Too many pictures with baking recipes? What say you?

by Kristen on December 19, 2009 · 125 comments

Jojo, a new commenter as of today, left this comment on the Cinnamon Twist recipe:

Do you really think. if you think about it all, that including so many useless pictures is of value to a reader? Do you think that we do not know what pads of butter in milk look like?

Put the camera down and think before taking a picture… PLEASE!

Less is more.

To be fair, the Cinnamon Twist recipe was posted the day I got my new camera lens, and I stated upfront that the post would have more pictures than necessary…I was a little camera happy that day!

Anyways, thus far, the feedback I’ve gotten on the baking posts is that the pictures are really helpful. However, if there’s a silent majority of you out there who hate having to scroll through the pictures, I do want to know that. It’s not like I put the pictures up there because I enjoy it…it’s a lot of work to take the pictures, edit them, and upload them, so I only want to do it if it’s helpful (see? I do think about it!).

Feedback, please!

{ 125 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Frugal Dreamer December 19, 2009 at 6:17 pm: I love the pictures! It makes me know if I’m doing it “right”

I vote to keep the pictures…

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2 foodster December 19, 2009 at 6:28 pm: The Cinnamon Twist recipe was the first that I had read on your blog. I thought the pictures were great. After bookmarking the page, I went to your home page to see what else you had. Then read the Jojo junk.

Keep it up. Pictures are great, even ones of pads of butter in milk. It helped me visualize what I’ll be doing tonite. Good work. Thanks

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3 Jane December 19, 2009 at 6:28 pm: Keep the pictures, honey. It adds interest, and really there are lots of young women out there that are learning how to bake and are helped by the pictures.

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4 Katrina December 19, 2009 at 6:32 pm: Pictures are very helpful! I appreciate them for new recipes because like somone said above, they show correctly how to make something. I’d keep them around .

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5 Striving for a Simple Life December 19, 2009 at 6:34 pm: I love your pictures. I vote for them.

Stephanie

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6 Kayla K December 19, 2009 at 6:34 pm: All of the pictures are one of the reasons why I frequent your blog. I sometimes give a disclaimer on my blog: “Sorry my camera sucks. If you want beautiful pictures of food, visit The Frugal Girl.”
Sure, I know what butter in milk looks like. But not everyone is an experienced baker. It is helpful to have such detailed step-by-step pictures to show texture, especially in more challenging items like bread and yogurt. In a simpler recipe I can just scroll through.
My vote: Keep the pictures, of course!

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7 Charyl December 19, 2009 at 6:40 pm: Keep the great pictures! Honestly, some people are sooo cranky Love pictures, love words, love your blog. Where’s the love, people?

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8 Angela December 19, 2009 at 6:51 pm: Well, I find the comment strange. You should put as many pictures as you think are useful, which they are to a lot of people. Some blogs post a lot of pictures, some put up one per post, and some post no photos. I would think you would read blogs you like and not criticize the style a blogger uses.

I think for me the pictures on baking posts make it seem more like I’m learning it with my grandmother or a friend, the way I learned to bake. I think things are intimidating for people when they haven’t “seen” them, hence the popularity of cooking shows.

You have a good instinct about what’s useful and what people want to read and your blog is very popular, so I think you should trust yourself and post as many photos as you like.

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9 Whitney December 19, 2009 at 6:51 pm: I truly enjoy every picture you post. I vote to keep them. I I also have to say that I found Jojo’s comment quiet rude.

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10 Dani December 19, 2009 at 6:52 pm: Pictures! Please?! I love them. Your shots are beautiful and they are like reassuring that I, too, can do it just like you! Maybe you could mix it up and make some of the pics smaller every once in a while. The pics are part of your brand…don’t change your brand because of a few …they can go somewhere else for recipes.

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11 Elizabeth December 19, 2009 at 7:15 pm: I like your well-taken photos. Even though I’m a fairly experienced baker and could manage without, they do make it easier and more fun to follow and, more importantly, like “my friend Frugal Girl” is in the kitchen with me!

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12 Merritt December 19, 2009 at 7:19 pm: Keep the pics!! I agree with the others, it shows us what things should look like! Keep up the good work!

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13 Alison December 19, 2009 at 7:22 pm: I think Jojo needs to find something more productive to do. I love your posts the way they are.

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14 Sharon @UnfinishedMom December 19, 2009 at 7:27 pm: Keep the pictures. Ignore the rude comment. Like many others said, when I’m trying a new recipe I like having lots of pictures so that I know if I’m doing it right (and I’m not a novice cook either!).

