I would keep just the “focus of grace” part, with something like “PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN STUDIO” as the byline (with the same length of “focus of grace”).

Whenever a logotype consists of a string of multiple words, all the same size, style and color, it runs the danger of looking a little dull. Is there some way to have more of a focal point?

The dot/dots over the "i" are maybe a step in that direction, but they are pretty subtle and I don't think that "studio" is the word that should be emphasized anyway. And the word "of" is the least important word and perhaps should be made less prominent.

Riccard0's suggestion might be a good approach too.

Thanks for your comments. My registered company name and domain name is, however, focus of grace studio, would that cause confusion or not if I truncated the logo?

No problem with the domain name. And, as long you also spell it as registered in any legal document, there shouldn’t be any problem. An alternative would be keeping just the “studio” as part of the logo proper, and add the “photography & design” were appropriate, depending on the context.

You have posted an image with a transparent background it seems. For me the background appears black on one system and white on another - of course giving a totally different look.

I think the above comments are right on. Drop the subtitle, it shouldn't be part of the logo. Then let studio be secondary in hierarchy. The details of the lettering need some help too. The /u sticks out as strangely shaped compared to the strict geometry of the rest. The overly tall /f, /f, and /d are not working for me. They are too exaggerated and lack a refined balance that I would value in design and photography work. The watermark in the background is just cluttering things, and not adding anything. Maybe either go back to sketching and ideation if you have a solid brief, or consider consulting with a branding expert (i.e. hire a logo designer). The film strip is just too obvious for photography. Good luck!

Thank you luma I appreciate your comments. And I'm going back to the drawing board. And after I asked the question, I went, duh, stupid question. I do it all the time. I do logo design, but for some reason I'm having mind block and doing stupid things on my personal logo. That's why I posted it here just to get this type of feed back. I'm forgetting all the rules of design it seems because it's personal and I'm panicking trying to get something put together and not finding what I want and like which is something clean, unique, simple, yet elegant. I've been doing non-profit/volunteer work for ages and now that I'm setting up something where I'm getting paid, everything I know is going out the window.

So thank you. I needed to hear the comments so I'd get my head back in the game where it needs to be and stop forcing it to work. I've been working on it in-between photo edits & other design work and so I'm behind which adds to the pressure. So, I'm just going to take my time and do it right and start all over for the bazillionth time :).

Thanks again!

> for some reason I'm having mind block and
> doing stupid things on my personal logo

It can be hard to design for yourself. I've known several graphic designers who struggled when trying to design their own logo.

Good luck! Self branding is one of the hardest clients an identity designer faces.

I've known several graphic designers who struggled when trying to design their own logo.

Our own worst client: http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/001946.html

OH, thanks for the link riccard0, just what I need :) Yep, self-branding makes me feel stupid and incompetent, while I'm making logos for others made one woman cry she liked it so much... go figure! Must be over-right-braining :)

Great article!