How to Use Photos In Business Card Design

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Not very many business card designs leverage photography. Most cards just feature typography, logos and basic design elements like patterns. A photograph can really make your business card design stand out. There are many creative ways to integrate photos into business cards, whether you're using a photo of yourself, a product or just an artful image that adds to the design's look and feel.

Here are five examples of business cards that use photography creatively. For each example, I will share some tips on why the card design works and how to pull-off a similar idea in your own business card design.

This card is so minimal, but it works so well. It's memorable, unique, creative and get's the message across that this is a sign company and that you should visit the website. To borrow this creative idea find stock photographs or Flickr photos that feature an image central to your business.

If you are a personal trainer, it could be antique weights and dumb-bells.If you are a dog sitter you could do a series of cards with cool photographs of fire hydrants on them. To make the image stand out, try to limit the design and typography around it. I think it's perfectly alright to simply print your website on a card, as long as the URL has the business name in it. Image via pixelcurse.com.

When using photography on a business card you can either do a full-bleed photo design or frame the photograph inside design. The first example of the sign company's business card frames the photo inside the card. This example above uses photography full-bleed to the edges of both sides of the card. I also really like how the card uses a similar, out of focus image on the back and layers testimonials on top.

This card is for an actor, who would obviously benefit from having a headshot on a card. Other professionals can benefit from this tactic too, especially sales and marketing professionals and real-estate agents. To pull this off, invest in a professional photography session. There are so many talented photographer out there and they will use the correct lighting, poses and angles to make you look your best. Image via cuttingedgedesigns.com.

Here's another card that uses a full-bleed image, but this card executes the full-bleed photo tactic in a completely different way. It's as if the photographs are really background patterns and the company name is what jumps out. They've chosen images that relate back to the "environmental" focus of the business. The images are also really detailed, with lots of repeating patterns and even a feeling of vertical movement up and down the length of the cards. I like how the company name plays off of that vertical orientation and is at the bottom edge of the card.

To use a similar idea, stick to photographs of nature, cityscapes and landscapes. Try to avoid images that have a main object or subject in them. You may even end up finding a large photograph and getting permission to only use a sub-section of it. Image via dzineblog.com.

This card is for a graphic designer and I am not sure if the photo on the card is actually him or not. If it is him, then it's hilarious. The photograph that shows him lifting weights says that he can "do the heavy lifting" when it comes to design projects, coming up with ideas and executing.

I think the big takeaway from this use of photography, is that you can you use a tiny slice of photography that fits in well with an overall design. This shot also shows a coy sense of humor, which potential clients may value. Image via bestbusinesscard.net.

If you use a headshot on your business card, you don't have to make it full-bleed like the actor's card above. This real estate themed card is a great example of how to use a headshot in only part of the card. The photograph is set off nicely to the side and the bright, patterns on the right provide a good contrast for the photo.

Again, to make a headshot work well on a business card, it's vital to invest in a professional photographer so that you get the most polished results. Image via realestatecardspro.com.

Featured photo credit: Annafur