anton frid photography Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 We all know that driving is a part of any wedding photographer. You always see logos on flowers vans, catering food, and sometimes bands and DJ's. So why not on photographers car? How many of your have ever seen a logo or a name with an email address and a phone number writen all over an event photographer car? I personally think its a great marketing tool, and very original for a photographer. It doesn?t cost that much and it really stands out when you drive. "Wedding/Event Photographer... Call today for appointment? U get my point. How come we are not using it as a marketing tool? It really doesn't cost that much to put a bumper sticker with a name and a number? We advertise that our sons and daughters are honor roll students, why not say what we do? What are your views on this topic? Anton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill_clark___minnetonka_mi Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 I think having an advertisement on your vehicle is giving an open invitation for theives to possibly get some pretty darn nice stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anton frid photography Posted October 14, 2004 Author Share Posted October 14, 2004 :) good point...What about a sticker on your equipment bag? Instread of Menfroto....it will say "Bill Clark Photography"....does that work? af Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m_p7 Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 I plan on making some of those magnetic car signs soon. Then I can take them off if I want. As far as thieves go, just don't be stupid and leave stuff in your car, no matter if you have signs or not. And if for some reason you have to leave stuff in the car, put it out of sight and take the signs off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakley Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 ... or just get a magnetic sign that says you're a snake handler, and put that over your photo sign when you leave stuff in the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_kaplan1 Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 Or have the sign say "We only shoot with film. No digital stuff here."Your car should be safe. Two years ago my house was broken into. They took the computer and a couple of guns. They didn't touch a one of all the Leica cameras and lenses that were sitting on and under the computer table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anton frid photography Posted October 14, 2004 Author Share Posted October 14, 2004 Magnetic car banners....now thats a good idea. I wonder how big can you really make it. I want people to notice it, and not squint to read my little modern fonts.... Something to think about it. Would that be a bumper magnetic sticker, or u can put that sucker anywhere? af Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill_clark___minnetonka_mi Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 How about a device you have in your car that jams cell phones whilst you're driving and puts out a jingle on your business! Maybe it will only work in the area you're driving then it would be safter for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anton frid photography Posted October 14, 2004 Author Share Posted October 14, 2004 Thats actuall cool, but might be highly illegal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill_clark___minnetonka_mi Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 I'll bet you're correct Anton! Just kidding about the cell phone stuff! Seriously, I always have business cards in my car. They can be given out at any time. Maybe I should have a made a postcard piece as well to give out and keep some in my vehicle. I guess I'm thinking if a conversation should start while I'm out and about I've got something to give out. Having worked in sales for a few years, before I got my wedding business up & going again, two of the best words to use when opening a conversation and break the ice is I've got something "free," like a brochure, business card or some literature and I've got something "new" to show you. My best form of non-human advertising is my web site. When we talk and our clients talk about us, that's the best form of advertising! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfeetham Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 Magnetic car signs can actually be quite large. A flower shop around the corner from my place uses one on their delivery vehicle (Focus Wagon). It's about 20x16 inches. I do remember him mentioning problems with dirt scratching the paint if you're not careful. Just throw it on top of your digital camera or memory cards when you take it off :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anton frid photography Posted October 14, 2004 Author Share Posted October 14, 2004 Thanx Bill...I always have business cards handly during the wedding, and always keep some in my car. I actually leave them on my table everytime i finish eating and paid for a check. I know that 95% will be trown out, but you never know. I get them done cheaply, so dont mind at all. I love my cards and they are fun to give out... Ill post my business car later on today! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casey mcallister Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 Al: Further proof that thieves really are stupid! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek_c. Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 As far as I'm concerned, there are a lot of photographers who put their names, web addresses, & etc on their cars.<br> I have my web address written on my car, in two different locations.<br> I will be extremely happy it this can bring me one inquiry every year.<br> I'll let you know when I see the results.<br> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katie h. Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 Hold on a minute. Before you get your car tattoo with so-and-so Photography make sure your city business permits are up to date. Having your name on the side of your car screams at local officals that you're doing business in their town. If you aren't up to date with EVERY city that you shoot in you could get in trouble. I've seen a photographer get burned for this before. Of course, I'm sure everyone here is fine... Just a friendly warning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medina photography cherry Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 I have my website on the back of my bronco II. I have worried that thieves might think about breaking into it to get equipment. I don't know if it is at all effective but they way I look at it, the people behind me have no choice but to see it. