Hello,

First post over here at these forums, but I am slowly trawling my way through the archives getting up to date about what goes on here.

Little bit of background from me.. I'm Eric, and 17 year old student from Cardiff, UK. About to head of to Uni, considering scrapping all Uni applications and instead set up shop as a photographer or do some kind of photography degree.

This logo will be for the small amount of work that I do, but I always enjoy ensuring that any businesses that I do set up always has the potential to succeed and is set up correctly with any/all measures in place. I also run a recording studio that has enjoyed great success locally which was enough to keep me happy.

At this stage I have no studio, however as I require no salary (living at home, still a student) any/all profit will be invested straight back into the company, so I can quickly grow and develop the company. I have already been shooting local bands for promo shots, and shooting some buildings for local architecture firms amongst taking photos of everything else that I can see. Once I have more equipment, I will be focusing on portraiture - my favorite kind of photography.

Enough babbling..

Here are my initial ideas. Until the business takes a more specifc route a logo will be only the typeface and company name.

So I just wanted to introduce myself and gather your opinions on some of the ideas.

Welcome Eric. This place is awesome.

I like the last one, looks vintage.

Hi, Eric.

I've changed my logo tons in the past few years and seriously have paid $1000's to try and find what I love.

I can't.

I get sick of things really quick. I hate wall paper and prints and you will rarely find me in a non solid shirt.

So, recently I just went with simple type and a website that I can totally change all the colors on.

I'm telling this so you will understand where I'm coming from when I tell you I love the first one.

I like #5.

Airika

+1

And another +1...so I guess that makes 2, right?!?!?

lovin 5 as well
steve

I like the first one, but the fifth one is nice too, depending on what your photography style is

What are you trying to convey with the typeface?

Those choices are all SO different in how they feel - which one complements your style?

The last one is very "vintage", but is that the kind of style you want to pursue? Others look very traditional, or very modern. People seem to like #5, but, to be honest, my first thought was that it looks just like everyone else's "handwritten" logo fonts and isn't memorable in the slightest.

Do you want something that will stand out, or something simple? Something timeless and elegant, or something edgy and modern? You're young and just starting out (how I wish I had jumped in at 17!) so you might not even know the answers to any of those questions, but us choosing your logo font without knowing what direction your photography is going might be like buying a vegan a nice juicy steak. We like it, but what does it say about you?

Thanks for all your comments, and thoughts, it's great to hear all your views.

SaraH - The reason I've left a logo (as such) alone as that I have no idea what kind of photography I will be going into - I simply havn't had the time or experience to know what i'll enjoy in the long run or what will make me the most money or even which clients I should be targeting the most?!?

I've gathered such a wide selection because at this stage I do shoot everything. (or at least I have been, doesnt mean im good at everything - haha).

At this stage I need somethign that it entirely ambiguous while still staying distinct. Number 5 fails for me in this respect as it is nothing new. I think number 1 could well be the easiest to adapt to styles as they change - although my personal favorite it number 2..

Although I have no idea what this would say about my phtography or even if the font is legiable enough.

Thanks again for all the insight.
Eric

In that case, I'd go with #1. It's simple, but not completely bereft of interest. #2, for me, is way too bold and shouty (new word, that) and a bit stuffy. I doubt you're stuffy.

It takes a little while to figure out what you like, and what you're good at. If you're lucky, it will also be something that can make you some moolah. I started in nature and landscapes, and always thought I'd be a terrible portrait photographer, because I used to be devilishly shy about taking a person's photograph. I don't like being photographed, so it always felt like an imposition, and in return I was almost apologetic about it. Not a good way to inspire confidence and bring people out of their shells.

Then I traveled to Burma and spent a delicious month there photographing hundreds of people (so amazing, the Burmese people, and a fascinating country) and came home completely changed. I knew that it was doubtful I could make a living as a travel photographer, but I knew I had a knack for people I'd never tapped into before.

And I don't have a logo either. Just my name. Haven't yet settled into enough to make that investment. Now off to Vegas I trundle...