I didn't like the weight of our WHCC cards - they were just ... flimsy. I wanted matte cards, so there was no UV coating on them or anything and I wasn't impressed. I don't think I've ever burned through a box of cards so fast, trying to give all of those away!

My latest cards have been from OvernightPrints.com - I did have issues at first with the CMYK and colors being "odd" on my monitor, but once we worked that out, they were AWESOME! I get comments all the time on how nice the weight is of the card, how people like the satin matte finish, etc. - I think they show off the photos really well.

I'll post some photos of them later tonight.

I didn't go with the Moo cards for the same reason mentioned - I was afraid they were too small and would get lost. People do remember them and comment on them though, so it might be worth a test run. Just wish it wasn't so slow to get them in the US!

Christine

sorry....I forgot I posted...I used All time print

I've never said that people should charge $1,000. What I have said is that not every one can charge $10,000 (or even $4,000) and the statistics back me up on that. You can make an incredible amount of money (compared to any other part-time job) doing wedding photography - but the number of people who will ever make a living from it (alone), much less get rich from it is very small. And the people selling the seminars and dvds with that implied message are doing everyone a disservice.

And I'll let you know when I book one at my new rate. I've raised my prices to where I (might) actually be able to make a living at this. (I have started some new networking that might make that possible.) But I've also started another business for lower-end weddings which I'd like to eventually make into a self-sufficient business on it's own - there is a lot more potential in affordable wedding photography, than in high-end.

I also don't see a contradiction in the way I present myself. Brides and wedding photographers are (or at least should be) two different audiences. I talk to wedding photographers about wedding photography as a business - not as "Art" (I studied enough philosophy not to believe in categories like that any more), and not as some idealized escape from a cubical farm (wedding photography - done right - is hard work - as a business, it's even harder).

Meanwhile, I talk to brides about helping create a story of one of the most important days in their lives.

So I keep in mind both my audience and my message when deciding how to present myself.

Finally, a lot of people use wedding photography as an excuse to socialize - and seem to define themselves by it. Wedding photography is a part of who I am - not all of who I am. Just because I like discussing wedding photography as a business with someone doesn't mean I want to make them lifelong friends.

So yes, I do try to play the part of the Devil's Advocate when it comes to wedding photography as a business. Someone has to try to keep some balance in this field.

And that brings us back to my point in this thread. It certainly doesn't hurt to have a nice business card - but a $1 plastic business card, or a $3 metal business card is not going to get you more business than a nice $.10 one. I think Jonathan's cards prove that point. A terrific style of photography for that purpose - and simple, but very well-designed cards.

Is it strange that this site was NEVER what I would have expected from the personality impression I've gotten on OSP!??! Not in a million years actually..... huh... who knew?!?!

And to keep with the thread, I love the cards I get from printing4less.com They have an aqueous coating that is really nice and doesn't mark or scuff. the weight is great and they are very quick. I've been really happy with them so far. Because I still am currently using my original card design that I made when I first bought my business, I will not be showing them today on here! But when we get new ones done I will definitely post them up. Bambi & Jerry said at their class: "the moment you start making excuses for your card, it's time to change it" I'm changin mine...... ! And Jonathan, I LOVE your cards. I remember seeing them on another thread... the color is awsome.

Hi OSP!

Here's my latest one - I decided to go in a different direction since most of the cards I see have images on them.



And, if anyone needs great cards at a great price checkout 4over Inc. I received 1,000 4-color with aqueous coating, 2-sided for $24.00. My first order had an error that I missed, my reorder was $19.00 and I paid the extra $5.00 for a PDF proof. These prices include standard shipping.

jthrasherphoto

Question... I had a great luck with overnight prints for a while then all of a sudden I just got horrible work back from them. stuff printed wayyy to dark color was off etc. I have my monitor all calibrated and the files print well at any other place. Have you got stuff printed from them recently and had good luck?

Thanks
Lucinda

I had my cards done by 48hourprint.com. Outstanding printing - as good as a local high-end custom printer.


The point is that here I'm talking to wedding photographers - on LuvFool, I'm talking to brides. Neither of those reflects the way I am in person (or in private).

I have used overnights in the past and they are not good. I tried three different time and it just got worse and worse. I am now with gotprint.com and very very happy.
Love the quality and the price and they are fast. I usually have my cards back in about a week.
I have heard to many bad stories about overnight on many other forums. Dont even bother. Besides I think got print is actually cheaper then them.

I am currently trying to find a linen paper business card that is not flimsy.....i had some printed with WHCC and the quality was fine but the paper was just too thin for my liking. When I handed them out, people oohed and aaahhed until I asked them if they thought it was too flimsy, and then they were like "well now that you mention it" lol....

i don't think that i am cool enough for fancy plastic cards (yet)... P

another +1 for 48hourprint.com

Yes, you're cool enough for them Kerri! And, that's the next phase for me.

William... where is that couple? On a volcano??????

