Get yourself out there with MOO!
It’s so easy to take lots of great photos, but at the end of the day, you need to get them off your computer and show them off!
One of the problems facing photographers is what to do with all those pictures you love taking! Printing up some simple photo cards is a great way to show off your pictures, and for those of you who want to make money out of photography, they can also help you to do that too.
Whether you want to sell your images, or shoot for yourself, it’s fun to print up some cards which make you proud of your work. I am always amazed by the response I get from my MOO cards – people get really excited about them! Please don’t think I am trying to flog cards here – I only ever endorse products which I use myself and really believe will make a difference to your photo life!
The MOO guys talk to you in a fun language, and basically they are just really down to earth – totally my kind of people! Their site is easy to use, and their products are fab quality and great value for money, and the best thing is that you can upload around 50 different images rather than just the same one. I honestly believe their cards are a fantastic way to showcase what you do.
Check out the ideas below and then go out and shoot some fun pictures for your cards, or use some of the zillions you already have on your computer!
You can also make cool stickers, greeting cards, postcards and loads more stuff. They are available in both the UK and the USA, and their site is full of brilliant ideas, and examples of what other people do with their cards – very inspirational.
Ideas for great cards and stickers
For people who want to have fun!
1. Give yourself a little project and go out and shoot some abstract pictures – I did this one day when I was totally inspired on arriving at my friends’ apartment in Atlanta. I loved the quirky little things they had around the house, and immediately wanted to take pictures of everything – so I did! Then later on I made up some postcards with their name and address on the back, so they could use them for notes, or simple cards to write a message on.
I loved taking shots in and around my friends’ apartment, and creating a set of postcards for them – using some of my favourite images.
2. Make some fun stickers – and put them on the back of your envelopes, or wherever you can think of to stick them! I use them for business and just for fun too. Let your children take pictures on your iPhone, and help them to make stickers for their schoolbooks and personal possessions – they will love having their own photos (of themselves, or ones they have taken) on their things. Try photographing their favourite pets – that always works well!
A few samples of the sort of stickers and address labels I use business and for fun too. There are lots of different options and as many uses as you can think of!
3. Use their MiniCards as labels for your gift tags – just punch a hole in them and get some gorgeous ribbon to tie them on. If you have a creative business, selling jewellery for example, they also make great price tags, or look good punched and tied to packaging.
For people who want to earn money from photography
1. Using business cards is a must! But these business cards are so much more useful than regular ones.
Why?
Because you are a photographer, and they allow you to show 50 different images! (Which is great for lots of other professions too!)
Pick a card!
Tip: When you give someone your business card, fan them out and say, “pick a card!” – they will then choose the picture they like best which gives you the opportunity to ask them why they picked that particular photo. This can often start up a conversation, they may have picked the shot of a baby because they are about to have one, so it appeals to them – it may be the colours they like, but all these things lead to discussion, which makes you more memorable than someone with an ordinary business card. It is also likely that if they choose their favourite shot, they may pin it up at home later, simply because they like the picture – and then when they are ready for a photo shoot, it’s you they are going to think about.
Say, “pick a card!” and let people choose the one that appeals to them most.
Be selective! You don’t have to use 50 different images – it is way better to choose 5 or 10 very strong images, than find 50 shots which contain weak ones. Remember – you are always judged by your worst piece of work! Don’t put poor images in there just because you are trying to find 50! Far better to have 10 lots of your 5 best shots.
You can always add to your collection as you take more pictures. Buying 50 or 100 fab photo cards at a time, is much better, in my opinion, than ordering 500 dull “normal” ones! Often when you start out in business, you change things in the first few months – so this way you don’t waste money on a whole set of cards – you can adjust them as you go along, and order them in small amounts.
Cards like these can be used for business, or just for yourself. You can choose up to 50 different images on the front, and the same image on the back – add your details or your logo – or get MOO to design one for you (yes, they will do that as well)!
MOO’s Postcards can be really helpful if you are doing an exhibition – as they are so much bigger than business cards. You do not have to have the normal postcard layout on the back – they can be blank, or have your logo on, or details of your exhibition, or work – any text you like! And again you can choose several images for the fronts, rather than just one.
Perhaps you know a friendly cafe that would let you display some cards? Wherever you use them, they will really stand out if you use a great image on the front.
Postcards also work well as “compliment slips” – you can write a quick note on the back and include it with a letter, or brochure. You can’t always rely on your website – people often want something physical too. If they see your postcards in a cafe, or hotel, gym or exhibition they will often want to pick them up and keep them.
moo.com has lots of ideas to help you, just check out the “inspiration” part of their site.
NOTE: When you are ordering your cards you will see a ticked box which says “enhancement” – if you are enhancing your own images in Lightroom or Photoshop before uploading to MOO – make sure you un-tick this box, or the resulting shots may be contrasty.
I hope you enjoy having lots of fun shooting pictures for your cards, and enjoy basking in the glory they give you!
When you take great shots – you deserve to show them off!
