that we have decided to give a 40% discount code away as well. There are limited spots available. First come, first serve. Discount Code: "BLOG40".
(05.21.10 @ 12:26 PM)Interesting post! Thanks for the info!
(05.22.10 @ 02:11 AM)Great piece and you're so right! Far more important that you site is built on something that can continue to grow and improve with the times instead of trying to make sure it works on a particular device. It should just work on everything.
(05.22.10 @ 08:30 AM)i'm very excited to hear you are so on top of current events and are catering to all your customers' needs! :)
(05.22.10 @ 02:43 PM)I don't think it's so much a question of in or out as all inclusive, and to say the least the developing technology keeps us as photographers on our toes. With the boom of new photographers in the industry, you either keep up or become obsolete.
(05.22.10 @ 04:15 PM)None of us can predict the future. At best, we can act in a manner that allows us to best leverage our knowledge from the past. HTML has always been the best platform for SEO and web-surfing. Flash is "flashier". If HTML could do what flash does...it would seem evident that this would present a superior option for web developers. For these advancements, we must all make changes and steady adaptations. I for 1 am happy for what the future offers...
(05.29.10 @ 12:29 AM)I think that sometimes the whole flash wedding website experience can be a bit distracting, at http://yeni.shutterchance.com/ my wedding photography blog I decided to keep it simple and let the photographs do the talk instead
(07.02.10 @ 07:38 PM)
...is no fun
(07.22.10 @ 06:24 PM)....dances with the devil in the pale moonlight.
wait, that'd actually be pretty cool.
(07.23.10 @ 11:26 AM)...thinks it's possible to get the images straight from the camera uploaded to their laptop the moment after we stop shooting. This seriously happened...sigh.
(07.23.10 @ 01:22 PM)