Comments on: What’s Does Your ‘About’ Page Say About You?

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 22:35:34 +0000

Should I include anything about still being in photography school or jus go with the “emerging” photographer description? I don’t have a specialty yet either- I’m still shooting a wide variety. Should I just list a few I think I’d like to go into? Thanks for this article.

By: Chi Pritchard

Chi Pritchard — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 10:25:51 +0000

Very valid points. The about page shouldn’t ramble on about how great you are or all the awards you’ve won. It should be precise and to the point.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 21:33:54 +0000

These are all very valid points. This is not in any way an attack, but I think those who disagree with #5 are a minority in our western culture. A few people are by nature going to be uncomfortable with even low levels of blind familiarity but I feel that most of them are probably not strong consumers anyhow. I personally believe that writing in the first person is almost mandatory. It is far more sincere, and hopefully communicates a much more ‘personable’ and genuine nature to your potential customers. It makes you a ‘real’ person. The only reason to break this rule is if you actually have other people who do the work for you. In that case you are in fact less approachable, and legitimately can show a more businesslike and detached nature.

By: dustinturin

dustinturin — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 17:15:02 +0000

Great article, and many good points. I guess I am alone in disagreeing with point #5, first- vs third-person in the bio. I am always uncomfortable reading bio’s written in first person, particularly when I don’t actually “know” the person. I use a bit of a combination, with a more traditional 3rd person bio and a personal note in the first person about my interest in photography.

By: John Dunne

John Dunne — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 07:45:39 +0000

Another great article Grover. I must say #5 has always driven me nuts. I do think a sprinkle of humour is a good idea in order to engage the viewer, although this may depend on your work/audience. http://www.johndunnephotography.com/about-me/

By: Brian Davidson

Brian Davidson — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 03:34:34 +0000

Hi, I couldn’t agree with you more about #5. It really get’s my goat when you read a photo bio in the third person when it was obviously written by the photographer themselves! It seems so false and pretentious.

By: Gabriel Morosan

Gabriel Morosan — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 18:49:48 +0000

Very good article Grover! I always feel the handicap of having english as a second language. I am trying my best to get rid of the ” old latin language ” habits and keep the info short and precise. With the industry changing, being a hard worker, having a good eye and talent is not enough to succeed.It is a tough business environment out there. I find that online communication skills are even more important. Thank you again for the info and knowledge you share with us.

By: Ken Hurst

Ken Hurst — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:01:31 +0000

Well Kymri, it also doesn’t hurt that you have an interesting life history! Good article Grover!

By: Kymri / Mira Terra

Kymri / Mira Terra — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 15:22:09 +0000

Hmmm. I have two websites with two very different "About" pages. My Photoshelter hosted "About" page is simple, sticks to the need to know stuff, and neglects #5 and #6. It was written and keyworded strategically with assistance from an SEO guru at Photoshelter. My other, older website has a very different "About" page, written with the assistance of an Ad Agency/PR firm I was shooting for way back when. It is #4 all the way...and I often wondered myself if anyone really cared. Well, of the two, I still get far more queries via the older website, and often a mention of praise for the "About" page which stands out from other togs and makes me personable and approachable. It clearly seeds interest and conversation. The Photoshelter site brings generic and business-like queries via email, and generates little more than stock sales. The other site, which is outdated and not all that spectacular, still results in the viewer actually picking up the phone to speak to me in person, and generates real assignment work. That's a good thing :) For those who "care" to compare.... Photoshelter http://www.miraterraimages.com/about/ Original http://www.miraterra.com/about.htm Thanks Grover for friendly suggestions, I can see where both "About" pages could use some additional tweeking!

By: Michael LaFleur

Michael LaFleur — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:06:42 +0000

I see violations of #3 and #4 all the time. Some of the #3 violations are pretty far out there, but quite entertaining. Might I suggest #7: Name dropping a list of high-profile companies without linking to examples of work. Example, “My clients include Nike, Gatorade, National Geographic, Boeing, Better Homes & Gardens, NASA, NCIS, Highlights for Children, Dell, the Larabie Project, ShamWow, Slap Chop, and Fortune 500 Companies.” (Really? Congrats. Yawn.)