“If anyone is reading this then ignore Leslie’s post and go out and focus on your work, your vision, your projects and stop looking for ‘quick fixes’ to a sustainable long term business in photography.”

How about going out and focusing on your work, your vision, your projects and stop trying to be a web designer.

First, two wrongs don’t make a right. And secondly, if you know anything about Leslie, you know she doesn’t advocate making super fancy websites that get in the way of the images. She really likes Livebooks for heavens sake. By the way, if you didn’t already know, most professionals would agree that your website is your most important marketing aspect.

But even if they do not, that is no excuse for anyone to act as poorly. Just because the other guy acts like a jerk does not give anyone else permission to so act.

Rise above the anger and bitterness.

Probably the biggest bunch of infringers of copyright against professional photographers are graphic artist and designers (most of which declare themselves web designers).

They have very very very little respect for paying ‘fair value’ for digital rights to high quality photography for use in their clients projects.

99% of web designers will acquire ‘low/amateur’ grade photographic imagery for use in a clients project. They will source this from Flicker creative commons if they can find it or they will shell out $10 at a micro stock photography site.

1% of web designers will encourage clients to source custom imagery from professional photographers. Thats being generous.

And this is just the reputation web designers!

How many ‘off the grid’ dodgy freelance web designers just steal copyright imagery and use it on clients websites without the client even knowing?

Answer: Most of them.

I could name at least 5 world class professional photographers who have purchased a website template, conducted their own minor amendments (php/css and html is not hard) and guess what Leslie? Their websites are outstanding. Why? Because their website doesnt get in the way of their content – their photography – which speaks far louder than any fancy over designed website would.

Websites DO NOT bring in sustainable long term income. Relationships with people bring in long term sustainable income.

No one is going to call in your ‘book’ on the back of some trendy typography on your website.

If anyone is reading this then ignore Leslie’s post and go out and focus on your work, your vision, your projects and stop looking for ‘quick fixes’ to a sustainable long term business in photography.