The tools and equipment you work with on a daily are a great source of inspiration. Play with the ideas of circular and rounded lens shapes, boxy and blocky cameras and tall and lanky tripods. If your photography has more to do with photo editing using a computer, play with that angle. Think of interesting ways you alter images and apply that concept to a simple and catchy design. An example of a creative and memorable logo would be to place photo equipment in the typography. If your photography venture was named “Banjo’s Photography”, you could have unraveled film composing the “B” in “Banjo” and a strategically placed camera’s lens as the “o”. A stylized piece of equipment with your name to the side or beneath the image can be an effective logo design. A cartoonish camera bag with a petite smiling face, an illustration of a digital camera drawn with charcoal and a pencil-thin tripod holding your company name are all examples of how you can take design ideas from your work gear.
Make a list of some of your favorite subjects to photograph. If you primarily take photos of people in portraits, family gatherings or glamour shoots, take that in mind when looking for ideas. Silhouettes of a group of people, a stylized fashion model in a chic pose, or a simple caricature of a loved one are effective images to apply in a photographer’s logo. A wildlife photographer could choose their favorite animal as a mascot for their enterprise. Photographers who take on more artistic projects could go for a minimalistic approach using shapes and shadow for a contemporary appearance for their logo. Nature and landscape photographers can incorporate elements from their common topics into their logos. Rock formations, sky scrapers and exotic locals can be condensed and styled for a noticeable brand. Take your favorite themes and include your most relatable favorites into your design process.
No matter what direction you choose to take your photography-inspired logo, take into consideration a few universal rules for logo development so your hard work pays off. Always remember to keep your icon simple with few colors. The fewer colors and the more simplistic your logo design, the more adaptable the image will be for future usage. Fewer colors will make your logo cheaper to print on fliers, business cards and posters. A good logo will be able to be printed in black and white, look good at any size resolution and contain a clear message as to who you are and what you do. Browse a variety of fun fonts that are eye-catching, visually appealing and that have the preferred appearance to represent you. Above all, any text in your logo must be easy to read and crystal clear. Keep the tone relevant to you and your artistic works. Don’t have a scary flaming skull as your personal logo if you are a photographer who specializes in child portraits. Compare your ideas to a variety of logos, both well known and obscure for examples of professional design ideas.