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Who's got a Logo?
Rob Bye, Photographer
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Winnipeg | MB | Canada | Posted: 9:28 PM on 04.10.07 |
| ->> To help create a unified, professional brand for my photo business, I'd like to create a logo. I can't draw, but I have seen logo creation software. Has anyone tried this type of software? Did it give you a presentable result? If so, what software can you recommend? |
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Tanner Johnson, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Bowling Green | KY | USA | Posted: 9:42 PM on 04.10.07 |
->> I made mine in photoshop.
I combined my two initials in a font I liked, then noticed that the space in between formed my middle initial which is an S. So I kept it and haven't change it since. If you're creative at all, which I'm sure you are since youre a photographer, take some time and use photoshop, or hire someone. |
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Keith Carson, Photographer
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Tampa | FL | U.S.A. | Posted: 9:50 PM on 04.10.07 |
->> I paid a student in a marketing major to make mine when I was at BSU. It's nice and simple.
Good luck,
Keith Carson
Chief Photographer
Community News Publications
http://www.carsonphotography.com
Community News Publications reaches 120,000 homes in Florida’s Pasco and Hillsborough counties with eight weekly newspapers. |
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Thao Nguyen, Student/Intern
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Syracuse | NY | USA | Posted: 9:51 PM on 04.10.07 |
->> I made mine sophomore year of college, it initially was a random doodle in graphics class but I eventually put it in illustrator. It could have easily been done on photoshop though.
http://thaophotography.com/
my opening page has my logo on it if you were wondering what it looked like.
(my initials incorporated into a camera) |
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Eric Jones, Photographer
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Greenville | NC | USA | Posted: 9:53 PM on 04.10.07 |
->> Check out logodog.com. They may give you some ideas. I made mine in photoshop as well but not really a logo per say but more of a cool font with different colors...I gave up on a logo as I could never make up my mind.
EKJ |
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Walter Calahan, Photographer
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Westminster | MD | USA | Posted: 11:07 PM on 04.10.07 |
| ->> The best logo is to simply use your name 'cause you are selling yourself. IMHO. |
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Eric Patterson, Photographer
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Missoula | MT | United States | Posted: 12:40 AM on 04.11.07 |
->> I found a website where you hold a “contest” for a group of very talented designers. You provide a brief of what you like, design wise and what type of Logo…. i.e., your initials, a piece of clip art, enclosures, crest design, whatever. The designs start pouring in, literally. You provide feedback and the designers make revisions (unlimited). It truly becomes overwhelming. The minimum prize (you pay) for a logo is $100. The contest cost $20 to start. You may pull the contest if for some reason you are disappointed. No risk, except your $20. I surfed the site a few weeks and built confidence that the designers were good.
After a pre-determined time, you declare a winner. They send you the file in your requested format, you pay. My winner was in Romania! I Western Unioned his prize money.
I use my logo on my website splash screen.
http://www.ericpattersonphoto.com
The contest site is : http://www.sitepoint.com
Go to contest--? logos and surf it. |
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Kirby Yau, Photographer, Assistant
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Shannon Litz, Photographer
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Gardnerville | NV | USA | Posted: 2:12 AM on 04.11.07 |
->> Just like Tanner I made mine in Photoshop with my initials. Just remember to keep it simple.
- S |
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Jeff Lewis, Photographer
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Long Beach | CA | USA | Posted: 2:21 AM on 04.11.07 |
->> I took a picture that I took a long time ago of an NFL receiver and colored him red and used that as my logo. It says sports and my company name say me and photography. Its simple and sometimes simple sells.
After you create it, use it everywhere. Letterheads, checks, websites, business cards, tents at the park, copyright symbols, tatoos, everywhere. Sometimes a good professional logo makes your company seem bigger than it really is and can get you better jobs.
Brand recognition is sometimes easier than name recognition. Look at the Jordan symble or the Nike swoosh, or the Budweiser Crown. All of these companies are well known but they don't need the name attached to know what they are. Whats that company who's logo is a bit off Apple? When do you ever see the name but everybody knows what it is.... I'm using their product right now.
