Hello from Kitsap!

<p>Hi there. My name is Hannah. <br>

I am from Bremerton, Washington in good old Kitsap county. We have a lot of evergreen trees, mountains, and very pretty waterways and I love living here. <br>

I started my photography business a little over a year ago, but I have been taking pictures seriously (weddings and portraits for friends and family/unpaid/portfolio building) for about 6 years and I first picked up my old Minolta film camera almost 10 years ago. Holy poop that feels like a long time for an almost 24 year old! Anywho, being a new (and young) business owner is a little overwhelming, but ultimately very rewarding. I have so many very happy clients, and many who have even become new friends (even if we really only talk on Facebook) and wonderful advertisers for my company. <br>

My focus recently has been more on the business side of things, which sometimes makes me lose sight of why I do what I do, which is to create photographs that I can be proud of. That's why I'm here. I need some inspiration and I need to keep learning. <br>

Trying to create a new business in this market is challenging, especially for someone as young as I am. But I am positive and optimistic that if I keep working at it I can succeed! I'd love some constructive criticism and comments regarding my work, my website, my business practices, etc. (key word there being CONSTRUCTIVE) so if you'd like to check out my website, please do! <br>

I hope to make some cool new friends and learn a thing or two about photography! <br>

Here's my website:<br>

www.crypticfishphotos.com<br>

Thanks!</p>

<p>Hi Hannah, welcome to this forum. I hope that you are able to find things on this site to help. Check out the Critique Forum if you want individual appraisals for your images. I looked at your website, not being a business person I can not comment, but looks rather neat from what I see. </p>

<p>Welcome, Hannah and good luck with your business. </p>

<p>Hi Hannah,<br>

I went to your site to see what Cryptic Fish are and found a lifestyle site. I like what I saw however, I would suggest a name that reflects what you are about. While the name is catchy, it is your future customers and their referrals that need to find you. Now would be the time to consider if your name works long term. Just my thought on what might help your Brand. </p>

<p>Wellp, I did some soul searching a while back in regards to my image and my brand. I'm definitely still trying to work all of my image together cohesively, and it's not complete by any means. Part of what I had to do was decide whether or not to keep the business name as it is or to change it to something else. What I decided was that (aside from the fact that I've been using it to market my work for several years now) as soon as I can get my you-know-what together, I can use it as a way to show my uniqueness. I am currently trying to work with a designer that might be able to help me with my brand. I am pretty confident that I can get the business name to fit in with my overall plan, which has an element of quirkeyness. I have yet to figure out exactly how I want to portray that, however. <br>

Workin' on it, though! :D</p>

<p>We're always doing some soul-searching up here in the Northwest. Comes from the rain all winter. Nothing else to do but sit inside, process photos, and think....</p>

<p>Or just gor-tex up and head out anyway!</p>

<p>Welcome to Photo.net.</p>