Business idea for web designers and developers

HTML is not dead.  Let's face it.  Flash isn't for every photographer or every budget.  But when I look at the services and products available for photographer for building their websites there is little to no help for those who simply want an HTML and CSS design.  The chasm between Flash and HTML websites should not be so huge, as if Flash is the only way to go.

1. Sell the logo+branding
2. Sell the color + additional typography studies
3. Add the CSS definitions based on the previous offering
4. Offer a few basic layouts, or a custom layout if that is preferred
5. Referral to a developer who can implement the design at an affordable price (don't do this step yourself or risk undermining your credibility as a designer)
6. Repeat the process for the photographer blog design+branding+strategy

So for you designers, here is my business idea.  Offer a basic logo+branding service for a flat fee of say $250, or $500, or $750 (whatever you charge for this).  This is your business core, and every photography needs this more than they know.  I can point you to a few dozen photographers who need this service right now, but who don't know how to buy this service or that it's even within their budget.  It is your business to inform your prospective customer, and to create a preference. 

A way to upsell this basic business need is to offer a CSS file as a deliverable.  The basic CSS option uses a primary or basic color scheme using the themes that are included in the logo.  The 2nd level uses type fonts from the basic study, and has a custom design for everything from H1,H2,H3 all the way to P, I, B, and all the basic events such as Warning, Confirmation, et al. 

From there we can offer a basic service to design a layout that meets their needs, including layout graphics like rounded corders, shaded edges, etc... 

To me this is common sense.  We need wheels before we need a leather wrapped steering wheel.  We need gas before A/C does us an ounce of good.  And a moon roof without the moon?  Let's start out photographers with the basics, and allow their business to drive where their website design takes them, and their customer demographic dictate to us whether Flash is a "no brainer" or not.

The basics get yous and your customer's business moving in the right direction.  Partnership with the technical talent who can implement your beautiful designs will make you look like a rock star, and help your customer achieve their business goals faster than if they had to search for this on their own.

Just some brainstorming, would love to hear your thoughts.

Today is Molly's 1st Birthday

Our precious little Molly Jane turned 1 today.  She means the world to my wife and I, and has to be the most beautiful baby we have ever seen in our lives!  (Not kidding!)  But more than the good looks that she (obviously) inherits from her mom, we are so thankful today for God's blessings.  For those who are just starting to read my blog, Molly was born with a rare form of children's cancer called Wilms Tumor.  We feel extremely lucky that it was caught so early, and that we live in an age and time when advanced surgery can completely remove her cancer (and her kidney) so she can live a completely normal life.  In the last year we have heard of other familys who have less fortunate experience with Wilms, and our heart goes out to them.  We are thankful every single day, and surprised by the little personlity that Molly has grown into.  We are also thankful for all the friends and family who have supported us with their thoughts and prayers and concerns.  In spite of the challenges, our lives are enriched by the love and beauty and we wouldn't want it any other way.

Molly got her first chair.  A cute pink velvet one from Target.  She loved it, and we enjoyed watching her play with it as much as she enjoyed climbing all over it.  Here are a few pics.

I don't blog about politics

But today I'm going to jump into the fray, but this is probably the only time I will do so before we have a new president in office.

I was astounded by the repeated attacks by Obama & Co. on McCain for saying that "the fundmentals of the economy are sound."  What a laughable semantic argument this was!  It was repeated so often by the liberal media as to become meaningless, and the point might as well not have been made at all.  It made the liberal news anchors look more foolish than McCain for saying it, that believing repeating it a few hundred times would make it any more meaningful.  Nobody stays clean when you start flinging mud.  Let's clear the room and go for a swim to cool off, and start over tomorrow morning after you have a hot meal and a restoring nights rest.