..... Can anybody see anything similar to mine and Jordan? Just wondering. I am a huge fan and wear Jordans whenever I shoot.
http://www.jefflewisphotography.com
Jeff |
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Johnny Vy, Photographer
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San Gabriel | CA | USA | Posted: 3:10 AM on 04.11.07 |
| ->> My logo took some time, and some thought, but I eventually settled on what I think is a pretty unique logo. It started out simply as a few lines, then I came up with a central figure, which I built around. Myself and two other people brainstormed, and came up with our own designs. From there, we had a few meetings and decided on which aspects from each drawing we liked best. Then we put it together. www.sportsvisionphotography.com -check it out. |
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Drew Broadley, Photographer
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Wellington | NZ | New Zealand | Posted: 4:07 AM on 04.11.07 |
->> www.freelancephotography.co.nz
It's a branding thing, I've got a textual logo and a symbolic logo. They can be seperated or combined.
It's not the best logo I've designed in my years of graphic design/brand identity design, but it fits my needs. |
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Drew Broadley, Photographer
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Wellington | NZ | New Zealand | Posted: 4:08 AM on 04.11.07 |
| ->> Oh yes, one more thing. Don't put pretty graphics in it. They don't scale well. |
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Ryan Gardner, Photographer
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Corvallis | OR | USA | Posted: 4:13 AM on 04.11.07 |
->> I found a website where you hold a “contest” for a group of very talented photographers. You provide a brief of what you like, action photos, landscapes, business images, whatever.
The photos will start pouring in, literally. You provide feedback and the photographers upload more photos (unlimited). It truly becomes overwhelming. The minimum prize (you pay) for a photo is $100. The contest cost $20 to start. You may pull the contest if for some reason you are disappointed. No risk, except your $20. I surfed the site a few weeks and built confidence that the photographers were good.
After a pre-determined time, you declare a winner. They send you the photo in your requested format, you pay.
Anyone see anything odd about this?
Sorry to single you out Eric, but if someone had posted a message like this one, there would probably be a hundred "those rights-grabbing so and sos" messages. It's no different.
Some of us make our living doing design as well as photography. I know that the fault lies with the people who are actually submitting their designs, but let's not pretend that it's all okay as long as photos aren't involved. |
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Crystal Chatham, Photographer, Assistant
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La Quinta | CA | United States | Posted: 4:15 AM on 04.11.07 |
->> Rob - try trading services with a graphic artist. There's a lot more to logo design than collaging your initials together in Photoshop. Depending on what your long term needs will be, you'll likely need vector art as opposed to raster art (i.e., Photoshop and related image files). If you want screen printing or embroidery work done down the road, you'll need files other than what can be output from Photoshop, so you might consider doing it right from the onset.
Quite possibly, you'll be able to find a designer who would easily benefit from a service swap and could use some photography for a project they are working in trade for doing up a nice, professional, logo or logotype treatment that will serve your needs.
If you have any questions about file formats and the differences, don't hesitate to ask, -C. |
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Drew Broadley, Photographer
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Wellington | NZ | New Zealand | Posted: 4:32 AM on 04.11.07 |
| ->> Crystal, Photoshop (PSD) is not just a rasterised file format anymore :) |
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Chuck Steenburgh, Photographer
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Lexington | VA | USA | Posted: 7:54 AM on 04.11.07 |
| ->> I actually found a (royalty-free) vector-based piece of clip art in MS Word that works for me (see www.sportsphotoguy.com). When I begin to become rich and famous, I will hire an artist to create a similar character based more on what I actually look like (my guy doesn't have my glasses, and I wear ball caps worn correctly, not bucket hats). |
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Wesley R. Bush, Photographer
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Nashville | TN | U.S. | Posted: 8:24 AM on 04.11.07 |
| ->> Some friends of mine opened a Christian bookstore and used sitepoint. They got a logo of the Christian fish symbol formed from the turning page of a book. Very simple and looks great. I would also suggest sitepoint. |
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Dennis Wierzbicki, Photographer
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Miami | FL | USA | Posted: 8:37 AM on 04.11.07 |
| ->> Wesley - I'm confused. I went to Sitepoint and they offer a ton of interesting articles, training publications and quite a few web design templates, but nothing at all like what you mentioned. What am I missing? |
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Wesley R. Bush, Photographer
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Nashville | TN | U.S. | Posted: 9:57 AM on 04.11.07 |
| ->> Click on "contests" on the main page, then on logos. |
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Wayne Short, Photographer
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San Diego | CA | USA | Posted: 10:08 AM on 04.11.07 |
->> http://www.logobee.com
Great company to work with. I've used them on some non photography related projects, and the process went very smooth. Search through the samples and you will find some photo related logos. Prices are excellent for professional work.
http://www.elance.com
Great site for any kind of project. I’ve used the site for some programming projects, and was very happy with the results. Just do your due diligence on the companies that submit bids. I’ve gotten a few bids from some flakes in the past, but they are usually pretty easy to spot. Elance’s ranking, and feedback system is a great resource when making your decisions.