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan_adams Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 There is some nice tax right-off incentives when it comes to advertising with your vehicle. A rolling billboard you can right off. However, it feels to me that putting advertising on your car can actually cheapen yourself. I always thought the way to grab the attention in style would be to have a nice old classic refurbished late 50s or 60s type car. When it's parked at the church people would ask if that is what they are driving off in, and the conversation would be no that is the photographer's car...total style. Also you would stand out in the city driving around and people would start to associate the car with the photographer which is the type of person that knows about beautiful things in liife....unfortunately for me I currently drive a Dodge Neon and rely heavily on my photographs to proclaim my style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anner Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 I've actually seen this on a few cars/vans for videographers/photographers. I saw one just this weekend who actually had the decals on the windows. Pretty effective, I agree. Then you also have to make sure you get a memorable phone number or website because most people aren't going to take the time to write it down! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris m., central florida Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 I have magnetic signs on my car, and they do work. Yes, they look cheap, but I usually get past any negative perceptions during the interview process with the bride and groom. I get 1-2 calls per quarter from the signs, and have landed a few weddings (should be more successful now that I have a website listed). It's also great when you need to meet clients on location. They see your signs and pull up right next to you. I agree about the name of your business - when you're doing 75 mph down the interstate, the guy next to you probably isn't going to take the time to write down information unless he really enjoys hitting telephone poles. The name of my business used to be McCallister Photography, but nobody could ever remember it! Or how to spell it! So when we went legit/full time (i.e, not a hobby related business), I changed it to Southern Cross Photography and registered the name. That's the name people remembered the most and longest when we tested it out on folks. Now I've got people who remember the name and they can easily find my website. As to stealing stuff, just don't keep anything in your car worth stealing. Most thieves look before they start smashing windows. You can bolt a large metal or wood trunk to the floor of your trunk to keep photo stuff in - and lock it up. I completely agree a professional lettering job is the way to go. Much better than signs. And I disagree that you need to be registered in every town you visit or do business in if you have signs on your car. As long as you have a registered business address, an occupational license and business insurance, and you are charging and remitting sales tax in the county you deliver your services, you should be good to go. Some states require you to have the vehicle registered as a commercial vehicle and a commercial plate, but it's rare to get pulled over. Check the rules with DMV. Every realtor and Mary Kay consultant in town would be getting tickets. In Florida it's not a problem. We're all hicks down here anyway, right? Just y'all wait until the election this year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_muntz Posted October 15, 2004 Share Posted October 15, 2004 I'm not sure I agree or disagree with doing it, but keep one thing in mind: Don't drive like an idiot! I got cut off by a realtor the other day. I know her name and which agency she works for because of the nice big magnetic sign on the side of her car. When I get ready to sell my house I know who I'm NOT going to call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike dixon Posted October 15, 2004 Share Posted October 15, 2004 I was thinking the same thing as Steve about "driving style." I try to be reasonably courteous on the road, but those times I'm not, I'd rather that my name and phone number not be listed on my car. My main concern, though, is theft and attempted theft. I've had my car broken into a couple of times--each time, it's $100 and a hassle to have the window fixed even when nothing valuable is stolen. I have serious doubts about whether people contact photographers based on a sign they saw on someone's car. (And regarding the "stupid" thieves who took Al's guns and computer but left his Leica: stolen goods are only as valuable as what you can get for them on the market for illicit goods. Guns are very valuable. Computers are also easy to fence. An off brand like Leica will probably bring you less than a Canon Rebel.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darklights Posted October 17, 2004 Share Posted October 17, 2004 Magnetic car signs for sure. I've been using one for my business for a couple years. Just make sure they're not cheap and have good magnetic properties. I lost my first one just driving down the road withing my first week. I.E., don't pick one up at a flea market stand! When you're done for the day, stuff it in the trunk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david j.lee Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 al, w.eugene smith leica`s were stolen from his car once. he found them at a pawn shop,with the film inside! and the idiots took pictures of each other before selling them...! a guy i know was once taking pictures with his brand new M6 in downtown mexico city when a guy with a gun asked for all his stuff. he gave him his wallet,his watch,but he refused to take "that piece of s*** ", the leica... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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