livebooks blog

Photographer Codie McLachlan’s images tell a story, and we think his website does, too. Recently redesigned using the new liveBooks8 platform, we wanted to show off the clean-cut navigation, beautiful imagery, and sleek design in our featured website this week.

See what Codie had to say about his site and be sure to go to www.codiemclachlan.ca to browse!

Q: How would you describe the aesthetic of your website in three words?

CM: The reason I picked the template that I did (I went with Satellite) was that it’s so clean and uncluttered. It’s important to me that a photographer’s website be as clean and free of distracting elements as possible, and the Satellite template is exactly that. So the three words I would use to describe my website’s aesthetic are clean, elegant, and straightforward.

Q:  How do you choose the photos that you display on your homepage?

CM: Being a photojournalist, I wanted to showcase photos from a variety of photographic genres on my homepage, but I also wanted to pick aesthetically appealing pictorial-type photos. It took me awhile, but I narrowed it down to about ten images that I thought would show the wide variety of subjects that I handle day-to-day.

Q: How often do you update your website?

CM: I probably don’t update my website as much as I should. When I was a newspaper staff photographer, it would be a matter of years. In fact, before going out on my own as a freelancer earlier this year, I’m ashamed to admit that my last update was in 2012 – four years ago! Now that the onus is on me to promote myself and sell my business, however, I anticipate the site being updated every couple of months at least.

Q: What is your favorite new feature of liveBooks8?

CM: I really like the new liveBooks8 website editor. The old editSuite was all well and good, but it was a little clunky and the previous incarnation of liveBooks just didn’t have the degree of flexibility that my new site has. I could go in and rearrange the site to look completely different right now if I wanted to, and I wouldn’t have to call anybody or wait on a service ticket. With the new editor, the website layout is entirely in my hands.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to someone designing their website?

CM: Look at other people’s websites for inspiration. The new editor allows you to edit right down to the page level, so you can make things look how you want, and it can be nice to have an idea of how you want it to look right off the bat. Do you want every portfolio page to look the same, or do you want variation? Would text add a desirable element to that photo essay? Do you want your menu at the top of the page, the bottom, the right or the left? There are so many choices. Also, make a simple Photoshop action to resize and prepare your images. Going through and changing image size for every individual image can be very tedious, especially for those who have tons of photos on their websites.

See more of Codie’s work and adventures on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Have a website you’d like us to feature? Email us at social@livebooks.com.

Patrick McCarthy is a fashion and lifestyle photographer based out of New York City – as well as an accomplished nature and landscape photographer who has traveled the world to take beautiful images. This week, we are excited to feature his nature website so that you can see the clean, beautiful designs and the breathtaking imagery.

Read on to see what he had to say about the creation of his site, and then head on over to www.patrickmccarthynature.com.

Q: How would you describe the aesthetic of your website in three words?

PM: Tranquil, Ethereal, Alluring.

Q: How do you choose the photos that you display on your homepage?

PM: I select images for my homepage that are representative of the entire body of work. Also keeping in mind that these images are going to be the first visual introduction for the viewer. The ultimate goal is to maximize the aesthetic impact, drawing the observer in, and encouraging them to explore the site further.

Q: How often do you update your website?

PM: My goal is to organize two or three trips a year. I have a long list of locations that I intend to visit. For me, it’s clearly a three step process. Step 1: I venture out into the natural world. This step can prove to be the most rewarding and artistically transformative. Step 2: Editing and constructing the images in Photoshop. This step allows me to demonstrate my technical skill, which enables me to create the desired pre-visualized images. Step 3: Arrange and organize the final image files. The objective is to achieve the most harmonious visual presentation for my website.

Q: What is you favorite feature that liveBooks offers?

PM: For me, the best feature that liveBooks offers is the ease of use. The navigation tools are fluid and seamless. The editSuite allows me to create and manage my portfolios effortlessly. It’s a pleasure to work with.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to someone designing their website?

PM: My best advice for someone designing their website is to trust your instincts and follow your heart. No one knows your images better than you. Have fun with the process. Don’t over think it – it’s a work in progress. You can always make changes at any time.

Have a website you’d like us to feature? Email us at social@livebooks.com!

Fine art photographer Michael Zide has some of the most thought-provoking and calming photographs that we’ve ever seen – and his website design follows much the same theme. We wanted to feature his website this week to show off all the gorgeous black and white aesthetics he employs, as well as his clean-cut navigation.

Read on to see what he had to say specifically about his site – and head on over to www.michaelzide.com for more gorgeous shots!

Q: How would you describe the aesthetic of your website in three words?

MZ: Elegant, Persuasive, Striking

Q: How do you choose the images that you display on your homepage?

MZ: Currently my homepage has only one large image, a night time photography conveying some of the feelings of wonder, mystery, and surprise that I felt when I made this photograph.

Q: How often do you update your website?

MZ: I update my website as I find new photographs to feature or have things of interest to share. Its ease of use allows me the freedom to make changes as frequently as needed.

Q: What is your favorite feature that liveBooks offers?

MZ: What drew me to liveBooks was the simplicity and the “smartness” of its designs. It enhances the look of professionalism like no other website design I know.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to someone designing their website?

MZ: Keep things simple. It can be a very challenging and daunting task to create a website that supports the quality of your work and is an accurate reflection of how you wish to be perceived. I cannot speak highly enough of the help the liveBooks staff gave me at every turn.

Have a website you’d like us to feature? Email us at social@livebooks.com!

Things are extremely busy these days here at liveBooks. The other week we announced the launch of our new liveBooks8 HTML5 platform and we are hard at work migrating our clients over. Last week, we completely re-branded and re-launched liveBooks.com – and we hope you’ve taken a look and love what you see!

The new homepage features some amazing video content from our fantastic clients, as well as a cleaner, easy-to-navigate menu.

You also now have the opportunity to see all the new features of liveBooks8 and get a sneak peek of how the website editor functions.

Plus, you can preview all the new templates that are available with the platform via the website templates page so you get a feel for some of the beautiful new designs.

Let us know in the comments what you think of our new website – and feel free to email us at social@livebooks.com!