In America supposedly the majority of us are Chrstians of some kind or another.  I suppose we could debate that until the cows come home too, but I hope the common theme is faith.  So now I suppose we throw our faith out the window when it comes to American politics, but our faith is strengthened when we read about the men who God chose to run countries in ancient history within the pages of the Bible.  So why is now any different than at any point in history?  I'm not saying I love Palin/McCain - there are unfortunate choices all across the board IMO, it definitely concerns me.  But as i think about this, I feel that my responsiblity as a Christian is to live by faith and make a decision based on that faith, not what pop culture says I should do based on non-Biblical criteria for political leaders.  As the Good Book says, “I being in the way , the Lord led me”. (Genesis 24:27) 

Does that mean I don't study the leaders and turn my nose at politics?  Aboslutely not.  I listen to their arguments (unfortunately) every single day and read the news headlines just like you.  But I refuse to debate with those close minded liberals who trample any notion of conservative values under foot.  The bottom line, which usually causes a lot of eyes to roll and grief in any debates I enter is that ultimately God is in control.  So put a monkey in the White House.  Go ahead, let's vote Obama in there.  As for me, I am more interested in seeing what God is going to do with our country than what the Obamas or the McCains are going to do with it.  Those guys think they have everything under control.  haha!  Without faith, the joke is going to be on them at the end of the day.  So, it's easy for me to avoid all the political debating going on and just vote from my heart, not my pocket book or my career or anything else that isn't going to matter in the end, anyways.

I had some really cool stuff to share about Palin, but I have to run off to my gate to jump on a plane.  So I'm just going to share this link with you.  http://www.victorhanson.com/articles/hanson090608.html

I'm won't reply or debate anybody's comments on this post, so post at your own risk. I have more important things to do and people to love, like my little Miss Molly Jane.

Regardless where you stand on the issues, I love you anyways my fellow humans.  Word to the sweet lady, Judy, who has helped me return my Hertz rentals at the SFO for the last 18 months.  Her boss scolded her today for putting her name on a checkout cart during her break, and stealing it away from one of her co-workers after they took it away from her.  I don't like how the young and brilliant managers at Hertz think they can harass their "subordinates" who are decades older than they are.  Treat every individual with respect and dignity you wish to be treated with.  Judy accepted (a paltry) 14 weeks of "early retirement" pay after 16 years of service with Hertz, and she thinks that she's getting a wonderful deal.  I gave her two hugs before I walked away, and she gave me this parting advice.  The quickest route from your rental car to the Air Tram is to "Follow the yellow brick road."  Evidently that's universally good avice, whether you are at a Hertz rental garage or in the Emerald City.

Cheers!

-steve

For Designers, Developers and Agencies ONLY!

Are you or do you know a web designer, developer, producer or owner of an agency that designs and builds websites for photographers?  Would you like your work to be featured in one of my upcoming articles in Rangefinder Magazine?  All you need to do is spend about 15-20 minutes answering a few questions in my online survey.  Here is the link.

http://www.stevetout.com/survey-sept08.htm

Your job title must be verifiable, and your work must be referenceable.  This includes obtaining and providing the written (email is fine) permission to include screenshots of said work in published materials by Rangefinder Publishing.

Additionally, I will post your contact info and links to your website or portfolio on SteveTout.com that pro photographers seeking your products or services can use to get in touch with you.

I need your responses ASAP.  Post any questions here in my blog and I will answer them as quickly as I can.

Chris + Jennifer @ Bremerton Harborside

I jumped back into the saddle a couple weekends ago and shot a wedding with my sister-in-law and had great time!  It was so hot out, the hottest and most beautiful day all week, but everyone was so patient and great to work with.   It rained the very next day, so the timing couldn't be better.   I met Chris for the first time at the rehersal the day prior and the first time actually getting to know Jen, and they are really laid back and enjoyable together. 

I am in awe at some of the amazing shots that Courtnee took, like this one.

Congratulations, Chris & Jennifer!

Quick escape from the shortest ceremony of all time.

Camilee

The ceremony was so short.   Lucky the guests were taking pictures :)

Weeeeeeeeeee!!!