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15 Beth Anne December 19, 2009 at 7:30 pm: I love the pictures and I am thankful for the effor that you do put into planning your shot and editing. My sister is working on her photography degree, and I’ve seen how time-consuming it can be!! The pictures add so much to the recipes

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16 Katy Wolk-Stanley December 19, 2009 at 7:36 pm: Puh-leez!

Your pictures are fabulous, they make me want to board a plane and bust your door down to get at some of those tasty treats.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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17 Katy Wolk-Stanley December 19, 2009 at 7:44 pm: Which is probably why I need to drop a pound or two.

Katy

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18 WilliamB December 19, 2009 at 7:46 pm: I think it depends on which bits of your audience you want to target.

It’s true that after a while the pix for “mix yeast and liquid,” “add dry stuff,” and “kneaded dough” all look similar. But if you’ve never made bread before they’re really useful. So which set of advantages & disadvantages do you want to go with?

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19 CanadianSaver December 19, 2009 at 7:46 pm: I’m with everybody else, keep posting all those great pictures!!! My mouth waters every time you post something new…………. I love it!

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20 erika December 19, 2009 at 7:54 pm: I love the pics. I’m new to baking, I’ll take as many as you want to post… I find it helpful.

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21 Kate December 19, 2009 at 7:55 pm: I like the pictures, though I think it would be helpful if the ingredients were listed at the top of the baking posts. For some reason I find it a little confusing otherwise, even though I know I can scroll down to read the ingredients and then back up again.

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22 Ashley December 19, 2009 at 8:06 pm: I love the pictures! People who don’t need the help of the pictures can just scroll right by…I like them!

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23 Emily December 19, 2009 at 8:25 pm: Post all the pictures you want. Put more in if you want! It’s YOUR blog!

Jojo is rude. There are better ways of communicating than that. She doesn’t even have to read this blog if she doesn’t like so many pictures.

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24 Frugal Liz December 19, 2009 at 8:25 pm: That person was a jerk. Don’t let negative readers get you down!

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25 Elle December 19, 2009 at 8:26 pm: What a rude comment!! It’s YOUR blog and you can do whatever YOU want with it. It’s obvious you take a lot of pride in your photography and it’s a great way to showcase your passion. I LOVE all your pictures so keep up the great work!!

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26 Bobby December 19, 2009 at 8:39 pm: The pictures are great! I actually will not attempt any recipe that does not have accompanying pictures.

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27 Allison December 19, 2009 at 8:49 pm: I love the pictures! As someone who is just starting out with homemade baking, they are INCREDIBLY helpful. Today I made your french bread and I had no idea if I was doing it right, until I looked back at your pictures and saw that I was.

Plus, you always put the recipe at the bottom with no pictures at all so for people who don’t like them, they can just scroll to the bottom.

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28 Michele December 19, 2009 at 9:09 pm: What you have is a “troll” lurking. Ignore. I find your blog very useful….pictures and all!

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29 Emily in So. TX December 19, 2009 at 9:14 pm: Love the photos – keep the photos.

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30 jen b December 19, 2009 at 9:19 pm: KEEP the pictures- I love your photographs, with low f-stops so the background is fuzzy but the subject is clear- so simple. Shame on JoJo for not appreciating your photog skills!

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31 Alea December 19, 2009 at 9:20 pm: I feel comfortable using a recipe without any pictures, but I do love pictures. I appreciate that you have the complete recipe at the bottom of the post. I can copy that portion and bring it to the kitchen with me. If I have a question about how something looks, I can take a quick peak at your post.

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32 mara December 19, 2009 at 9:21 pm: I like all the pictures, but I find the ones of the dough texture, or “this is what it will look like when it is done rising” the most useful.

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33 Natalie December 19, 2009 at 9:37 pm: That is so rude. I love your pictures, especially the baking ones – it helps my husband tremendously when he bakes. I don’t bake. I am awful. But half the time I’m picking recipes because of how good yours look. So… please, if you’re going to do anything, post more!

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34 Franci December 19, 2009 at 9:44 pm: First of all, it’s YOUR blog – you can put up just what you like. Secondly, I like the photos because it shows me I’m doing it right. Thirdly – they’re just plain beautiful photos – you have a manner of making pads of butter in milk look beautiful.

By the way, I made Tortilla soup (without the chicken) with cornbread last night (and was very glad for all the photos in those posts) and it went down a treat. Nobody even noticed that it was a meat-free meal!

Here’s a question for your Q&A posts: Have you met any of your readers in person since you’ve started blogging, and/or would you? (I guess some of us who have been following your blog for some time feel that we ‘know’ you in some way and, if given the chance, would probably love to meet you in person! But of course, given the nature of the internet, such things aren’t usually advised.)

