Thoughts on these hobby/business cards...

I have been wanting some kind of business card to hand out so when I approach someone to ask permission for use of their image and to offer to send to them...

Now these are just ideas and really I'm still figuring how i may print on my own printer...so any suggestions there would be helpful...I want to use my images on the card and have a variety...I don't want to pay anyone to make them...low cost and easy, and probably not a whole lot of them either...

These are just ideas-whatcha think?

I like the last two the best out of the bunch. The first one is a neat idea, but is a bit too cluttered for a business card with no clear flow. Why are you wanting to have these to hand out? You are basically just giving out your email address which will be of limited importance. Ideally, you want to have a web address to view your work, as well as a phone number and email address. The idea of the cards are to gain exposure. The only use of these would be to email you.

I checked your profile and don't see any website info there, but you do have a photo album in place here. Even if you just put the link to your profile here that would be a start. You could also start up a flikr or pbase account to display your photos.

I don't want to come across as being harsh here, but there really should be a reason for handing out a business card. The main bit of information here is a yahoo email address which will not be taken very seriously (I know from my aol days). You have your services listed on the second card which is a start. "Photographer" is not nearly descriptive enough when there is no source for more information (such as a website).

Printing the cards are easy enough as Avery makes business cards that will run through a regular ink jet printer. They run between $7-10 for 80-100 cards. You can get them printable on both sides which is a great marketing tool. I have my contact information on the front of the card, with a thumbnail image on the left side. The back of the card lists my services, and specialties. I even have my waterfall directory address on the back to allow me a reason to hand the card out to people that are not necessarily interested in my photography but are wanting to find out about waterfalls in the area. They then have all my information, and access to my gallery which has resulted in some purchases over the years.

As with anything, you really have to plan out why you are wanting to use business cards and then design them accordingly.

My recommendations:

• Do get the cards professionally printed. It's not that expensive and a cheaply printed card could do more harm than good to your credibility. You'll also need a lot more than you might think.


• Having a website URL on the card will also help your credibility greatly.


• Having your own domain name for website and email address also adds hugely to your credibility. Consider getting set up with a website and your own email/website domain name.


• Don't bother specifying that the email address is for email. Anybody who uses email will recognize that as an email address.


• Absolutely don't use script or gothic font for anything but your name and I wouldn't even recommend the name in script unless it's very big and readable. Avoid gothic altogether.


• A graphic background is nice but your text-based info is of paramount importance. Don't try to fit your text into a convenient space in the image.

All that said, here's my feedback on the three samples.

First one: Cute and clever, but the text is WAY too small. IMO, it comes across as "gimicky." Don't put asterisks around the "Photographer" line. It looks like you're putting quotation marks on the job, as if you might possibly not be a *real* photographer. (That holds for all three cards.)

Second one: Boring as all getout but it gets the job done and that's what counts. Except for the font - get more basic. And "outdoor" and "nature" are a bit redundant in the description. Just go with something like "Nature / Fine Art / Portrait." (Unless you absolutely don't do portraits. But "Portrait" will reassure people you're photographing in other types of shooting.)

Third one: My favorite, but only with changes. Great image for a business card, but don't let it force you to make the text small. Stomp over the image with your text. And no script font.


Here's a copy of my business card. It went through numerous versions before we got it to this. My sister advised me on the design.

NCPhotoTrekker wrote:

I even have my waterfall directory address on the back to allow me a reason to hand the card out to people that are not necessarily interested in my photography but are wanting to find out about waterfalls in the area. They then have all my information, and access to my gallery which has resulted in some purchases over the years.

That's smart business!

I finally remembered to post an example of my business cards. This is the front and back, and the picture rotates between 10 different images.

Just read orcabob's post over and over. He sounds like graphic designer and then to dash that he posts an image of a card that he is *using* that flies in the face of his superb feedback. Do as he says and not as he does.....

Oh yes number three looks nice except for the font and email:
------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
DISCLAIMER: Curtis Neeley suffers from a severe traumatic brain injury that impedes the way he communicates. He is often perceived as blunt, self-centered and rude. Although Curtis has a disability, he is determined to continue performing meaningful art.

CurtisNeeley wrote:

Just read orcabob's post over and over. He sounds like graphic designer and then to dash that he posts an image of a card that he is *using* that flies in the face of his superb feedback. Do as he says and not as he does.....
Sorry Orca, but you knew better and did it anyway. No offense? It is a nice photo background hiding all the text. ha...
Oh yes number three looks nice except for the font and email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
DISCLAIMER: Curtis Neeley suffers from a severe traumatic brain injury that impedes the way he communicates. He is often perceived as blunt, self-centered and rude. Although Curtis has a disability, he is determined to continue performing meaningful art.

