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05/06/2006 09:55:36 AM · #1 |
I am in the process of starting my new wedding and portrait photo business and right now I am trying to figure out what to do as far as business cards. I have never actually shot a wedding so I don't have a wedding picture to put on my card. Someone suggested I use a stock photo for that. My first thought was, "Well, that's pretty unethical". I am curious as to you other people think about this.
June
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05/06/2006 10:00:27 AM · #2 |
I agree with you, Chiqui. It seems a little lame to advertise your photography services with an image that someone else took. With your talent, you don't need to do that!
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05/06/2006 10:04:06 AM · #3 |
| Ditto L2. There's absolutely nothing that says you must have a photo on your business card. Cards can be plenty effective with just good text design and use of color. |
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05/06/2006 10:11:13 AM · #4 |
I think it's unethical as well and could not do it but I have seen some photographer web-sites where they have stock images - with the obvious implication they were shot by them. I also don't think it's worth it if people found out (probably unlikely).
I would guess it's perfectly legal because you bought the rights to use the stock image how you liked.
Just use some portraits that you have instead and do more card after a wedding or two where you have samples. |
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05/06/2006 10:19:32 AM · #5 |
Go to a local church and just shoot some pictures of any wedding or two
just make sure you take the pics in a way so that the faces can not be seem on your card, but emphasis the bridal dresses.
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05/06/2006 10:23:59 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by Chiqui:
I am in the process of starting my new wedding and portrait photo business and right now I am trying to figure out what to do as far as business cards. I have never actually shot a wedding so I don't have a wedding picture to put on my card. Someone suggested I use a stock photo for that. My first thought was, "Well, that's pretty unethical". I am curious as to you other people think about this.
June |
Chici,
I don't think its a good idea to have a wedding picture on your business card because after a while, the picture get to be outdated.... fashion in wedding like anything else changes....
Also do you want to limit yourself to wedding pictures... ?
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05/06/2006 10:26:33 AM · #7 |
Chiqui, is that ALL you want to do is weddings? If not, it's going to feel a little strange to hand a newspaper editor or a potential client that's interested in some architecture shots a business card that is geared solely towards weddings.
I say make the card cover a broad array of topics -- ie photography in general, as well as plain and simple.
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05/06/2006 10:29:08 AM · #8 |
I thought so. Well, I have decided not to use a photo for now and go with a simple design. This is what I came up with. Any thoughts?
June
PS. The phone number is fake for now.
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05/06/2006 10:29:54 AM · #9 |
Agree, unethical. Got any friends that still have their wedding dress? Ask them to be your model. Rent a dress if you have to.
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05/06/2006 10:30:25 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by deapee:
Chiqui, is that ALL you want to do is weddings? If not, it's going to feel a little strange to hand a newspaper editor or a potential client that's interested in some architecture shots a business card that is geared solely towards weddings.
I say make the card cover a broad array of topics -- ie photography in general, as well as plain and simple. |
All I want to do is weddings, portraits and special events like Sweet 15s (hispanic tradition), parties, etc.
June
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05/06/2006 10:33:45 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by Chiqui:
I thought so. Well, I have decided not to use a photo for now and go with a simple design. This is what I came up with. Any thoughts?
June
PS. The phone number is fake for now. |
I assume you will be printing this in white on black cardstock? If so, you may want to rethink this. One disadvantage of black cardstock is that you or your customer cannot write important information (like appointment dates, price quotes, etc.) on the back of the card.
~Terry
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05/06/2006 10:37:11 AM · #12 |
My intention was to get this professionally printed on white cardstock as if it was a picture so the back would still be white.
June
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05/06/2006 10:37:44 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by ButterflySis:
Agree, unethical. Got any friends that still have their wedding dress? Ask them to be your model. Rent a dress if you have to. |
It is a question of advertising, not ethics. Unless, of course, when asked you claim the picture as your own.
Consider taking ButterflySis's advice, you need all the practice you can get. :)
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05/06/2006 10:41:25 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by Chiqui:
My intention was to get this professionally printed on white cardstock as if it was a picture so the back would still be white.