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35 Pam December 19, 2009 at 9:49 pm: The pictures are what helps me the most. Like many others, I know if I’m doing things the right way. You do a wonderful job. I wouldn’t change a thing.

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36 lucy December 19, 2009 at 9:59 pm: keep the pictures — they are great — inspiring, instructional!

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37 Joni December 19, 2009 at 9:59 pm: I have always been one of those people who second guess everything I do, especially when cooking something new. I don’t want to waste anything by messing up. (it can be tough to take the mistake out of your recipe if you’ve already mixed it in with the other ingredients)Therefore, having the pictures is like my way of someone telling me I did it right. I need visuals. Keep the pics. Apparently someone was a little grumpy today! Besides, no one is forcing us to look at those pics.

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38 Katharine December 19, 2009 at 10:04 pm: I think the photos add a lot to sharing a recipe. I enjoy the step by step photos.

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39 Val December 19, 2009 at 10:06 pm: Keep the pics!! The comment was rude.

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40 Inge December 19, 2009 at 10:31 pm: I don’t think JoJo’s comment was rude. This is what happens with blogs. Readers participate just as much as authors do about the content, etc.

The recipe photos are fine for me. I especially like the ones showing what the dough should look like after rising, etc. I made the cinnamon twists for Thanksgiving morning and I was glad to see a photo of how you twisted them and arranged them in a pan.

Just my 2 cents!

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41 Wanda December 19, 2009 at 10:50 pm: I am not much a bread baker but I enjoy seeing the pics. All of them. That comment was so very rude. Keep the pictures!!!!

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42 Dawn F December 19, 2009 at 11:02 pm: The pictures rock! They provide step-by-step guidance. If somebody doesn’t like the pictures then DUH just scroll down. Easy peasy.

I think some people are just bitter and angry with life in general…

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43 Fred December 19, 2009 at 11:16 pm: If this Jojo person doesn’t like seeing all the pictures you post, she is perfectly free to not read your blog. Please continue posting lots of pictures, because they make it much easier to understand the recipes.

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44 Dancingbird December 19, 2009 at 11:17 pm: I love (extra) pictures! I tend to skip over the sites that only give pictures of end products. I like to see the process. The blogs themselves tend to have more details written in them. This looks very simple to make. Think I may get out my 9×9 (Yes I have 2 of them!) pans and have these for breakfast.

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45 Kristen December 19, 2009 at 11:34 pm: How rude! If Jojo doesn’t like the pictures, Jojo can stop reading and quit spreading such negativity. I love the photos, I am just learning to bake and appreciate step by step directions and pictures…I appreciate the time you spend on your blog and that is why it’s one of the first things I read each day. It’s YOUR blog, so you do what you want. Thanks Frugal Girl!!!

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46 somcak December 19, 2009 at 11:38 pm: I’m a visual learner, so the pictures are perfect for me to make sure I’m doing it right, or at least that I’m on track! Ignore the comment.

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47 Shelley December 20, 2009 at 12:03 am: I love the pictures because it’s a celebration of food and cooking. It’s a joy to see the yeast activating and a beautiful pat of butter, and the beauty of a finished product. BTW, I love the drizzle of the glaze the best!

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48 Stephanie December 20, 2009 at 12:08 am: I think that comment was rude. It is not the reader’s blog, it is the “blogger’s” blog. If you don’t like it, then don’t read it. But don’t make the person feel bad! It isn’t anyone’s right to tell someone how their free-for-whoever-wants-to-read-it blog should be like.
Love the pics! Love the the blog!

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49 Lindsay December 20, 2009 at 12:29 am: I love the pictures! It makes is more fun and breaks up the monotony of a long text. Keep the pictures.

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50 Nicole December 20, 2009 at 1:19 am: I love the photos. I have found them to be very helpful, and inspired me to attempt things I probably wouldn’t otherwise. For me, having a visual guide provides a comfort zone.

In short: I’m seated in the ‘keep the pictures, ignore the rude comment’ section.

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51 Caylen December 20, 2009 at 1:20 am: Umm… RUDE! Jojo, go home.
I love the pictures, please keep them!!

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52 Christina December 20, 2009 at 1:44 am: I love your blog….I am new to cooking (and to marriage) and love that you post lots of pictures with your recipes. Even if I don’t “need” them, they are just great eye candy and motivate me to get cooking. So, please keep them coming if you are willing and able. Not only that but the quality of your photos are beautiful.

