Opinions on business cards - DPChallenge Forums

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

06/11/2005 12:31:51 AM · #1

I need to update my business cards and I think I'm going to invest in a few different sets so that they can be more tailored to the potential client. So far I've only worked on some for models and intimate portraits but I plan on creating a layout or two for weddings since that seems to be where I'm getting the most growth in the business.

I'm sure several of you can come up with more professional copy than what I have here.

Thanks for sharing your opinions about these.

Kev

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

06/11/2005 12:40:18 AM · #2

Hi Kevin...

The designs look nice but they feel a little cluttered to me. I think I may just be too much of an advocate of the KISS method when it comes to business cards. I went to the very edge of my limits on KISS with the two new cards I just ordered:

Some of the info you have on your cards, to me, seems redundant. You are a photographer so you don't really need to list the types of work you do on your card. I'm also a fan of simple fonts that don't get too fancy.

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

06/11/2005 12:41:13 AM · #3

I like #2 the best. But on your web address I would leave the // off and the last /. Maybe a different font choice.

06/11/2005 01:04:58 AM · #4

Cool, thanks.

I'll mess around with them some more.

The sad thing is that as they are right now they're still better than what I've been using and I haven't updated until I noticed that I was about to run out.

06/11/2005 01:45:46 AM · #5

See how these grab ya. I dropped some of the text and changed the font to a less ornamental and artistic style.

Thanks again,

Kev

jenesis

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

06/11/2005 01:59:25 AM · #6

I'd have to agree about the web address. This second batch is much better in my opinion. I like the first and last the best, leaning towards the first. Not sure it says wedding photographer though, not that it has to as that would be limiting. :-)

I went through this same dilemma a couple of months ago. I had my first coffee house show and I had to get some together real quick. Ended up with this. Definetly needs to be reworked and I also need to get a real domain name set up... but this was one of the hardest things I've had to do. I couldn't make a decision to save my life. I really should start working on a better one....

Sunniee

Canon EOS-40D

06/11/2005 02:09:39 AM · #7

What program do you use to make these in?

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

06/11/2005 02:15:16 AM · #8

First one is nice but something about the red/green lighting on the edges.

Furthermore any font should have some room away from the edges mainly because business cards get frailed and you can't read the info on them after awhile.

Message edited by author 2005-06-11 02:17:17.

pixieland

Fujifilm FinePix S602Z

06/11/2005 04:13:13 AM · #9

I agree about the web address and moving your type away from the edge, but I think it is fine that you list the type of photography you do, otherwise people will assume you are open for any kind and you may not want that. The company I use to work for only did public service calendars for Police, Sheriff's etc..Ocassionly someone would get the number out of the phone book or who knows where and they would be very put out when we couldn't do their pet calendars. I don't think there was anything "cluttered " about any of them. I like your designs. None of them reminded me of weddings though. On another note--I am interested in intimate photography, if you have any tips on equipment or anything, please PM me. I would appreciate it.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

06/11/2005 04:55:19 AM · #10

The card with the model in jeans isn't working. You're trying to fit your message around an image that completely dominates the space from corner to corner, and any arrangment of type you come up with will seem arbitrary. It needs to be the other way around: lay out your communication, and then fit an image to that.

The vertical card is not a good idea, because both rolodexes and and most business card scan-and-file utilities are designed for horizontal cards. Your message will be sideways.

The card with the faded-back headshot is by far the most succesful of your designs. But the type seems an afterthought, not integrated into the design.

On a different note, content, if you want to be taken seriously as a professional you really need a physical address on your cards, even if it's only a P.O. Box. People tend to get suspicious when they're asked to consider money dealings with someone who won't even list a place where he can be reached.

Your bullet-list of "things I do" has an amateurish feel to it.It's limiting you, in one sense, and in another sense it's not even defining you; at least not in any way that causes me to notice you. I'd notice you if you sent a message to me. Something as simple as "Kevin Riggs â�¢ Photographer â�¢ People & Places" (or whatever) has a certain ring to it, because it describes a certain sensibility, rather than a laundry list of techniques or skills.

My first card, when I was just starting out, tried to make a statement; I wanted to be brash â�� "Robt. Ward, Photographer â�¢ See it My Way"... For a long time our cards said "Robt. Ward & Associates â�¢ Photography of Architecture & Interiors"... See how that latter has a much smoother feel than "Architecture â�¢ Interiors â�¢ Studio & Location â�¢ Architectural Models a Specialty" or somesuch?

Think minimalist, think "make an impression", with every part of your marketing message.

These are my thoughts, anyway.

