When deciding on how I want to format my public-facing website, I took some time to research and understand how commercial and other established photographic practitioners positioned their work online. I came to understand that creating a photographic website isn’t just about uploading your best imagery, but it’s about curating an platform which reflects one’s own style, professionalism and creative vision. A well-designed website should look professional, function smoothly, and be easy to navigate. This not only reflects the quality of the work but also shapes the first impression you leave with viewers, clients, or future collaborators. While researching, I came to find the websites of:

• Jonathon Kambouris - https://www.jonathonkambouris.com/
• Rikky Fernandes - https://www.heyrikky.com/
• David Newton - https://www.dnewton.com/
• Chloe Maylor - https://www.chloemaylor.com/
• Nicholas Duers - https://www.nicholasduers.com/

Most influential in understanding how I wanted my own website to look and feel. Each of their websites showcased a unique design style that echoed their own personal style and genre of work. Their use of layout, navigation and image presentation highlighted to me how layout and design can negatively impact or positively reflect creative intent. Most notably, the compelling website of New York City-based, still life photographer Rikky Fernandes showcased a stunning portfolio of commercial beauty, cosmetic and editorial still life imagery, which aligned with what I wanted my own website to feel like. 

Upon landing on the homepage, the site features a clean, minimal navigation panel, making it easy to navigate to other categories of work. The intuitive grid layout ensures a smooth user experience, and the visual quality of Fernande’s work, as seen on the landing page, speaks to the high standards of commercial artistry and allows his curated selection of photographs work to take center stage.  

Placed on the left-hand side of the landing page, Fernandes has organised his work into curated sections, with categories including Beauty, Texture, Skin, Still Life, Food & Beverage and Motion neatly organised. This structured approach enables users to navigate to different facets of Fernande’s portfolio without getting fatigued having to look at a single page.  Each category presents a different series of images that reflect his eye for detail, composition and form. Also, the responsive nature of the site ensures that all viewers have an optimal viewing experience from desktop to mobile. 

Fernande’s ‘Info’ page offers a brief overview of his background as a New York-based photographer and director, alongside a listing of a number of high-profile clients, including MAC Cosmetics, e.l.f, Glossier, and Chanel. It emphasises his credibility and success in the commercial field. 

While the site excels visually and navigates easily, the lack of contextual depth and personality impacts the connection a viewer may have. Adding a short ‘about’ section or insight into his creative process on his ‘Info’ page would enrich the experience and foster a better connection with the audience and his practice. 

Overall, it’s a beautifully oriented and executed professional portfolio that reflects Rikky Fernande’s visual artistry and technical expertise.  

With this understanding of visual appeal needed for a website, I need to find a website host that is aligned to my own values. Resulting in me researching  and experimenting with templates from platforms like Squarespace, Cargo, WordPress and Format, each offering differing strengths in customisation and visual appeal. Tips I have gained from this research include: 

• Make Navigation Easy (the site should be easy to explore, a clear menu and logical groupings should help guide viewers throughout the site without confusion)  
• High-Quality Imagery (ensure that all work seen on the site is of high-resolution, looking polished and professional but also it also links to the photographic practice)
• Consistency (stick to one layout, font and colour palette to maintain brand and personal identity)
• Personal and Professional Touches (include a short bio/about page, adding personality and trust with vistiors)
• Make it Mobile-Friendly (make sure that everything loads quickly both on a desktop and mobile device, ensuring that all imagery displays properly on smaller screens)
• Create an Experience (the website is more an images, it’s truly a reflection of yourself, use layout, colour scheme and design choices to tell a story with your work)