Alrighty. Here's a version with the line extended. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Thoughts? BTW, I think I am leaning toward the black color. Clean, simple and if I change the colors on my website it won't matter much (I tend to get bored easily...).
I like the black. I assume the blue border is for reference only and not printed on the card.
I am hoping NOT to attract any graphic design clients, to be honest. After 20 years in the business, I have been slowly transitioning myself out of that business over the past six years or so. Maybe I should take that off all together as well? Hmm.
Wow. I'm in the same boat. Self-employed 18 years in Graphic Design and Production. I agree with not indicating Graphic Design on your card if you're transitioning. I don't have *any* reference at all to design on my card (already have steady well-paying design contracts to pay the bills while I shoot). Actually, I'm more associated with the title of "photographer" now, than "designer", even among friends and acquaintances since I carry a camera everywhere! Word of mouth and a "photography only" card does wonders. I have occasionally done some photography as a "value-added service" in a pinch, for my design clients, but I don't advertise design to potential photography clients.
My card design scheme also matches my website banner. I posted my basic "draft" version nearly a year ago in this thread:
Alrighty. Here's a version with the line extended. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Thoughts? BTW, I think I am leaning toward the black color. Clean, simple and if I change the colors on my website it won't matter much (I tend to get bored easily...).
I like your "photogdesign" name and this new version of your card is much cleaner! I like the black and rounded corners too.
Wow. I'm in the same boat. Self-employed 18 years in Graphic Design and Production. I agree with not indicating Graphic Design on your card if you're transitioning. I don't have *any* reference at all to design on my card (already have steady well-paying design contracts to pay the bills while I shoot). Actually, I'm more associated with the title of "photographer" now, than "designer", even among friends and acquaintances since I carry a camera everywhere! Word of mouth and a "photography only" card does wonders. I have occasionally done some photography as a "value-added service" in a pinch, for my design clients, but I don't advertise design to potential photography clients.
Hi Paula. Wow, sounds like we have a similar background. I was very involved in pre-press production as well! I am so over design work, however. I am loving photography so much better. Call it a mid-life change...I dunno. Whatever. Shooting makes me much happier than sitting behind the computer all day ...
Your card is nice and clean, which is what I am drawn to.
Business Card
I'm just starting out with my business. I'd love to know what you think! Business Cardcmyk350.jpg
The back is white, with plain black type and says:
Let me capture who you are . . .
. . . not just what you look like
along with my contact info again (I couldn't attach two files here). I opted to only get coating on one side so that I could write easily on the back if I wanted to give any special discounts or additional information.
I'm just starting out with my business. I'd love to know what you think! Business Cardcmyk350.jpg
The back is white, with plain black type and says:
Let me capture who you are . . .
. . . not just what you look like
along with my contact info again (I couldn't attach two files here). I opted to only get coating on one side so that I could write easily on the back if I wanted to give any special discounts or additional information.
This honestly does not look professional at all to me. You need to use a cleaner font than the typewriter-like one you're using. I'd recommend hiring a local graphic designer to create your logo, card, and any other materials you need, at least to start.
I'm just starting out with my business. I'd love to know what you think!
The back is white, with plain black type and says:
Let me capture who you are . . .
. . . not just what you look like
along with my contact info again (I couldn't attach two files here). I opted to only get coating on one side so that I could write easily on the back if I wanted to give any special discounts or additional information.
Although I agree with what Ben said, I have a few suggestions shy of spending several hundred dollars on a graphic designer.
In your logo, move the bottom line, I think it says photography llc or something like that... down a bit, its too close to your name. Then move the whole thing up a bit.. its cutting into the boy's head...
In the information, definitely change the font type. The font you're using does not match your logo at all. Change it to the font you used in your navigation on your website. That font is more professional looking. On your site you should change the type-writer font as well, maybe to a font like calibri or arial... something that everyone can read easily...
Also move the information to the right some, and make the website/email/phone number text a tad smaller and move them closer together. Also make the email text all the same font size, I don't like the small name then bigger url thing you have going on.
Get rid of Owner, I doubt you have 10+ photographer's working for you, they'll know its your business because of your name being the name of the business.
