Who Even Does Business Cards Anymore?

Good question. Who even does film photography anymore? Or blogs, for that matter? Apparently, I do now. Go full old school or go home, I suppose.

I used a website called GotPrint to make some really corny cards announcing myself as a photographer to whomever might ask what I am up to when I am out and about with my cameras. You might be surprised how often that happens.

Some people want to know why I am taking pictures. Others have curiosity about the old cameras and why film in the digital age. Most are friendly, but some are a bit hostile and think I might be up to something nefarious. The card is designed to diffuse that a bit.

I am also trying to get up the courage to ask more strangers to take their photos, so I thought having a calling card tha could introduce me and my work would make breaking that ice easier, legitimize me somewhat. I am working on a summer project that might involve asking parents to photograph their children, so I hoped this would ease that way. It helps that I look rather grandmotherly and nonthreatening in general, but these days folks can be suspicious of you no matter what you look like.

I used one of the company’s provided templates, and I realize it looks like 1993 is calling and wants its card back, but that is part of the appeal. I admit the “I shoot people” pun on the back is super cringey, too. Let’s face it — the whole thing is super cringey. And that’s alright. I’m embracing the cringe.

The other thing I plan to do with these cards is give them out in the little envelopes I use to enclose Instax and Zink prints for my Art is Everywhere public art project (more about this in another blog post). That will help advertise the website and the blog and let people know who the photographer is behind the project.

At any rate, I present my new business cards: