Friday, 7 January 2011

Is your website SEO Optimized?

The other day I listened to a SEO chat with one of the SEO gurus for Photographers, Zach Prez and I realized that my website can be better optimized for Google and other search engines. One of the thinks he mentioned that I need to change myself is; For you to have a good chance to score well with search engines each page you have should have at least 300 words since search engines can't see images only read text. It is when they read what is on your website that gives them an indication what your website is all about. Oops I better get writing on some cleaver text for my website I believe I have too little text. Maybe a good thing I am working on a new web design anyway so that I can incorporate this straight away.

Zach Prez did mention that your text about what is included in your photography sessions such as price what the client gets etc. is very useful information since almost every word is then a good keyword for what your site is about.
To listen to the interview with Zach Prez go to the link below its quite useful it is great that he actually have targeted Photographers and not just all companies even though SEO works similarly it is nice to get more in depth advise towards your own niche. He has also written a few books but I have not read any of them myself yet so cant give you a review. If you have read any of his books please let me know what you think of them.
Good luck.
http://www.frederickvan.com/zach-prez-photographers-seo

Monday, 3 January 2011

Early morning photography - Sunrise!

On my way to Petra in Jordan the other morning I just had to capture this image whilst I was waiting to get on to the speed boat that were gonna take us to Tala Bay in Jordan from Taba Heights in Egypt.
I was wishing that I was standing on the beach with nothing in front of me but I was not allowed to leave the que. Therefore I have a bit of foreground instead, it is the Waterworld Center in Taba Heights.
I will post images from Petra later on once I have gotten to see them myself. I am in the middle of our move to Dubai, only one week to go, so are sorting out things for the move what to bring in the container and what to brining on the plane etc. I am dreading to be away from my iMac for 50 days! I am not sure how I will cope. I have an HP laptop to use in the meantime but that is not the same thing at all. If you are an apple user you will understand. I will of course also bring my intuos4 wacom tablet to use with the laptop don't think I could survive without it. :-)

Wednesday, 29 December 2010

Taba Heights Golf Resort Egypt


For everyone that loves golf I have now made a 2011 Taba Heights Golf Resort Calendar with images of the golf course that I have taken throughout its subtle season changes.

http://www.redbubble.com/people/hshippey/calendars/6502723-1-taba-heights-golf-resort


If you are more into a Coffee Table Book you can get your own Taba Heights Golf Resort Coffee Table book here.
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1503591
Taba Heights Golf Resort Coffee Table Book
Jan Heesbeen the General Manager for Marriott Red Sea Resort to the left and me in the middle and my hubby to my right.

I have a Permanent Photography Exhibition of 9 images that I have taken of the Taba Heights Golf Resort, Egypt.

The Sinai Mountain Range together with the azure waters of the Gulf of Aqaba gives me great inspiration when photographing the golf course. You have spectacular backdrops at every turn. 

I have had the great pleasure to photograph the Taba Heights Golf Course throughout all its seasons. You might not think that a golf course in the desert changes throughout the year but it does be it more subtle than in Europe. The golf course also gives you great opportunity to photograph rare and exotic birds that migrate through the area.
To get to know more about Taba Heights and what it has to offer check out their website: www.tabaheights.com/golf

Sunday, 19 December 2010

Dubai here I come!

I have received what I think is the best Christmas present ever! Yes, I know it is a few days early... but I just could not wait with the great news I had to tell you now. We are after 3 and a bit years in Egypt moving back to Dubai. I am so super excited about the move, there will be so many new great opportunities and many photography ideas that needs to be realized.

If you are short on Christmas ideas for your loved ones and you cannot give them a move to another country then here are a few ideas that I have come up with.

For the music lover maybe this cool guitar USB Flash drive? It is a 4GB USB Flash drive so it can come in very handy. Maybe something for my dad? He plays the guitar.. hum not a bad idea. 


 or for your fashionable lady friends maybe a handbag USB Flash drive?
or this very multi useful Swiss Flash drive? 

My personal favorites and for all you photography crazy friends there are a few different options to choose from.
A Nikon 70-200 large thermos.
 A Canon 24-105 Coffee mug.
 or this very cool 4GB USB Flash drive that looks like a miniature DSLR camera.
The photography gifts I found on a swedish website called: http://kaffebrus.com
http://kaffebrus.com/nikon-70-200-stor-termos-objektivmugg-1439.html

Good luck everyone with your Christmas shopping!
Oh yes maybe I should also mention if you are interested in getting someone you know some Wall Art and 2011 Calendars for Christmas please take a look at my collection at Red Bubble. I unfortunately don't think they will arrive on time for Christmas though.
http://www.redbubble.com/people/hshippey
Greeting card
2011 Calendar 
Framed image

Or if you have a golf fanatic friend this golf book is a great gift it has wonderful golf images taken of the Taba Heights Golf Resort by yours truly and on top of that Golf Pro tips on how to play each hole! Take a peek here: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1503591

Sending you lots of Christmas Cheer from a warm Egypt!

Thursday, 16 December 2010

Photographing Christmas Decorations

I have just finished looking at my photography of some Christmas decorations. To my annoyance I find a hair in the images! You can see it clearly when looking closely so either a re-shoot is needed or a bit of work in PS. The lesson to learn here is to be very careful when photographing products close up where you can see details you do not want to find dust, hair or other particles that should not be in your image, later on. It is much easier to take care of it before you photograph if you are only aware to look for it.
The lesson for you today and for me to go and set up the studio again and re-photograph the Christmas decorations!

I have attached a few of the images from the shoot, fortunately you can't see the hair in every shot due to its location but if you look closely at the two bottom images you can see it. Long and blond, hum I wonder if it was one of mine.... ;-) 
Maybe a hair-net should be in the camera bag? I actually have a few of them plastic hair covers that you get at hotels in my camera bag just in case of rain or very sandy conditions.... Maybe I now have another use for them as well! Only 8 Days till Christmas have you done all your Christmas shopping yet and sent out all your Christmas cards? For Christmas cards it might be a bit late now unless you are going to hand deliver them. If you haven't mailed them already. 

Friday, 3 December 2010

The golden hour in the Egyptian desert.

I was out early one morning this week on a photo shoot it was an assignment that needed an early start on my way to my location I saw these trees so I snapped some quick ones to capture the trees solitude. 
To capture the Sinai Mountains true cinnamon colour you need to be up early before the sun gets too high in the sky or photograph early afternoon just before the sun sets behind the mountains. What do you guys think? A desert forest is there such a thing? If yes I think this might be it.
I read a lovely article today regarding food photography that later made me click on this link about taking photographs from above. It really gave me some inspiration so I think I will try some overhead shooting and see what comes up. I'll keep you guys posted in the meantime you can read the article as well, maybe you also get inspired to photogrpah something different or in a different angle?