I’m always surprised by the tone of some comments…I definitely think that feedback is important to a blogger but I don’t see any reason for the condescending tone (i.e. “if you think about it at all”). Thank you for all your hard work.

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53 jessica December 20, 2009 at 1:52 am: UM I really like all the pictures, I learn btter this way and the pictures really help me, so please keep posting them, and maybe if you post the receipe first it would help that way people would not have to scroll all the way to the bottom to see it…..

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54 maria in chicago December 20, 2009 at 2:42 am: Wow. I think this is just one of those comments that you, as writer of your own blog, ought to let be and not heed.

My opinion: I enjoy the small narratives you bring to your blogs through photos. I check out your photography blog now and then, too, and really enjoy the narrative quality you present. I’ve never thought you posted superfluous images in either one….

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55 Minnow December 20, 2009 at 3:27 am: First off…tried the Pumpkin Bread today. Ugh, so good!! Once again I have to thank you for renewing my (long lost) interest in baking.

Secondly, the pic’s…please keep them! Not only do I admire your photography skills but, like most people, I also have the attention span of a knat, so for me they make the post most interesting. (Not that the post are fantastic on there own.) In addition, the pictures (for me) make baking seem more accessible.

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56 Devon December 20, 2009 at 4:38 am: Yikes. I love what ya do. Enjoy yourself and don’t listen to worthless hateful people like that.

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57 rachel December 20, 2009 at 5:41 am: hi kristen!
i’m new to your blog, but i just wanted to throw my two pence’ worth in and say: i love all the pictures

now i’m going to get back to scrolling through your archive! what a wonderful blog you have! xx

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58 vickie December 20, 2009 at 8:27 am: I love your pics! Please keep them. Its your blog. You are already very gracious to ask your readers what we do and don’t find useful!

People who don’t could scroll past them if they don’t want to look at them.

I also think people who comment on blogs need to remember that they are sending the comments to a real person – the fact that you will likely never meet them in person doesn’t excuse manners.

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59 Linda Krueger December 20, 2009 at 8:48 am: Keep the pics…..Iove pics when I cook. This person probably has dial up and has to wait for them to load….

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60 Annette December 20, 2009 at 9:39 am: This blog is your creative expression. It is an amazing gift to many. You will never be able to please everyone because our world is filled with many different types of people. I think you would lose your essence if you were to adjust your blog to appeal to the masses. (Achieving the lowest common denominator will be an inspiration to no one.) Asking you to adjust your creation is like asking an artist to use less blue in their painting or requesting that a baker not use raisins in one type of cookie they offer. Most likely, that critique was not really about you or your blog anyway.

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61 EngineerMom December 20, 2009 at 9:40 am: I’ve been cooking since I was old enough to hold a mixing spoon, and I LOVE all the pictures! It might be helpful to put them behind a cut so when a reader is paging through your blog looking for a particular post, the pictures don’t take up so much space, but don’t stop putting them in the posts altogether!

That comment was rude, snobbish, and elitist. Some of your readers may NOT know exactly what each stage of the recipe is supposed to look like – especially if this is the first baking post they’ve ever read. Simple, ordinary things in their natural environments can create some of the most beautiful pictures. Keep doing what you’re doing, Kristin!

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62 Jennifer December 20, 2009 at 9:48 am: That was just rude of Jojo. If she doesn’t like it then she doesn’t have to read the blog. Keep up the good work Kristen!
Merry Christmas

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63 BarbS December 20, 2009 at 9:52 am: Wow! Lots of people weighing in here. Since you asked, I’ll add my two cents. I am an experienced baker, and have been cooking since I was a small child. But I always had trouble with yeast breads, until I read your posts. The photos together with the clear explanations make the process seem so much more “doable.” Plus, your photos are gorgeous. Please don’t stop posting photos.

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64 The Asian Pear December 20, 2009 at 10:12 am: I don’t mind the pictures. I find them helpful. And I like baking pictures (daughter of a retired baker – it’s in my blood to bake).

But I can see how some people might be on a slower bandwidth and so loading pictures might take them a really long time. Maybe you should take pictures during more critical steps. Like when the batter is done to show the consistency, how the dough should look before and after kneading, how to do any fancy tricks (like with the cinnamon twist), the end product, etc.

That way, everyone sorta wins. You get people who get to see your pictures (YAY me!) and people like Jojo won’t have their internet slow to a crawl.

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65 Hannah December 20, 2009 at 10:28 am: I REALLY enjoy the pictures! It definitely makes the whole process seem more doable. I already made yoghurt, because from the pictures, it just looked so easy, I just couldn’t resist! I have made it twice now with really good results! Your pictures are really beautiful too, and just add a wonderful quality to your blog. Merry Christmas!