What are moo cards?

yup the volcano of love.

How did I miss this one? Matt -- you DISSED MY CARDS in public! How DARE you! Ok, I agree, Matt's whcc cards looked rancid.

But Matt, you HAVE to agree that MY cards look awesome, now come on.

I print mine through whcc. You can't order "business cards" you have to order "rep cards" -- pearl paper with UV coating both sides. The thickness of this is comparable to Overnight Prints cards. But you have to use the right image. If you want bright white, it's not gonna be. And your type can't be flimsy either.

I print cards 50 at a time, always using a different session as the photo on the back. I give the client whose picture I used at least a handful -- they give them away -- and I get calls from the cards alone. Very cool. Price is right too. $12 for 50 cards, works for me.

Uh oh.... I think I'm in trouble.

Yes, Jules, your card looks great. The black background and the pearl paper go well together. But white and pearl (my combo) was super-yucky!

Glad THAT'S cleared up.

They *do* have business cards, they just come in higher quantities (250 minimum I believe)

That's right, but the business cards are really flimsy, which is why you have to order the REP CARDS instead, UV coated.

It's ok, Matt, you're out of the doghouse already. I got a HAT!

Yeah, but I gave you that hat BEFORE I publicly humiliated you! I think I owe you another!

Ooooh, interesting. Last I saw (though I haven't ordered) they were the same thing (or you could get them the same way....hmmm....time to go look at their "brochure" a bit more closely!

Kaitlin, I'd be happy to mail you one of mine so you can see it. Get Matt to mail you one of his too, so you can see how BAD his design was.

Ok, now Matt you don't owe me anything!

K, PM me a mailing address...

My card.... These are pricey, those plastic cards are cheap in comparison! But, they don't get thrown out and people come back and tell me their uses for them after the mints are gone. One person keeps her memory cards in her tin!

The last time I had my cards reprinted I did have a little trouble, but I solved the problem. I didn't remember sending CMYK the first batch but that's what they ask for so that's what I sent with the second batch. The third batch I sent RGB again and it worked great.

I've never had any other problems with them. And for the price, if I mess up, no biggie. If they mess up, they fix it.

front
back

moocards are smaller than regular business cards - however, you can order 100 cards with 100 different images on them. they are super cute. and super cheap. every time i do a new shoot, i create more and add to my collection. at weddings, i make sure and have some from the couple's engagement shoot so if anyone wants my info, i hand out cards with that couple's pics on them. if you look and do a search in the marketing section, you will find some people who have pics of theirs.

www.moo.com

I ordered the rep cards from whcc... I was in a hurry and didn't have time to wait for any other company for the order (they were at my door in under 2 days!) I got the pearl and was a little disappointed with how not white they are... next time I'd get a different kind of paper, but overall I think they work.

How clever and awesome is this. I work for a large corporation (still ), and we use similar product for marketing.

Here's my new one. I just got finished designing it a minute ago. Does it look okay?


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care to share your supplier?

I imagine you must have raised your rates to cover the license for that song on your site, right? Oops, I mean *those* songs.

im working on changing the design a lil bit but for now this is what i have, front and back




and yes i know, "an" should be "a"

Thanks Tami - I was wondering the same and now I'm in love with that idea... hope you don't mind if I borrow that for my next wedding. I've bookmarked moo.com and will get some soon... Have a great day!

-Enoch

Hi,

I have been working on a business card that focuses on weddings.
What do you think? Thanks for looking/commenting.

John

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I think it's very busy... hard to read... need to simplify Make it a two sided card.. photo with no text on one side and your logo with contact info on the other.

I like it, although, I would remove the Brian More Photography on the side that has the rest of the info. If I were designing it, I would centre the swirly logo thing, just about the website address.. . but thats me

Those are seriously cool.

+1

&& here is a link to mine

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I ordered them through a company called www.4by6.com The quality is outstanding. They are printed with the satin finish. A little more pricey, but I get wonderful compliments EVERY time I hand them out!!

PS> The link doesn't do them justice, I will have to photograph the physical card & repost it!!

If anyone needs some fresh ideas, here is a site with some really creative design examples: http://creativebits.org/cool_business_card_designs

Many of them may not relate to photography, but who knows, they may inspire you.

Scott

thanks for that -= some of the best ideas are inspired by other ideas..... does that make sense?

its a great idea - that is why i posted it! have fun.

Those are super-uber cool!

Here's my card.
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M.J.

P.S. I use Overnightprints.com
Coupon code:4jy6
Discount:$10 off order of 1,000 business cards.No expiration.

here is the front above...

here is the back below...

Those cards look great Dan.

Wow Jen... you are fast... I think you started typing when I was uploading the pictures. I'm loving your new website!

Thanks Dan. I hear you are getting a new one. I can't wait to see it.

These are mine for now. I'm getting a little bored with them because we've had them for a while, but I get really great feedback every time I hand one out, so I think we're going to keep them for a little bit.


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