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09/18/2012 07:43:48 PM · #1
I am starting to have a lot of inquiries and people looking to book me through a friend in Williamsburg so I decided if I am going to redo my site and logo now is the time. I need new business cards anyway so time to start fresh and build a real brand. Of course that is easier said then done... I have worked out a couple of logo designs but wanted to get your opinions. What looks good, what is crap, what needs to be changed or am I way off base?

this is my current logo --->
09/18/2012 07:49:59 PM · #2
ALl of them are a bit busy to be honest - look at the most recognisable brands in the world, most of them are simple logos.

Apple, McDonalds, Google, Microsoft, BP, Facebook, Nike, Adidas. All simple yet effective. Now I know you are not looking for world domination - but keeping it simple and snappy is key. Obviously there are a few exceptions to this rule.

Regarding your logos, I wouldn't say they are crap, but I am not liking any of them.

You asked.. :(

Message edited by author 2012-09-18 19:50:52.
09/18/2012 07:56:42 PM · #3
If I wanted fluffy responses I'd go to facebook :)

Any suggestions? I know I want either JMP or MP as the main part of the logo and either MinsoPhoto or joshuaminsophotography with the minsophoto isolated someway.
09/18/2012 08:11:32 PM · #4
I'd second what simms said. Especially if you plan on using this as advertising, for instance on your vehicle. Something that is recognizable instantly. Easily read. I've seen a lot of small businesses use fancy fonts trying to make it look nice, but all it does as they drive by is make it so you can't read their business name, making the effort of advertising lost.
09/18/2012 09:21:47 PM · #5
Went another route

09/18/2012 09:24:41 PM · #6
if i'd have to pick one, i'd go with the second.

this one ^^^ looks nice if it was a business card.

Message edited by author 2012-09-18 21:25:02.
09/18/2012 11:34:30 PM · #7
You guys are soo fussy, no wonder we get low balled around here........lol

Josh I love them all, but his one is pretty neat.

I will have to do that soon, and hey I just started a thread about it, and then I found this thread!
09/18/2012 11:38:30 PM · #8
I have a question.

Who is your prime demographic?

Do any of the logos you are looking at look like what they'd pick if they could make the choice for you?
09/18/2012 11:41:46 PM · #9
I like Logo 4, however, Logo 5 does just stand out way more, even in the thumbnail.
09/19/2012 12:50:16 AM · #10
Originally posted by Cory:

I have a question.

Who is your prime demographic?

Do any of the logos you are looking at look like what they'd pick if they could make the choice for you?


Really need a brief, no different than a photo shoot.

To identify your target market you have to take psychographic into account too.

For example if your main target is young couples getting married you're less likely to have success with a grungy heavy metal looking logo than a sleek modern one. If you were shooting for events/music it might be the other way around.

How do you identify what these people like? Think about someone you know in the demographic/psychographic and think about what they like. You could ask for people's opinions, be careful focus testing this amongst friends, I've found that people want to change something just because you've asked for their opinion. edit: this sounds a bit odd - i mean more along the lines of close friends

On a design level think about how your logo will look at the smallest size it will ever appear eg business cards, letter heads etc. Already I can see logo 5 losing the part word "graphy" because red and black are tonaly similar from your eye.

Source: 5 years in marketing/design taught by a member of the Australian Marketing Association

Message edited by author 2012-09-19 00:57:59.
09/19/2012 12:51:17 AM · #11
PS not saying your logo should totally reflect your target market, it's a part of your brand. It should just appeal to them.
09/19/2012 01:03:53 AM · #12
Originally posted by damoninja:

Originally posted by Cory:

I have a question.

Who is your prime demographic?

Do any of the logos you are looking at look like what they'd pick if they could make the choice for you?


Really need a brief, no different than a photo shoot.

To identify your target market you have to take psychographic into account too.

For example if your main target is young couples getting married you're less likely to have success with a grungy heavy metal looking logo than a sleek modern one. If you were shooting for events/music it might be the other way around.

How do you identify what these people like? Think about someone you know in the demographic/psychographic and think about what they like. You could ask for people's opinions, be careful focus testing this amongst friends, I've found that people want to change something just because you've asked for their opinion. edit: this sounds a bit odd - i mean more along the lines of close friends

On a design level think about how your logo will look at the smallest size it will ever appear eg business cards, letter heads etc. Already I can see logo 5 losing the part word "graphy" because red and black are tonaly similar from your eye.

Source: 5 years in marketing/design taught by a member of the Australian Marketing Association


Take a look at other similar businesses who are targeting the same demographic, and are successful... Do whatever they're doing. It's not brilliantly innovative, but it's a solid way to ensure that you're starting with a good foundation.

That's not to say that you can't make it your own, but people want all of the pieces of the puzzle to match.. Think about it from a restraunt-centric view point. If you want a nice meal, do you go to the place with the run-down looking building, or the shiny new place? Sure, sometimes a place is so good the branding doesn't matter, but if you don't know the brand, the one that fits your expectations will win the business every time.

The same is true of photography, or any business that needs to advertise and gets a good portion of it's business from new customers. Make sure your entire brand sends a coherent message, this is MUCH more than a logo, you should define everything, from fonts for different purposes, to colors, to your message and portfolio.. Don't put up a single photo that isn't in line with your market. If you were the customer, looking at two photographers, one who does only what you're interested in, and another one that does a bunch of different stuff, who do you pick? I know I'll go for the specialist every time. Plus, as a bonus, the specialist can charge a premium for their services.

Another factor, think about the print mediums, how will the entire business card work with the colors you want? Does a white card background make more sense than a black card (you can write on a white card, and they don't bleed together in your wallet).. What about the shirts, are you going to make flyers? Of course it needs to look good on a website too... Etc... Try to think about this in a big-picture sort of way.

