Let me quess.....You want a great looking, fully functional SmugMug site up and running NOW!

Option 1 - The DYI Project

Step 1. Troll other smugmug sites and build up an inventory of "I want this" designs and features in your head.
Step 2. Make the changes on your site yourself. You can search through the extensive customization FAQ pages here and here (and you should try to learn a little CSS here too). Before that, however, start on this page.
Step 3. If you're stuck, ask a question on dgrin here (but read this page before you do).
Step 4. Rinse and repeat for every little customization tweak your heart desires.

Pros: You can do anything you want to your site. And I mean anything.

Cons: Learning curve, time, and frustration. My simple site took me months to create. Yikes.

Option 2: Hire the Big Guns

Step 1: Hire a pro to create your custom site for you.

Pros: Your site will look awesome....and you don't have to learn or do much of anything.

Cons: It'll cost ya (but it might very well be worth it!), and if you want future changes to your site you'll probably need to hire a pro again.

Option 3: Follow a Step-by-Step Tutorial

I'm only aware of 2 complete A-Z tutorials - Andy Williams and Mine (but please let me know if there are others that I'm not aware of!)

Andy's A-Z Tutorial --- SmugMug's own Andy Williams has a demo site here which you can use. His how-to page is where you'll find the tutorial. Though there is quite a bit of CSS code, it's all cut and paste stuff....which is awesome.

My A-Z Tutorial --- I have recently created a course which walks you through creating a complete Smugmug site like this one. Here are some screen grabs...



The tutorial includes about 90 minutes of videos as well as copy/paste text and code...which is something people have told me they enjoy.

Take the FREE Course now --- "Create a Gorgeous Photography Website with SmugMug in 90 Minutes"

A couple of notes about my tutorial:
- The tutorial is geared towards wedding pros....but you should have no problem using the tutorial to build your site as well --- whether you're an amateur or a pro in a different specialty.
- If you start from the introduction video, you'll see that I first "sell" SmugMug to my audience. That's because most people that find the course on Udemy don't know about this wonderful service and what it can do for their very important online presence as a serious or pro photographer.
- If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in this thread, leave a comment on the Udemy course, or send me a tweet @photosontheside. I'll respond as quick as I can.

Pros: An A-Z Tutorial will get you a great looking site up and running in very little time (evening project?)

Cons: Your site may have the "look" of other sites that used the tutorial --- but you can fix this by making tweaks to your site after you finish the tutorial.

Have fun building your SmugMug site - no matter which option you choose!

Cheers,

Ryan

I am looking more for a place I can go to just simply choose a completely different template, most websites have a place you can go and look over 50+ different designs and pick one you like. Do you guys have something like that?
If someone could reply by email that would be great! I am really about to cancel my SmugMug account, just not what I am looking for.
Email: Benshaniphotography@gmail.com
Website: www.benshaniphotography.com


Thanks!

Hey Ben,

Sending an email your way shortly! Sorry this was apparently overlooked.

Lindy

[QUOTE

Option 3: Follow a Step-by-Step Tutorial

[/QUOTE]


Just found this Tut. Nice job!

Originally Posted by stuffjunkie Just found this Tut. Nice job!

Thanks! Glad you liked the tutorial. :)

Oakley, thank you so much... great tutorial!

Originally Posted by cls241 Oakley, thank you so much... great tutorial!

Hey - You're most welcome.

I'm just wondering how you change the font in the galleries, I used the photo galleries to put the information about the contact me and my pricing. I can't figure out how you change the font because I'm trying to make my site look a little more of what I want it to little by little.

Thank you in advance

Kalee :)

Originally Posted by Oakley Let me quess.....You want a great looking, fully functional SmugMug site up and running NOW! Option 1 - The DYI Project Step 1. Troll other smugmug sites and build up an inventory of "I want this" designs and features in your head. Step 2. Make the changes on your site yourself. You can search through the extensive customization FAQ pages here and here (and you should try to learn a little CSS here too). Before that, however, start on this page. Step 3. If you're stuck, ask a question on dgrin here (but read this page before you do). Step 4. Rinse and repeat for every little customization tweak your heart desires. Pros: You can do anything you want to your site. And I mean anything. Cons: Learning curve, time, and frustration. My simple site took me months to create. Yikes. Option 2: Hire the Big Guns Step 1: Hire a pro to create your custom site for you. Pros: Your site will look awesome....and you don't have to learn or do much of anything. Cons: It'll cost ya (but it might very well be worth it!), and if you want future changes to your site you'll probably need to hire a pro again. Option 3: Follow a Step-by-Step Tutorial I'm only aware of 2 complete A-Z tutorials - Andy Williams and Mine (but please let me know if there are others that I'm not aware of!) Andy's A-Z Tutorial --- SmugMug's own Andy Williams has a demo site here which you can use. His how-to page is where you'll find the tutorial. Though there is quite a bit of CSS code, it's all cut and paste stuff....which is awesome. My A-Z Tutorial --- I have recently created a course which walks you through creating a complete Smugmug site like this one. Here are some screen grabs... The tutorial includes about 90 minutes of videos as well as copy/paste text and code...which is something people have told me they enjoy. Take the FREE Course now --- "Create a Gorgeous Photography Website with SmugMug in 90 Minutes" A couple of notes about my tutorial: - The tutorial is geared towards wedding pros....but you should have no problem using the tutorial to build your site as well --- whether you're an amateur or a pro in a different specialty. - If you start from the introduction video, you'll see that I first "sell" SmugMug to my audience. That's because most people that find the course on Udemy don't know about this wonderful service and what it can do for their very important online presence as a serious or pro photographer. - If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in this thread, leave a comment on the Udemy course, or send me a tweet @photosontheside. I'll respond as quick as I can. Pros: An A-Z Tutorial will get you a great looking site up and running in very little time (evening project?) Cons: Your site may have the "look" of other sites that used the tutorial --- but you can fix this by making tweaks to your site after you finish the tutorial. Have fun building your SmugMug site - no matter which option you choose! Cheers, Ryan

