Are you a Photoblogger? Have you ever heard of Photoblog Etiquette? If you’re like me, you’ve never heard of such a thing.  I’ve spent hours looking at awesome photoblog sites.  I’ve noticed a lot of designs, interesting photographs, ways to make money using a photoblog, and some conflicting views on content.

Because I literally don’t have time to discuss everything I noticed about the photoblogs, I’ll make it simple for you too.  Right now, we’ll just focus on one: Conflicting views on content in photoblog posts. In my eyes, this is something big and you should consider this if you’re thinking about writing up a photography business plan (even just for an online business).

The idea or initial concept behind the photoblog is that you post a photo instead of written content aka Text.

Photoblog helps you preserve your memories
and share your life through photographs.

That quote is directly from photoblog.com – a photoblogging service.  It gives you a pretty good idea about the concept of a photoblog.  So, upon looking around the interweb, I came up with these questions:

Where is the Blog / Photoblog boundary line?

What is the etiquette for a photoblog when it comes to your post content?  Is there such a thing?

My opinion: No.

I want to encourage photobloggers to talk, discuss your image or something that happened while taking the photograph.  Talk about your inspiration and life.  It’s okay. It’s what is going to help you turn your photoblog into a photography home business!

I’ve got two kickass examples.  I Love and adore both of these photoblogs and their work.  You probably do too.  So if you’re a huge fan of one of these dudes, and not the other please don’t hurt me.  It’s all fun and games until Scott gets hurt.

Now that I’ve given that disclaimer I’ll compare:

1. Daily Dose of Imagery – Sam Javanrouh the owner of a Kickass Toronto Photoblog.  He posts a picture per day and he’s been doing it for a long time – Since January 2002 at least and probably got more involved a little while after.  No idea if he makes money from it or not and I’m kind of curious what his hosting costs with a crazy popular site.  His content is 99.9% photographs.   I’ve noticed a slight increase in his text content but not much in the grand scheme of life on earth.
2. Stuck In Customs – Trey Ratcliffe is the owner of travel photoblog. He also posts a picture per day and has been working on his site since about June 2005 (at least) probably got serious about 3 years ago.  I know a bit more about trey and what he seems to be up to with photography because he seems to layout about 80% of his life there. The other 20 might be on flickr. Just kidding around if you’re reading this Trey.  I’d love to do a different type of interview online with him someday but for now just check out the 2 sites and make sure you come back. It’s harder to put his content into a percentage. Let’s say that it’s 50% photo and 50% content.  I’d say in the last year or more Trey has really ramped up his content and design.

Do you see the massive difference in the two styles of photoblogging? I am sure you do but maybe you have a small child sitting on your lap, and they’re reading this too but you didn’t realize.  So, incase your child is reading this too, I don’t want to upset them.  They could be the next biggest problogger.

The Quick Conclusion:

These two photobloggers are essentially doing the same thing: Photoblogging.  Is Sam more “straight edge” because he allow’s his photographs to do the speaking for him?  Is he following the Photoblog Concept to the letter? Maybe.  I don’t believe it has to be like that though.  What I’ve always been about is blurring the lines.  I love trying to see things differently and my tagline here for a while was “blurring the line between photography and blogging.”  When comparing these two beasts of the photoblog world, I see that Trey is an example of blurring the line.  Photoblog content does not have to only involve the photograph.  Granted, you’ll have to review the level at which you’re comfortable sharing your life online, but I ask you: What keeps you coming back for more? What can help drive people to your site and back again?  Think about that as you’re starting your photoblog or photography home business. Seriously, it will make a difference.  If you’re still a bit confused (I really hope you’re not, but spend some time thinking about these questions or meditate on this subject.)

I want to leave you with a poll too.  Polls are rad and interactive! Oh so interactive.

It’s short and sweet!!!

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