[00silvergt]

Originally Posted by Light Currents

I am going to disagree with this, at least in part. I shoot for various magazines. I contracted with the art director of one of the magazines to design my business card for me (on the side - independent, personal contract - not thru the magazine).

While communicating back and forth about drafts, changes, etc. this very subject came up and this is what the art director said: they have so many different photographers approaching them who all seem the same, often the only way (for the magazine) to evaluate the talents and proficiency of an (untested / unknown) photographer is via the professionalism of his/her presentation which is communicated via their business card, info packet, brochure, rack card, etc.

A business card contains your business contact information. But it also can represent your degree of professionalism. This was from the mouth of an art director of a major magazine who also functions as assignment editor dispensing assignments to photographers. Your image, your business card, IS important.

To be perceived as a professional, you have to appear as one.

In a way, we are sort of saying the same thing, maybe I am not communicating my idea very well. I guess what I really intended by my post is that moderation and control is mandated when you want to communicate your professionalism via your business card. People tend to get pretty radical and "go off" on their designs when designing their business cards. I've seen photog's cards with pictures of their camera, their lenses, etc. Bottom line is to keep it moderate and control the clutter and fight the urge to get too artistic with your cards. Your portfolio will communicate that, your cards will get you the phone call.