Minimatica User’s Guide–How To Set Up A WordPress Photography Portfolio

A perfect WordPress theme for photographers

Minimatica Free WordPress Theme

Although the Unofficial Minimatica Users Guide describes how to set up a Minimatica themed WordPress site similar to GregAitkenheadPhotography, my photography portfolio, you should be able to modify these instructions to create a look that fits your needs. I highly recommend using the Minimatica Support Forums–the members there are courteous and helpful, and usually answer your questions quickly. Daniel, Minimatica’s creator, weighs in on occasion, and the community seems healthy and supportive.

Initial Setup

If you have already set up a hosting plan, registered a domain name, and installed WordPress onto that website, you can skip to step 3. I’ll run through the process of setting up a site quickly. I use Dreamhost–they don’t offer the cheapest hosting, but I like their intuitive control panel and their reliable service. If this is your first attempt to set up a website, I highly recommend reading Lifehacker’s Night School series on How To Make A Web Site, especially Lifehacker Night School Part IV: Choosing a Host and Launching Your Site.
For this demonstration I’m creating a sub-domain called “test.” In the Dreamhost panel go to Manage Domains>>Add New Domain/Sub-Domain, create a name for your test site (such as “test.mydomain.com”). Then click on Goodies>>One-Click Installs. Click the WordPress icon and choose “Custom Installation,” picked the domain that you just created from the dropdown list, and then let it automatically create a database. (I have since switched to testing WordPress websites locally on my Mac using MAMP.)
Login to your new WordPress website using the link provided in the WordPress confirmation email.
To add the Minimatica theme to the new WordPress installation, navigate to Appearance>>Install Themes>>and search for “Minimatica.”

Now that you’re in the game, its time to put together a minimalistic WordPress website to showcase you’re photography. Minimatica acts like a static home page with dynamic flash elements–the perfect platform to get your website off the ground.

Next: The Front Page Slider, Featured Images, and Thumbnail Galleries

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Freelancing–5 Ways to Make Money With Your Photography

Originally titled "What's It Like On The Other Side?"

Photographer Photography

If you’ve been wondering lately about how to step up and join the ranks of professional photographers, you’re in good company. There’s been a general increase in amateur and semi-pro photographers suddenly finding themselves with more time on their hands than they would like, and they’re looking to make additional income. I’m in that position, working as a teacher in a rural district where budget cuts have led to layoffs two years in a row. I don’t have extra time, but I’m using the time I have to build an internet and photography business.

You can find a lot of great advice on the internet on how to increase you income with photography, but these are the steps that have helped me out the most:

set up a blog/website: I’ve developed websites using the free Blogger platform and the WordPress CMS. My WordPress sites G regAitkenheadPhotography.com and CanyonArtPhotography.com function as my portfolio and as a portal to web sales. The first is a straightforward virtual business card designed to attract art directors and media contacts. I wanted a portfolio that was simple but had the punch of a flash based site, so I went with the Minimatica theme (I’ve written a number of posts describing Minimatica setup–including this and this). The latter gives me a platform to discuss one of my obsessions, Native American rock art (re: Anasazi petroglyphs and pictographs), and is a the foundation of my web sales efforts (see below). Blogger’s great for getting a website up an running quickly, but WordPress offers more flexibility and visual appeal. Before rushing off to establish an online presence figure out who you want to attract, and what niche you want to explore, and pick an approach that matches your goals. Simply want to blog and share your interest in a particular aspect of photography–go with Blogger and get busy. Want to impress–start with a simple WordPress theme (go here and search for “photoblogs”), use forums and tutorials, and make it so. Continue reading →

Dana Neibert–From Art Director To Commercial Photographer

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/dana-neibert

Photo By Dana Neibert

One of my favorite websites, The Digital Photography School, just published a great interview with art director turned commercial photographer Dana Neibert (you can find Dana’s impressive web portfolio here). Interviews like this usually pack in more insight per paragraph than a photography tutorial, but the amount of good advice for up-and-coming professional photographers found in this article is immense.

Neibert’s commercial photography speaks for itself, but his insights into the business side of commercial photography are money. For me the coolest things about this conversation with Neibert was the fact that I found it right after receiving a game changing critique from a friend–a friend with extensive experience working as an art director and web developer. Continue reading →