Robt.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/11/2005 07:44:18 AM · #11

Originally posted by bear_music:

I'd notice you if you sent a message to me.

I wanted to be brash â�� "Robt. Ward, Photographer â�¢ See it My Way"... For a long time our cards said "Robt. Ward & Associates â�¢ Photography of Architecture & Interiors"... See how that latter has a much smoother feel than "Architecture â�¢ Interiors â�¢ Studio & Location â�¢ Architectural Models a Specialty" or somesuch?

Yep. I can see a definite difference. Good catch on the message of the card. I think I'll have to cogitate over the next couple of days to figure out what I want to say to pursue the business that interests me and that pays me best.

Thanks

Kev

neophyte

Nikon D810

06/11/2005 08:17:25 AM · #12

The best thing I see is if you use the verticle design but horizontally. put the font, (that should be clearer) above it. Less is more. the people should have their attention drawn to the card as a whole and then to the text first, which is more important than the photo.

Apple iPhone

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Nikon

06/11/2005 09:07:26 AM · #13

The vertical card to me looks too much like something you would use for bedroom photography.
Card 2 is the best of the lot, I would darken the image a touch to bring it out a tad more...

maxj

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

06/11/2005 09:08:12 AM · #14

I think the second card would be more appealing if you kept the Kevin Riggs Photography as it, but faded out your website and phone number just a bit.

jenesis

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

06/11/2005 09:26:31 AM · #15

Originally posted by Sunniee:

What program do you use to make these in?

Hey Sunniee, You can go to a website like Vistaprints and download a template that you can use in Photoshop. This will give you an idea of the size and outlines the edges so that your text will not spill over the actual print area.

Bear, you bring up alot of good points that I never thought about. Very helpful info. indeed.

Riponlady

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

06/11/2005 09:34:47 AM · #16

Hi Kev I know this is not very constructive but as a woman, if you used the second image I wouldn't touch you with a barge pole! It looks tacky and immediately gives me the impression of glamour photography or worse!! I certainly wouldn't bwant that one if I was looking for my weddining opics or for a family portrait.

Pauline

cbeller

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

06/11/2005 10:35:19 AM · #17

Kev -

You might look at going with a two-sided card so you can get the information you need on it, without clutering the front side. If you use an online printer like overnightprints.com or vistaprint.com the cost to add a second side is minimal.

This is what I did for mine.

I will say your idea of going with multiple cards for the different subject matter is a good one, IMO. I've been contemplating going back and creating a new card specifically for wedding photography, myself.

Keep in mind, you are going to get a varying degree of comments from folks here, so take what you want from them (us) and do what you like. Only you know your client el.

06/11/2005 11:25:32 AM · #18

Originally posted by Riponlady:

. . . the second image . . . .
Pauline

I'm guessing that you meant this image

Am I right?

If so, this style wouldn't be intended for brides or families but sometimes potential clients are . . . interested, for lack of a better word, in more intimate photos of themselves. A card like this was be kept in the cardholder most of the time but for those occassions when a lady comments that she's considered having photos done for herself or her partner this is the card that I think portrays an artistic interpretation of that style. Its not a large market but it is lucrative given that the images are sensual and not sexual and that the people who employ your services can trust that you're not going to publicize that you shot these for them.

This by no means is intended for someone who is looking for a wedding photographer or family portraits.

I didn't find your comments at all unconstructive. I think we're on the same wavelength about how this would be perceived by someone who is looking for photos they can show in public.

Thanks for your comments,

Kev

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

06/11/2005 11:28:13 AM · #19

Originally posted by cbeller:

You might look at going with a two-sided card so you can get the information you need on it, without clutering the front side.

Chris,

I think I may have to do this with the silhouette and also with cards for weddings. How in the world do you fit a decent quality wedding image off to one side of a business card. I think I'll have the wedding portrait on the front and the text on the reverse.

Thanks,

Kev

jpochard

Canon EOS-40D

06/11/2005 11:53:46 AM · #20

Have you given any thought to a mini-cd business card? I'm not sure about the costs, however. It would give you the opportunity to give each potential client a mini-gallery of your work.

Other than that, I'd say you're trying to do too much with the photo on the business card so far. Yes, I like a photo, but IMO the photo should be an accent on the card, not the whole card.

cloudsme

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM

06/11/2005 12:08:40 PM · #21

Kevin,

I like this one the best

I think it best represents your fine work, and has a lot of good information. The second one is classy, but a little too subtle. The third one is a bit tawdry imo, and would turn some people off.

Mike

ButterflySis

Canon EOS-50D