-Hannah

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66 Linda December 20, 2009 at 10:45 am: I am an experienced baker. I don’t need the pictures but I love them. There are so many people who do not know how to bake and the pictures most definately help. If someone does not need the pictures, then they can just skip to the recipe and just use that. Very simple! Problem solved!

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67 Laurie December 20, 2009 at 10:47 am: Love ALL the pics. Maybe this person is just upset that they can’t make pads of butter look that good. A picture every step of the way helps me feel confident that things are being done right. So yes, please don’t lighten up on the pics.

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68 Amy December 20, 2009 at 11:04 am: Your pictures are the major thing that drew me to your site! I think the details and time that you put into each of your posts shows and that is why you have so many followers and readers! Your pictures are wonderful and only add to the great recipes that you put on your site! You have such an amazing talent of sharing your knowledge and creativity – please don’t let one or even a couple of comments ruin the dedication that you have to your website and hobbies!

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69 Erica Mules December 20, 2009 at 11:05 am: I just discovered your blog (thank you Erin!) and I LOVE it! I’ve already used three of your recipes in the past couple days (thank you snow!). I find the pictures VERY helpful! Thank you so much!

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70 JoeAnn December 20, 2009 at 11:21 am: Love the photos. As a new cook and baker, the photos help me a lot!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for all you website, It is an inspiration!

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71 Krista December 20, 2009 at 12:03 pm: I really enjoy the photos – please keep them!!

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72 Sharon December 20, 2009 at 12:13 pm: Yikes! I think I would have had to count to ten before I responded that that comment. Not sure why some folks find it necessary to be so rude!

Keep the pictures, they are lovely. And since it’s your blog, I think you should do whatever you like to do with it!!

Merry Christmas – and thanks for sharing all your yummy recipes!

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73 Diane December 20, 2009 at 12:13 pm: Yesterday morning, I needed to make an appetizer for a party. I didn’t want to go shopping. I looked in my fridge for inspiration, and there was a lovely jar of fresh yogurt!
I strained it to make yogurt cheese. I caramelized an onion, added a few pantry spices and then folded the mixture into the cheese. I ringed a recycled holiday platter with yummy dollar store crackers and plopped the dip bowl in the center. It was a huge success. Thanks to you and your pictures, I was willing to attempt yogurt, which I am now quite proficient at. Thanks to your website, I was able to figure out a great dish using frugal items from my pantry and avoiding a trip to the store. Thanks to your inspiration, twelve of us enjoyed a healthy, yummy dip (and only I knew it was frugal). I only regret that I didn’t take a picture!
BTW, what’s all this fuss about someone named Jojo? Frankly, I was too busy acting on your inspiration to even read the comments yesterday.
Thanks for helping to make my Christmas a little merrier, Kristen!

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74 Mona December 20, 2009 at 12:25 pm: Let it go Jojo – it’s her blog – if you don’t enjoy it don’t visit – stop trying to put someone else down!!!!
I like the photos – I like the blog – keep up the great work!!!

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75 Linda Walmer December 20, 2009 at 12:28 pm: Just to tell you about the idea of your taking pictures of the recipes you put on your site. It must be nice to know all about how to do the reicpes as the lady who does not want any of the pictures of how to do everything. Must be a special person as most of us appreciate all the pictures that you post.
In fact, I LOVE THOSE PICTURES as they give me the correct way to get good results. I was not born knowing how to do what you show in your pictures. I am 69 but still have a lot to learn and I have learned much from your site. Please don´t stop taking and posting pictures.
Linda Walmer

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76 Diane December 20, 2009 at 12:30 pm: Okay, so I finally looked up the comment. It looks like Jojo does need your expertise if she thinks the term for “smallish chunks” of butter are called “pads”. I suspect that the person who suggested that Jojo has a slow internet connection hit the nail on the head.
Too bad she took out her frustrations on you. Fortunately, this gives the rest of your loyal subjects an opportunity to express our appreciation for all you do.
Merry Christmas to you and to all those you carry in your heart!

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77 Anne December 20, 2009 at 12:35 pm: WOW! Somebody needs to find their “Happy Place”…

Kristen, you ROCK!! Keep taking and posting your pictures.

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78 Rachel December 20, 2009 at 12:41 pm: I think the pictures are really helpful. My supervisor does too – we both read your blog in the office and talk about how we are being frugal too!

