Essentials: Web Space
I finally broke down and got additional web space to bring it up from 10 GB to 150 GB. Both the main Trackday.Net and MikeLaPutt.Com sites hit a wall. Between both sites, I was able to keep four weekends worth of preview pages and the rest was for requested pictures. I’ve been closely watching my allocated space for the past year and have been using approximately 18 of the 20 GB available every month. Shooting that extra day this weekend took it over the edge with the increased amount of preview pages and of folks requesting pictures.
Very few realize that photographers use a tremendous amount of web space. Most people upload about 10 to 15 pictures at any given time to remind them of a particular event. If you are into scrap booking, that number increases to around 100 to 125 images. I upload an average of about 12,000 images on any given weekend just for preview pages. Since folks are accustomed to seeing their 10 personal pictures up on Facebook or Shutterfly in 2 minutes, they expect photographers to have the 10,000+ event pictures up on the web for preview in the same 2 minutes. Very few realize that there is a factor of 1,000 separating their personal pictures to that of the photographer.
Thankfully, my bottom line was not hit quite as hard. The fee for the space was bumped from $4.99/month to $7.99/month. When I think about it, a $3 increase in price is not bad for a 15 fold increase in space. Although it is still an increase in expenses, it is a cost effective increase. Just like everybody else, I have to watch every dollar I spend. For the most part, this photography thing is just a hobby for me. It’s something I really enjoy doing.
