Your brand and skill are FIRE…let’s make sure your logo is, too. These photography logo ideas that inspire creativity and great design!
A photography logo can make a first impression. Let’s make sure it’s a good one.
Let’s be honest…not all of us knock it out of the park the first time we design our logo. Most of us REALLY believed the initial logo we made as a baby photography business (you know the one with the cheesy graphic and loopy fonts?) was the epitome of brand sophistication and would last forever.
J. Kelly Brito
But as you hone your style and define your brand with laser focus, you realized your logo needs to grow up as well. Or maybe you were so busy being a photographer you never stopped to create a great logo. Let’s level up all your brand visuals with these photography logo ideas.
“A logo derives meaning from the quality of the thing it symbolizes, not the other way around. A logo is less important than the product it signifies; what it represents is more important than what it looks like. The subject matter of a logo can be almost anything.”
Paul Rand, renowned American art director, and graphic designer
Here’s what a great logo should be
Before you jump right into a logo redesign, let’s recap what a great logo should be.
Simple
Apple. Nike. FedEx. Target. The most memorable logos in our society have one thing in common…they are almost ridiculously simple.
Simple logos are easy to identify and easy to remember. A client doesn’t have to spend time trying to decipher what it says or what the elements mean.
Scalable/versatile
Your logo should look good at any size and across lots of mediums, from social media and business cards to billboards. Make sure your logo looks good in one color, black and white, printed small, printed large, and printed in reverse (light logo on a dark background).
Memorable
Your logo should be distinct. The best logos stand out from the competition and have a strong visual impact.
Timeless
Finally, look for timeless photography logo ideas. Go for great design, not just what’s trendy right now.
J. Kelly Brito
Here’s what your logo doesn’t have to be
Your logo does NOT have to:
- Be your signature
- Include a camera lens or a photography-related graphic
- Describe every aspect of your business
To clarify, you certainly CAN incorporate those elements into your photo logo design. But it isn’t a must.
J. Kelly Brito
Where to design a photography logo
It really is easier than ever before to design a high-quality photography logo for your business.
Design your own
Use your knowledge of design and the inspiration examples below to build a creative photography logo that represents your brand perfectly! Canva, for example, offers some design templates to help get you started.
- Canva
- Adobe Apps such as Spark, Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign (use your strongest app)
- Photoshop
- GIMP
Logo maker sites
Enter your business name, specialty, and a little about your business into one of these sites and you’ll have dozens of photography logo ideas in seconds. Use the logo template merely as inspiration. In addition, you can customize the graphics, font, and layout for your brand. You only pay to get high-resolution files of your final logo design.
J. Kelly Brito
Find a designer
Sometimes a free photography logo just doesn’t match your brand vision. That’s when it’s time to get help from a great graphic designer.
A top designer will learn your brand identity, color palette, and style. Then she’ll pull all that awesomeness together to create a logo just for you.
In addition to reflecting your brand exactly, a custom logo is unique. No one else will have a logo like yours.
- 99 Designs
- Thumbtack
- Fiverr
- Etsy (not all Etsy designs are custom – other photographers can sometimes purchase the same design.
- Upwork
Get inspired by other photography logo ideas
Find inspiration and motivation in these logos from working photography studios, freelance photographers, and more!
Logo from Elope Adventerously by Aralani Photography – wedding photography
Karen Waits Photography – maternity and newborn photographer
Logo for Deanna Mazzei Photography – lifestyle photographer
Nicole Kristin Photography – natural light photographer
Jackie Greenaway – creative portrait photographer
What photographers want from their logos
“Sleek and simple, easy to embroider, perfect for screen printing. And I photograph in so many genres so the logo doesn’t put me in a box.”
Kelsey Garcia Witzgall of KGarciaProductions
Logos, like photography and other art, is subjective. What speaks to you and represents your brand will be personal. You need to have confidence in your logo and know it represents you. Here’s what a few of our photographers had to say about why they love their own logos!
“Working with a graphic design artist to complete this logo was such an important milestone for my business. This logo clearly portrays the soft approach I take when working with clients while also being appealing for branding purposes in it’s simplicity. Clients have told me they spot my images quickly because they know me by my logo and that feels so special as an artist.”
Melody Baker Marks, Lulu Love Photography NOLA
Your photography brand is more than your logo. But a great logo reinforces your branding and sets the tone for your business. Above all, a logo should represent you and make you feel proud of your work and hustle every time you use it!
Written by TERESA MILNER | Photographs by J. BRITO KELLY via Unsplash
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