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79 Rechelle December 20, 2009 at 12:42 pm: on a practical note- I am ADD and many recipes, when I read them, are just so much white noise- for me, the pictures are a very real way of focusing on the words and the procedure-

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80 Ada December 20, 2009 at 12:47 pm: I love the pictures both for help with the recipe and for the advice you give and actually taking the pictures. I am putting all this info to good use. Thank you!!!! I love your blog.

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81 Kel December 20, 2009 at 1:06 pm: I love the pics, they are quite helpful for those of us that are new to the whole baking scene and are scared to pieces!

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82 Clare December 20, 2009 at 1:09 pm: I too find the photos really helpful. Your blog has helped me overcome my “fear” of making yeast breads and the how-to photos are a big part of the reason. I like seeing that your yeast sometimes clumps up like mine (rather than dissolving evenly as I’ve always thought it was supposed to). It’s also good to see photos of the dough before kneading and after rising.

When it comes to braiding or tying knots in dough, the photos are invaluable. Seeing the pics of the knotted rosettes (rolls) and the placement of the small and large braids in the challah (made for the first time 3 days ago–terrific!) is a tremendous help.

I’m sympathetic to the original poster if the cause of his/her frustration is related to bandwidth (been there), though it certainly would have been helpful if he/she mentioned that as the reason.

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83 Jenn C December 20, 2009 at 1:10 pm: Keep the pics, Kristin!!! The more the better You do such a great job w/ the recipes and I’d hate for you to change a thing. Keep up the great work.

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84 amanda December 20, 2009 at 1:11 pm: One of the biggest reasons I read your blog is because of all of the pictures.
I personally like them, even the pats of butter.

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85 Reese December 20, 2009 at 1:33 pm: Keep the pictures please! I like knowing what I’m looking at and what mine should look like. If JoJo is such an experienced baker, then she should just ignore the photos. That’s pretty easy… not like it’s taking her LONGER to do something

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86 Jeanette December 20, 2009 at 1:43 pm: I think the photos are terrific! They make me feel like I’m in your kitchen, cooking with you.

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87 Elizabeth December 20, 2009 at 2:12 pm: Keep the pics! First of all, you take beautiful, high-quality photos – I love to look at them! Second of all, adding the baking pictures give the posts a little something extra. Yes, I’m sure your cinnamon twists or pumpkin breads taste great, but I’d likely skip over the recipe without the pictures. It’s the pictures that make me start drooling and then I get the motivation to bake. I believe your people have spoken

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88 denisebc December 20, 2009 at 2:16 pm: I, too, really like the pics of yeast breads. However, my computer is old and very slow to download. I just get a cup of coffee or go to the bathroom while they are downloading. I consider the wait worth it. Keep up the good work.

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89 AJ December 20, 2009 at 2:41 pm: My Goodness what some people get in a knot about ! I’m a baker myself and don’t need the pictures – but I know many people who do , and I’m sure find this amazingly helpful. Used to be the old Betty Crocker Cookbook I had as a teenager had illustrations, & I’m pretty sure that’s why I don’t need your pictures now. It takes me 2 seconds to scroll to the bottom for the recipe. And if it’s something I haven’t made in a while I look at the pictures to refresh my memory. I say keep it up . Thanks for the time it takes for you to do this. “A Fan” & Merry Christmas***

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90 Kristen December 20, 2009 at 2:47 pm: Keep the pictures, they are helpful. I also don’t think it hurts to have a couple of extra here and there either that aren’t “necessary” to the post. I enjoy just looking at well taken pictures. That poster was very rude in their comments. If they thought there were too many pictures they could have suggested that, without the rude, condescending tone.

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91 Donna December 20, 2009 at 2:49 pm: Sounds like your “first time reader” doesn’t know blog etiquette… never be snarky, especially as a new reader!
I agree with other readers that Jojo’s frustration is probably a slow load speed or something of her own doing… why she thinks it is ok to take it out on you… who knows? Maybe she ate junk cereal for breakfast instead of making some of your wonderful granola and yogurt??
If you had many other readers with junk for computers…I would say maybe post the recipe ahead of the “good” one we all use with all the great photos. But, it looks like your “real regular readership” all appreciate the pictures. I know they have motivated me to try some things I never would have otherwise! Just a recipe, with no photos I would skip over… and do on other blogs.

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92 Michelle December 20, 2009 at 2:55 pm: I too choose to read your blog over many others because of the pictures! Maybe Jojo has a slow internet connection….then I can see her reasoning. But, I say keep it up!

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93 Rachel May December 20, 2009 at 3:08 pm: I agree with Donna-constructive criticism is okay, but sheesh! Be nice, folks-it’s close to Christmas, after all. I personally enjoy looking at pictures of ingredients (and the step-by-step) and I thoroughly enjoy your recipe entries….just finished making some cornmeal mush this morning:)

Thank you for your pictures and your blog…I’m a big fan (butter images included).