I made all of these comments from just looking at the card for 5 seconds... I'm going to school for photography and graphic design right now, someone with more experience could make it all for you, and make it look amazing in a day or two. So you can try my suggestions, re-post a new version to see if people like it more, or you could go hire a professional to give you a stunning card. Being in Indy, you'll have no problem finding a talented designer... I'm going to school in Marion, IN so I travel to Indy every now and then.
btw, I really like the picture of the boy and girl... great work!
Although I agree with what Ben said, I have a few suggestions shy of spending several hundred dollars on a graphic designer.
In your logo, move the bottom line, I think it says photography llc or something like that... down a bit, its too close to your name. Then move the whole thing up a bit.. its cutting into the boy's head...
In the information, definitely change the font type. The font you're using does not match your logo at all. Change it to the font you used in your navigation on your website. That font is more professional looking. On your site you should change the type-writer font as well, maybe to a font like calibri or arial... something that everyone can read easily...
Also move the information to the right some, and make the website/email/phone number text a tad smaller and move them closer together. Also make the email text all the same font size, I don't like the small name then bigger url thing you have going on.
Get rid of Owner, I doubt you have 10+ photographer's working for you, they'll know its your business because of your name being the name of the business.
I made all of these comments from just looking at the card for 5 seconds... I'm going to school for photography and graphic design right now, someone with more experience could make it all for you, and make it look amazing in a day or two. So you can try my suggestions, re-post a new version to see if people like it more, or you could go hire a professional to give you a stunning card. Being in Indy, you'll have no problem finding a talented designer... I'm going to school in Marion, IN so I travel to Indy every now and then.
btw, I really like the picture of the boy and girl... great work!
Thanks so much for your comments. They were very helpful. Thank you also for taking the time to look at my site. I'm not in a position right now to hire a graphic designer. I've been wrestling with the font issue and I keep changing it. I had the body font the same as the navigation on my site to start with, but thought it was too hard to read. I'll try the others you suggested. Thank you also for your comments on my photograph. I am going to concentrate on weddings and children, so I thought this was a good choice for my card.
Here are my cards. I needed something cheap to pass out at sporting events. This is a 4x6 image that when prited and cut in half gives me two different cards. I had very good feedback on them and they got me alot of business this summer.
Just something I threw together. Any ideas to make it better are appreciated.
Well, I would take off the URL on the front and have it on the back...
And maybe try moving the graphic on the back to the left and the info to the right, that way its not completely centered...
Crown Studios Photography - Northglenn, Colorado
My wife, Krystal, and I designed these 100% from scratch using Photoshop CS4. I think they turned out really nice. Not to brag, but I think they are better than some of the stock backgrounds and cards we saw on most of the sites we looked at. Then we created a similar image to use as the background for our Smug Mug site, to correlate the two together.
Gary Peterson
Gary Peterson
Award Winning Photographer
garypetersonphoto@earthlink.net
Winner Brides Choice Award 2017
Winner Best of Spokane 2016
Winner Brides Choice Award 2016
Winner Brides Choice Award 2015
Winner Best of Spokane 2015
Winner Wedding Wire Couples Choice Award 2014
Winner Best Photographer 2013 Spokane A-List
Winner Brides Choice Award 2013
Winner Best of Spokane Northwest Inlander 2012
Winner Best Photographer Best of KREM 2011
Winner Best Photographer Best of KREM 2010
Winner Brides Choice Award 2011
Winner Brides Choice Award 2010
It is a 4 x 6 card...sorry...should have put the dimensions on it...
They are amazingly effective, I print 5,000 to 10,000 of them at a whack with different players on them, and they are given to people as they enter the arena. Great ROI on them.
