Are business cards still important? I hear that question asked a lot. People seem to think that Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn have replaced the need for a professionally designed business card. But that couldn’t be further from the truth and is a dangerous assumption for any small business to make.

Business cards are still very alive and one of the most important marketing tools you can invest in. Not only are they are a direct representation of your company (and your rank within it) but they play a huge part in making your brand look professional and polished.

When Should You Give Out Your Business Card?

Photography or Business Conferences.
You never know who you might meet: your next client, a lifelong friend, or even someone you’d love to team up with in the future!

Client Consultations.
A “take away” makes you look professional and keeps you fresh in your client’s mind. And don’t give them just one business card, give them a few—0ne for themselves and a couple of friends!

Photography Workshops.
Workshops are a great place to connect with like-minded individuals. It’s also a great way to see what your competitors business cards look like. Passing your card out, while collecting others, is a great way to see what your competition is doing and how you measure up. Will your branding be better?

Inspiring Photography Business Cards

1. Conrad Lim Photography

Why it Works: It’s fun without being cliché! The front is simple, professional, and informational; while the back is edgy and upbeat. This photography business card makes great use out of both the front and back. The card is also only two colors—which can really save on printing costs!

2. Studio+Z Films

Why it Works: Not only is this design unique, but the paper stock is too! This design (created by yours truly!) was printed on a pearly white card stock which really makes the design come to life. This business card is eye-catching and goes the extra mile to wow clients with the finish. Studio+Z’s other branded print pieces also use this same card stock, giving their brand a high-end look and feel. Great design combined with a great paper choice will make your card a conversation piece and get clients talking!

3. John Bragg Photography

Why it Works: Although this business card would be fairly expensive to make, the creativity is fantastic and thus worth showcasing. This card was designed to look like an old, vintage photography slip—the kind you would get after you dropped off your film. The detail that went into this card, really makes it a work of art. This photography business card establishes a memorable brand and would also make a client feel hip or cool to work with you!

Need a business card or interested in chatting about one? Get in touch! >

It’s been a busy couple months here at Ribbons of Red, and I’ve been knee deep in print design, blogsites, and creating lots of logos for photographers. This past week, I finished a logo re-design for my first Australian client—Christine Pobke of Pobke Photography! Christine was such a joy to work with, and I wanted to share an inside look into her wonderful logo project.

About The Pobke Project

Christine specializes in capturing candid photos of children, couples, and families. Her style is beautiful, natural, and fun all wrapped up in one! When Christine first approached me to create a new logo for her photography business, I was instantly captured by her fun-loving, cheery personality. It was obvious that her current logo, although interesting, was not a good representation of herself or her business. After a few design chats, I discovered that Christine needed a logo that not only reflected herself, but one that also appealed to her three markets. Pobke Photography is a young business that is growing, changing, and bettering itself every day. Christine’s new logo also needed to be versatile and something she could grow into, not out of.

The Original Logo

As I’ve mentioned before, a lot of photography logos look the same; many use an initial for a main graphic and stop there. Unfortunately, Chrstine’s original logo had that same look. Although nice, it wasn’t unique. The dark color scheme also seemed a bit mismatched. I just didn’t see Christine as a dark colored girl—her energy is just too radiant! The original logo served as a great first logo, but Christine was ready to take her business to the next level, and so was I!

The New Re-Designed Logo

After getting to know all about Christine and her business, a few concepts came to mind initially. Three concepts were developed, but one in particular stood out far from the rest… which is the finished logo you see today!

The first thing you’ll notice about the new logo is the color scheme. It’s bright and inviting, just like Christine. The colors are playful and punchy for the children she captures, but not too overwhelming and still fun and energetic for the adults. The three circles represent the circular shape of a lens, and the image inside represents what she photographs. Each “lens” captures all three of her target markets: children, couples, and families. It was important for Christine to also grow into her new logo. Now, if at any time she changes markets, any photo inside can change to reflect her new growth. Her tag line, ‘real love. lifestyle portraiture.’ was also added and will can change from “lifestyle” to “wedding” or any other market she wishes to pursue!

To give the logo a final polished look, the three “O’s” in Pobke Photography were colored to match each of the three colored lenses. This addition allows Christine to use her type separately if she wants (as a badge on photos or elsewhere) and her clientele would still understand and recall the connection between her graphic and type!

Final Points

Christine’s new logo now represents her personality and her business, allowing her to better identify with her clientele. Gaining new business is all about the connection you make with a client. Having a logo that people identify with makes your business marketable and profitable!

