The Perfect Photo - READ FIRST

Breedershost · Site Admin Joined: 08 Jan 2007 Posts: 16

The Perfect Photo Overview

If there is any statement I will make that I want you to take to the bank as FACT it is this....

"Your online image IS your photos. No matter what you have done, what titles your animals have, or how good your website is, it means NOTHING without quality photos."

I know some of you are already hot under the collar with that statment so let me tell you it has nothing to do with the animals in the photos, it is the quality of the photos in general.

Other breeders will say, "It sure does have EVERYTHING to do with the animals in the photo, I can tell right now that animal is crap compared to mine....or the standard of the breed". This may be very true, but it is not my job nor my area of expertise. My statement is from an advertising point of view.

Here is the sad truth with two scenarios.
Breeder "A" has been breeding and showing dogs for 30 years. They have a strong "Word of Mouth" reputation with more champion titles and accomplishments they can ever possibly list. Breeder "A" is successful due to this and do not notice the poor performance from their sub-par website.

Breeder "B" purchases high quality dogs, possibly from Breeder "A". Never has shown or will show or title a dog. Is anxiously awaiting the first litter that is SOLD OUT. They are excited that the other two litters that are not even concieved are SOLD OUT. If you judge success on selling puppies, Breeder "B" is just as successful or even more so than Breeder "A".

You know this happens and you think this is wrong. Maybe, but like I said before, it isnt my job to judge. I can tell you why this happens. Breeder "B" knows how to take a really good photo. Breeder "B" has taken these photos and placed them in a high quality, modern website. Breeder "B" has chosen wisely with regards to his/her online advertising. Finally, Breeder "B" advertises on www.breedershost.com. Well, everything but the last part.

If your thinking "I agree, but I am a complete idiot when it comes to computers, photography, and web development". Dont worry. This is what this forum is for.

First...you need a digital camera.

From what I have seen, the average puppy on the internet from breeders listed on my site, and others like it, is selling for around $1000.00. With an average litter size lets say of 5 puppies, thats 5,000.00 per litter. Multiply that times the amount of litters you have per year. For some of you, quite a bit of money.

This last Christmas, I bought both my teenage daughters digital cameras for 119.00 each. After my 14 year old had hers for about 30 minutes, she called me into her room to show me the video she made from the photos taken with the camera and the software that came with the camera. She had the video on her "myspace" website which I wasnt too thrilled with but thats another topic entirely.

My point is THEY ARE CHEAP, EASY TO USE, AND WORTH EVERY PENNY. If you take 1/8th of the proceeds from the sale of ONE animal, you can purchase a digital camera that could completely change your online image.

If you want the most help in deciding what kind of camera to get go to Best Buy. It is worth the extra 20 dollars for the camera when you have an educated salesperson to help you make a decision.

Tell them this.
"I need a camera that shows depth in the photo. If I take a close up photo I want the close object I am taking a picture of to be crystal clear, and the background to be blurry." I know there is a technical photographic term for this somewhere but this will get your point accross.

So now you have a camera that can take the photos that will define your online image. Brouse the other sections of this forum for tips on what I think is the best type of photo for a given listing type.

Thank You,
Breedershost