I made a number of changes PACKED with a LOT OF MARKETING stuff in it. Allow me to explain my decisions. Oh yeah, it’s iPad / iPhone and smartphone compatible. There are no parent-child nodes to maintain simplicity.
The 1-column photographer blog theme is available here.
Smaller Images
After studying my Google Analytics, not everyone is like a photographer with 27″ or 30″ cinema displays. Actually, many are laptop sized. Plus, slightly smaller images allow for the sequence of images to flow like a story.
A very good example is a blog theme I designed a while ago for Jose Villa. And he’s still using it, so I’m assuming he likes what I did and more importantly it works for his business. You can get a copy of his theme below.
Plus, it loads faster!
Menu
I chose to go with a large typography for clear navigation. I also minimized many functions to narrow choices. Ever heard of “paralysis by analysis”? It means by having too many choices, users cannot decide, therefore won’t decide.
Example – Whenever I dine out with Julie at restaurants with huge menus, I can never decide. I always tell Julie to pick for me as long as I get half of hers.
So rather than inhibiting viewers, let’s help them pick the right choices. Plus it follows the users wherever they are.
Banner
You can upload your own images and link them to specific portfolio posts or portfolio categories. Again, control your audience’s navigation. And it uses javascript, so it’s iPad and smartphone compatible! Limit: 10.
Sidebar
Fully-widgetized sidebar so you can add your own things. Plus, there is an area for your own profile to promote transparency.
Post Footers (Calls to Action)
After a viewer lands on your post and looks through all of your lovely images…what is there to do at the bottom? Either comment, scroll all the way back up to find a contact button… or leave. Usually it’s the last. So I added customizable links at the bottom. The marketing strategy behind this is called “call to action.”
Additionally, I know how tags and comments can clutter your portfolio, so I added a javascript expander to show/hide everything…booyah!
Free Download
Enjoy a free download of the two column and all other themes I have developed in the past, including Villa’s theme.
Don’t forget to optimize your website properly with these SEO (search engine optimization) tips, so that you can be found on Google! More traffic is more business.
Thank you for the support and hope you all like it,
Lawrence Chan
thanks for sharing, nice theme
thank you so much for sharing this theme. I got the free version and editing the header was a breeze. Still tweaking the rest but it is — Awesome!
@Jason Armond
I just discovered that you can slow down the scrolling banner by editing the header.php file. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at jennyarnez@gmail.com.
=)
My mouse pointer is hovering over the buy button while my finger rests, ever so patiently, on my mouse waiting and waiting for the 1 column version.
Hi Lawrence. Thanks so much for this template. I think I did everything up to uploading the new theme. How do I get that? Do I have to tweet or fb the above link and then you will send me the zip. Please advise. Great job!
Hi Lawrence. Thanks so much for this template. I think I did everything up to uploading the new theme. How do I get that? Do I have to tweet or fb the above link and then you will send me the zip. Please advise. Great job!
Mine is doing the same Chris!
Mine is doing the same Chris!
Ok, someone already asked how to resize the images, I get that, and mine are naturally 900px, I do want to go smaller but do I have to edit EVERY post or can I do it from the back end? Something in the code I can change to make all my images automatically resize to say 500px? Thanks!
There is one way, but it will still take some time.
Go into every post, and hit the “HTML” tab versus the “DESIGN” tab at the top right corner of the content area.
Look for the width and height tags and delete them. Example:
<img src=”…jpg” width=”…px” height=”…px” />
It’ll take some time, but easier than uploading everything again.
Ok, someone already asked how to resize the images, I get that, and mine are naturally 900px, I do want to go smaller but do I have to edit EVERY post or can I do it from the back end? Something in the code I can change to make all my images automatically resize to say 500px? Thanks!
I have the same question on this. Changing every post will take forever!
There is one way, but it will still take some time.
Go into every post, and hit the “HTML” tab versus the “DESIGN” tab at the top right corner of the content area.
Look for the width and height tags and delete them. Example:
<img src=”…jpg” width=”…px” height=”…px” />
It’ll take some time, but easier than uploading everything again.
I am loving the new theme look, but I am trying soo hard to be patient for the new one-column theme! Can’t wait to see it!
I am loving the new theme look, but I am trying soo hard to be patient for the new one-column theme! Can’t wait to see it!
I’m hoping that since your 2 column has been out for 2 months, that your 1 column is coming soon ;) I’m stalking your blog hoping everyday that it’s here. Can’t wait!!
Yeah, sorry. I’ve been so busy. Things are freeing up though, so soon?
i too, am axiously waiting for your new 1 coloumn blog!
i know things are busy, i’ll be patient i promise! thanks! =]
I’m hoping that since your 2 column has been out for 2 months, that your 1 column is coming soon ;) I’m stalking your blog hoping everyday that it’s here. Can’t wait!!
Yeah, sorry. I’ve been so busy. Things are freeing up though, so soon?
i too, am axiously waiting for your new 1 coloumn blog!
i know things are busy, i’ll be patient i promise! thanks! =]
I just bought and uploaded the Tofurious Blog Theme 3 …. extremely easy … gorgeous template …. Love it.
Thanks,
Ronda
I just bought and uploaded the Tofurious Blog Theme 3 …. extremely easy … gorgeous template …. Love it.
Thanks,
Ronda
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lol…so I finally got around to checking it out after I saw Kenny Kim’s new blog on his iphone- This theme is full of great ideas!
I recently purchased your 3.2 theme and love it! Great theme, very easy to edit and I’m so thankful for all your video tutorials…thank you! :)
I’m wondering if you can embed video clips – we are cinematographers and came across your design via one of our photography colleagues
Yes – WordPress allows you to switch tabs from “Visual” to “HTML.” The latter will allow for embedding of codes.
Finally got around to installing (and beginning to customize) the theme–and gotta admit, I should’ve done this much sooner. I really think this will let me make my blog page so much more polished, and reflective of my own style and vision.
One little question, though–on the demo from this site, the footer that says, “blog design by tofurious…” is dark text on a white background (same as the body); in the free version I installed, it’s white text on a black background that spans ~1000 px. Which is a bit jarring, especially since I’ve changed the color of the banners. Is there any way to customize these colors?
Thanks much! The 2-column layout is really growing on me, and I’m loving it so far.
Hi Sherry,
Yeah, you could change the colors of the background and text to whatever you want in the theme settings page. You could input hexidecimal color codes or use the color wheel.
Cheers,
Lawrence
Just wondering, what dimensions should the photos be? Mine are looking a little distorted. Thanks!
Hi Deidre,
The max width is 640px. Here is a tutorial:
http://tofurious.com/professional-photography-blog-theme/install-and-edit-wordpress-themes/#distorted
Cheers,
Lawrence
Thanks!
Hi Lawrence,
I’m running whatever tofu was current in 2009 and have been super happy with it. LOVE the new version and of the cool new features. Is there a way to upgrade without loosing 3 years of my content?
Tutorial please!!
thanks
Hi Rob,
You won’t lose the content. It’s just the looks that will be changed :)
Cheers,
Lawrence
Could you please tell me how I can add a Contact link item in the Menu Bar? Thank you.