See what Christine has to say about her new logo >
Need a logo or interested in chatting about one? Get in touch! >

I’ve had quite a few people (clients and readers alike) email me to say how much they enjoyed reading the 7 Great Photography Logo Examples entry I published several weeks ago. A large handful of people expressed interest in similar posts in the future—specifically requesting a list of custom photography websites. I thought this was a great idea—especially since the majority of photographers use templated websites such as BluDomain or BigFolio.

Below, I’ve compiled a small list of my favorite custom photography websites and explained why each one is so wonderful. A lot of photographers don’t know just how powerful a custom photography website (or blog) can be, so I hope this post shines a little light on the subject! :)

Why Custom Photography Websites Are Important

BluDomain and BigFolio websites are popular choices among photographers as they are extremely affordable. Unfortunately, purchasing a pre-made, templated photography website means hundreds (if not thousands) of photographers will eventually own the same website as you—even your competitors! Investing in a custom photography website is very important for those who want to look unique, be seen, and grow their client base. Custom websites allow you to have a design all your own that will showcase your personality and highlight your style resulting in a better overall connection with your audience. And establishing that connection is key to boosting sales and business!

1. Lisa Welge Photography

Above Website: Lisa Welge Photography
Website URL: http://www.lisawelge.com/site.html
Why It Works: Lisa’s photography is not only beautiful, but so is her website. It’s unconventional, unexpected, and painfully cute! An adorably crafted elephant is the basis of Lisa’s brand. Her copy even plays off of her elephant themed website proclaiming “Photos never forget!” and she’s right! This website’s design captures everything Lisa seems to be: fun, silly, creative, full of life, passionate, and artsy. A successful photography website will give clients a window view into your spirit and personality before they even meet or talk with you. In a sea of templated photography websites, Lisa’s site will surely stand out from the rest and one people will quickly pass on to others!

2. Sarah Rhoads Photographers

Above Website: Sarah Rhoads Photographers
Website URL: http://www.sarahrhoads.com/blog
Why It Works: Custom photography blogs are every bit as important as custom website designs, and usually, the two go hand in hand. Sarah’s blog is extremely innovative and creative. The fact that her website flows horizontally, instead of vertically, adds an incredible amount of uniqueness to her brand. Sarah’s known for shooting sessions with Polaroids at times—which is unique and unconventional in itself—so her blog really plays up her entire style. The layout of the blog is wonderful, allowing room for a big, fun photo of Sarah, her Twitter account information, an introductory paragraph, and several of her most recent blog entries. The black and white color scheme puts less emphasis on the site design and more on the photos, allowing them to pop right off the page. There’s an old saying that ‘beauty is in the details’, and Sarah’s blog has plenty of yummy details! Can you spot her quick page navigator or blog entry counter? Both are nice, polished touches that add fun functionality to the site!

3. Kristi Lloyd Photography

Above Website: Kristi Lloyd Photography
Website URL: http://www.kristilloyd.com
Why It Works: Kristi’s website is a perfect example of how to incorporate lots of different colors and patterns into a site while still keeping the main focus on the photography. This website uses a large muted color pallet, along with at least 4 or 5 different patterns—which give the website an earthy and organic feel. The leaves in Kristi’s logo are used as a common theme through out the text and buttons in her website, thus enhancing her brand. This website is not only easy on the eyes but also very easy to use and navigate. My only gripe is that the font is a little hard to read on the text heavy pages—so I would personally make it a little larger. Other than that, this website is a perfect example for those who want to incorporate subtle art into their custom website!

Need a custom photography website or interested in chatting about one? Get in touch! >

Lately, I’ve been having a lot of photographers inquire about custom website design. Nearly all of them come to me with the same initial question: “Which option is better for my business? Flash websites or non-Flash websites?”

I’ve answered this question more times than I can count, so I thought it would be a great blog post to help educate others! :) Based on the information I’ve provided below, any photographer interested in a custom website will be able to determine which website option (Flash or non-Flash) will work best for their business.

The Honest Truth About Flash Websites

90% of the photographers who come to me have their heart set on a custom designed Flash website. Flash websites are typically the only websites photographers are familiar with. Somewhere along the line it became almost standard that a photography website should be created using Flash. What photographers don’t know, is that Flash can harm a business more than help it—especially for those who are trying to make a name for themselves or just starting out.