Rachel May

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94 Rachel H December 20, 2009 at 3:34 pm: Um….no one is forcing dear JoJo to read your blog. If she finds it so distasteful she can take her rude self somewhere else!!!

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95 Sara December 20, 2009 at 3:42 pm: I love all the pictures. Don’t worry about rude people. If they want just recipes, there are a million places on the internet to find them sans pictures.

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96 Matthew December 20, 2009 at 3:43 pm: As a baking neophyte, I find the pictures useful about 85% of the time. As a photographer and fan of photography, I find them enjoyable about 100% of the time.

Please just keep doing what you’re doing.

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97 Samantha December 20, 2009 at 4:13 pm: I also love your photos and they help me with my baking and how things are supposed to look like.

My suggestion is to maybe put your recipe/ingredients at the top of your post that way if people want to see what the recipe looks like they can scroll through your pictures. Just a thought. I love your blog!

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98 Tania December 20, 2009 at 5:14 pm: I enjoy the pictures. Really helps me with my baking. Your baking posts have inspired me to try baking!

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99 Lara December 20, 2009 at 5:16 pm: I love/need the photos. When I don’t understand something clearly with written directions, the pictures are often the “aha” moment I need to get it. I hope you keep them coming.

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100 Kim December 20, 2009 at 5:19 pm: I adore your pictures. They are both beautiful and informative

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101 erin w. December 20, 2009 at 5:22 pm: Gotta keep the pictures! That’s what drew me to your site was your great “life” photos. Then I realized I could probably incorporate some of your frugalista ways because the pics of it and the way you so clearly explain everything didn’t seem too difficult. I would have never tried to bake bread if I didn’t have my laptop with your pictures in the room with me. Keep taking pics, and keep posting them with your yummy recipes.

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102 Yvette December 20, 2009 at 5:38 pm: I have a tip for Jojo…if you don’t like pictures, don’t look or read the blog! Can we be a bit more civil…please!

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103 Gabby December 20, 2009 at 5:42 pm: You NEED to keep the pictures! I cannot say how much they’ve helped me! Most of us people are visual learners (like me). I need an example of something in order for me to know what you are trying teach me. The pictures show me what I need to expect in each step of a recipe, the posts are eye-catching to your readers (That’s the purpose of pictures in childrens’ books!), and they motivate me to explore outside my box. Never mind JoJo. If all she wants is the recipe, it’s available to her. She has no excuse for spitting on all the effort you put into making this blog exist successfully.

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104 Brenda December 20, 2009 at 6:02 pm: I love looking at the pictures. You do a great job.
However…I do remove them when I copy & paste to my recipes. I also edit the commentary. I want straight recipes for my files. Is it possible to have a separate print link?

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105 Joyce December 20, 2009 at 7:26 pm: I love your pictures. Please keep posting them. Thanks.

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106 Shymom December 20, 2009 at 7:57 pm: Personally, I like the photos. I vote do whatever you want.

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107 Natasha December 20, 2009 at 8:01 pm: I find the photos very helpful. As someone who’s not all that talented in the kitchen, I find it invaluable to have photos showing me what things are supposed to look like each step of the way. I feel sad that someone was so rude to you. I think you (and your photos) are amazing

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108 michelle December 20, 2009 at 8:02 pm: Love the pics. Don’t change a thing. It adds another dimension to your blog, separates u from just the ordinary.

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109 Monica December 20, 2009 at 8:32 pm: Jojo can have her opinions – that’s fine. She just shouldn’t be so rude about them. It’s not what you say Jojo – it’s the art (clearly that only some have learned) of how you say it. KEEP the pictures. I appreciate them – even those of butter. Plus – isn’t this your blog? Those that don’t like can show themselves to the virtual door.

Bless you Frugal Girl! Loving your blog!

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110 Amanda December 20, 2009 at 9:01 pm: So rude Jojo!

I want you to keep the pictures too. Like others have mentioned they often give me visual clues or the ambition to try things I wouldn’t normally attempt. I love that your pictures are often simplified so it gives the feeling that “I too can do it”.

Quote from Monday Q&A-My thoughts on mothering and wifing:
In other words, I serve God by serving others. The principal objects of this service are my husband and my kids, but I also serve my church family and my extended family, I serve my customers when I teach piano and do photography, and hopefully I serve you through my blog. This is not an exhaustive list, of course (I also try to serve my neighbors and friends, for example), but I think you get the basic idea.

