New card idea

[Chris71]

My last card design didn't go over real well, so I decided to try another. Please tell me this one doesn't look like I'm selling real estate.......:D

I know it all boils down to what I like, but I figured who better to ask than a bunch of photographers.

[-MasterChief-]

well, here's my two cents. it definitely doesnt try to sell real estate! however, if the text was not present, one would think that you were selling cameras! :D

it could also use some modern fonts, i think. oh well, my .02. :p

[thescottandrew]

do you have the old one for us, so we can compare. it looks good, but i like my business cards to be somewhat plain. instead of listing everything you shoot, just put down 'photographer', so if someone needs you to shoot something that is not listed on the card, theyll still contact you because you are a photographer and not just a 'wedding photographer' or a specified field. hope that helps. ;)

[Chris71]

I see both of your points, and I am trying to take some notes.
Here is my last one for comparison.
Thanks for your input!

[thescottandrew]

i prefer the second one to the first

[-MasterChief-]

the second one looks nicer than the first ... but youre right, it does have that "real estate look" to it.

[MJPhotos24]

top ones better, 2nd one definately makes me want to rent a condo :)

the top one, the text on top I'm not a fan of...not "smooth". Also dont really think you need the little camera in the corner, with the big one its repetative.

[Rellik]

I find the first one a bit too busy. You are incorporating too many elements into the card, thus making it so. The girl in front of the lens is a good idea, but I don't think it works. The shot isn't amazing and I think the key is to get people to go to your site and look at your work to see what you can do.

The thing with business cards to me is, in what situation will they be given out? These looks like they are made to be given out to no one in particular. In the sense that it looks like business cards that business put out for other business as a way of networking. Like seeing a realtor's cards displayed at a hair salon. If you are giving these cards out to people in person, you can definitely simplify things. I think a good clean design, with just the right information is good enough.

The second card feels like a realtor's card. The reason I think that is so is because you look all business with the suit. And the pose is what you usually find on those cards. Also, that isn't what most people would think a photographer would dress like (even if you do), especially while taking pictures. If you do include a picture of yourself, a shot of you in action with the camera would work. You want to associate yourself to look like a photographer and not a businessmen.

One last point, get a email address like chris@croyphotography.com or something similar instead of the verizon one. To me, it will make you look more professional.

Also take a look at some of the threads where people posted their business cards as they gave me lots of ideas of what works and what doesn't.

Hope that helps. Cheers.

[philpereira]

I'm not totally digging the new one either. I have a pet peeve about photographers using a camera on their stuff, it shouldn't be necessary! lol It's especially bad because the cameras displayed have the kit lens on, we're supposed to be better than that :)

Anyway, I'm of the school of thought that one should use little to no imagery on a business card. A clean design with a powerful logo identity lends a world of credibility. Now, I'm totally not the expert on this, but in my own experience with my card, I get a reaction of "wow" when people see it, just because of it's clean (and I'm assuming professional) feel of it. From what I've seen, high end photographers don't use any of their images on their business card because they don't need to; they've developed a brand that is identifiable on their cards.

Anyway, my recommendation is that if you're doing photography full steam, hire a designer who can develop a business identity for you, they'll do a much better job than any of us could.

[Chris71]

Thanks everyone for your input! So far, the main objection seems to be the font on the top. I am going to change that for sure.
As for the card design, it seems to be about split between the two.
I am going to give others a chance to chime in here, as to which one they like best. Then I will make my decision.

Again, thanks to all of you who have given me your input.

[MJPhotos24]

the text definately has to go...whichever that is for "Croy photography" is just not apealing at all. I'm having flashbacks to working for a record company and loving a text I used on a CD original and other graphics, everyone else though hated it (I loved it!!). So finally I caved and used a different one for the CD, once I got it in hand I realized I was a friggen idiot for ever wanting the text I had chosen first and the one I went with after critisism was 10000x better!!

As for other things, it may be a good idea to take out the lens info so they dont know it's a "kit" lens (though not many "regular" people notice that). Without the writing on the kit lens it may "bring out" the photo more though. As for the photo in general, I want to say it's a relative for the fact that the smiles are similar. From looking at the original on your site, you may want to zoom out a bit on it to show the entire portrait a bit more.....but what do I know, I use a stock card design from VistaPrint :P

[TeeJay]

Hi, I'm coming in a little late on this, but I feel you should think again about your wording on these cards.

I'm not sure that "Glamour" should (if at all) be included, especially between the wording Children and Maternity. It may be an area you want to specialise in, if thats the case consider a separate card to hand to people that may be intersted, but I'm not sure it looks right on here.

Also, sorry to say this 'cos I realise the pic is your daughter, but I don't think it's the most flattering photo. Maybe if you have another of her smiling - at least looking as though she is enjoying having her photo taken, after all, if she doesn't what will the reciever of your card think?

TJ

[Rellik]

Sorry one more thing about the text if it hasn't been mentioned yet is that the font you used, the "C" actually looks more like a "G".

[Gary_Evans]

I prefer the newer card at the top, but there are a few changes I would make, most of which have already been mentioned.

Lose the top left camera, and the font that looks like it is written in a very shaky hand! In fact delete that whole line and replace with your web address.

Center the background camera, and clone out the "EOS 3d" logo, and maybe use a family image in the lens.

Replace "Family, Senior....." ect, because as has been suggested, they dont all sit well together. Maybe try something along the lines of "For all your photography needs" as this will bring in enquiries for other things - you always have the option of declining them if you want to.

Maybe put your email address at the bottom to (a) balance out the web addy at the top, and (b) allow people to contact you by email. You cant do your phone 24/7, and not everyone is comfortable with answering machines.

But overall, yeah a vast improvement.

[Jon, The Elder]

Chris71....Many people launch into a creative frenzy when designing a business card. They fall in love with experimenting. Fonts - too many, hard to read and wrong point size. Backgrounds - too many or wrong colors . The list goes on and on.

A business card is (should be) designed to provide basic, simple information; Who - What - Where

They are not sales ads. They are not 'samples' of your work. They are not proof of your vast abilities and creative talents.

The tired old rule of "Keep It Simple Stupid" applies here.

When you hand your card to someone, that is when the above points can be made. Eye contact, a handshake, and a few words will be remembered when they look at your card again.

Heres mine if you are interested.
http://www.pbase.com/jpferguson/image/74739253

[iacas]

I too am in favor of "KISS." For example, here are the two variations I considered for my business cards. The back is mostly white so you can write on it, and the front conveys only the essential, important information.

http://nslog.com/imgs/golf/tst_business_cards.jpg

[Chris71]

Thanks a lot everyone! Lots of good information here.
As of right now, I believe I am going to go with the second design (the one with the camera). I am going to change the font, take off the little camera in the corner, get rid of the lens info, possibly take the photo out of the lens, and take off most of the information except my name, and contact info.

I am really enjoying all of the input, so keep it coming!