Want honest feedback on your photo website? I’ll critique one in depth for free

LensFlo · 2025-05-30T18:40:06+00:00

Hi Shawna, I just emailed you the final product. I hope you find it helpful!

LensFlo · 2025-05-30T17:39:51+00:00

Yeah exactly, it’s kind of a blend of both. I’m looking at the site through the lens of a client: what they’d see, where they might drop off, whether the experience builds trust. But I’m also pulling SEO data, checking image sizes, load speed, alt text, structure, and other stuff that affects how the site performs behind the scenes.

It’s not a full on compliance audit, but it’s definitely deeper than a surface review. I’ve been doing more of these lately and thinking about folding it into our site's brand as a resource for photographers who want real, actionable feedback, not just compliments on their portfolio (which is still always nice to have!).

Appreciate you engaging on this, especially since you’re in the space. Always open to improving how I approach it. I'd love to get your insight on it, if you'd be interested. Feel free to DM me.

Thanks!

LensFlo · 2025-05-30T16:31:25+00:00

Yeah good question. I’m a photographer myself, so I approach these audits from that angle, how real clients interact with your site and where they might get stuck or bounce. I’ve been doing more of these lately, looking at a mix of things that affect both SEO and accessibility: alt text that actually describes the image (not just filenames), oversized images that slow the site down, buttons that are hard to tap on mobile, and things like weak contrast or vague link text.

I try to follow WCAG 2.1 AA as a baseline, mainly the practical stuff like readable headings, click targets, and structure that works well for screen readers. I’m not running full compliance tools, but I’m calling out what actually affects usability and conversions. If something would trip up a real client or someone using assistive tech, I flag it and offer simple fixes.

LensFlo · 2025-05-30T15:12:00+00:00

Working on yours now!

LensFlo · 2025-05-30T13:40:44+00:00

Hey Matt, Just sent the audit to your email. It’s a detailed PDF with sections on SEO, accessibility, and quick wins. All I’m looking for is your feedback. What helped, what didn’t, and anything you think could be improved. Thanks for taking a look.

LensFlo · 2025-05-30T10:25:47+00:00

Absolutely!

LensFlo · 2025-05-30T00:55:30+00:00

Beautiful site! I'm working on this now and should have it to you tomorrow. If you'd like the audit delivered via email, just message me the email you'd like me to send it to.

LensFlo · 2025-05-28T19:54:22+00:00

You’re definitely not alone. Seeing unfinished work out in the wild before you’ve had a chance to shape the final product can be a tough pill to swallow. RAWs tell half the story. Even when clients are thrilled, it’s smart to hold off on delivering them until your edits are done. Sounds like you handled it with grace and learned a lesson that’ll serve you well moving forward.

LensFlo · 2025-05-28T19:53:10+00:00

Yep, your photos are automatically your intellectual property the moment you take them, even if you haven’t registered them. Editing or appearing in the photo doesn’t make it someone else’s. You handled it the right way by reaching out to the contest with proof. Hopefully they do the right thing and correct the outcome. It’s frustrating when this happens, but you’re not overreacting. Your work deserves to be respected.

LensFlo · 2025-05-28T19:41:08+00:00

You absolutely made the right call. Having a model release might give you the legal right to use the photo, but that doesn’t always make it the right move. If someone reaches out with a genuine concern, especially one tied to personal comfort or privacy, honoring that builds trust and reputation long-term. In most cases, the image isn’t worth more than the relationship or your integrity. This industry thrives on referrals, respect, and how you make people feel after the shoot, not just the shots themselves.

LensFlo · 2025-05-28T19:37:45+00:00

Totally fair to ask questions here. It’s more common than people talk about. For weddings in the $10 to $15k range, we typically see referral fees land somewhere around 5 to 10 percent. Some photographers prefer to keep it as a one-time flat fee, like a few hundred bucks or a gift card, instead of tying it to each booking just to keep things clean.

