Any ideas for memorable business card portrait?

[nategesner]

We've all seen hundreds of business cards, but are any of them memorable? I'm entering real estate and want to stick out from the crowd. It would be nice if I could take a photo that expresses my fun side, rather than sticking with an a-typical professional head shot. Do any of you have an idea of what could be fun without looking plain goofy?

I thought of a photo-shopped pic with me holding a house in the palm of my hand outside of the picture frame, giving it a 3D look. Or maybe just a "kilroy" pose, which would have me peeking outside of the frame and only show me from the nose up. People would remember me easier this way than if it were just a professional photo, yes?

If anyone has an idea, I'd love to hear it!

[i speak in math]

Originally Posted by nategesner

We've all seen hundreds of business cards, but are any of them memorable? I'm entering real estate and want to stick out from the crowd. It would be nice if I could take a photo that expresses my fun side, rather than sticking with an a-typical professional head shot. Do any of you have an idea of what could be fun without looking plain goofy?

I thought of a photo-shopped pic with me holding a house in the palm of my hand outside of the picture frame, giving it a 3D look. Or maybe just a "kilroy" pose, which would have me peeking outside of the frame and only show me from the nose up. People would remember me easier this way than if it were just a professional photo, yes?

If anyone has an idea, I'd love to hear it!

To me, those don't say, "I'm a serious real estate photographer". They say, "I'm an amatuer and I don't take my work seriously". I would think either solid color with plenty of blank space on the card (which reads as; simple, understated, serious) or a card that has an example shot (which shows off your great work) that maybe fades to white on one side with your info. Cards need to say a lot in very little. Make sure it says to your client what you want it to say.

[nategesner]

It's not real estate photography; it's just selling real estate. My point is that I've seen hundreds of cards lately and none of themstick out. The photographs are generally professional, the font is legible, colors are nice, etc. But everyone has a nice photo, even the ones that are amateurs, unprofessional, or they just suck at the job. I'd like to have a card that reminds people of my personality, which is professional, hard-working,AND fun. It's what my customers like about me, so why not use it?

I'm getting a new portrait done tomorrow and will stick with the cookie-cutter headshot. But I'm not going to stop pursuing this idea until it has run its course!

[CaptainNH]

Why not get both styles shot and printed.

Hand the two different ones out randomly and see what reaction you get from your clients?

[nategesner]

Here's an example of a "fun" card that also demonstrates his business. This is a card I would remember!