I'm in the process of trying to get some business cards made so I can get my name out and hopefully get some paying gigs this year (weddings mostly). I have been looking at card layouts, and I'm pretty sure I want one of my photos in b+w on the card.

Trouble is, I'm having a hard time picking a photo--I think I want to put some sort of portraiture on there, but not necessarily a wedding portrait (only have one to choose from, anyway).

For those of you familiar with my photography in general, is there anything of mine you've seen that screams "Markitos"?? I just shoot so many different things, I'm struggling to find something that defines me and my style.

It's probably sort of a vague and annoying question, but I thought I'd give it a shot. I just want something that's both general and specific--so that people get that I do event/portrait photography, but not a particular kind....

Ack. I have no idea if any of this makes sense!!

Seems pretty straightforward that if you want to advertise your wedding photography skills, you should use a wedding-related pic. If you don't have anything you like, make something, even if it means taking ring shots, shooting floral arrangements, etc.

A lot of your black and whites stick out in my mind...then again I have only been on the board for a short time.

Originally Posted by Markitos

For those of you familiar with my photography in general, is there anything of mine you've seen that screams "Markitos"??

Your Avatar!!!

IF you want to do weddings, as Mike said a photo from that set. Portraiture/ family, use one of the baby/ child photos you have.

Something like that? For other stuff, I guess I'm just trying not to get pigeonholed as a "baby" photographer, or something like that.

Originally Posted by jjswee

Have anything with the bride AND groom? That is what a wedding is about, the union of the two. It might mean more to the person viewing the business card.

Of course!

You could also use some kind of simple, elegant flower arrangement type shot. A good friend of mine who shoots 15-20 weddings per year has that on his card instead of a people shot. It looks really good.

Not a bad idea... thank you!

Originally Posted by Markitos

Not a bad idea... thank you!

No problem, hope it helps

For what it's worth, this is my card back:



The wedding shot was from this one:






I think a portrait crop of your second image in post 7 would work well for something like this, as well as your bridal in post 5. Remember this is going on a 1.5x3" card, the idea is to convey the most emotion possible in the least amount of space.

also keep in mind you don't have to make a business cards the standard 2X3.5... 3.5X5 handout cards work well..

I don't like putting pictures on small bizcards because it's hard to see the detail... make the card larger and:

- it will stick out
- show your work better
- be different

I ended up going with this design for my business cards--ordered them from Vistaprint--we'll see how they come out. I should have had you guys review them first, but I have several potential gigs in the works, and want people to have my info handy ASAP.





Next task is to get my Smugmug page cleaned up so that the "portfolio" stuff is easy to find.

I think thats a good looking card Mark

Looks good, my only critique would be to lose the .smugmug in your web address. Register www.beltie.com if you need to.

Mine is www.lightofthewild.com but goes to www.lightofthewild.smugmug.com.

Originally Posted by Stime187

Looks good, my only critique would be to lose the .smugmug in your web address. Register www.beltie.com if you need to.

Mine is www.lightofthewild.com but goes to www.lightofthewild.smugmug.com.

Yeah, that is my long-term plan--this is kind of a stopgap card until I can get some other things rolling.

^ agreed with Scott, and I dont think you need to have the HTTP:// portion on the front. I love the shot you chose tho Mark!

Yeah, it looks great otherwise. WAY better than any design work I could do.

The cards came today--they look SWEET. Thumbs up for Vistaprint!!