Great For Animation. Bad For SEO and Marketing.
No one can deny how great some Flash websites look. The moving parts, music, and bells and whistles really help set a mood. Using Flash to create a slide show or gallery of images is acceptable (both evoke emotion wonderfully). However, creating a website entirely in Flash is not a wise move. Unfortunately, people don’t know that Flash websites are extremely bad for SEO (how your clients find you through online searches using Google, Yahoo, etc.) Basically, if you are a photographer and want people to find you through Yahoo and/or Google searches, creating an all Flash website will work against that goal. Search engines LOVE the copy you write on your website. For example, if you’re a New York wedding photographer and you’ve typed that out clearly on your Flash website, search engines will not see it. Why? The short story is because search engines can’t read the copy inside a Flash website. If search engines can’t see your copy, then they can’t get the word out about how amazing of a photographer you are. Of course there is always an exception to the rule, but Flash websites generally have a lower Google rank than non-Flash (CSS/XHTML) websites. This is why blogs have become so popular. There are lots and lots of words for search engines to read in blogs, and blogs are NOT made in Flash. See the connection? This is also why “blogsites” are becoming more popular in the photography community. Combining a blog and a website is what us design folks have been doing for years (this website combines the two), but the photography community is just now realizing how important SEO and CSS/XHTML can be for business!

Long Loading Times. Hard To Use For Most Age Groups.
Flash websites can have long load times which can frustrate visitors. Sadly, the average online user will only wait 5-10 seconds for a website to load before leaving the site entirely. Flash websites can also have very unconventional and complicated navigation systems, and when that happens, people get lost or confused. Flash websites do not allow users to bookmark specific pages either. This makes it tough for people to bookmark galleries they love or refer a friend to a specific part of your site. Make is easy for your clients (and potential clients) to find what they need or refer people (aka more business!) to your photography website. An easy to use website is an already happy client!

Expensive.
Animation and moving parts makes Flash websites rather expensive. Be prepared to pay $6,000 and beyond for a custom Flash website—a heavy price tag for those used to paying only a few hundred for a templated Flash site.

The Skinny on CSS/XHTML (non-Flash) Websites

Most of you may think you don’t know what a CSS/XHTML website is, but you do! The website you are on now, while reading this blog, was built using CSS/XHTML. If you use a WordPress blog for your photography business, it was built using CSS/XHTML too!

Great For SEO and Marketing.
Unlike Flash websites, CSS/XHTML websites are fantastic for SEO. Everything you write in your CSS/XHTML website, search engines will be able to see and display in Yahoo and/or Google search results. The more copy and keywords you use, the greater chance you have for potential clients to find you in an online search! Let’s face it, marketing is expensive, why not let your website do all the work?

Easy to Use and Understand For Any Age Group.
Another great thing about CSS/XHTML is that it’s easy for any age group to use. Most of my photography clients have demographics between 25-55 years of age. A 25 year old would probably function easily on a Flash and CSS/XHTML website, but a 50 year old would probably struggle on an animated site. The great thing about a CSS/XHTML website is that any age group can use it easily.

Your Website and Blog Will Look The Same.
Flash websites and blogs differ greatly in terms of layout and design. CSS/XHTML websites can match your blog layout identically and vice-versa. So when your clients are cruising from your website to your blog, it will look like one seamless design!

Affordable.
CSS/XHTML websites start anywhere from $1,500 – $2,000 and grow from there. Many do not exceed the $4,000 – $5,000 range. This is a much more affordable price tag for most photographers.

Moral of The Story

Whether you choose a Flash website for its bells and whistles or a CSS/XHTML for client growth, investing in a custom photography website is very important for those who want to seperate themselves from the competition. Custom websites allow you to have a design all your own that will showcase your personality and highlight your style resulting in a better overall connection with your clients!

When I started Ribbons of Red, I didn’t have a targeted niche. I worked with small businesses, household names, and individuals from all parts of the country. I loved designing for all walks of life and still do. It’s a great challenge, and it keeps my skills and brain sharp. I’ve always been a firm believer that if you don’t know your niche right away, it will at some point evolve for you. Recently, I’ve noticed I have two niches forming. One being small- to medium-sized businesses and the other—photographers!

I’ve seen what feels like millions (ok, probably just hundreds) of photography websites. Unfortunately, a lot of photography logos are the same. For example, if a photographer is using their birth name as their business name (which a lot do), the logo is normally spelled out in a plain, straight line using one font choice. There are so many more options that are out there; below is a list of 7 of my favorite photography logos and why they work so well.

1. Photography by Erin Vey

Above Logo: Photography by Erin Vey
Website URL: http://www.erinvey.com
Why it Works: Erin Vey is a very talented dog photographer based out of Seattle, Washington. She is absolutely crazy about dogs, especially Gracie—her Great Dane—which is present in her company logo. This logo works because it’s effective, personal, and fun. By looking at this logo you can easily identify Erin’s niche—dogs. Because of this, there is no need for long drawn out copy; you can simply look at the logo and ‘get it’ right away. The best part of Erin’s logo is that it incorporates something very near and dear to her heart, Gracie. The best logos are the ones that represent the heart and soul of a company, and this one does that wonderfully.

