Business Cards and Website starting point
Hey all.
I was just thinking before, a lot of people have been asking about my hard copy of my photography photos, I don’t have anything except my website and my camera accessories as proof.
So I’d like to start printing out business cards and maybe making a website featuring information about myself and my photos and what I do best within themes of photography.
I am not exactly sure where to start though, I was thinking of printing out 4×6 photos to put into a small leather case as my hard copy “proof” photos as to what I’ve done although I’m not sure if that’s the right thing to do..
I would like to put some effort into making myself well established but the funds are also limited, I wouldn’t mind receiving little jobs here and there all over the place, and willing to travel far to get a simple assignment to photograph for clients or even the general public.
So if anyway would like to put their opinions down, then they are welcome to :)
Thanks!
Jesse Blyth.
Kristina K
hey jesse, i wish you luck in your endeavours, i would like to share what i am doing, still only in early stages..
firstly i went to office works and got business card pack and designed my card from one of my prints and put wording on it myself, i used redbubble as my website until i can afford to get one going on line..i use my bubblesite not the main page site as i think it is more professional with out the comments, i do give a link on the bubblesite to main page if they want to go there..
secondly i have put together a portfolio of prints, by buying a a5 folio, again from office works and over time have been buying laminated prints from redbubble to put in it, i also have a friend who buys them for me as gifts for me, re birthdays xmas ect.. you can ask family to do this as well…
i have found that most people i show it to are wowed by it, i have sold a couple of calendars made through redbubble to a store, and they want more, so its worth that little extra effort, but as you can see it doesnt have to be alot..
i am also working on ideas on how to present framed prints..one way that worked for my first sale was to enter photo comps, i put some framed photos in a lions club expo and sold one to my joy..
so i wish you luck and hope that my experience has given you some ideas..:))) k
Wayne Holman
Hiya Jesse,
You should always have a hard copy of your work, it’s the law…..... = ))
I would suggest you put a portfolio together, it can be fairly inexpensive if you look around. I’ll give you an example, this is what I’ve done.
I’ve printed my own pictures using an old ( but very good ) Epson R300 printer on A6 paper of high quality ( A4 is too big, I’ll let you know why ). I have then displayed them in a leather bound portfolio case, which cost less than £30 or AU$50. I’ve included a cover page which gives a very brief story about myself and my work, no more than two paragraphs, and a back page giving details of what I do and any price for framed prints, commissions etc. I have this with me most of the time, that’s why it’s A6 size and not A4 ( A4 would be too big to fit in my pocket ! )
Having this with me just in case has made me many sales and got some of my work in a gallery. I also keep a portfolio exactly the same way at A4 size aswell. The pictures are displayed with a border and my name underneath. I also have a photo of a favourite framed print on a wall as an example of what they look like when displayed. This does work !!
As far as business cards are concerned I print them myself aswell, that way I have complete control and after all I’m a photographer so if I can’t design a business card who can ??
As far as a website is concerned you want to check out this host . I used them for a while and are very good.
Good luck mate and happy snapping !
Wayne = )
Geoff White
jesse,
i am a graphic designer as well as a photographer and having well designed cards that are printed professionally speaks volumes in any business. there are a lot of print places that offer business cards for $70-100 roughly. they may charge extra as a setup fee. if you design them yourself, i can tell you how to set it up for the printers and what works best.
in regards to websites, you can create your own site for free, and update it yourself. there is wordpress.com, comfypage.com, blogger.com etc.
good luck.