Gary Peterson
Gary Peterson
Award Winning Photographer
garypetersonphoto@earthlink.net
Winner Brides Choice Award 2017
Winner Best of Spokane 2016
Winner Brides Choice Award 2016
Winner Brides Choice Award 2015
Winner Best of Spokane 2015
Winner Wedding Wire Couples Choice Award 2014
Winner Best Photographer 2013 Spokane A-List
Winner Brides Choice Award 2013
Winner Best of Spokane Northwest Inlander 2012
Winner Best Photographer Best of KREM 2011
Winner Best Photographer Best of KREM 2010
Winner Brides Choice Award 2011
Winner Brides Choice Award 2010
Ok, I decided to make new cards, this time in color and with some photos in it. I find it hard to find photos I've taken that look good in small sizes, I think I usually visualize them printed big when I am taking them . I also want the pics in my card to be colorful, so that limits the options even more.
So I got this 3 options so far that I liked the most:
1.
2.
3.
I kinda like the one with the cow the most because the cow is a bigger object than the bridge or the pier, but I'm not sure. It's a cow lol. I think it's a cool pic but I don't know how divergent i can be about these things before becoming unprofessional. The bridge on the other hand is a local landmark and people could feel familiar about it and be more inclined to use my services.
I personally like the cow only for the green color that contrasts with the other 2 photos. When i was scrolling though these i noticed the cow stuck out more than the other two.
You have blue on the right so the water image blends in with that and you have a darker reddish/orangeish tone to the image on the right which blends with the night bridge photo.
Do you have anything else with a green landscape, mountain, etc?
I couldn't find any in the photos i have in my "finished" folder. I'd have to go back to my archive and look, but I can't imagine I have green landscapes with objects that are large in the frame. I'm gonna look for something else green, thanks for the suggestion!
All New Revamped BC.
It's been about a year and I thought it would be nice to maybe bring something a little simple, yet classy and elegant to my wallet.
I have been toying with the idea of adding my phone number, but I hardly answer the phone.. knowing my luck I will be in the ring and Britney Spears will start bellowing out about being on the radar and I will cause a mass collision of freaked out horses.
Kandie Kingery
__________________ Stone Creek Photography
Equine and Historical Landscape Photographer.
New Mexico.
I use overnight prints and am really pleased with the quality.
I have a question about font size
What is the absolute smallest size you would go and still have it legible?
I'm a fan of simple fonts on cards, my fav is myriad pro
Business cards in some aspects are huge, and in others... so very small
I am designing one for client right now, actually I wonder if anyone would be interested in seeing and critiquing me on it. Just message me, and I'll send you the link.
I use overnight prints and am really pleased with the quality.
I have a question about font size
What is the absolute smallest size you would go and still have it legible?
I'm a fan of simple fonts on cards, my fav is myriad pro
Business cards in some aspects are huge, and in others... so very small
I am designing one for client right now, actually I wonder if anyone would be interested in seeing and critiquing me on it. Just message me, and I'll send you the link.
Thanks
I worked in the printing industry for 20 years. It will vary from font to font, but rule of thumb for most is never less than 7 points, for legibility, 8 point recommended.
I agree with printergirl (as I've been in the industry that long too! We be old-timers! )
My experience has been that serif fonts (e.g. Times) tend to appear smaller than Sans-Serif fonts (e.g. Arial) when you choose the same font size. I've therefore, on occasion on small pieces, gone with 8pt Serif and no less, while I can get away with 7pt. with Sans Serif. I usually stick with 8pt for the most part though.
I had previously posted a card design that featured a lovely yellow flower. Most agreed that it looked bright and cheerful. I went ahead and ordered, but was disappointed. Being able to get consistent colour was a real issue. I can see this will be an even bigger issue if I have to change printers down the road. I think that I should just go with b/w. I have been messing around with some different logos and am thinking of going with something like this...
I am really on the fence about whether to put an image on the front.
What do you think? I really appreciate the feedback.
Comments
I like the black. I assume the blue border is for reference only and not printed on the card.
Images in the Backcountry
My SmugMug Customizations | Adding CSS to Your Site | SEO for the Photographer | Locate Your Page/Widget Number | SmugMug Help Desk
Wow. I'm in the same boat. Self-employed 18 years in Graphic Design and Production. I agree with not indicating Graphic Design on your card if you're transitioning. I don't have *any* reference at all to design on my card (already have steady well-paying design contracts to pay the bills while I shoot). Actually, I'm more associated with the title of "photographer" now, than "designer", even among friends and acquaintances since I carry a camera everywhere!
