Blog on Photoblogs

I’ve been following nissou*’s photoblog for quite awhile now and knew that I needed to profile her photoblog on the site.

I think that really makes this photoblog stand out from the rest of the crowd is nissou*’s ability to create images which make an emotional connection with their viewers, but retain a really nice commerical feel to them.

Recently, I am noticing that quite a few photoblogs out there are getting more and more complicated (mine included) and it’s nice to see a simply laid out photoblog which really draws your attention to the images!  Check out nissou* photography today!

BOPB: Could you tell us a little about how your first got started in photography, and at what point in time did the art of photography become more serious?
nissou*: I started playing with a camera when I was 17 years old. I guess it was a hobby like all teenagers girls can have… but my passion became more and more serious as time goes by. I decided to attend some evening classes and I spent most of my free time taking pictures. I also had the opportunity to have a darkroom in my parent’s house where I spent a lot of time. I think that when you find a way to express yourself, you can’t stop it.

About 2 years ago, I decided to start my photoblog. It was at the beginning just a way to share my pictures with people I know. It was really a surprise when I discovered that people from the other side of the world came to see my work and gave me their feedback. It gave me more confidence in my work. Thanks to my blog, I even started being contacted by people who wanted to hire me for a session. And that’s how all started

BOPB: What is the one piece of equipment currently in your camera bag that you just couldn’t live without?
nissou*: My favorite lense, a 50 mm.

BOPB: What platform does your photoblog currently run on? And why did you choose it over the other options?
nissou*: I wanted something really simple. My photoblog is hosted by My Expressions which offers a lot of layout possibilities. I chose a simple white template. I just wanted an easy way to navigate and a layout where the picture is emphasized. The presentation of my pictures is really important and I don’t want anything else that can disturb the first page.

BOPB: If you were able to give one single piece of advice to a photographer who is currently considering setting up a photoblog, what would it be?
nissou*: Have fun. Feel free to express something you want. Don’t focus on the number of visitors or comments. Post only the pictures you want to and not the ones that people expect to see. And… visit a lot of other photoblogs, this network is really inspiring!
BOPB: I just love the fact that you add text to your images, I think that it really helps to convey a message to the viewer. Could you tell us about how you came up with the idea?
nissou*: I’ve always been convinced that a picture needs a title. It’s like a painting. A title gives something more to an image, it helps people to understand it the way you want to. I really like to work on the presentation: to play with colors, texts and typography.

Sometimes I leave the picture the way it is, just because I want to focus on the image itself. Sometimes I feel that more design gives more “fresh” feelings to the image (especially with kids). Since I started this, I’m addicted

BOPB: The addition of text gives your images a real commercial feel, was this intended or just a nice little side benefit?
nissou*: Not really intended, but that’s funny because you’re not the first one to tell me this. Maybe it’s because I’ve studied marketing and I worked in this environment. I love design and visual art. And I guess I’m unconsciously inspired by all what is around me, advertising, magazines, etc.

BOPB: I noticed that you have a photoblog and a more business-styled website, why did you decide to separate the two, and how do you think having the blog has helped your photography business?
nissou*: As I said before, I started first with my photoblog. I’ve launched my photography business afterwards thanks to the feedback I received and the interest of people for my blog. For me it was really important to have a more professional website, a clean presentation of my work with a limited numbers of pictures. In my opinion, a photoblog is more for people who love photography; professional website is more for people who want to hire a photograph. The way they visit the site is different. I guess people who want me to do the pictures of their wedding are not really interested to see all the pictures of my blog. Furthermore, my blog is more “personal”, it’s a place where I have more freedom, I can work with series, show different styles and try some experimental things.

BOPB: You have such a wide range of work on your site, is there any one type of photography that you enjoy more than the others, and if so why?
nissou*: Kids, definitely! Sessions with kids is what I prefer. They are so natural and surprising. It can sometimes be difficult, they can be shy, tired or simply bored of me with my camera. But when I’m doing a session, I spent several hours with them at home. We play together, they show me their bedroom and toys, and then they get more comfortable. That’s best way to have natural expressions.

BOPB: Would you mind telling us about one or two other photographers who’s photoblogs you enjoy visiting and why?
nissou*: One French photoblogger: Kea. I love the simplicity of his work, mostly pictures of his kids and daily life. An Australian one: Boudist. His concert pictures are amazing! This is something I would like to be able to do - I’m really no good in show pictures.It’s difficult to choose actually. I visit several blogs daily…!

BOPB: What has been the most effective method of attracting new visitors to your photoblog?
nissou*: It wasn’t really a method but I had a lot of new visitors when my photoblog was selected by photoblogs awards last year.

BOPB: Do you use any software tool to track the number of visitors to your photoblog and how they found your site? If so, what package are you currently using?
nissou*: I’m using a free tool named Statcounter. Very easy to use and I get the information I want: the numbers of visitors, where they come from and if they are coming back. Most of my visitors found my blog via My Expressions or via links on other photoblogs.

BOPB: In your opinion how important is it for photographers to have photoblogs nowadays?
nissou*: I think that it’s the easiest way for a photographer to share his work with other people. It’s cool, we can see pictures of people all around the world with one click. But I can understand that some photographers don’t like to share their work via a screen. Photography is totally different if you see it on paper, in a book or behind your screen. In my case, my photoblog was really an important step for me. My style has really evolved since I started it. It represents a lot of work but I hope I will be able to keep it for a long time.

BOPB: How has digital photography changed to art of photography?
nissou*: As everyone, it gave me so much more possibilities. You can try different things and take more risks. And, for me, the digital is the best way to photograph children with natural expressions! It also changed my way to present my pictures, as I said, with colors, texts and design. On the other hand, I started with an analogical camera, and I like to use it from time to time and go back to the essential. I also have a polaroid camera which is really fun and I would love to own an old 6×6 camera in the future.
BOPB: Finally, what’s your goal in regards to your photoblog, and where do you see it in say 3-5 years time from now?
nissou*: I hope it will keep evolving. Maybe time will not allow me anymore to post every day like I’m doing now, but I would love to still update it. I have a ton of ideas I want to realize, new series and new ways to mix my images with typography. Unfortunately, as everyone, I miss time! But what is really motivating is the positive messages I can get, and the critics that push me to do better. And who knows, maybe one day I will post pictures of my own kids?

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