By the way, if you're willing to spring for a few $$, 99Designs is kinda like a DPC for logos, but you get to buy the challenge, and own the winner.

Message edited by author 2012-09-19 01:12:38.
09/19/2012 01:37:50 AM · #13
^^^ Very good idea. Get several minds and different concepts. I've been successful getting a few of these through, they're easy to make a quick buck.

Having said that I also didn't put my full effort in as it's a small fee for a logo and usually there's no payment if you don't get selected.

I used to do what we called "suite deals" which was a logo and associated stationary based on the branding, we charged $1,300 for it non-inc printing.

This would include 3 initial concepts from 2-3 designers based on the brief.
09/19/2012 02:05:31 AM · #14
99designs is good if you know what you are after. Can be time consuming giving feedback to a load of lousy entries but can come up with the goods for a fairly small cost. I would sway to using a professional logo designer though Looks like you have the skills to do this yourself if you can decide on a concept. Good luck!
09/19/2012 02:17:24 AM · #15
Originally posted by paulsteven:

skills to do this yourself


Has this been done in photoshop or a vector/drawing program like illustrator?

If you're getting it printed ever, I would advise not using photoshop.
09/19/2012 03:07:08 AM · #16
I'm with Cory here (mostly), but would rather recommend Designcrowd, average design quality is way better while the process is less complicated. Prices can be as low. Here's a link to my port over there: my portfolio on designcrowd
09/19/2012 03:25:59 AM · #17
Originally posted by h2:

I'm with Cory here (mostly), but would rather recommend Designcrowd, average design quality is way better while the process is less complicated. Prices can be as low. Here's a link to my port over there: my portfolio on designcrowd


They are some nice logos mate.
09/19/2012 03:40:42 AM · #18
Originally posted by damoninja:

Originally posted by h2:

I'm with Cory here (mostly), but would rather recommend Designcrowd, average design quality is way better while the process is less complicated. Prices can be as low. Here's a link to my port over there: my portfolio on designcrowd


They are some nice logos mate.


Thanks!
09/19/2012 07:09:31 AM · #19
Thanks for all the input everyone. I will try and answer a few of the questions. First, I did look into 99designs but unfortunately my current budget (kids just started soccer and gymnastics) won't allow for it. I would like to be able to drop a grand on a professional design but since that is not an option I am going my own route.

I shoot primarily portrait sessions, families, couples and seniors. And my demographic, well at least going by who is inquiring for my services is families and HS seniors. Average cost of a session and prints is around $400 but can range from $300 to over $1000

I want something clean, simple (yeah hard to tell with the first two designs but I really wasn't feeling those) and modern. I will be using it on all marketing including t-shirts, cards, fliers etc... I think I will be using the last one I posted but will tweak the font and switch it to a white background with black logo and lettering with the red staying red.
09/19/2012 07:22:05 AM · #20
You ask for $1,000 for a photo session (and you probably spend a lot of $ for business cards, tees and flyers) but you don't want to spend $200 for a logo that can attract clients that pay those $1,000? I will never understand you photographers :P

ETA: by the time this thread is running you could already have got a dozen of *good* designs proposed

Message edited by author 2012-09-19 07:23:10.
09/19/2012 07:27:26 AM · #21
Originally posted by h2:

You ask for $1,000 for a photo session (and you probably spend a lot of $ for business cards, tees and flyers) but you don't want to spend $200 for a logo that can attract clients that pay those $1,000? I will never understand you photographers :P

ETA: by the time this thread is running you could already have got a dozen of *good* designs proposed


I do "want" to pay for a professional logo but it is not a possibility at the moment. Single dad raising two kids both in sports and working full time while building a photography business and so on. I do not have extra money for a logo.

eta, I sound a bit assish lol, sorry.

Message edited by author 2012-09-19 07:27:52.
09/19/2012 07:36:03 AM · #22
Totally understand you wanting to have a stab at this yourself and why not. A logo can be really simple.

I would offer the following feedback on your logo that you plan to use.

Not sure why you have your surname in capitals
Bevels can look quite amateurish in my opinion

I would suggest just keeping it simple. Just put a space between your first and surname and use the same case for both.
The camera icon looks a bit too much like clip art. You may be able to get something better from a site like iStockphoto.com for a few dollars.

Type in the following search term into google images: "photographer logo" and lots of very nice simple logos appear, many of them black and white which I think looks great.

I am not a designer so the following may look really awful to a designer however I think it looks cleaner than your version and is nice and simple



Message edited by author 2012-09-19 07:38:38.
09/19/2012 07:39:21 AM · #23
Originally posted by paulsteven:

Totally understand you wanting to have a stab at this yourself and why not. A logo can be really simple.

I would offer the following feedback on your logo that you plan to use.

Not sure why you have your surname in capitals
Bevels can look quite amateurish in my opinion

I would suggest just keeping it simple. Just put a space between your first and surname and use the same case for both.
The camera icon looks a bit too much like clip art. You may be able to get something better from a site like iStockphoto.com for a few dollars.

Type in the following search term into google images: "photographer logo" and lots of very nice simple logos appear, many of them black and white which I think looks great.


My site is MinsoPhoto so that is why I chose to have it different, doesn't mean that it is right though. The icon is a stock photo lol. I may have to suck it up and use the suggestion from cory and H2
09/19/2012 07:42:23 AM · #24
Just had a look at your site - bloody brilliant photos! Love the style. Perhaps you do need a funkier logo to match that cool style
09/19/2012 08:49:31 AM · #25
Originally posted by paulsteven:


"Photographer
and Assassin"

It reminds me of 'the godfather' font.
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