Feel free to email me if you have questions. |
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Tanner Johnson, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Bowling Green | KY | USA | Posted: 10:43 AM on 04.11.07 |
->> Crystal - I don't know who you use for embroidery work and all that, but I've had no problem handing people a logo or something I made in Photoshop and them performing the services I've needed.
To say a logo is much more than collaging initials together in Photoshop depends on what you want. My logo is just that, and to the side of that "collage" is my name and under that "photography". If people don't get that I'm a photographer from the word photography, than they should probably take a reading comprehension course. I hope you don't take this as an attack on you, because it surely isn't.
I'm just for saving money, and if you can do it yourself than why not? I did and I, along with a lot of people think my logo is very professional and gets my point across without some fancy imagery. Why pay for something that's not as good as doing it yourself? |
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Alicia Wagner Calzada, Photographer
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San Antonio | TX | USA | Posted: 11:16 AM on 04.11.07 |
->> I became a photographer because I can't draw. My brother-in-law, a graphic artist, designed mine and I love it. But first I drew a rough version of what I wanted. His was MUCH better. But it helps to have a concept in mind. Then the professional can take it and run with it.
www.aliciaphoto.com |
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Bryan Rinnert, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Raleigh | NC | United States | Posted: 11:30 AM on 04.11.07 |
| ->> My wife is a graphic designer, so that always helps. But I would recommend getting a designer to help, either trade services (use Craigslist) or pay someone. My logo can be seen on my website: www.3sight.com |
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Jason Manchester, Photographer
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Vancouver | BC | Canada | Posted: 11:54 AM on 04.11.07 |
| ->> A good friend of mine is a graphic designer and was happy to create one for the price of a steak dinner and drinks. It's fairly simple and I think that's important... don't get caught up in making it too fancy IMHO. |
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Eric Patterson, Photographer
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Missoula | MT | United States | Posted: 12:31 PM on 04.11.07 |
->> Ryan –
Most of the designers are professional designers or design students whom have their own business or work for design/graphic/marketing companies. They participate in the “contest” to supplement or expand their business. Most had links to their sites or their employers’ sites. For the record, I offered $150 to boost interest, instead of the required $100.
So….what would YOU have charged me for a logo design? Did I “steal” this service? Is paying $150 for the service of several designers the same as selling the rights of one of my images to iStock for .20?
Not trying to be cute, but really would like to know the “true value” of this service, as I never considered a brick and mortar design or marketing firm or Ad agency, assuming I could not afford such a service.
One of the best attributes of the Internet is that it acts as an intermediary, helping sellers and buyers find one another. I found Sitepoint from a Google search. Conversely I contacted a designer through his site from the search results, he never responded.
If your site had popped, perhaps I would have contacted you.
Sometimes these issues are overcooked. |
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Osamu Chiba, Photographer
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Vista | CA | USA | Posted: 1:28 PM on 04.11.07 |
->> I made mine in Photoshop too:
http://www.printroom.com/ghome.asp?domain_name=opix
I don't know why I didn't even think about searching for those logo companies on the Internet, but I am happy with mine.
O |
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Bob Ford, Photographer
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Lehighton | Pa | USA | Posted: 1:51 PM on 04.11.07 |
->> The reason Crystal, and others is suggesting NOT using Photoshop is because all logos should be VECTOR files. The reason being you can use the same file for all of your needs.
For example, if you have a logo that you use on your business cards and letterhead that you made in Photoshop, it will look like crap when you blow it up to 3' X 4' on the side of you tent at sporting events. It will look even worse when you blow it up to 10 feet for the side of you trailer. If you created this image in Illustrator and saved it as a EPS vector file you could blow it up as big as you want with no loss in quality.