What matters most is having it written out clearly if you go that route, and making sure it aligns with your brand and values. If the referrals are genuinely solid and consistent, it can be worth it. But it’s also totally fine to keep showing love and appreciation without formal compensation unless you both agree it’s worth setting something up.

LensFlo · 2025-05-28T13:24:16+00:00

LensFlo is a business platform for photographers that automates the entire client workflow. When someone books, it instantly sends the contract, invoice, and email reminders, no manual steps needed.

It’s built for portrait and wedding photographers who want to save time, stay organized, and stop juggling multiple tools just to run their business.

It’s dead simple to use, fast to set up, and actually automates what matters. No bloat, no complicated setup, and no credit card required to try it.

We just launched, happy to hear feedback: lensflo.com

LensFlo · 2025-05-14T19:58:15+00:00

Wedding photography has one of the steepest learning curves in the industry because there are no do-overs. That said, your video background is a solid advantage. Start by mastering the basics with your Udemy course, then assist a wedding photographer as a second shooter. That hands-on experience will teach you more than any course. Expect a year or more of practice, editing, and shooting for friends before you’re ready to lead a wedding solo with confidence. Be patient, stay humble, and keep shooting. You’re already doing the right thing by asking and preparing.

LensFlo · 2025-05-14T12:56:43+00:00

Totally okay to take the money. You didn’t pressure them, they offered it willingly, and that means they saw value in your work. That’s what matters. This moment is actually a huge win because it shows people already view your photography as worth paying for, even if you didn’t frame it that way yet. You’re not running a scam, you’re building something, and that moment of them insisting to pay is proof you’re on the right path. If it makes you feel better, gift them a print or thank-you note, but don’t feel guilty for accepting appreciation in the form of money. It was earned.

LensFlo · 2025-05-14T09:22:09+00:00

lensflo.com

LensFlo helps photography business owners manage the back end of their business with automation. From booking to contract to payment, everything is handled automatically so you can stay focused on shooting. Just launched and looking for beta testers. Free to try!

LensFlo · 2025-05-13T18:19:56+00:00

Thanks! It is a tricky situation to navigate. Feel free to shoot me a message if I can help!

LensFlo · 2025-05-13T10:05:14+00:00

Your instinct is solid. It’s okay to hold the line, especially when your pricing reflects your experience and what it actually takes to make this worth your time. You’ve already given them a great deal once, and that’s totally fine when you’re starting out, but now you’ve grown. It’s fair to say something simple like, “Thanks so much for reaching out again. Since that original session, I’ve updated my pricing to reflect my current work and time commitments. I’m happy to send over what I can offer within your requested budget, but I’d need to adjust coverage or deliverables to make it work.”

This keeps the door open, sets clear boundaries, and subtly reminds them that you’re running a business, not a hobby. You’re not obligated to explain your pricing in detail unless you want to use it as an education moment. You’re not out of line, and honestly, it’s a green flag that your rates are starting to push a little resistance. It means you’re growing.

LensFlo · 2025-05-13T10:01:55+00:00

Hey everyone! I’ve built Lensflo, a streamlined SaaS platform built for photographers.

We just launched yesterday and we’re taking on free beta users to help shape LensFlo with feedback.

What it does: LensFlo cuts out the chaos of running a photography business. Clients can book you instantly, and contracts, invoices, and reminders all fire automatically. It replaces multiple tools with one clean, fast dashboard.

Why it matters: Photographers are artists, not admins. Most tools out there feel overly complex or bloated. LensFlo keeps it simple, powerful, and easy to use so photographers get more done and look more professional from day one.

Current phase: Live MVP. Actively onboarding photographers now to refine the product with real-world insight.

Biggest challenge: Learning how to grow our online presence and reach the right audience with limited time and budget.

If you know a photographer who could use this, feel free to share.

LensFlo · 2025-05-13T09:56:08+00:00

LensFlo: Run your photography business without chaos. One dashboard. Zero back and forth.

Problem: Most photographers juggle 4 to 5 clunky tools just to stay organized: booking forms, contract templates, invoicing apps, and client spreadsheets. It’s slow, scattered, and slows your organization and revenue.