Originally Posted by KaleeM I'm just wondering how you change the font in the galleries, I used the photo galleries to put the information about the contact me and my pricing. I can't figure out how you change the font because I'm trying to make my site look a little more of what I want it to little by little. Thank you in advance Kalee :)

Info type galleries will have to be tweaked on a gallery by gallery basis. Got a link to one of them?

Originally Posted by Allen Info type galleries will have to be tweaked on a gallery by gallery basis. Got a link to one of them?

http://www.inspirationphotographybyk...4703937_BfhJSs

Originally Posted by KaleeM I'm just wondering how you change the font in the galleries, I used the photo galleries to put the information about the contact me and my pricing. I can't figure out how you change the font because I'm trying to make my site look a little more of what I want it to little by little. Thank you in advance Kalee :)

Here's an example of CSS for these two galleries. Font family is read from left to right until the browser finds
one installed on the machine..

.gallery_24708008 #albumDescription,
.gallery_24703937 #albumDescription {
   font-family: Comic Sans MS, verdana, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;
   font-size: 14pt; 
   color: blue;
   padding: 60px 0 60px 80px;  /* top R bottom L */
}

Padding used to space the content out and place it where you want it. You can separate each gallery
with a rule to effect each differently.

.gallery_24708008 #albumDescription {...
.gallery_24703937 #albumDescription {...

I don't understand these codes, I try to figure them out but then I mess it up and frustrate myself. The #albumdescription shoudl have what in it? or do I just copy and paste this? Where do I paste it?

Originally Posted by Allen Here's an example of CSS for these two galleries. Font family is read from left to right until the browser finds one installed on the machine.. .gallery_24708008 #albumDescription, .gallery_24703937 #albumDescription { font-family: Comic Sans MS, verdana, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: blue; padding: 60px 0 60px 80px; /* top R bottom L */ } Padding used to space the content out and place it where you want it. You can separate each gallery with a rule to effect each differently. .gallery_24708008 #albumDescription {... .gallery_24703937 #albumDescription {...

Originally Posted by KaleeM I don't understand these codes, I try to figure them out but then I mess it up and frustrate myself. The #albumdescription shoudl have what in it? or do I just copy and paste this?

This is CSS and goes in the CSS box on the "advanced customization page" in your "site settings".

The albumDescription is where your text is. The .gallery_xxxxxxxx is a specific gallery. In this case
both your info galleries. Splitting the CSS allows you to format each separately. You can remove
any of the parameter lines you don't want.

       /* Services & Pricing */
.gallery_24708008 #albumDescription {
   font-family: Comic Sans MS, verdana, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;
   font-size: 14pt; 
   color: blue;
   padding: 60px 0 60px 80px;  /* top R bottom L */
}

      /* Contact Me */
.gallery_24703937 #albumDescription {
   font-family: Comic Sans MS, verdana, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;
   font-size: 14pt; 
   color: blue;
   padding: 60px 0 60px 80px;  /* top R bottom L */
}

Thank you for showing me!! I really appreciate your help!!

Originally Posted by Allen This is CSS and goes in the CSS box on the "advanced customization page" in your "site settings". The albumDescription is where your text is. The .gallery_xxxxxxxx is a specific gallery. In this case both your info galleries. Splitting the CSS allows you to format each separately. You can remove any of the parameter lines you don't want. /* Services & Pricing */ .gallery_24708008 #albumDescription { font-family: Comic Sans MS, verdana, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: blue; padding: 60px 0 60px 80px; /* top R bottom L */ } /* Contact Me */ .gallery_24703937 #albumDescription { font-family: Comic Sans MS, verdana, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: blue; padding: 60px 0 60px 80px; /* top R bottom L */ }

"I am looking more for a place I can go to just simply choose a completely different template, most websites have a place you can go and look over 50+ different designs and pick one you like. Do you guys have something like that? "

Could you post a link to the response?

Thanks

I am also looking for templates. Are those available?

Originally Posted by Lillybeth2 I am also looking for templates. Are those available?

Originally Posted by Henshite I am looking more for a place I can go to just simply choose a completely different template, most websites have a place you can go and look over 50+ different designs and pick one you like. Do you guys have something like that?

The only thing that I'm aware of is SmugMug themes. You can see them at http://themes.smugmug.com/.

For something that goes beyond background colors and text you will need to look to the sticky thread at the head of this forum, Certified SmugMug Customizers. Some of the customizers offer templates for SmugMug; note that these are priced items.

If you don't want to purchase a template, start a thread in the customization forum where you outline your design and ask for help implementing it. If you decide to go this route, please focus on one area of your site at a time. Keeping all requests in a single thread is helpful to both you and the helpers here. You might title it something like "<your-name>'s customization thread.

--- Denise