I did a search on business cards and found a lot of people here have them. My buddy told me people are more receptive to having their picture taken if you hand em one.
What information does an "amateur" photographer put on a business card to give to a prospective subject.
What do you tell people?
If I ever get any good at this and plan to sell anything, then I would look into the model release stuff.
Right now I just want something to give out to people to put them at ease and maybe get a little exposure.
I would think that your name, title (Photographer), your web address and your email address would be sufficient. Perhaps your specialty if you have one. Something simple and elegant.
Name
Photographer
Phone Number
Email Address
Gallery/Web address
just in text with a nice readable color ink.
A little fancier might include one of your favorite photos with that same info.
I would at least have a gallery for them to view your photos.
If you are out and about, give them a time frame when they might be able to view them on-line or call you for a contact sheet of photos you have been taking that day when you gave them your card.
I just ordered my husband's cards (he is a musician) at overnightprints.com. I am axiously awaiting them to be delivered (due monday!). Others have used them with success.
Or, just get photo glossy business cards for your printer, and make a few styles to see which might get the best response.
Just a suggestion but yesterday while in Staples I found some business card stock that was translucent. I think the brand name was Avery. That might be a cool effect, yes?
Andy, I took the liberty of designing a business card for you. Feel free to print it out and use it as many times as you want - I grant you complete, unlimited use of this image. Let me know what you think!
Andy, I took the liberty of designing a business card for you. Feel free to print it out and use it as many times as you want - I grant you complete, unlimited use of this image. Let me know what you think!
What was I thinking, you got me here, I think I'll use yours...it takes way less ink than this:
Fairly straight forward to print your own. Several windows programs support the page format (found under "labels" in your word program). Can even select the format from a pull down menu if you are using Avery stationary. Fill in the text with selected fonts/colors and print. Some stationary even comes perforated in 8.5x11 sheets with 10 business cards to a page. Seeing as how many business cards get "tossed", one needs to decide how much money they want to invest. Is the purpose primarily information or is it an advertising tool.
My cards contain:
Business name
Photographer's name
Phone #
e mail address
Web site address
types of photo work done
There are a few sites that offer free business cards, you just pay the shipping...vista.com is one I have used, they turned out pretty good, they have quite a few to choose from. All I had put on mine was my name, webaddress and email.
Do you mean vistaprint.com? If so, be aware that their "Free Business Cards" have a VistaPrint advertisement on the back. I designed my own (instead of being "stuck" with predefined templates) and had mine printed at OvernightPrints.com (full color, front and back) and am very satisfied.
What was I thinking, you got me here, I think I'll use yours...it takes way less ink than this:
Just a few suggestions... The layout is good. I like the font for your name & title (would delete "amateur") but I would use a different one for the other info. Maybe Futura or Ariel - something not so tall. I don't think you need the words "gallery" and "email" because the email is self-explanatory and they will figure out that you have a gallery when they visit your website. As for the photo.. nice touch but I would choose a different one as the one used shows you to have a rather odd expression and it looks like you are trying to pull your chin off your face (did your chin piss you off ;-). Perhaps you could create a self portrait of you using your camera or something like that. Alternatively, you might use a favorite photo with a generic theme - something that really shows off your skills.
I like the design of this, but the font is too difficult to read.
A rule of thumb is no more than 2 fonts on the card. So, make your name and title in one font, and the contact info in another more legible font.
I agree ... no more than two fonts (make them big enough to read!) and use your best photo(s) of something else (unless you want to specialize in portraiture).
One more suggestion ... you can fit 3 standard-sized (2 x 3-1/2 inches) business cards on a 4 x 6 print, which you can usually get for fifteen to thirty-five cents each. Or you could put four slightly non-standard (2 x 3 inches) cards on a sheet.
When you're just starting out, it's just as good to print up business cards a few at a time and cut them apart by hand. You don't have to make an up-front printing investment, and you'll be giving potential customers an actual sample of your work at the same time. You can also easily make changes without wasting too many cards, and make different versions if you want.
this is one of mine(I have a few different backgrounds), but I decided to change it around a bit. Going to design my website, card and stationary to all have one distinct look. It helps to look as professional as possible.
I read an article once on how to make your cards stand out. So when I created my cards I chose not to use a traditional size. My business cards are printed on two sided photo paper, and are wallet size photos. One size has my name, address, phone, and email with a photo faded out for the background. The other side is blank but I have often found that I will write a photo number on the other side if I took a photo of someone while I was out.
That works wonderful cause I will write something like photo 062704006 which of course is the date and the photo number on the card but they don't know that...lol...I've started selling a lot of candids when I go to festivals and local concerts, cause people call me later wanting to know if they can get a copy of photo number whatever...
except.. believe it or not.. not everyone has access to the web. I have also come across anti-web people. they don't want it.
a telephone number is a must.
except.. believe it or not.. not everyone has access to the web. I have also come across anti-web people. they don't want it.
a telephone number is a must.
Perhaps but I for one am willing to risk it - my number goes out to trusted folks only. If somebody is web phobic well... they should seek a professional and not one of a photographic nature! ;-)
Another thought to ponder regarding business cards and cost.....
During my iniation into the "small business world" (circa 1990) I spent HOURS designing a fantastic business card. Bi-fold, 6 color, custom design, with a retention hook as it doubled as a "key" phone number listing (fire, police, ambulance, atty. etc). Also was used as a teaching tool in seminars as the design and coloring had specific relevance to the subject matter. Spent several hundred dollars on these GREAT cards. Was crushed the first time someone just tossed it aside. Was also too large for roll-a-dex's so secretaries didn't find it user friendly.
Then within 6 months, the phone company changed my area code. What a waste of money.
As was posted by others elsewhere in this thread...now mine are simple, inexpensive, yet informative. I also print them as I need them. My needs for the card changes over time, so I change my card accordingly.
Understand that the primary purpose of a business card is to list "contact" information. Either that information is transfered, discarded, or filed.