My card design scheme also matches my website banner. I posted my basic "draft" version nearly a year ago in this thread:
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?p=956233&highlight=illustrator#post956233
Film/TV Stills Photography
"When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt." ~ Henry J. Kaiser
I like your "photogdesign" name and this new version of your card is much cleaner!
Paula
Film/TV Stills Photography
"When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt." ~ Henry J. Kaiser
Correct. The light blue is for reference only.
Website • Blog • Facebook • Twitter
Hi Paula. Wow, sounds like we have a similar background. I was very involved in pre-press production as well! I am so over design work, however. I am loving photography so much better. Call it a mid-life change...I dunno. Whatever. Shooting makes me much happier than sitting behind the computer all day ...
Your card is nice and clean, which is what I am drawn to.
Website • Blog • Facebook • Twitter
I'm just starting out with my business. I'd love to know what you think!
Business Cardcmyk350.jpg
The back is white, with plain black type and says:
Let me capture who you are . . .
. . . not just what you look like
along with my contact info again (I couldn't attach two files here). I opted to only get coating on one side so that I could write easily on the back if I wanted to give any special discounts or additional information.
This honestly does not look professional at all to me. You need to use a cleaner font than the typewriter-like one you're using. I'd recommend hiring a local graphic designer to create your logo, card, and any other materials you need, at least to start.
Save $5 on a new Smugmug Membership
Host your website for just $3.45/mo with JustHost - Rated best web host of 2010
See my profile for a gear list & more
In your logo, move the bottom line, I think it says photography llc or something like that... down a bit, its too close to your name. Then move the whole thing up a bit.. its cutting into the boy's head...
In the information, definitely change the font type. The font you're using does not match your logo at all. Change it to the font you used in your navigation on your website. That font is more professional looking. On your site you should change the type-writer font as well, maybe to a font like calibri or arial... something that everyone can read easily...
Also move the information to the right some, and make the website/email/phone number text a tad smaller and move them closer together. Also make the email text all the same font size, I don't like the small name then bigger url thing you have going on.
Get rid of Owner, I doubt you have 10+ photographer's working for you, they'll know its your business because of your name being the name of the business.
I made all of these comments from just looking at the card for 5 seconds... I'm going to school for photography and graphic design right now, someone with more experience could make it all for you, and make it look amazing in a day or two. So you can try my suggestions, re-post a new version to see if people like it more, or you could go hire a professional to give you a stunning card. Being in Indy, you'll have no problem finding a talented designer... I'm going to school in Marion, IN so I travel to Indy every now and then.
btw, I really like the picture of the boy and girl... great work!
www.PhotosbyKW.smugmug.com
Thanks so much for your comments. They were very helpful. Thank you also for taking the time to look at my site. I'm not in a position right now to hire a graphic designer. I've been wrestling with the font issue and I keep changing it. I had the body font the same as the navigation on my site to start with, but thought it was too hard to read. I'll try the others you suggested. Thank you also for your comments on my photograph. I am going to concentrate on weddings and children, so I thought this was a good choice for my card.
Wes
www.clix-photo.com
www.clix-photo.com
Front
Back
Well, I would take off the URL on the front and have it on the back...
And maybe try moving the graphic on the back to the left and the info to the right, that way its not completely centered...
Thats what I would do..
My wife, Krystal, and I designed these 100% from scratch using Photoshop CS4. I think they turned out really nice. Not to brag, but I think they are better than some of the stock backgrounds and cards we saw on most of the sites we looked at. Then we created a similar image to use as the background for our Smug Mug site, to correlate the two together.
Brent & Krystal
www.crownstudiosphotography.com
Here is one I use at hockey games.
