Branding The First Impression

As part of my business development, I needed to reevaluate my logo and website.  Both of these are very important as it should represent your brand.  What does your website and business card say about you as a photographer? It is that first impression your client gets of you.  I was told by my high school band teacher that "You never get a second chance at a first impression, so make it a good one."  I live by that to this day.

A photographers brand is what sets him/her apart from the rest of the crowd.  Brand is not only the visual elements; like the logo or website.  It's how a photographer is perceived, and viewed by the world. Personality, values, people skills, etc. all play a major role in how the photographer is viewed.  Don Gianntti, a.k.a Wizwow of Lighting Essentials, puts it very eloquently in his post about brand:




        It is NOT your logo.
        It is NOT your camera.
        It is NOT your gear.
        It is NOT how much you spend on marketing.
        It is NOT how much you make. Or how little.


        It’s YOU.


I whole-heartedly agree, but would like to discuss brand identity, and how it should encompass what your brand is. Mainly the process I am going through to re-design my logo to fit my overall vision of my brand.  Read my previous post on my discoveries about myself and my brand.


I have been thinking my logo is in need of an update.  One that speaks "Casual Professional," I like to have fun during my shoots but also am focused on the business side, so it needed to show that somehow.  My current, and soon to be previous one, was primitively drawn by yours truly. With the help of my Graphic Designer/artist friend Katie; as trade for taking some photos for her website, we came up with several designs.  My original logo concept incorporated a couple passions into one idea; music and photography.

My caveman sketch

My thoughts on the original logo:
I am a percussionist and was able incorporate my initials into the image of a drum, and I came up with and conceptualized it all myself.  After having it for a while I still like it but feel that it is to rough and the drum sends conflicting messages when tied to a photography business.  I wanted an updated version that used my initial(s), and was a more professional, photography related, logo.

The process started with that idea; casual yet professional.  Since I don't have Photoshop, and I am not incredibly talented at the editing software GIMP, I did my mediocre design in Pages.  Something about it wasn't right.  I couldn't figure it out.  I brought it to Katie and we worked with it and

 we came up with these:

Dark Background: Possibly the color of a new website design

White Background: probably used for print materials. I.E. Contracts, letters, etc...

I love the logo, but I want to make sure it is sending the right message to clients and other members of the photography community.

My thoughts on the updated one:
I like the hand-drawn look of the W/camera, it gives it a personal feel to it.  The font used for the top is fun and relaxed but the bottom font says business.  I choose the colors and like the combination, but would like the green a little brighter. This will tie into a simpler website, where I will display my portrait portfolio and information with a blog integrated into it.

Have you redesigned your logo, if so what process did you go through and how did you come up with the chosen design? Start a discussion.

What are your thoughts on my design? What can I change? Am I on the right track?
Leave a comment here or on my facebook page.  I would love some input and to hear what you went through to redesign your logo and web page.

Next step is figuring out the website design.  I have a template in mind but need the funds to purchase it.