Adding Visuals to Your Communications

Photo-sharing, or the process of publishing digital photos online both privately and publicly, can enhance your business and social relationships. In this article, Linda provides links and ideas for professional graphic designers and photographers who want to share their work online.

How to start with professional photo-sharing

You can begin just about anywhere when it comes to photo-sharing your work online. Some designers or photographers prefer to build a foundation by using a photo-blog or Web gallery to display their work online with a name-specific domain name that's easily remembered (the brand). This foundation also is preferable as a base to build your social media, as a Web site provides viewers with a base to return to time and again for more information about your skills and on how to locate you for work (the brand).

Build a foundation Web site first...

This Web-based foundation is diverse, because its variances depend upon your budget and your capabilities as a Web developer and even as a content provider. Here is a list of a few designers and photographers to show the wide range of image-based foundations that can be developed:

• Andrew Prokos: This New York City based photographer has developed an online archive that can be searched by keyword or ID. Viewers also can purchase photographs or prints in an online store as well as read more about the photographer and learn how to license his images or how to hire the photographer for assignments. A view of the source code shows a mix of CSS and older HTML such as tables. The site also incorporates Flash and in-line stylesheets.

• David Airey: This graphic designer, who focuses on brand identity design, chose a blog for his Web presence, where he talks about branding as well as shows off his work.

• Grant Robinson: This digital designer also chose a blog, where he shares his thoughts as well as his portfolio.

• Juanjo Aza: This photographer developed a photo blog, which differs from the regular blog format in that little to no running commentary is needed to enjoy the portfolio, which is presented front and centre as soon as you enter the site.

• Robert Mapplethorpe: When you become so good at your craft that you have a foundation supporting your work, then you can have a site dedicated to you such as this one, built with stylesheets and Javascript.

You can see from the examples shown above that a blog that demands writing on a regular basis is the most demanding site of all for a designer or photographer. At the same time, the ability to write about your work and/or offer a service to other users can be invaluable. If you want to think ahead, but start slowly, then start with a photo blog and work into a larger presentation as you develop your Web and writing skills.

One example of how a designer's blog can grow is through Graphic Design Basics. I began that site in 2001 with few skills in Web development. Originally, this site was home to a gallery filled with my Web and graphic design work. I used that site to learn the basics in Web development as well, so I could learn how to design Web sites with more insight; however, by 2004, I realized that a blog format could help communicate my skills better (especially those in writing). I then incorporated that format and began to publish information about graphic design contests. By 2007, the blog was popular enough to attract the attention of a buyer, and I took his offer and put a down payment on a house. Since then, the site was sold again to a party that focuses on graphic design schools, but they continue a blog that delivers information on new developments in design fields and on design contests.

I never planned ahead for this development as I shared my work online originally. But, you might think ahead and create a site that is both personal and generic as it appeals to peers or to possible clients or admirers. Flash and Javascript can create exciting visuals, but blogs can work just as well. And, blogs are no less desirable to a buyer who wants a Web site filled with valuable content and that attracts a large number of visitors. Blogs also are easier for many Web viewers to navigate – a plus when it comes to buyers who want to view more of your work.