You never know where your business is going to lead and what you might need your logo for in the future, so it's best to do it right from the beginning.
I won't even get into people doing page layout in Photoshop instead of Quark or InDesign. |
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Brian Shirk, Photographer
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McCall | ID | US | Posted: 2:04 PM on 04.11.07 |
->> Ryan-
There are sites like that, and they work well... Nobody does any of it for $100 (usually around $200-500 per shot, as they're requests from webmasters or smaller designers), but there's absolutely nothing wrong with that business model; if you aren't busy one week, why not experiment and possibly make some spare change from it?
At worst, you have some extra stock to sell and some more practice at different techniques from what you usually use - example, I don't have much going on in the middle of the week, so I've been getting some wildlife shots, which would probably sell well since I live at a tourist destination. I'm not going to charge a lot for them (postcards, calendars, maybe a book), but I have the free time, so why not?
On topic-
The silhouettes are very attractive, along with stylized text... Someone else already mentioned this, but have it made in a format which uses vector graphics. Adobe Illustrator is pretty standard for graphic design work; it takes a little getting used to, but is very powerful. |
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Rob Bye, Photographer
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Winnipeg | MB | Canada | Posted: 4:00 PM on 04.11.07 |
->> Thanks for all your input. I've really enjoyed studying all your different logos. Clearly, creativity on this forum extends beyond the shutter release!
I understand, now, what I'm looking for is mainly a "wordmark", sometimes with, other times without, a tagline. I also have a couple of colours in mind, so I'm not really all that far off from being able to discuss my needs with a designer. That's the other area of progress: I've done business in the past with a graphics firm, providing them with photos. I like the quality of their work, so I'll ask them to do some for me. Maybe I can work out a trade.
I think I'm on the right track. Thanks again! |
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Crystal Chatham, Photographer, Assistant
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La Quinta | CA | United States | Posted: 4:07 PM on 04.11.07 |
| ->> Good choice Rob! Swapping services with a design firm or designer is a win-win situation and will give you both the benefit of each other's area of expertise. Enjoy the design process! -C. |
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Kerri McMullen, Student/Intern
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Pittsburgh | PA | | Posted: 9:11 AM on 04.12.07 |
->> I had a fellow student here at AIP design my logo for me. Not only was it free, but I was able to sit down with him several times on what I liked and did not like from the first set of logos that he designed.
www.markruizgraphics.com |
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Kent Gilley, Photographer
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Azle | TX | USA | Posted: 10:41 AM on 04.12.07 |
->> This is my logo for my motocross photography.
http://www.mxpictures.com/MXP_Large.jpg
I purchased the motocycle artwork on-line from a graphic artist in vector format and made minor modifications (name on back and cleaned up a bit) myself in Illustrator and Photoshop so that it works well with print screening and decals.
I always wrote the name with an uppercase MXP and C, and a local graphics (decals) shop suggested the font for me. The decals only use the MXPictures.Com word.
The full logo looks good screened in white and black on burnt-orange(has to be burnt-orange) tee-shirts. I'm actually wearing one right now. |
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Brian Westerholt, Photographer
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Kannapolis | NC | USA | Posted: 11:15 AM on 04.12.07 |
->> Here is who I used:
http://www.logodesign-webdesign.com/
They were inexpensive and provided a variety of file sizes and formats as well as HTML pages to explain each of the file types. |
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Craig Dilger, Photographer
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Brooklyn | NY | USA | Posted: 11:27 AM on 04.12.07 |
->> I am going to put in a quick vote for text only design. You can do a lot with typography and it tends to be nice and simple. As a photographer I think it is best to keep presentation looking simple and clean. That way you do not to distract people from your photos with a design that is either amazingly cool or just plain ugly.
www.craigdilger.com |
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Ramses Moya, Photographer
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Toronto | ON | Canada | Posted: 10:21 AM on 04.15.07 |
->> took my initials and reversed one letter.... I did this logo when I was in 8th grade and have been using it since then :-D
http://www.terraoptica.com
to see it... |
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Jody Gomez, Photographer
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Murrieta | CA | USA | Posted: 5:48 PM on 04.20.07 |
->> I picked my logo out of the free logo book at Staples when I printed my first business cards. I had been trying to come up with one, so imagine my surprise when I found the one I wanted at Staples! I added the words "Jody Gomez Photography" underneath it and made it in both black and white. I'm considering adding my website address underneath my name for my watermark (right now it's just the regular logo) so people can find my site a little easier if someone swipes an image.