Sorry, Curtis, but my card's combination of text and graphic doesn't fly in the face of my advice. The text that's superimposed on the graphic is large enough to stand out from the tree... plus the text is bordered by an outer glow. It actually follows my advice to Juanita to not be afraid to stomp on the graphic with the text.

As for using an asterisk, I used it as nothing more than a list delimiter. Perhaps you didn't notice that it's not paired up with another asterisk, bookend-style.

Please lose the attitude and quit hiding behind the disclaimer describing an alleged brain injury. If you don't like to communicate in a civil manner, don't blame it on a supposed bump on the noggin.

We are getting well off topic here. Please keep the discussions pertinent. Curtis, if you have enough presence of mind to type out that disclaimer, you are showing that you knew that your remarks were a little *controversial*. We are all about discussions here and it is fine to offer other points of view, or to disagree with a poster, but lets not be snyde about it.

Back to your regularly scheduled topic....

nice card Greg. I like the front and back printing.

Hi Juanita,

One thing you might notice about my card and Greg's is that certain information is displayed larger than other info. Some info you want to jump out: name and company-name, for starters. Next comes email address or phone#. Other information, the client can get upon closer inspection.

Greg and I chose very different designs for our cards, but we both observed certain guidelines regarding placement and visual balance, and visibility and priority of information. Your own solution, Juanita, will be determined by your own personal tastes and will be steered by your choices in graphics and the info you want on your card.

Because a business card leaves both a first impression and a lasting impression, its design is usually a laborious (or at least a very deliberate) process. I took a couple of weeks bouncing dozens of designs off people, including a sister with 30 years experience in graphic design and ad layout. As I recall, Mark (MusicMan) hashed out a lot of layout issues in coming up with his card too. And I'm guessing that Greg spent quite a bit of time considering different designs, too.

If you do end up printing them yourself (you got mixed reviews on that strategy), you'll have the luxury of modifying the design after you give out a few. However, limit the beta-testing to friends and colleagues. Let the public see only your best/finished stuff.

I agree with John about Greg's card. The double-sided printing is a nice effect. It's a great way of adding more information without making the card too "busy."

Using different graphics is also a nice idea.

My own card is one-sided, but in the design process I had seriously considered using my all-time favorite sports shot on the reverse side. I had once considered using that image as the background for the front, but it would have been a total mess with necessary text superimposed. But on the back with no text getting in the way it would've been a prime showcase of my sports work. Alas, at the time I didn't yet have a release from one of the two athletes in the shot. Maybe in the next run of 2,000...

I have been working on mine for quite some time and then of course seeing Gregs had to make some modifications. leaving the back un printed is just to much wasted space. I have yet to print even the front but i like a simple straight forward front so i moved a cpl of things to the back and added more.

First thing that grabbed me, John, was that the name and phone# are very difficult to see against that background. I like the font you're using -- it's very stylish but completely readable -- but that name/phone block close to disappears in the corner. Instead of lighter blue text in a dark outer glow, try a lighter glow with darker lettering.

You should also brighten up that image. It's gray and subdued. Your company name uses black and dark blue text. It's low-key against a subdued background.

Try the landscape graphic without the filigree in the corners. IMO, a good landscape shouldn't need that kind of embellishment. Just IMO.

Consider including an email address.

John, I really like the concept with your card. The front makes an incredible statement with the picture. I agree with Bob's analysis of the negatives, but the back of the card is great!! This is a very cool approach that eliminates the text clutter on the front, but identifies who this is very quickly. For further info, its all on the back. This is a keeper card for sure!!

Oh, and the process to get to my final version of the card has been a long process like Bob's. I have had four different designs over four years. There have been countless tweaks along the way as well. I have done the full image on the front of the card and just decided that I wanted a more understated and elegant card. I deleted the image and went with a simple graphic of a tripod on the side, but that lacked visual punch. The small picture on the left is unfettered with text, and gives a nice example of the types of photography that I do. The red line goes with the theme of the gallery as well. Even the logo text is the same.

This is another point I would like to mention about business cards. They should go along with any themes that you have in place (like the red line and font). These are not designed to be a stand-alone aspect, but a complimenting tool for your "look".

yeah i see what you mean. i tried to use a shadow behind the name and number to make the blue pop, but i can see that it needs a lighter color in the back. will also lighten the image a little

NCPhotoTrekker wrote:

I don't want to come across as being harsh here, but there really should be a reason for handing out a business card.

Absolutely. A business card says so much more than just the basic info printed on it. And in some cultures, HOW the card is presented also plays a role in determining the working relationship. First impressions can be long-lasting impressions.

