Using your name verses a logo.

[onrie]

I am trying to decide if I want to have a logo designed to use along with my name. Just wanting opinions on wether any of you think this is worth doing or if it is a waste of time and money. Also if anyone has any good leads on getting a logo designed it would be greatly appreciated. Normally I could come up with something like this myself but right now I am going brain dead with it.

[Sodeju]

Watermarks deface your photos. Like grafitti on a wall. It's ugly. No architect would mess up his own building with it. So why would you do it to your photos? It is not neccessary. Because copyright exists, according to the Berne Convention, as soon as you click the shutter, or put paint to canvas, there is no need to have a watermark or copyright notice on the work. It makes even a good image look amateurish and unprofessional. Real photographers don't have watermarks/copyright notices disfiguring their images.
Picasso didn't have any copyright notices on his work.

The US signed the Berne Convention in 1989.

[Eero Makela]

Originally Posted by Sodeju

Picasso didn't have any copyright notices on his work.

The US signed the Berne Convention in 1989.

Picasso signed his work with "Picasso"
Which is the same or even better then a copyright logo/name!!

[Sodeju]

Originally Posted by Eero Makela

Picasso signed his work with "Picasso"
Which is the same or even better then a copyright logo/name!!

Picasso's signature is/was an integral part of the artwork. Without it the work is not one iota less protected/copyrighted.
A watermark/copyright notice is never an integral part of the work. It is ugly grafitti. An afterthought.

[Eero Makela]

Originally Posted by Sodeju

Picasso's signature is/was an integral part of the artwork. Without it the work is not one iota less protected/copyrighted.
A watermark/copyright notice is never an integral part of the work. It is ugly grafitti. An afterthought.

The OP was not even about copyright/protection , but logo verses name.

Also I don't think Picasso had to worry about people stealing his work, as he did not post his art on the internet. It is a lot harder to copy his work. Our's is just a few mouse clicks, and a few minor edits in PS. Digital photographs have a copyright that is more integral then anything Picasso signed, no mater how hidden or obscure he signed it.

[Songman45]

I didn't see anything in the OP about putting the logo on anything, much less pictures. Man talk about jumping to conclusions so you can scream your opinion.

Originally Posted by onrie

I am trying to decide if I want to have a logo designed to use along with my name. Just wanting opinions on wether any of you think this is worth doing or if it is a waste of time and money. Also if anyone has any good leads on getting a logo designed it would be greatly appreciated. Normally I could come up with something like this myself but right now I am going brain dead with it.

Far as logos and iconic recognition are concerned, I don't believe they are a waste of time and money. Some photographers like their name being their company image. Check around and you'll find a multitude of "John Doe Photogrpahy" business names. Sometimes the signature is incorporated with the word "Photography". Other photographers like the coporate image, so they brand themselves with some catchy name that might point to their specialty. I always find it interesting when a photographer who only photographs on locations and doesn't have a camera room names his business "XYZ Studios". Where, I wonder, are these studios?

Personally, I think a logo is a fine idea. Like most fine ideas it needs to be very thought out and done completely. This would require registration as a trademark and all the research that goes into that. I say choose your mark carefully, refine it, get happy with it, then stick with it. Use a professional! As a photographer you know that the digital age makes it easier than ever for hacks to set up shop. We hear much bemoaning about why customers should use the services of professional photographers. A professional advertising graphic artist can explain the science behind his creation and why each element of a logo has been used. Roughly stated, if you aren't a CL Photographer, don't use a CL logo designer.

That's my opinion YMMV.

Steve

[KmH]

Originally Posted by onrie

I am trying to decide if I want to have a logo designed to use along with my name. Just wanting opinions on wether any of you think this is worth doing or if it is a waste of time and money. Also if anyone has any good leads on getting a logo designed it would be greatly appreciated. Normally I could come up with something like this myself but right now I am going brain dead with it.

It depends on what kind of photography you do.

I think 90% of the portrait photographers out there that have a logo, wasted their time and money, assuming they paid a graphic designer to do one for them, since WOM is the best marketing for retail photography.

Many of the most successsful logo's are just the company name. (Coca-Cola, Home Depot, Kleenex, etc.)