Here it is http://www.sportsshooter.com/jodygomez/jodylogo/index.html
Jody |
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Colin Corneau, Photographer
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Brandon | MB | Canada | Posted: 4:06 AM on 04.21.07 |
->> Listen to those who advise taking it to a professional.
A designer who does it FT is the only way to go if you think that a logo is important. I thought I was reasonably media/design savvy, but when I saw what a working graphic designer produced I realized I should stick to photography.
You need your pipes fixed, call a plumber.... |
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Vasiliy Baziuk, Photographer
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Rochester | NY | USA | Posted: 9:23 PM on 06.16.07 |
->> Rob
I made mine up while in graphic design class in college... see if you can stop by a local community college and see if a graphic arts teacher may know a student who can do it for you.
who know he/she may make it a class project and you will get the chose the one you like best. you ain’t got nothing to loose!
see ya
Vasiliy |
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Daniel Bates, Photographer, Assistant
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Taylor | TX | United States | Posted: 9:25 PM on 06.16.07 |
| ->> I made mine in Photoshop. It's simple - my initials. |
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Sabina Moran, Photographer
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Finksburg | MD | USA | Posted: 9:32 PM on 06.16.07 |
->> Try www.logomaker.com
Nothing fancy but it allows you to save a few designs and email them to friends for opinions. You can also end up ordering business cards, stationary, etc through their affiliate. |
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Rob Bye, Photographer
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Winnipeg | MB | Canada | Posted: 11:35 PM on 06.16.07 |
->> I never expected this thread to resurface. Who would've thought picking a logo was a such a matter of ongoing mass interest!? :)
I ended up settling on a nice wordmark - simply, RobByePhoto.com done up in a nice, clean typeface, with various colour alterations. I think it does the job very well.
Something I've done, and something I'd recommend to anyone using a mark, is to maintain consistency in use. I use the same basic design on my business cards, invoices, signage - the works. My mark will never become internationally recognized, but I think my clients are beginning to recognize it, and that's all I wanted. |
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Eric S. Swist, Photographer
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The Woodlands | TX | USA | Posted: 12:38 AM on 06.17.07 |
| ->> I love the logo David Honl uses, just seems very creative to me. |
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Mark Loundy, Photo Editor
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Dennis Wierzbicki, Photographer
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Plainfield | IL | USA | Posted: 10:03 AM on 06.17.07 |
->> I read this thread the first time around, and again this trip, and can't help thinking that, if one is going to have a logo it's worth it having a pro do it for you. Sure, photographers are creative types, but does that mean we're creative at all creative arts? Can we write symphonies, or cook a five course meal, or play four musical instruments, or paint a masterpiece...? OK, maybe some of us can, but I know I can't.
I'm sure many of you have done a fine job on your own logo's, and this isn't meant as a slight of your work, I just figure the logo you choose represents your company's image - it's right out there on the front of everything you do, if you use it properly.
Whenever I've (or had folks in my group) played around with this in the past on other projects and companies, then turned it over to pro's, I have been blown away on every occasion by what the pro's were able to produce. It was SO much better than anything I or others had come up with that it was ridiculous.
When I do my logo, I will review threads like this and let pro's give me alternatives to review. Just my $.02 |
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David Honl, Photographer
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Istanbul | TR | Turkey | Posted: 4:28 PM on 06.17.07 |
->> I have 2 logos- one for my photography and one for my photography products (thanks to Eric for the compliment). Since I have some design experience I designed my own, but I do agree with Dennis on having a pro do it, especially if you're racking your brain to come up with one you like.
I think it's also importaint to get lots of opinions on your design(s) before printing them on business cards, promo cards, etc.
Dave
http://www.honlphoto.com |
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Allan Schroeder, Photographer
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Vancouver, | BC | Canada | Posted: 12:12 PM on 06.18.07 |
->> Wow, there are some great logos here. I designed mine myself, and then gave it to a friend who simply created a vector version of the logo.
The colours and logo are incorporated throughout my business including my website, buisiness cards, and invoicing. |
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