Photographers And Google+

[TheMrs]

Hi - I am curious to know whether any of you have a page on Google+ The site is positively buzzing on the photography and arts front and it would be nice to know how many Thailand based amateurs and professionals also have a page to follow. Cheers!

[THAIPHUKET]

Interesting question. I looked most superficially at google + and was not pleased that I had to give a (nick?) name which would automatically used for all other goggle applications too. I relish my privacy and hate to be forced to anything.

The more fundamental question is, what is the desired affect? Selling? Showing?

Feedback? Contacts?

[TheMrs]

I too a apprehensive about the integration of so many websites, blogs, social networking sites and apps, the width of our cyber footprints increase by the minute and it becomes very difficult to manage. On Google+ it is probably better to split personal account from photography page and have two different e-mails attached to the accounts.

The purpose of being on Google+ I would think is first and foremost the opportunity the platform creates for meaningful discussion amongst a wider audience of people.

[koknia]

I've been looking at it a bit as well. The page layouts are great, and the chance to do really large res photos looks nice. It seems to be a place where artists check out each others work.

At this point I really don't care what other photographers think, I'm looking for clients. My Flickr photostream has had 185,000 views and 100s of comments, but hasn't led to any work.

My Facebook biz page, which I only got serious about a few weeks ago is approaching 500 likes and has a generated a bunch of real job inquiries. It's also a great place to post client pix and have them commented on by others, so it can reinforce your business as well.

I don't think my clients are on Google+. (Yet.) That said, I think it is useful to at least get registered and put up something simple that points to my website and FB page. I just don't want to spend much time on it.

[THAIPHUKET]

Ian, wonderful shots on your FB site! To link G+ to FB makes certainly sense. Although G+ is nowhere compared to FB, one never knows where luck strikes.

I have been hesitant also because of the work permit issue here but the one commenter on your site, asking when you will be in Singapore next, may change this perspective.

Edited October 22, 2011 by THAIPHUKET

[koknia]

Thanks.

Yeah, I don't work here, just live.

Since I get 75% of my jobs through word of mouth, just one person saying something positive spreads out to all their friends on their FB wall.

I run FB ads in selected markets as well, which is a extremely cheap way to get more eyeballs and potential clients. At this point any profit I get directly through FB gigs I will plow 100% back into advertising in new markets.

[TheMrs]

Koknia I would definitely take my work onto Google+ if I was you. Great pics, especially the ones with kids as well as the travel photos.

There are many lists being circulated around cyberspace at the moment and it takes one person to notice your work and the word spreads. Take a look at these for more info:

Colby Brown's survival guide for a photographer's paradise v2.1.

Recommended Users on Google+. You want to be included on here of course ;-)

Jarek Klimek, Editor in Chief and Co-Founder of Photo Extract 1150 pixel photography magazine is also highly active on Google+ and frequently update his list of top photographers on Google+ and top photos

This is another list op top photographers.

Of course they all generate more work and money than ever before since the world is indeed taking notice of them.

[koknia]

OK, you two have convinced me.

I don't even have 1% of my portfolio stuff on FB, I am in the middle of going through literally 100,000+ pix to redo my site in 2012. So, I can tack this onto that task.

[THAIPHUKET]

koknia, it seems to me only necessary to have more pic if you want to sell prints of them. To catch attention to the quality of your work the once online now are enough.

Even Quality becomes boring and tiring if it comes in Quantity.

[THAIPHUKET]

I think many of your images are well suited for Getty Images, images of kids are in high demand

http://goo.gl/oLgm9

[koknia]

Thanks, I'm already selling through Getty.