We all know that a picture is worth a thousand words…but what about a business card? Turns out that business cards are actually well worth the effort for most professions. Including photography!
No, they’re not a replacement for your online portfolio or website, but keeping a stack of quality business cards on hand is a great way to:
- Meet new clients
- Quickly exchange contact info
- Showcase your work
- Stand out from the competition
- Be more memorable
When it comes to the world of cameras, competition for clients is intense. So, whether you’re just starting out behind the shutter or if your business has been booming for years, a great business card is a must.
Wondering where to start? We’ve got you covered with a list of awesome photography business card ideas to help you find the design inspiration you’re after.
And if that isn’t enough, we’ve also created a quick guide to business card design and a list of key elements your photography business cards must have.
Key Features of a Great Photography Business Card
As a talented photographer, it’s tempting to let your work speak for itself and not bother with the business card at all. Right?
Not so fast! Business cards may be small, but done right they can make a powerful positive impact. They network for you even after you and your potential client have parted ways. They help show that you’re eager for continued contact. They can also make a positive professional impression that sets you apart from the rest of the crowd.
But your card can only do these things in case it is designed correctly. Here are four key features to pay attention to when creating your card.
Your brand identity
Your card is an extension of yourself and your brand — it’s important to make it recognizable! When you design art business cards for your photography business, be sure to include branding elements such as:
- Your logo
- Your brand name (or your name)
- Your brand’s color scheme
- Your brand’s typography style
- Appropriate visuals
All of these combine to create a unique card that helps clients get a better feel for your business’s personality.
A memorable design
What’s the point of a business card that doesn’t stand out? (Hint: There’s no point at all.) The last thing you want is to design a bland card or copy your competitors.
Get creative with your card design to ensure it stands out.
Business cards may be small, but not always easy to design.
A pro designer can help you create a look you’ll love.
The right information
Your clients will appreciate a gorgeous example of your work, of course. But they’ll also appreciate having your contact info on hand when they want to reach you. A great business card has to include the info your clients need to get in touch. That means it should have:
- Your name
- Your company/profession
- Your telephone number
- Your email address
- Your website
- Your relevant social media handles
Quality materials
The number one mistake business card carriers make is choosing cheap materials for their cards. Choose a sturdy card stock or alternative materials such as plastic or wood. And don’t be afraid to get creative with the finishes and decorations if it’s within your budget.
How to Design Photography Business Cards
Ready to turn your awesome photography business card ideas into a reality?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you do it.
Step 1: Pick the size and shape
Whether you choose a classic rectangular or get a little crazy with ovals, squares, or die-cuts, choose a shape that represents your brand. And no matter what shape you select, be sure your card is roughly wallet-sized. Any larger and it becomes inconvenient; any smaller and it’s easy to lose.
Step 2: Insert visuals
If you have a logo, make sure that it’s front and center. You can also include other visuals such as an example (or multiple examples) of your work, icons, or fun graphics that will help break up the text.
Step 3: Add text
Next, add all your important text information (i.e. name, contact info, etc.). Be sure to only include relevant and necessary elements. Add plenty of white space around your text to keep your card from being too hard to read or from looking too cluttered.
Step 4: Pick out your colors and fonts
Now you’re ready to finalize your design elements, including your card colors and fonts. Don’t be afraid to get creative — just be sure that your chosen design elements fit your brand image.
Step 5: Combine and finalize
Once you’ve put all your elements together, give your card a quick once-over. Be on the lookout for typos, clutter, layout issues, and other mistakes. Looking good? Then it’s time to nail down your finishes and materials! Remember to choose a high-quality material and invest in special finishes (if it works for your look).
12 Wonderful Photography Business Card Design Ideas
And now here’s the moment you’ve been waiting for — some awesome photography business card ideas to kick your creativity into high gear!
Found a look you love but aren’t sure how to recreate it?
Our team is here to help with unlimited designs. How?
We’ve collected 12 of our favorite examples that are sure to impress your potential clients.
1. Examples of your work
Show your potential client the awesome things they can expect from you by including one of your high-quality photos. Not only will this help display your talent and niche, but adding photos can also ensure your card stands out from the rest.
We also like how this example uses a sophisticated monochrome color scheme with a touch of color to complement its photos.
2. Big, bold visuals
Who says your visuals have to be pictures?
This design utilizes a huge, impactful symbol to make it stand out. The camera lens design is especially cool when paired with the frosted plastic card material. The result? A memorable and unique business card.
3. Impactful monochrome
Sure, color can add interest to your card, but nothing screams “serious professional” like a monochrome business card.
This modern design is elegant and simple, but it really packs a punch thanks to the contrasting white print on a black background.
4. Add color
A little color can go a long way to making your card more memorable.
We love the refreshing feeling the blue and orange adds to this fun plastic photographer business card. The contrasting colors help keep things playful and counter the serious typography.
5. Go with the gimmick
Sometimes gimmicks are a bad thing — but here, it works!
This camera design business card offers the perfect combination of fun, memorable, and functional. The stylized design and monochrome color palette keep things from getting too unprofessional.
6. Make it shine
Adding a glossy finish to your card is a great way to please your potential client. This black business card uses dark colors for the background, visual, and logo, which make it look sleek and professional.
The light-catching design offers a surprising and memorable element that helps this example stand out.
7. Fancy fonts
Sometimes the only decoration you need on your card is some great typography — as you can see from this example. Here you can see no less than three different types, which add plenty of interest to an otherwise modest and minimal design.
8. Plenty of white space
This example has a lot going on: two images, plenty of text information, a logo, and a brand name. This may look cluttered on any other card, but here it works.
Why? The designer used plenty of white space and a clever layout to keep things neat and avoid an unprofessional look.
9. Tactile elements
One great thing about business cards is that they can offer a tactile experience. Adding extra elements to your card can make it feel even more impressive — your client will likely keep it just for the novelty it offers. The card above sports some nice debossing.
You can also opt for textured backgrounds, alternative card materials, metallic finishes, and more.
10. Make it interactive
Want to make your business card stand out? Make it interactive!
These cool plastic cards mimic the look of an old camera screen, complete with a viewfinder and icons. The photographer’s contact info is cleverly tucked away at the bottom of the frame and uses a pop of color to help draw your eye to it.
11. QR code
QR codes offer a unique and easy way to get potential customers to your website. They’re compact, interactive, and eye-catching, which can make them a great addition to your business card.
We love how the above example uses contrasting colors to make their QR code pop.
12. Clean and simple
Sometimes less is more, as you can see from this straightforward, minimalist business card. It keeps things simple with a bare vertical layout, a monochrome color scheme, and a simple typography style.
Several icons and a prominent camera graphic add some visual interest and make this an effective card.
Need help nailing that perfect look?
Epiic offers pro-grade business card designs — even if you’re on a budget.
Smile! (At Your Awesome New Business Card)
Owning a photography business is about more than just pointing and shooting. You also have to think about finding new clients, marketing yourself, and making connections that will help your business grow.
We hope the above card ideas and tips will help you add a designer business card to your arsenal of marketing materials.
Feb 24, 2022
Rebecca
A copywriter with hundreds of projects under her (figurative) belt, Beka enjoys the challenge of crafting unique content. She loves writing just as some people love trolling online message boards :) — in an unabashedly enthusiastic and slightly concerning way.