Logo's have to be designed using vector graphics so they can be scaled up and down without pixilating. Adobe Illustrator and other software output vector graphic files. Adobe Photoshop does raster graphic files which are not practical for a logo.

[onrie]

Thank you steve and Eero,

and no I was'nt talking about watermarks. I am talking about from a marketing stand point. Just trying to decide wether to incorporate a logo into my name or just use my name.

[onrie]

Thanks Keith, Thus far I have just used my name.

[Songman45]

Originally Posted by onrie

Thank you steve and Eero,

and no I was'nt talking about watermarks. I am talking about from a marketing stand point. Just trying to decide wether to incorporate a logo into my name or just use my name.

I took a look at your website (nice stuff BTW) and it appears to me that you are a real personal service sort of photographer, almost intimate with your clients. I think Keiths suggestion for you is well placed. If anything, I'd look into placing your signature, or your name in some stylized font together with the word photography. This is something you could probably do yourself in PS with a couple of layers. Not so much a trademark logo, just a tasteful presentation of your name and business. The word of mouth in your business probably will pay more dividends than a corproate logo.

Steve

[KEVINS]

Originally Posted by Songman45

I took a look at your website (nice stuff BTW) and it appears to me that you are a real personal service sort of photographer, almost intimate with your clients. I think Keiths suggestion for you is well placed. If anything, I'd look into placing your signature, or your name in some stylized font together with the word photography. This is something you could probably do yourself in PS with a couple of layers. Not so much a trademark logo, just a tasteful presentation of your name and business. The word of mouth in your business probably will pay more dividends than a corproate logo.

Steve

I agree with Steve I like the name only. Now you could turn your name or one of the letters into a logo somehow, that's what I do when signing photos.

Kevin $laby

[Ben_V]

Originally Posted by onrie

Thanks Keith, Thus far I have just used my name.

I think, using your name in the first place is wise marketing. Photography is a people business and people want to know the photographer. So, I am well distrustful against fancy (or stupid) company names for a photographic business.

Nevertheless a logo must not compete with the name. It is a kind of easily recognizable abbreviation. It should transport a feel for the business and thus support the building of a brand name. We humans are visual animals and we recognise forms, shapes and colours much more easily than names (depending on the name to a degree).

So, creating a logo to go with your name is a good proposition. (No, I do not want to sell you a logo, but I ahve been in this business long enough…)

Ben

[Ed Shapiro]

Here is what works for me- I hope it will help y'all-

First of all, logos are good if well applied. They are part of "branding" your business WHEN APPLIED PROPERLY! Aside from you photographs the logo should appear on you business cards, letterheads, envelopes, packaging materials, certain kinds om photo-mounts or folders, signage, all advertising, phone book ads, and all invoices and business forms. Make sure you like your logo, because it is not wise to change it midstream. After a while your clients and others will get to recognize your logo as your trade mark and that is an important element in branding your business.

In my small business I have three basic divisions- portraiture, theatrical photography and commercial work. All my portraits are hand signed by me with my actual signature. I still use India-ink and a nib type pen. Most artists sign their work and I think it is an elegant addition to any print. I do not use my logo on portraits. I deliver all my smaller portraits in black paper or leather folios where the logo is (antique) gold-stamped on the cover.

As per tradition, all of my theatrical and modeling portfolio prints are marked with my logo and a copyright symbol, It is clear but small enough to b un-intrusive. All the well know publicity studios do this and it accepted in the trade.

Where commercial prints are made for the client, all the information and the logo are printed on the back including copyright data, file number and my logo. I do not imbued theses in files or transparencies because all that legal stuff is in the contract. Sometimes I deliver commercial display prints with a thin white margin at the bottom of the print with credits- my own, the agency, the model's name and or the makeup and hair folks- this is done by agreement. All commercial work is delivered in packaging material with my logo.

If done tastefully and with panache there should be no problems with your clients.

We live in a world of prestige branding- logos appear on cars, fine watches, even certain garments, in many cases, that's why people buy theses particular items. Signatures of the makers- to me that is part of total elegance.