I believe you are doing a fine job. You let Him lead the way and your blog – like your life – has turned out very fine.

Thank you for serving us and Merry Christmas!

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111 ee li lian December 20, 2009 at 11:10 pm: NO!!! I need the photos. I am new to baking and find it really helpful.

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112 Erin from long island December 20, 2009 at 11:35 pm: Wow, seriously?

Food, especially in blog form, is more then just food, it is art (not always ok, but usually). Those of us with any panache recognize this and even if we don’t “need” to see a certain step photographed, it still can be appealing. I know I take a ton of “unnecessary” photos because I like the way the ingredients look at that step, or the way steam swirls…oh how many pictures I have of steam!

Jojo, no one is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to waste your life with sooo many pictures. Buy a cookbook and get over it

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113 Lisa December 20, 2009 at 11:48 pm: I love the photos, please keep on doing what you’ve been doing. I enjoy seeing the process.

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114 meg December 20, 2009 at 11:50 pm: How sad for you that after all you do to have a pleasant blog and be kind to your readers, you get such a rotten comment. Jojo, meet you new friend, the “delete comment” button.

Your blog is great.

So many people are terrified of baking…especially yeast breads. The likely-hood of readers attempting one of your recipes is much higher if you include photos…especially of those butter pats. I didn’t know what a butter “pat” even WAS until about 6 months ago when I attempted my first apple pie. The more pictures, the better. Keep it up!

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115 RH December 21, 2009 at 12:13 am: People have too much to complain about some times. Don’t worry about what other people think and just keep on doing what you do- because you are doing a wonderful job. I enjoy your website very much and find it enlightening and helpful.

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116 Tina December 21, 2009 at 1:48 am: I made the Cinnamon Twists for the first time this morning (well made them yesterday, baked them this morning) . They were fantastic! We celebrated Christmas today and decided that these will be a new Christmas tradition. They are PERFECT for just cooking up while opening gifts in the morning, make the house smell terrific and are a special treat for the day! I love the recipe and the blog… and the pictures!

Thank you for contributing something new and wonderful to our family traditions!

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117 Lisa December 21, 2009 at 8:19 am: Love the pictures! My family loves the food too!

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118 Jen December 21, 2009 at 9:22 am: Your photos are helpful and fantastic! Please keep them!

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119 Tiffany December 21, 2009 at 10:24 am: I love the pictures! It takes all of two seconds to scroll down through the pictures if you don’t want to look at them.

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120 Susan December 21, 2009 at 11:31 am: I like the photos as I don’t have a lot of cooking/baking experience, so the photos let me know if I’m on the right (or wrong!) track as I follow a recipe. But if it is overwhelming for you to a post a lot of photos, cutting back on them a bit is OK with me. I wouldn’t want you to not post a recipe just because you didn’t feel like messing with getting the photos done too.

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121 Amanda December 21, 2009 at 2:06 pm: I love the pictures. Makes it much easier for me to make sure I’m doing everything “right.” Made the cinnamon twists the day after you posted the recipe…..HUGE HIT!

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122 Allie December 21, 2009 at 5:23 pm: Sometimes I find the pictures helpful and sometimes I don’t. However, if I were a novice baker I think I’d always find them relatively helpful. Since I’m guessing there ARE a good number of readers who are just learning to bake, I think it’d be disadvantageous to them to leave out the photos. Experienced bakers can scroll past. I mean, really, how much effort is it to make a couple clicks of the mouse?

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123 Etmny December 21, 2009 at 8:16 pm: Wow! I missed this post. But just to weigh in- I love your pictures!!! I think I’ve followed your blog more than any other blog because of the pictures. Especially with baking it’s so easy to visualize and it inspires me to try your recepies because I have the step by step visual. Plus you love photography so it makes sense- your pictures are great. Don’t change who you are because of some lousy critic! I’m glad your keeping the pictures! I give you a big “thumbs up!”

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124 Rina December 22, 2009 at 4:18 am: Oh dear please no one hate me but I am not a fan of pictures of every step. I agree, many people find it helpful but I find it easier when a recipe is step by step with a picture showing the completed project, plus an extra picture or two showing a particularly detailed or intricate step, if necessary.

That doesn’t mean I’d stop reading a blog because of it, it just means I gotta scroll if I want the goods!

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125 carolyn January 7, 2010 at 10:01 pm: I’ve been looking at all of your posts and I LOVE the pictures! Please don’t feel bad that you take lots of pictures of your baking process! I think you’re a very talented photographer and I think the step by step pictures are inspiring – it makes me want to bake your recipes!!!

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