June |
Sounds like a good plan.
I agree that it's probably not the best idea to use a stock wedding photo on your card. It may technically be legal from a copyright standpoint, but could set you up for false advertising claims.
The only nitpick I have on the card you posted is that I would remove the words "and other." They're unnecessary, and having that bottom line so much longer than the rest breaks up the visual flow of the card.
~Terry
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05/06/2006 10:45:58 AM · #15 |
Like this?
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05/06/2006 10:46:33 AM · #16 |
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05/06/2006 10:53:06 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by Chiqui:
My intention was to get this professionally printed on white cardstock as if it was a picture so the back would still be white.
June |
Good move -- it is much cheaper/easier to print full-coverage black ink onto white stock than white ink on black (or anything). You will save about $40-60 in press clean-up charges alone.
Also, if you intend to submit the art as a graphic image (TIFF or JPEG) it should be at least 600-800 dpi at the final print size, or else your type will get jaggies. Better to submit as a PDF from a page-layout program.
Message edited by author 2006-05-06 10:55:11. |
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05/06/2006 10:54:17 AM · #18 |
If I got a photographer's business card, I would like to see some sort of photo so I had some idea of what I was getting into...a preview of sorts to know if the business card goes into my huge stack, or if I'll pull it out to go online and grab more information.
A very cheap way around your problem is to photograph something like a floral bouquet. It would be your work, imply it's from a wedding, and still be attractive for other venues you're interested in marketing to.
Whatever you decide, good luck! |
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05/06/2006 11:07:30 AM · #19 |
unethical is a ridiculously strong word to throw around in regards to using a stock image....
however, it doesn't sound like the smartest idea for reasons already mentioned...talent level otherwise, other image possibilities, no image.etc.
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05/06/2006 11:33:22 AM · #20 |
Get a couple friends together with a bouquet of white roses and a fake diamond ring and do the hand shot. No wedding necessary, fairly small investment, nice non-busy detail shot for a very small space on a business card.
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05/06/2006 11:43:52 AM · #21 |
I think a nice close up of a bridal bouquet would be lovely and appropriate and you wouldn't need to find an actual wedding.
Liza |
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05/06/2006 12:56:06 PM · #22 |
YOU have a recently-used wedding dress, shoes, probably some other doo-dads lying around, don't you? ;) Seriously...do some shooting with your own wedding things that might not be packed away right now. It's a thought. :)
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05/06/2006 01:19:16 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by laurielblack:
YOU have a recently-used wedding dress, shoes, probably some other doo-dads lying around, don't you? ;) Seriously...do some shooting with your own wedding things that might not be packed away right now. It's a thought. :) |
Excellent idea!
BTW, I'm not fond of the white on black stock.. other than the reasons ClubJuggle mentioned, it seems a bit dark (emotionally) for the type of photography you are promoting.
I'd tend to stay toward lighter colors and possibly pastels.
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05/06/2006 01:24:19 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by laurielblack:
YOU have a recently-used wedding dress, shoes, probably some other doo-dads lying around, don't you? ;) Seriously...do some shooting with your own wedding things that might not be packed away right now. It's a thought. :) |
Unfortunately, our wedding stuff is either 3000 miles away, or on a slow container ship somewhere en route to here, so there's not much of our stuff she can shoot right now...
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05/06/2006 01:41:08 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by Manic:
Originally posted by laurielblack:
YOU have a recently-used wedding dress, shoes, probably some other doo-dads lying around, don't you? ;) Seriously...do some shooting with your own wedding things that might not be packed away right now. It's a thought. :) |
Unfortunately, our wedding stuff is either 3000 miles away, or on a slow container ship somewhere en route to here, so there's not much of our stuff she can shoot right now... |
We found a beautiful dress in a thrift shop for $20. Picked up a bunch of sunflowers and tied a ribbon around them. Talked one of Amanda's friends into being our "bride" and he rest is history. For under $30 we had great photos to put on cards and show future clients. Having a photo on your card makes a greater impact -- you won't regret it!
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