Logos and trademarks should be registered- they are valuable and the more you use them for your business the more valuable the become. On my portraits, I tell my clients if it ain't signed- it ain't mine!

Look at other successful industries, many of them have retained their trade marks and logos for centuries. Even of the updated their packaging, the original logo appears somewhere on the label. Test your self and see what you remember such as that little stagecoach on the rocker panels of Cadillac products- "Body by Fisher". What about that RR on a certain brand of motor car, Pepsi Cola, Coke, Heinz Ketchup and Beans, all kinds of fine wines, Steinway & Sons- the piano makers. Consistency is important when it comes to recognition. My all time favorite was for Zenith TVs and radios- "ZENITH- the quality goes in before the NAME goes on" That tag line was part of their logo and it was used in all of their advertising for decades. Good logos and tag lines STICK! TIMEX- Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'! I even remember the announcer and spokesman on that series of commercials. One of my old color labs "A Good Print on Time" was their logo/tag line with a lab flask with a iris diaphragm in the round part of the flask!

If you don't have the talent or know how to create a logo- it is certainly not a waste of money to hire a professional. I know some of the fees can be expensive but there are ways to save money. In my case, when I opened my first shop, I went to my sign makers and simply described what I would like- it took him all of 3 minutes to come uo with a great design. I asked him what his charges for the logo were and he said "just pay me for the sign work"! Sometimes just an elegant font and a simple symbol can do the trick- it needn't be complex. You may also want to determine you official company colors when you design your logo.

I even have shopping bags and packing tape marked..."Yet another happy customer of.........." (me) and I love it when people parade theses things around shopping centers and public places.

I hope this helps. Ed

[Rain Lily]

Originally Posted by Ed Shapiro

Here is what works for me- I hope it will help y'all-

First of all, logos are good if well applied. They are part of "branding" your business WHEN APPLIED PROPERLY! Aside from you photographs the logo should appear on you business cards, letterheads, envelopes, packaging materials, certain kinds om photo-mounts or folders, signage, all advertising, phone book ads, and all invoices and business forms. Make sure you like your logo, because it is not wise to change it midstream. After a while your clients and others will get to recognize your logo as your trade mark and that is an important element in branding your business.

In my small business I have three basic divisions- portraiture, theatrical photography and commercial work. All my portraits are hand signed by me with my actual signature. I still use India-ink and a nib type pen. Most artists sign their work and I think it is an elegant addition to any print. I do not use my logo on portraits. I deliver all my smaller portraits in black paper or leather folios where the logo is (antique) gold-stamped on the cover.

As per tradition, all of my theatrical and modeling portfolio prints are marked with my logo and a copyright symbol, It is clear but small enough to b un-intrusive. All the well know publicity studios do this and it accepted in the trade.

Where commercial prints are made for the client, all the information and the logo are printed on the back including copyright data, file number and my logo. I do not imbued theses in files or transparencies because all that legal stuff is in the contract. Sometimes I deliver commercial display prints with a thin white margin at the bottom of the print with credits- my own, the agency, the model's name and or the makeup and hair folks- this is done by agreement. All commercial work is delivered in packaging material with my logo.

If done tastefully and with panache there should be no problems with your clients.

We live in a world of prestige branding- logos appear on cars, fine watches, even certain garments, in many cases, that's why people buy theses particular items. Signatures of the makers- to me that is part of total elegance.

Logos and trademarks should be registered- they are valuable and the more you use them for your business the more valuable the become. On my portraits, I tell my clients if it ain't signed- it ain't mine!

Look at other successful industries, many of them have retained their trade marks and logos for centuries. Even of the updated their packaging, the original logo appears somewhere on the label. Test your self and see what you remember such as that little stagecoach on the rocker panels of Cadillac products- "Body by Fisher". What about that RR on a certain brand of motor car, Pepsi Cola, Coke, Heinz Ketchup and Beans, all kinds of fine wines, Steinway & Sons- the piano makers. Consistency is important when it comes to recognition. My all time favorite was for Zenith TVs and radios- "ZENITH- the quality goes in before the NAME goes on" That tag line was part of their logo and it was used in all of their advertising for decades. Good logos and tag lines STICK! TIMEX- Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'! I even remember the announcer and spokesman on that series of commercials. One of my old color labs "A Good Print on Time" was their logo/tag line with a lab flask with a iris diaphragm in the round part of the flask!

