Website Updates!

Hey everyone -

Lots of new updates here. I’ve switched the site over to my customized WordPress template. (Thanks Graph Paper Press – I love the template!). The new site should appear very streamlined and unified. We began this site in Apple’s iWeb program, fairly easy to work with, although very restrictive in the long run and difficult to update efficiently. Then we moved to Dreamweaver, and Tim did a great job at building a site to showcase our tours. Recently, as my duties had me taking on more of the day to day workings, I decided that I wanted to try incorporating a Journal (now doesn’t that just sound better than a “blog”? A blog sounds like something I tried drinking in the Army, and then subsequently threw up…). That started out as a simple home made template in Dreamweaver, transitioned quickly to a free blogger account, and more recently to a WordPress hosted Journal. Although very easy to manage (and did I mention free?), the WordPress hosted “blogs” (ewww… don’t like that name) are somewhat restrictive for customization. So I finally moved the blo… JOURNAL… directly into our hosting service and purchased a theme package from Graph Paper Press – Modularity & Modfolio. Really well laid out WordPress template, very powerful customization – they’re definitely on to something there. Good customer service to, by the looks of things (always innovating), although I haven’t really had any issues to approach customer service with. Just what I like! So, how do you navigate? Simple, in the upper right menu you’ll see a “Pages” Menu link, click it and choose your destination. See, told you it was simple. Hey, even I could figure it out!
I’ve customized the template a litte, opting for a free Flash gallery generator plug-in for Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, named SimpleViewer from Airtight Interactive. The plugin is really easy to implement through Lightroom, fast and effective. A little bit of coding later (and by little, I mean “little”… I hate coding!) and everything looks all happy on my end. Now to see what you think – you’re the ones that really matter.

So, what’s new… dum dum dummmmm. All new Portfolios page. Broken down into 4 categories currently: Adventure, Panoramic Visions, Wild Lands, & Wild Life.  The largest portfolio, by far, is Wild Life. Interesting to me, because I always considered myself a landscape (Wild Lands) photographer first and foremost. But that makes sense, I tend to blast (“make a movie”) when I shoot wildlife because of the action involved. I’m much more deliberate when it comes to landscape work. This year I’ll really be focusing (sorry for the pun…) on more landscape photography work. So, hopefully you’ll see some growth in the Wild Lands Portfolio this year. I’ll also be adding client galleries as they become available. So check out the new Portfolio Page, some of the photos you’ll recognize – some will be completely new!

Also new, Workshops!!! Still finalizing the details – but run on over to the Workshops & Tours Page to wet your appetite. It’s going to be quite a year, and next year’s early proposed schedule is already up as well. Stay tuned, I’m still ironing out the details. The major themes for this year? Affordability, fun, and adventure. One guarantee. I’ll do my best to get you taking better photos & having more fun doing it!

I’ve also been adding Alaskan-based businesses to my “Alaskan Services Links” Page. These are businesses that offer amazing services here in our great state of Alaska. If you are a photographer traveling in Alaska or a local looking for the finest in services, this is your one stop shop. 3 categories – “There & Back Again” (Guides), “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep” (Lodging), and “Feed Me Seymour, Feed Me” (Food). Simple, and they meet the 4 Rules. Don’t know the 4 Rules? Well, now’s a good time click that link. What? You’re still here? Clickity clickity clickity…

Ok, you’re back. Looking for other ways to follow along? Follow me on twitter! Or add me as a friend on Facebook. I’m always sharing material and they are great ways to meet like-minded people & get some fun networking done. All the kids are doin’ it! I’ll add links to the sidebar too.

Alright, that’s about it for now. Stay tuned, check out the site updates & let me know your thoughts!

Posted on Friday, March 27th, 2009 at 1:21 am. Filed under: Adventure, Alaska, Alaska Photo Tour, Dave Taylor, Digital Darkroom & Printing, Friends, Workshops, website RSS 2.0 feed.