logo ideas?

I have asked a graph designer to design a new logo for my photography. My focus will mainly be selling landscapes etc but also any other general photography work (portrait, some commercial, etc)
The logo would be used on my website, my business cards and on images as a watermark (where appropriate)

Here are three of their ideas. Would like some feedback

First one or the second one, not the third. You don't want a logo that features a camera (or part of). Your not a mechanic you are a creative. Your creativity/style is far more important than the tool you use while working.

The first looks quite elegant, yet subtle. Good for a wedding photographer, portraits etc. The second is similar but more nature. The third says "I gots a camera wiz mega pixels ".

I like the font in the 2nd one but not a fan go the huge tree. That wouldn't look very good scaled down I don't think. I agree with Dan about the 3rd one too.

None of them ...

About the third logo, i do not agree with the upper neighbors about the perceiving meaning "camera/or part"of this logo.
For me it can be anything, like a drop hitting water, an archery target, whatever, it's to vague to be camera gear oriented for non photographer (even for photographer)

1) Reminds me of a bathroom manufacturer / kitchen designer type logo. Alternative add the word "consultants" instead of photography and it would be perfect. Could work for corporate stuff but nothing else IMHO. Won't look good monotone.

2) I only really see this working for landscape stuff. Not a fan of the font. The words "Stone Meadow" shouldn't be that hard to read. Personally I see this logo again more for a consulting firm but more along the environmentally and socially conscious ones. MAke this small and no one will know it is a tree, too detailed.

3) Awful. Belongs on a cheap jeans manufacturer's website.

What brief did you give the designer?

Thanks everyone. You are conforming my thoughts

#1 is bland to me and does not suggest anything about photography
#2 is my preferred about the three but again, the tree is quite large and won't suit other aspects of my photography
#3 comes across amateurish

numero dos

Here is the latest incarnation after I gave the designed more of a brief

(I stated that If people think of Stonemeadow Photography, words I would like to be associated with is
- professional, creative, unique in style, quality, intimate
and that I wanted it to look elegant.)

SO here is the latest rendition along with a watermark on one of my photos (not the sharpest as they are screen captures)

So what do people think?

First, your designer should not give you a basket of choices. They should provide you a visual solution based on the design brief provided to them. Given proper design input, a good designer will create a logo that BEST solves your business challenges and can present rationale on how that was accomplished and why it is visually on target.

Second, we are photographers. We are not your target market. We may view things very differently from your potential clients.

Lastly, before your designer provides you with their best solution, they should be the one floating concepts out there to the appropriate focus group.

pelooyen wrote in post #17378206
So what do people think?

Men's suit manufacturer logo

texkam wrote in post #17378229
First, your designer should not give you a basket of choices. They should provide you a visual solution based on the design brief provided to them. Given proper design input, a good designer will create a logo that BEST solves your business challenges and can present rationale on how that was accomplished and why it is visually on target.

Second, we are photographers. We are not your target market. We may view things very differently from your potential clients.

Lastly, before your designer provides you with their best solution, they should be the one floating concepts out there to the appropriate focus group.

Well said !

So what your designer told you about this logo ? why it can "touch" your potential customers and how they know it can have an impact ?

Thanks Texkam.
I am new at the business game (its not going to be my main income) and secondly the designer was recommended by a friend and is also just starting out as a designer.

Your comments are good ones and I will ask those questions to her.

I just got a second thought ...
Is your designer a "friend" or near and working for "cheap" or free ?

None of the above
She is a friend of a collegue of mine at work. The designer is only just starting out and I am paying her. (Though I suspect that if I get a 20yr experienced graphic designer, I would be paying MUCH more, probably more than I can afford ATM)

Oh, ok.