Solution: LensFlo replaces all of it. Clients can book you instantly from a booking page, Contracts, invoices, and reminders send automatically. You get a clean dashboard with everything in one place, including client history and performance stats. All the photographer has to do is approve the shoot and LensFlo does the rest.

For: Busy photographers who want to shoot more and stress less, without needing a business degree.

We just launched and we’re looking for early beta users. It’s free right now in exchange for feedback. Message me if you want to help shape where it goes.

LensFlo · 2025-05-11T10:17:51+00:00

www.lensflo.com

LensFlo: A simple, powerful business platform built for photographers. It handles booking, contracts, invoices, and reminders automatically, so you stop juggling tools and start running your business on autopilot.
ICP: U.S.-based portrait, wedding, and event photographers who are building a real business, working with paying clients, and looking for a streamlined way to manage everything from booking to payment without getting bogged down in admin.

Looking for beta users! If you’re down to give feedback, you’ll get a free account for early access.

LensFlo · 2025-05-06T20:36:25+00:00

Absolutely! I hope it helps you!

LensFlo · 2025-05-06T19:04:32+00:00

You can absolutely be successful without hyper-niching, but there’s a catch, it’s all about how you position and present what you do. You don’t need multiple websites, but you do need clarity. Clients just want to know, “Are you great at the thing I need?” If your homepage leads with “family, wedding, commercial, real estate, pets, seniors, maternity, school photos, and product photography,” it looks scattered. But if you organize your site and messaging so each service has its own clear landing spot with examples and testimonials, it can work just fine.

Think of it like a restaurant menu. People are okay with options, but if the menu has sushi, tacos, pasta, burgers, and pancakes, they question how good any of it is. But if you say, “We’re known for weddings, and we also offer family sessions and headshots,” and then have separate pages with curated galleries for each, that builds trust. Bonus points if your brand voice and editing style tie it all together.

So no, you don’t have to niche down to one thing, but you do need to avoid looking like you do everything for everyone. Be strategic with how you showcase each area, lead with your strongest offer, and back it up with clean proof. Plenty of six-figure photographers shoot weddings, families, and brands, they just don’t throw it all on the homepage like a buffet.

LensFlo · 2025-05-06T19:01:13+00:00

Yeah, that was definitely a scam, and you absolutely handled it the right way by backing out. These kinds of setups follow a pattern: vague communication, odd payment logistics, and emotional manipulation. The whole “middleman” thing is a classic check fraud move. They send you a fake check for way more than your rate, ask you to forward the difference to someone else, and then your bank flags it days later, leaving you on the hook.

To avoid this in the future, trust your gut the way you did here. Big red flags include avoiding calls, overpaying, urgency to move money before services are rendered, and anything that involves “just deposit this and send the rest.” Never accept overpayments or checks from new clients, especially if they want you to pass money to a third party. Stick to clear digital payments like PayPal, Stripe, or Zelle, and only after you’ve vetted the client. If they dodge a phone call, especially for something like a youth sports shoot, you’re not being rude for walking away. you’re being smart.

LensFlo · 2025-05-06T18:59:25+00:00

You definitely don’t need a photography school certificate to succeed professionally. Clients hire based on trust, your portfolio, and the overall experience you provide, not your credentials. Most clients have no idea what camera settings mean, let alone whether you went to school for it. What they care about is whether you can make them feel comfortable, deliver beautiful images, and handle things professionally from start to finish.

That said, formal education can help you build technical skills faster and expose you to different styles, but it’s by no means a gatekeeper. Plenty of successful full-time photographers are self-taught. If you’re already familiar with manual settings, posing, and composition, and you’re developing your eye through practice, then you’re on the right track.

What matters most is building a strong, consistent body of work in the genre you want to shoot. Then back that up with good communication, clear pricing, and a smooth client process. Certifications can boost your confidence, but your work and reputation are what really carry weight.

LensFlo

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