Recently, I had an opportunity to sit down with the owners of SeeYourPhotos.net.   I asked them to tell me about the unique features of this easy to use, e-commerce, online proofing website that was built for professional photographers.  I also wanted to know about the direction of where they see the photography industry heading in the near feature.  I asked them to explain how their site has transformed the way photographers are doing business.  But most of all I wanted to know how SeeYourPhotos.net will help photographers get to the next level in sales and productivity �and this is what they had to say.
Lisa Catera and John Phoenix opened SeeYourPhotos.net over two years ago hoping to change the way online proofing works for professional photographers.  They dreamed of creating an online proofing site that was faster, easier and made more sales than anywhere else� and they believe that they have accomplished that goal�but they have even greater plans for their site.
John Phoenix: �At our photography studio, Phoenix Photography, we had previously offered online proofing with moderate results from several other online companies. There is however, nothing that compares to the sales we have now using SeeYourPhotos.net.  Our sales have increased every year since we first launched the site.
Our whole concept, three years ago, was to make online proofing easier and faster than other sites in order to speed up the photographers� work-flow process. Another important component, personal customer service- we felt was missing, because you need help at the time you have a question or issue; not days later.  The project was enormous, but as working professional photographers in the industry, we had first hand knowledge to ensure that every part of the system worked as it should be. The goal being to design the one website that encompasses all the tools needed that will bring in more sales and exposure to the photographer while saving them time and money.

The evidence is in the numbers�this year SeeYourPhotos.net had photographers whose online sales ranged from $8000.00 to $59,000.00 for the 2008 year using our event showcase�a new record in annual online sales for many of our members. Online sales overall increased by 237% this year over last year�s figures.  Any photographer today, who has yet to use online proofing, is definitely missing out in potential revenue and leaving money on the table.
Lisa Catera:  �As professional photographers, designing the site made the job easier and more frustrating at the same time.  Easier, because we could see the problems in other sites that needed improvements or the important elements that were completely missing.  Yet, frustrating in the process to tell highly technical IT people how we �visually� needed it to be.  We knew if we kept pushing our development team, we would get there…and we did!
Entering the National Market �With our new site launched and ready for business, we premiered our product at the PPA and WPPI shows.  We enjoyed the �enormity� of these shows compared to the bridal fairs we had done for our photography studio.  It was a great joy to have positive confirmation that what we had to offer was definitely what photographers wanted and needed!     No one was short on suggestions for new items in the site, which was great as it gave us the necessary feedback we needed to continue in our quest for the best online proofing site in the industry.�
John and Lisa are dedicated to constantly keeping SeeYourPhotos.net at the top of the list for online proofing companies.  Recent upgrades include: Online Album Creation with The Digital Workroom, Exif Data for auto-rotation upon uploading images and a new state of the art FTP uploader that provides the Best Possible Image Quality for online viewing�while, still being the fastest.
January and February are busy months for SeeYourPhotos.net.  New features to further Enhance the ease of use are in the works.  A few features, include an interactive Forum with a Tips and Comments page for members to learn and help each other to be very successful. Also, they will be offering DVD slideshows of posted events for members to add on for sales.  There is always a ready list waiting to be developed and Lisa and John welcome that because it is the suggestions of their members that keep SeeYourPhotos.net current and loved by their members.
When I asked �What is it that sets you apart from other similar sites?�-these were their responses:
Lisa Catera:  �We are photographers who have the same needs as our fellow members so we can understand them when they have a specific question about something.  That means we can discuss it with them and figure out how to make their unique situation work within the framework of SeeYourPhotos.net.  Many of our members can contest to our revising, adding or even deleting parts to the site if it ultimately makes the site better for everyone.
Our biggest asset is we really believe in customer service �we want to answer your questions or issues as it is happening, not days later.  We are proud of our site and know it is great so when there is a glitch, we see to it that it is resolved immediately.�
John Phoenix: �Lisa really said it all.  We dreamed BIG..and did it our way.  Getting to this point has been difficult, but if it were easy there would be hundreds of online proofing sites instead of a few.  We run this business as we run our photography business-with passion and the desire to help others achieve the most they can. The world of photography is an evolution and we aim to stay on the cutting edge.�
SeeYourPhotos.net is a diamond in the rough waiting to be discovered by photographers throughout the country.  Along with the ease of use and speed of this site for members, the Event Showcase is equally easy to use for event guests.  It provides thumbnails, large images to view one by one, a slideshow to sit back and enjoy as well as a comparison of two images.  Other features include BW and sepia color options, adding images to your Favorites folder, music to enjoy while listening and of course, complete E-commerce so orders can be placed any time of the day or night. SeeYourPhotos.net also boasts having the best branding for photographers with a seamless studio branded link to their events on their website which gives them the best exposure at no added cost.
In this changing economical climate, using SeeYourPhotos.net could be the tool that keeps your photography business from failing.  Not all online proofing sites are created equal, I should know, I used other sites before discovering SeeYourPhotos.net, and as a Brooks grad and a working professional photographer of 27 years I highly recommend this site.  I believe this is best professional online proofing site that is available today and it has been custom tailored just for the working professional. Mark Baltzley www.yourweddingimages.com
Lisa Catera and John Phoenix have been shooting together for 16 years now and have found that being self-proclaimed photo-holics has made the work they put before them much easier and very fulfilling.  You can visit their Online Proofing site, SeeYourPhoto.net at www.seeyourphotos.net. They will be happy to provide you with a free trial offer today, so don�t stop now, sign up and get started- it is fast and easy. You may also view some of their current work on their Phoenix Photography studio website at www.phoenixphotoduo.com.