2. Jasmine Star

Above Logo: Jasmine Star
Website URL: http://www.jasminestarblog.com
Why it Works: Jasmine Star has a rather unique name, which really came in handy for her logo. I know this logo may look like a no-brainer, but it’s actually really thought out. For example, it would have been really easy to write out Jasmine’s name, throw a star above it, and call it a logo. Having said that, it would have been even easier to simply dot the “i” in Jasmine with a star and be done as well. There are so many easy (and cheesy) possibilities, but the logo above works perfect because of its unity. The cursive “j” flows right into the star, and the two pieces don’t miss a beat. The star and letter look as though they are one bound font and symbol. Something clever like this is not only highly recognizable but also really memorable.

3. He & She Photography

Above Logo: He & She Photography
Website URL: http://www.heandshephotography.com
Why it Works: He & She Photography is a husband and wife photography team. Randy and Erin are graphic designers turned photographers, and you can tell. Their website is sprinkled with custom designed graphics and their logo reflects their artsy background. He & She’s logo is very indie, funky, and hip which describes the type of photography Randy and Erin shoot. Their work is beautiful, fresh, and fun. The clever ampersand, which is enclosed with a heart, is the perfect touch; it represents their love of photography and love for each other in a very cool way.

4. Ann Hamilton

Above Logo: Ann Hamilton
Website URL: http://www.annhamilton.com
Why it Works: If you haven’t guessed it already, Ann Hamilton shoots weddings and dog photography, which is quite the mix. Capturing a logo with two unique niches can be difficult, especially when ‘weddings’ and ‘dogs’ evoke two different sets of feelings and images in people’s minds. Ann’s logo does a great job of encompassing both feelings into one piece. Logos containing figures can look out of date or cheesy very easily, however this logo is not only elegant, but timeless—even with the dog!

5. Shootsac by Jessica Claire

Above Logo: Shootsac by Jessica Claire
Website URL: http://www.shootsac.com
Why it Works: The Shootsac is a fashionable yet practical photography bag that was designed by Jessica Claire. When looking down (from an aerial view) into a Shootsac, whether you are loading it or wearing it, there are three compartments where you can drop your lenses into for safe keeping. The Shootsac’s logo is an abstract play off of that feature. The three circles in the logo represent the three lenses loaded into the bag, and the three lines are the compartment dividers which keep the lenses from knocking into each other. Once I realized the connection between the bag and the logo, I couldn’t get it out of my head. It is by far one of the most brilliant logos for a photographer (and even a product) that I’ve seen.

6. Laura Leigh Photography

Above Logo: Laura Leigh Photography
Website URL: http://www.lauraleighphotography.com
Why it Works: Earlier in this post, I mentioned how it’s very popular for a photographer to use their birth name as their business name. Sadly, a lot of those logos are spelled out using plain text in a straight line. I chose this logo to show there are more ideas out there than simply typing out a name and calling it a day. I designed this logo for Laura Leigh Photography. When Laura and I first talked, she mentioned her love for logos with hidden meanings. For her design, I took the two “L’s” used in her company name and faced them towards each other. Lucky for me, this made a camera body shape. To finish the look, I then added a simple lens and shutter release to the “L’s”. When finished, her “L’s” made a clever looking camera.

7. Mike Colon Photographers

Above Logo: Mike Colon
Website URL: http://www.mikecolon.com
Why it Works: Mike Colon is a celebrity wedding photographer located in Newport Beach, California. He’s shot weddings for Timberland, Usher, Amy Block, and a long list of others. His clientele expects excellence and professionalism so his logo needed to portray those qualities. Mike used his signature as his logo, and like a fingerprint, everyone’s signature is unique. Script fonts also convey the feeling of high-end and elegance, so Mike’s script signature fit perfectly for his line of work.

Conclusion

Each year more and more photographers are leaving their corporate studio jobs for the self-employed life. Competition is always growing and when the average American sees around 3,000 brand messages a day, it’s important that your logo (and brand) stand out. If you are serious about your business and want to take your photography company to the next level, you should definitely have your logo professionally designed. After all, professionally designed photography logos increase sales and grow businesses! I hope the 7 photography logos above provided some great inspiration and ideas for your own photography brand.

Need a logo or interested in chatting about one? Get in touch! >