Thread: how do I pick business card photos

I finally got some photos... no, I can't post them yet ..g.:
Anyway, in a general sense; what do you look for when you are deciding what shot to put on a business card? Movement? Composition (the lines?) A head shot? Just curious what other people like on a card.

My logic...

The card is to hook people's attention so that they follow up and look at the website. I don't expect the card to say everything about me, though I would want it to say a lot about me.

I think of the card as having a "front" and a "back." The front image I go for something with impact. Grabs the attention quickly. The back image is something that doesn't distract from the contact information I've provided.

(Although in my last card the only thing you could look at in the back image was my damn foot in the clear lucite cherry shoe and sword tip.) FOOT....oh, contact info...FOOT.

Originally Posted by Azhia

My logic...



(Although in my last card the only thing you could look at in the back image was my damn foot in the clear lucite cherry shoe and sword tip.) FOOT....oh, contact info...FOOT.

I think I need to see that!

I try to pick by the shape made in the photo by my body or the costume or fabric around me...something eye catching that makes people want to look at it for longer than a glance. I used to only have one-sided business cards; now that I have gone two side I also like to do one side with a full length shot and one close(-ish) up. So I guess composition of the photo is key for me.

I also try to go for honesty. :) I do my best to choose photos for cards (and all promo materials) that reflect what I actually look like and do. There can be a 'fantasy' element, or a cool factor, or whatever you want to call it, in the coloring, the fonts, the wording, the costume and make-up...but I like to show what I really am as much as possible with photos. Does that make sense?!

Look forward to seeing your pics! (We met at Sahra's SF intensive, right?)

Originally Posted by Monica

Look forward to seeing your pics! (We met at Sahra's SF intensive, right?)

Yes! That was such a great workshop. Sahra is inspirational.
It seems like composition, the lines and negative space, are what to look for, which makes sense for something in such a small format. It's an interesting idea -- making sure I pick something that represents me. Sometimes I really like the photo because they don't look how I regularly look.

Originally Posted by jetgirl

Sometimes I really like the photo because they don't look how I regularly look.

Yeah, I have those, too. Maybe it is worth it to think who you are 'talking' to with your materials and cards. For me it is clients who want to hire me to dance, students who want to take my class, and then colleagues/other dancers. For clients especially, I want them to know what I look like (with my game face on and all gussied up, granted, but with no major no surprises) and in general what they can expect costume-wise. That is where I was coming from with that.

And yeah, Sahra rules. I am still processing our 'journey' from her intensive!

Originally Posted by jetgirl

It seems like composition, the lines and negative space, are what to look for, which makes sense for something in such a small format.

Totally agree. I try to look at the photo and visualize where the text would go, without covering up the photo too much or looking too busy.

decide what image you want to project - fun, authentic, fantasy, sexy? what is the main audience that will be receiving these cards - other dancers? potential students? potential gigs?

I like poses that fill up the card without too many limbs being cut off. I like a vertical card with a full torso shot with arms. you will be able to have a bigger image if your arms are close to your body (in your hair, one to the head, one to the hip, etc.) rather than extended up above your head. I want to see your hips but I don't need to see your legs from mid-thigh down.

I like a two sided card so the front can be all attention-grabbing image, with your name and website. the back is nice either blank with the info text, or a screened-back photo with text, with room to write more info if you need to (I don't put my cell number on my cards - I prefer to hand write that in).

the photo on the front of my cards is in deep jewel tones, the pose is me reclining on a pile of velvet cushions, with a big gigantic smile on my face. the image I'm hoping to project is one of "I'm a little bit sexy but also very friendly and fun in a non-threatening way." the back of my card is a screened back photo of me in a melaya leff performance, which I hope projects "look, I can do folkloric, too, so I have experience and I'm authentic." :)

Originally Posted by elisagamal

decide what image you want to project - fun, authentic, fantasy, sexy? what is the main audience that will be receiving these cards - other dancers? potential students? potential gigs?

I like poses that fill up the card without too many limbs being cut off. I like a vertical card with a full torso shot with arms. you will be able to have a bigger image if your arms are close to your body (in your hair, one to the head, one to the hip, etc.) rather than extended up above your head. I want to see your hips but I don't need to see your legs from mid-thigh down.

I like a two sided card so the front can be all attention-grabbing image, with your name and website. the back is nice either blank with the info text, or a screened-back photo with text, with room to write more info if you need to (I don't put my cell number on my cards - I prefer to hand write that in).

the photo on the front of my cards is in deep jewel tones, the pose is me reclining on a pile of velvet cushions, with a big gigantic smile on my face. the image I'm hoping to project is one of "I'm a little bit sexy but also very friendly and fun in a non-threatening way." the back of my card is a screened back photo of me in a melaya leff performance, which I hope projects "look, I can do folkloric, too, so I have experience and I'm authentic." :)

oooo, great ideas and description of the why you chose the picture you did.

Originally Posted by jetgirl

I think I need to see that!

Contact info was along top and bottom of photo against black.
I'm a little unorthodox but by no means irreverent.
Front of the postcard had several "thumbnail" shots in various poses, headshots, double veil, sword thingies, etc.

Originally Posted by Azhia

Contact info was along top and bottom of photo against black.
I'm a little unorthodox but by no means irreverent.
Front of the postcard had several "thumbnail" shots in various poses, headshots, double veil, sword thingies, etc.

ummmm, you totally rock, OK?
cherries in your heel!

Hee...they reminded me so much of the "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" pimp shoes sans the gold fish. ebay has been berry berry goo' to me... ..g.:
Can't wait to see your card!