Photographer
Joined: Feb 20, 2013
Posts: 208
Back in the day, most serious models and photographers carried show (AKA Z) cards in the case of models and photographers tended to use business cards.
A model's show card would have relevant body measurements, styles of work undertaken a contact phone number, along with a few photographs from shoots. The contact number would very often have their model agency phone number or a direct line.
Photographers usually used a business card which gave name, studio address and phone number. Often there would be a one line description of the type of photography they undertook.
These cards were mainly used by full-time models and photographers but also used by semi pros and keen amateurs.
So... my question is, does anyone use them today, are they relevant and how would you use them in this modern world of Internet and social media?
Tell me your thoughts and stories about model and business cards...
Photographer
Joined: Jan 7, 2007
Posts: 2.7k
Not used a busness card for qute some time: they were potentially useful when in the old days models attended group shoots but TF group shoots seem to have died off.
Russ
Photographer
Joined: May 9, 2018
Posts: 812
I had 100 business cards made in 2010 and I found them to be very handy to exchange with models at group shoots back in the day. I have also given them to people who I've met casually who expressed an interest in modelling. The total number of shoots that I did by using those cards probably amounts to less than 10 🙄 .... I have found that lately people seem to use WattsApp to communicate, and that suits me fine (no cost involved) 🙂
Photographer
Joined: Apr 12, 2006
Posts: 8.7k
In my press and later commercial photography career, I always had business cards. Like Peter and Russ above, I haven't bothered for some time.
I'm fortunate in that I have a few clients who have stayed with me over the years to the extent that I don't look for business. I'm easing up on work and my contract with the model agency is enough to keep me happy and paid.
Where I think business cards are useful for photographers is for those interested in Street Photography. Although it doesn't make you an "official" photographer, if people ask you what you are doing, you can give them a card which will have your website on. It gives you a little credence and they can look your work up on their phones.
If not a website, Instagram or some other site to which you can refer them. In the past I've given a business card to a pretty girl in the street and left them to think about it. Sometimes it worked!
