Advertising Card CC wanted

[Kristy]

Hello there,

I'm just about read to do a teensy bit of advertising... It would be nice to hand someone a card when they express interest in my photography.

I'm totally into newborn and maternity shoots, and love the sweetness of children in general.

With my limited PS skills, I came up with this... Not sure about the background color or whether or not I should add a stroke to each photo. I'd like to keep it somewhat simple...

CC please for layout, color, selection of photos, and placement, font, and whatever else strikes you. You can be as tough as you like.... the only way to learn is to get hard criticism from others and I can handle it... Thanks a bunch for your consideration.

I know it's small so I hope you can see it okay... Maybe I can re-save it just a bit bigger...and I will print this on 5x4 cards if you are wondering.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Love all the shots...

My conceren is the amount of space offered fro the text and size of the text Vs. the images. I'd rather see closer to a 50/50% split. Some of that text is unreadable...

I realize this is common these days,. in fact the cards I use provided to me by my employer are completely unreadable text on lots and lots of unused white background...

Just a thought... Imgaes are worth a thousand words,. but some words have to be readily availble and easy to read.

[Kristy]

Maybe I should try a font that is not so fancy.. if it is more simple, I can make it larger and would be easier to read?? Or perhaps I should make it a larger format... Say 5x8, but would that be too large?

[TeeJay]

This is only a suggestion! (I know how many hours you can put into these things - and just when you think you have it sorted......)

How about loosing the larger image which will then give room for (slightly) larger text. The images at the top and side would possibly be enough. I realise it's a difficult call as the large image portrays what you are about - but might work. Or, swap that image for one of the others (possibly center left?)

It's quite difficult for me to visualise the size without physically printing at at the intended size you'll use - maybe I'll do that and get back to you.

I like the colour (sorry, color!) of the background, coupled with the pics it transmits a nice warm feeling - and I would stick with your chosen font, again, it flows and all adds to the general feel.

I'll get back when I've printed full size and had a closer look.

[martcol]

The card is lovely. I would try swapping the top right image with the woman kissing baby image. The little girl seems to hold my gaze as she has the strongest and most direct contact with the viewer. Because of the angles in the other shot and the woman looking in that direction she might lead the eye back into the card. That's just a thought but I could be way off.

The images are great for what you are advertising. The large image is different and is the most intimate shot. It is fairly contemporary but not everyone's "cup-of-tea." Many people, thinking of themselves wearing only a towel might find the thought horrifying and beyond reach. I think it's a lovely shot and it does fit comfortably on the page but I imagine the majority of people viewing the card will be more interested in the other five images.

I think TeeJay's suggestion is worth a try and CDS' point needs consideration. The images make an immediate statement and the viewer doesn't have to work to know what the card is about. The text is more hidden in the sense that it is not as easily accessible. I much prefer more clear, contemporary fonts. Understatement is the key to text. I would be inclined to follow through with the same font as you have in the Kristy logo for the word "photography." Or something close to it. If you do lose the big image then you might need something else in the bottom right corner to balance the layout.

Where will the card go? Are you going to hand them to potential customers or stick them in shop fronts? Potential customers are possibly more likely to work harder to access the card. Browsers might be more likely to be grabbed by the semi-clad woman.

Finally, I should qualify everything I have said by admitting I don't know the first thing about these things! I'm just telling what I see as "Joe Public."

And finally, finally, your photoshop skills seem pretty good to me!

Regards

Martin

[carl1645]

Kristy, what about resizing it to 6 x 4, that way you can take the image on cd into a high street lab where they do reprints and have it printed off there. That way because you do it in smaller numbers you can change to suit the market or update your pics. We shoot weddings and hand out 6 x 4 at the reception to the guests, the card has a photo of the bride & groom which we take before the wedding, and has details of our web site where the guests can view the images online. It is personalised for each wedding. We have between 100 & 200 cards made up for each wedding. Our High st, lab will print off 100 for £5.99. Just a thought, it works for us.
Carl

[BLINN]

I think this is Great. Good job, have you thought about a webb portfolio? I would consider it.

[PhotosGuy]

I'll get back when I've printed full size and had a closer look.

I'd print one & give it to a grandmother & ask her to read it out loud? Adjust accordingly.
I like it, but am not a big fan of the "cute" feet shot.

[MattL]

I'd agree with the idea of making the text larger and easier to read.

Im sorry, but I dont like the photo top left - the child looks near dead!

Im not sure which area you get the most work in, but I might suggest swapping the large image with the middle left one - Im assuming here that you get more work of mother/child images than pregnant mothers.

Im not a graphic designer tho, so really I have no idea what im talking about! Best of luck!

[Kristy]

I'm reading through all of your comments... THANK YOU for taking the time to critique this. Looks like the top left photo is definitely out... I did enlarge the font and think it will work better. I'm working on doing a lighter shade of the background and also a version with a black background. I'll reply to each of you soon... it's been a busy day and I just didn't want anyone to think I was being rude. I'll post my revisions as soon as I can get them done... I have a totally different thing that I'm doing... complete change of gears... I'll post that too.
Thanks again, and I promise to respond to each of you. I soooo appreciate your comments and do agree with many of your points. It's so nice to get other people's perspective... especially when you get brain dead from looking at the same thing for too long.

[martcol]

The shot in your avatar might do better in the top right of the card?

Martin

[Kristy]

Okay... quick revision here.... I'll still reply to each of you, but hubby is wanting to go do Saturday errands and I'm on the computer...... AHHH... He puts up with a lot.

Anyway, here it is.. I hope it's not too small, I had to downsize it 3 times to get it to upload..... Swapped out a couple of photos and changed colors...

Thanks for helping!

[TeeJay]

Originally Posted by MattL

Im sorry, but I dont like the photo top left - the child looks near dead!

What an awfull thing to say. I hope the babys' parents dont see your comment. I though it was against forum rules to respond in that way.

[Skip Souza]

I like the revised version better. Nice work.

[Screamer]

I too like the revised version. I still think there might be a little too much text. Do you have the option of printing on the back?

About a month ago, I made similar cards for distribution at a convention. After a couple of revisions, I removed the text and went vertical allowing more room for the images. Here is an example of one of them that I had done: