My online business cards - feedback appreciated!

hamidlmt · 11-20-2008, 11:32 PM

I'm starting to put myself out there, trying to take this fun hobby to the next level. I've come up with a couple online business cards that I'll post on craigslist and other sources.

Since this is technically an ad, I masked out my telephone number... don't want to break any forum rules.

I'd greatly appreciate any feedback... thanks for your time!

[edit} Please note... second and third drafts have been posted below...

Last edited by hamidlmt; 11-24-2008 at 11:50 PM.

heliphoto · 11-20-2008, 11:54 PM

I like the the second just fine. In my opinion, the first needs either the girls full right eye, or maybe move here more off the page so we don't see her right eye. It looks like a nice shot of her, but just seeing the corner of her eye bothers me (but that's just me - I see on your site that you like that crop / composition, so good on ya).

Long term for your buisness, I might recommend you get a custom domain name for your pro smugmug account. It only costs about $10/year for the domain name registration (using godaddy.com - maybe "hsbphotography.com" or something like that) and is pretty easy to integrate with smugmug (and you can ask me how if you get stuck). Then do a little customization of your Smugmug account (see my sig - "my photos" link to see what I've done - hasn't helped me sell any prints yet but it gave me something entertaining to do at work (while waiting for a fire)) I think it would look nice to have your site look like your site, and not just another smugmug acct.

I've been meaning to design some business cards too, so thanks for the reminder.

hamidlmt · 11-21-2008, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by heliphoto

I like the the second just fine. In my opinion, the first needs either the girls full right eye, or maybe move here more off the page so we don't see her right eye. It looks like a nice shot of her, but just seeing the corner of her eye bothers me (but that's just me - I see on your site that you like that crop / composition, so good on ya).

Long term for your buisness, I might recommend you get a custom domain name for your pro smugmug account. It only costs about $10/year for the domain name registration (using godaddy.com - maybe "hsbphotography.com" or something like that) and is pretty easy to integrate with smugmug (and you can ask me how if you get stuck). Then do a little customization of your Smugmug account (see my sig - "my photos" link to see what I've done - hasn't helped me sell any prints yet but it gave me something entertaining to do at work (while waiting for a fire)) I think it would look nice to have your site look like your site, and not just another smugmug acct.

I've been meaning to design some business cards too, so thanks for the reminder.

You have some great points here.

I know I should get a custom domain too... one project at a time! LOL!

hamidlmt · 11-21-2008, 10:37 AM

Taking some much needed advice, here's the second draft....

roentarre · 11-21-2008, 02:58 PM

They are very well done. The lady shot is good as it suggests what you do.

The dog one is good but it is more appropriate if you do pet protrait too

hamidlmt · 11-22-2008, 09:36 AM

Originally posted by roentarre

They are very well done. The lady shot is good as it suggests what you do.

The dog one is good but it is more appropriate if you do pet protrait too

Thanks. I have 2 different versions, since I want to market both my people portraits and dog portraits (which I do a ton of!)

song_hm · 11-22-2008, 01:54 PM

The second lady shot is nice.

Not too crazy about the way the dog is tilting its head out of the frame. Perhaps you can switch the dog to the right side? Or if you rather have it on the left, try flipping horizontally and see what happens. I would brighten up its left eye a tad.

**Marc Langille** · 11-22-2008, 02:18 PM

Hamid, I would heartily recommend you do as Josh says - get the custom domain setup. It's very little hassle, and you're good to go. Either he or I would be more than willing to help out if you need any direction. My SmugMug Pro Account uses a custom domain name too.

I really like the revised cards - excellent!!!

hamidlmt · 11-23-2008, 09:49 AM

Originally posted by Marc Langille

Hamid, I would heartily recommend you do as Josh says - get the custom domain setup. It's very little hassle, and you're good to go. Either he or I would be more than willing to help out if you need any direction. My SmugMug Pro Account uses a custom domain name too.

I really like the revised cards - excellent!!!

You're right of course, Marc. I'll start looking into it. I do have a Pro account too.

Really appreciate your offer to help! If I get stuck, I'll take you on on that!

Andres · 11-24-2008, 04:29 PM

The same that Heliphoto said about the eye...

The second is so sweet! that's great IMO for a business card

**Ash** · 11-24-2008, 04:59 PM

Nicely done Hamid.
I would have liked a little more of the woman in view, but is still effective as is.
The dog has a lot of character and makes the card have great impact.
Great work.

hamidlmt · 11-24-2008, 11:50 PM

All righty... really appreciate everyone's suggestions! I registered a domain new this evening. Here's round 3 of rough drafts....

heliphoto · 11-25-2008, 08:33 AM

Nice work Hamid. All it took was a little pressure from us

. Good domain name too (always the hard part I think). Dgrin has a huge amount of info about customizing smugmug (referenced from smugmug's help pages).

hamidlmt · 11-25-2008, 03:47 PM

Originally posted by heliphoto

Nice work Hamid. All it took was a little pressure from us

. Good domain name too (always the hard part I think). Dgrin has a huge amount of info about customizing smugmug (referenced from smugmug's help pages).

Yes, sometimes it just takes a kick in the rear to get me jump started. I'll check out Dgrin's site... looks like some great info! Thank!

hamidlmt · 11-26-2008, 12:30 PM

Well, I just made the first very rudimentary changes to the website, adding a slide show and my own header. It needs a good bit of work, like graphical headers, etc, but it's starting to look a little less like a typical smugmug site... And, that's all the time I have to work on it today.

Photography by Hamid Shibata Bennett - Portland, Oregon- powered by SmugMug

11-20-2008, 11:32 PM	#1
hamidlmt Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gresham, Oregon USA Posts: 1,217	My online business cards - feedback appreciated! I'm starting to put myself out there, trying to take this fun hobby to the next level. I've come up with a couple online business cards that I'll post on craigslist and other sources. Since this is technically an ad, I masked out my telephone number... don't want to break any forum rules. I'd greatly appreciate any feedback... thanks for your time! [edit} Please note... second and third drafts have been posted below... Last edited by hamidlmt; 11-24-2008 at 11:50 PM.

11-21-2008, 10:37 AM	#4
hamidlmt Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gresham, Oregon USA Posts: 1,217 Original Poster	Round 2 Taking some much needed advice, here's the second draft....

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11-20-2008, 11:54 PM	#2
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539	I like the the second just fine. In my opinion, the first needs either the girls full right eye, or maybe move here more off the page so we don't see her right eye. It looks like a nice shot of her, but just seeing the corner of her eye bothers me (but that's just me - I see on your site that you like that crop / composition, so good on ya). Long term for your buisness, I might recommend you get a custom domain name for your pro smugmug account. It only costs about $10/year for the domain name registration (using godaddy.com - maybe "hsbphotography.com" or something like that) and is pretty easy to integrate with smugmug (and you can ask me how if you get stuck). Then do a little customization of your Smugmug account (see my sig - "my photos" link to see what I've done - hasn't helped me sell any prints yet but it gave me something entertaining to do at work (while waiting for a fire)) I think it would look nice to have your site look like your site, and not just another smugmug acct. I've been meaning to design some business cards too, so thanks for the reminder.

11-21-2008, 10:37 AM	#3
hamidlmt Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gresham, Oregon USA Posts: 1,217 Original Poster	Originally posted by heliphoto I like the the second just fine. In my opinion, the first needs either the girls full right eye, or maybe move here more off the page so we don't see her right eye. It looks like a nice shot of her, but just seeing the corner of her eye bothers me (but that's just me - I see on your site that you like that crop / composition, so good on ya). Long term for your buisness, I might recommend you get a custom domain name for your pro smugmug account. It only costs about $10/year for the domain name registration (using godaddy.com - maybe "hsbphotography.com" or something like that) and is pretty easy to integrate with smugmug (and you can ask me how if you get stuck). Then do a little customization of your Smugmug account (see my sig - "my photos" link to see what I've done - hasn't helped me sell any prints yet but it gave me something entertaining to do at work (while waiting for a fire)) I think it would look nice to have your site look like your site, and not just another smugmug acct. I've been meaning to design some business cards too, so thanks for the reminder. You have some great points here. I know I should get a custom domain too... one project at a time! LOL!

11-21-2008, 02:58 PM	#5
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	They are very well done. The lady shot is good as it suggests what you do. The dog one is good but it is more appropriate if you do pet protrait too

11-22-2008, 09:36 AM	#6
hamidlmt Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gresham, Oregon USA Posts: 1,217 Original Poster	Originally posted by roentarre They are very well done. The lady shot is good as it suggests what you do. The dog one is good but it is more appropriate if you do pet protrait too Thanks. I have 2 different versions, since I want to market both my people portraits and dog portraits (which I do a ton of!)

11-22-2008, 01:54 PM	#7
song_hm Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 797	The second lady shot is nice. Not too crazy about the way the dog is tilting its head out of the frame. Perhaps you can switch the dog to the right side? Or if you rather have it on the left, try flipping horizontally and see what happens. I would brighten up its left eye a tad.

11-22-2008, 02:18 PM	#8
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710	Hamid, I would heartily recommend you do as Josh says - get the custom domain setup. It's very little hassle, and you're good to go. Either he or I would be more than willing to help out if you need any direction. My SmugMug Pro Account uses a custom domain name too. I really like the revised cards - excellent!!!

11-23-2008, 09:49 AM	#9
hamidlmt Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gresham, Oregon USA Posts: 1,217 Original Poster	Originally posted by Marc Langille Hamid, I would heartily recommend you do as Josh says - get the custom domain setup. It's very little hassle, and you're good to go. Either he or I would be more than willing to help out if you need any direction. My SmugMug Pro Account uses a custom domain name too. I really like the revised cards - excellent!!! You're right of course, Marc. I'll start looking into it. I do have a Pro account too. Really appreciate your offer to help! If I get stuck, I'll take you on on that!

11-24-2008, 04:29 PM	#10
Andres Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Buenos Aires Photos: Albums Posts: 240	The same that Heliphoto said about the eye... The second is so sweet! that's great IMO for a business card

11-24-2008, 04:59 PM	#11
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Nicely done Hamid. I would have liked a little more of the woman in view, but is still effective as is. The dog has a lot of character and makes the card have great impact. Great work.

11-24-2008, 11:50 PM	#12
hamidlmt Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gresham, Oregon USA Posts: 1,217 Original Poster	All righty... really appreciate everyone's suggestions! I registered a domain new this evening. Here's round 3 of rough drafts....

11-25-2008, 08:33 AM	#13
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539	Nice work Hamid. All it took was a little pressure from us . Good domain name too (always the hard part I think). Dgrin has a huge amount of info about customizing smugmug (referenced from smugmug's help pages).

11-25-2008, 03:47 PM	#14
hamidlmt Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gresham, Oregon USA Posts: 1,217 Original Poster	Originally posted by heliphoto Nice work Hamid. All it took was a little pressure from us . Good domain name too (always the hard part I think). Dgrin has a huge amount of info about customizing smugmug (referenced from smugmug's help pages). Yes, sometimes it just takes a kick in the rear to get me jump started. I'll check out Dgrin's site... looks like some great info! Thank!

11-26-2008, 12:30 PM	#15
hamidlmt Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gresham, Oregon USA Posts: 1,217 Original Poster	Well, I just made the first very rudimentary changes to the website, adding a slide show and my own header. It needs a good bit of work, like graphical headers, etc, but it's starting to look a little less like a typical smugmug site... And, that's all the time I have to work on it today. Photography by Hamid Shibata Bennett - Portland, Oregon- powered by SmugMug