If you don't have the talent or know how to create a logo- it is certainly not a waste of money to hire a professional. I know some of the fees can be expensive but there are ways to save money. In my case, when I opened my first shop, I went to my sign makers and simply described what I would like- it took him all of 3 minutes to come uo with a great design. I asked him what his charges for the logo were and he said "just pay me for the sign work"! Sometimes just an elegant font and a simple symbol can do the trick- it needn't be complex. You may also want to determine you official company colors when you design your logo.

I even have shopping bags and packing tape marked..."Yet another happy customer of.........." (me) and I love it when people parade theses things around shopping centers and public places.

I hope this helps. Ed

I agree with you, Ed. I have a logo and I put it on the back of things like folded greeting cards, birth announcements, graduation invitations, etc. I also use it on any kind of stationary or promotional item sent through the mail. One of these days, I'm going to have a few casual shirts embroidered with it to wear when doing sessions.

I think it's worth it, Andrea, for all the reasons Ed just outlined. Plus it's fun. lol

[zemlin]

I just had a simple logo designed. A woman I know here in Indy did it for me. I wanted something graphically simple so it could be reproduced easily in different methods - embroidered on a shirt - a cut-film sign, etc.
See my signature for the logo.
I've done some logos before, but was going nowhere on the photo biz.
Emily Wood is a good friend and made quick work of my stuff.
Everything Emily

[onrie]

Thanks you guys you have been alot of help

[Dudley]

One of my first questions is: What are they hiding? Sayings like 'Love made visible', may get a paycheck, but it doesn't cut it with me.

[Ben_V]

Originally Posted by Dudley

One of my first questions is: What are they hiding? Sayings like 'Love made visible', may get a paycheck, but it doesn't cut it with me.

Something like that is NOT a logo, it is a "claim". A logo is a visual representation of the company "brand". The brand for a photographic business should, that at least is my personal view, always be the photographer her/himself.

Ben

[Ed Shapiro]

There is all kinds of philosophies regarding photographer and photography. When a photographer's name becomes a household word, he or she may not want to think about logos, tag lines and may even look down upon advertising and promotion as being crass and undignified. I disagree with that because there are other consumer based ideas such as "out of sight=out of mind".

I suppose that not many of us around here have names that are, as yet, household words such as "Karsh" or Annie Lubavitch, so if you are going to make a success out of you photographic business you need to start off with good branding and tasteful advertising. You "corporate image" may be that of a "car" or or a "fine motor car" or a "used car" as opposed to a previously owned motor car". It's all in the presentation and first impressions count when you are seeking out your market.

It also depends where you are advertising. My own rule is not to write "poetry" in the Yellow Pages. When folks go to the phone book they are seeking out services and if you don't write exactly what you do, folks will go on to the next ad. A logo and a tag line are enough for the various directories.

If you are composing a blog like ad- you can elaborate on you philosophies of photography and art. You need to know what is most effective for a variety of media.

If you don't make your living from photography, you can be as introverted, reclusive or super laid back as you want to be. In business you have to promote yourself, I believe tastefully, in everything you do.

Word of mouth "advertising" and referral business is very powerful and counts more than anything else but first you need to get started if you are new to the business and don't as yet have an established customer base. If you are the only person who knows of your abilities- you won't have customers.

Logos, claims, trademarks and tag lines will not do it all for you. There is the entire aspect of media advertising to consider, consumer and bridal shows, trade shows, public exhibitions, participation on community activities and events and most of all the delivery high quality work on a consistent basis. The logos and such just help bring things together in some important aspect of business such as product identification and recognition as well as a touch of professionalism.

Ed

[JimH]

Originally Posted by Dudley

One of my first questions is: What are they hiding?

Some of us have four letter words in their last names that while translated into the languages they come from make perfect sense ... don't always look good from a professional standpoint or is thought of to "be" one.

Jim Hilgedick

(from "Hilgedieck" or "lives by clear pond" .. who lived next door to Brundieck "lives by brown pond")