03 May, 2009

Logo-ing my business

As you guys know (and if you don't, tsk! Pay attention!) I'm in the early stages of attempting to start a photography business. Right after I figure out the ins and outs of what's required, that is. In the meantime, I've started thinking about branding and logo design. I've got Mr Ruby Slippers working on a logo right now, which I think is going to be frikkin AWESOME, but I thought I'd ask for input from my readers on what you like to see in a photographer's logo, what makes it memorable for you (and, indeed, which ones ARE memorable), and anything else you can think of that works or doesn't work for you when it comes to a photographer's layout/design, categories, etc. I'll be starting a new, dedicated photography blog for my business, and probably keeping this one as my personal blog (until I run out of things to say, or it all ends up being on the other blog anyway!), so feel free to tell me what you'd like to see or not.

I've decided on the logo itself (which is what Mr Ruby Slippers is designing) but I still need a font to use for my name, because the logo is just a picture which will be either above my name or between the words, depending on which looks better. Once I have said logo I'll share it with you. In the meanwhile, here are some of my favourite photographer logos/branding:

I love the sweet little curly logo that Photos for Life uses, and I really love their font, too!


Chelsea Nicole has a great logo because it's just her name, but the colours and font really stand out and make it memorable.


I think this one for Studio Julie's Pink Light District Line is really fun! I love the vintagey lamp. I think it might be a bit big for some purposes, though.


This is my absolute favourite logo, from theorie. The cute, bouncy font, with that sweet butterfly hanging off it (I adore butterflies. Seriously, you should see how many butterfly necklaces I have) is just swoonworthy. I love the way the name and the logo are part of each other. Le sigh.

Don't worry, theorie, I'm not stealing your butterfly!

I always liked photo logos and names that lie beneath the photo, so that no part of the photo is obstructed, but I've just shown four that are ON the photo, and they all look lovely. I think it's better from the point of view of people not being able to crop your name off your photo as easily. What do you guys think?

For ones below the photo, these are some more I like:


The famous (infamous?) Jessica Claire's logo. (PS I heart this photo!)


I love the way Jonilyn's flower cuts through her name.
How about part on, part off, like Jessica Johnston?

Anybody have any other favourites, or reasons to like or not like those I've posted? Bring it on!
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10 comments:

  1. JennaMay 04, 2009 4:48 AM

    I'm awful with graphic stuff (that's why I have other people make those decisions for me), so I don't have any advice, but if you do end up doing a logo on the photo, make it into a brush to apply it. I just thought of this a few weeks ago and it has made my life SOOOO much easier!

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  2. Read and SeeMay 04, 2009 11:26 AM

    Good thinking on the brush! I would never have thought of that. I was just going to drag an image over the photo. Thanks for the tip!

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  3. Sarah {The Student Knitter}May 04, 2009 12:53 PM

    The last one where the circle kinda hits the corner is sort of the best of both worlds isn't it? ON the photo (so as to not be cropped out) but off at the same time. I like that it has the white border around the photo too. I also really love this one: http://www.vuephotographyonline.net/
    and: http://khpblog.com/ (really pretty and professional I think. very very simple).

    I think this is my favorite though, because it's so distinctive that you don't even *need* words. So freakin' cool and it sticks out in my mind whenever I see it: http://tristalerit.com/blog/

    Good luck! Can't wait to see the final project!

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  4. Read and SeeMay 04, 2009 1:29 PM

    Oh, you are so right about Trista Lerit! She's one of my favourite photographers, and her ribbon really is so distinctive! I just feel like too much of a newbie to not put my name underneath too.

    I'm thinking I agree, and I will use the logo half over the picture and half underneath; it IS the best of both worlds, isn't it? But of course it all depends how it looks when Mr RS finishes it! Then my name can go at the bottom. Decisions....

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  5. JessMay 04, 2009 5:10 PM

    I can't contribute to this conversation in any knowledgable way because I have no clue when it comes to graphics and the like, but I do really like theorie's all well. Simple and elegant; I think that's the way to go. You don't want anything that takes away from the photography!!
    Can't wait to see what you and Mr. RS come up with.

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  6. Sarah {The Student Knitter}May 05, 2009 2:46 PM

    oh, I have no clue either! I was just saying what I liked. Maybe I'm just opinionated. hehe

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  7. Read and SeeMay 05, 2009 5:41 PM

    Carry on, be opinionated! I want your opinions! Thanks for contributing as well, Jess!

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  8. Ellen MintMay 06, 2009 5:14 AM

    I love the multi colored one. It's simple but still stands out far from the rest.

    As for on and off, I am thinking it's probably more of a case by case basis sometimes. When there's something really cool in the corners then maybe put it down below but when possible probably best to get it in there so no one tries to cut it out.

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  9. Lucky DesignsMay 14, 2009 4:29 AM

    I love Jasmine Star's logo. It is so clever and unique. Good luck!

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  10. zendaisyMay 16, 2009 6:58 AM

    I'm a little bit late to the party (I'm here from Cake Wrecks too--hi!), and I am entirely unknowledgeable about photography logos, but I love Punam Bean's. You can see two or three different versions here (http://www.punambean.com/blog/?p=169), here (http://www.punambean.com/blog/?p=193), and here (http://www.punambean.com/blog/?p=170).

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