Japan has probably the most extreme protocols and attitudes about business cards. The card is an extension of the bearer. You present the card held in both hands and oriented so it's readable to the receiver. Treating the card respectfully shows respect both for yourself and for the person to whom you're giving the card. To hand over the card onehanded and in any random orientation -- or worse, to flip the card onto the table -- would be a bit like scratching your crotch with one hand while shaking the person's hand with your other. It could well sour a business deal.

Not to say any of us will be selling photos in Japan any time soon, but it's just an extreme case of what we all face: how to make a good first impression. Americans may not care as much about how the card is handed over, but they do notice the quality of the card and the layout of the info printed on it.

I've been given "business cards" that were nothing more than basic black printing with a poor-quality graphic on heavy paper -- not even cardstock -- and those were from photographers. I can't imagine such a card piquing anyone's interest in buying photographs from them.

NCPhotoTrekker wrote:

This is another point I would like to mention about business cards. They should go along with any themes that you have in place (like the red line and font). These are not designed to be a stand-alone aspect, but a complimenting tool for your "look".

Absolutely.

The font I use for "Orca Bay Images" on the business card is the same font I use for the company name on the website*, mailing labels, signage, and the copyright stamp on my prints. And when possible, the Orca Bay Images name goes in red. The business card is the most notable exception to that. The card was so basic in color that the custom gradient made the company name and my name stand out more. But the distinct font is there.





* I lost the font in a system failure and temporarily had to switch to another font on the website, but I refound the font file and will eventually get the website text fixed.

Giving away "business" cards when asking for permission to photograph is very nice. I will assume there is no need for a model release or a property release? I saw nothing in your photographs here that would require one.

I did not mean to offend by my post. It is difficult to explain what I think would look good. I will just show you.

I lived in Japan for over a year and sold my photography very often. Like was already stated in the thread, in Japan they treat business cards with a great deal of respect. They treat other people with a great deal more respect than we often see here in the US.

I hope I did not offend.



Print resolution files at the following links. I did not have the original image files so they are just bicubicly resampled in PhotoShop. They still print out OK.
juanita-BC-a.jpg
juanita-BC-b.jpg
juanita-BC-c.jpg

If you are only handing out to people you intend to photograph, why not something on the order of a models "comp card". A 4x6 picture worth framing on one side, a paragraph or two on the other side explaining who you are, what you intend to do with the pictures and how to contact you in the future (because re-prints are always available!).

there are times when a comp card is good and times when it is truely unhandy. In my case, I can carry a fancy little card holder anywhere I go. Comp cards are great for times when your dealing with models, agencies, and clients at a business meeting but if I am out and about the business card is easier

john101477 wrote:

there are times when a comp card is good and times when it is truely unhandy. In my case, I can carry a fancy little card holder anywhere I go. Comp cards are great for times when your dealing with models, agencies, and clients at a business meeting but if I am out and about the business card is easier

Mr Aulabaugh,
The double sided card is a superb idea. When you take that much care to pass on that much information, I think you should focus more of one side on the beauty you can pass on to the bearer, whether in a wedding or an art print. I visited your website and saw some very nice looking examples. I thought you had a couple of issues with your presentation. NorthernCalimages.com is you website and NorthernCal-Images.com is not. It is currently nobody's website. It could be a redirected URL to your site for not to much. I am not sure how committed to the Cal-Images portion of the mark.
To keep the front from being a print and diluting the "editions" that include all sizes, I think it needs identity on the photo site. I am afraid my comments might be misconstrued I will show you the photo side as I see it being. I personally do not like the dash. I hope I do not offend. You can download a 300 DPI version by visiting NCI_business_card_ALL-six. I particularly love "Forgotten Time". You can redo them with higher resolution images.
They will print out OK.
A couple of looks I did quickly will work for people and art collectors.

Hey Curtis, first off i wanted to say that you did not offend in anyways. my thoughts are every one has an opinion and if you get enough of them, you come out with a winning idea some where. the - that is use was almost an accident. I got tired of having the l and I look the same in most fonts that i like so i added the dash. I am picky about the type of font that i use, but i do see where your point. something i just thought of and am typin cause i will not remember in the morning, is to teer the images slightly lower or even as a second line. I have been trying to flow in a half and half image the last few days with no luck. i will probably stay single image up front unless i get some thing crazy through my head.
thank you for your feed back. may be some big changes to the site as well as the cards next week. prepping for three long days in the high desert.

Hey Guys,

Wow-thanks so much for all the tips and ideas...I really just wanted to have on hand a card to hand out to people-if their image was in it or to ask if it would be okay to use it...I didn't want to be empty handed if/when I approached. they would have a source of contact...and me to get comfortable doing so!!!! Guess to legitimize myself as a photographer...perhaps to make a name someday... but I am far from being a pro...

Curtis no offense taken...

Anyhoos Thanks Much Everybody!!!