Chiefs Image Biz Card.jpg
Gary Peterson
Award Winning Photographer
garypetersonphoto@earthlink.net
Winner Brides Choice Award 2017
Winner Best of Spokane 2016
Winner Brides Choice Award 2016
Winner Brides Choice Award 2015
Winner Best of Spokane 2015
Winner Wedding Wire Couples Choice Award 2014
Winner Best Photographer 2013 Spokane A-List
Winner Brides Choice Award 2013
Winner Best of Spokane Northwest Inlander 2012
Winner Best Photographer Best of KREM 2011
Winner Best Photographer Best of KREM 2010
Winner Brides Choice Award 2011
Winner Brides Choice Award 2010
(509) 230-9785
www.actionsportsimages.smugmug.com
Can you read that?
Images in the Backcountry
My SmugMug Customizations | Adding CSS to Your Site | SEO for the Photographer | Locate Your Page/Widget Number | SmugMug Help Desk
it must be like a 4x6 print... cause I wouldn't be able to read that fo sho - and I have relatively good vision.
Website • Blog • Facebook • Twitter
It is a 4 x 6 card...sorry...should have put the dimensions on it...
They are amazingly effective, I print 5,000 to 10,000 of them at a whack with different players on them, and they are given to people as they enter the arena. Great ROI on them.
Gary Peterson
Award Winning Photographer
garypetersonphoto@earthlink.net
Winner Brides Choice Award 2017
Winner Best of Spokane 2016
Winner Brides Choice Award 2016
Winner Brides Choice Award 2015
Winner Best of Spokane 2015
Winner Wedding Wire Couples Choice Award 2014
Winner Best Photographer 2013 Spokane A-List
Winner Brides Choice Award 2013
Winner Best of Spokane Northwest Inlander 2012
Winner Best Photographer Best of KREM 2011
Winner Best Photographer Best of KREM 2010
Winner Brides Choice Award 2011
Winner Brides Choice Award 2010
(509) 230-9785
www.actionsportsimages.smugmug.com
So I got this 3 options so far that I liked the most:
1.
2.
3.
I kinda like the one with the cow the most because the cow is a bigger object than the bridge or the pier, but I'm not sure. It's a cow lol. I think it's a cool pic but I don't know how divergent i can be about these things before becoming unprofessional. The bridge on the other hand is a local landmark and people could feel familiar about it and be more inclined to use my services.
Thoughts?
You have blue on the right so the water image blends in with that and you have a darker reddish/orangeish tone to the image on the right which blends with the night bridge photo.
Do you have anything else with a green landscape, mountain, etc?
great idea!!!
It's been about a year and I thought it would be nice to maybe bring something a little simple, yet classy and elegant to my wallet.
I have been toying with the idea of adding my phone number, but I hardly answer the phone.. knowing my luck I will be in the ring and Britney Spears will start bellowing out about being on the radar and I will cause a mass collision of freaked out horses.
__________________
Stone Creek Photography
Equine and Historical Landscape Photographer.
New Mexico.
Become a fan of Stone Creek Photography
I have a question about font size
What is the absolute smallest size you would go and still have it legible?
I'm a fan of simple fonts on cards, my fav is myriad pro
Business cards in some aspects are huge, and in others... so very small
I am designing one for client right now, actually I wonder if anyone would be interested in seeing and critiquing me on it. Just message me, and I'll send you the link.
Thanks
I worked in the printing industry for 20 years. It will vary from font to font, but rule of thumb for most is never less than 7 points, for legibility, 8 point recommended.
Website • Blog • Facebook • Twitter
My experience has been that serif fonts (e.g. Times) tend to appear smaller than Sans-Serif fonts (e.g. Arial) when you choose the same font size. I've therefore, on occasion on small pieces, gone with 8pt Serif and no less, while I can get away with 7pt. with Sans Serif. I usually stick with 8pt for the most part though.
Paula
Film/TV Stills Photography
"When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt." ~ Henry J. Kaiser
Hi all,
I had previously posted a card design that featured a lovely yellow flower. Most agreed that it looked bright and cheerful. I went ahead and ordered, but was disappointed. Being able to get consistent colour was a real issue. I can see this will be an even bigger issue if I have to change printers down the road. I think that I should just go with b/w. I have been messing around with some different logos and am thinking of going with something like this...
I am really on the fence about whether to put an image on the front.
What do you think? I really appreciate the feedback.
Lisa