I have both in my store. The ones that seem to sell the best (for me) are the ones where I have a photo embellished with graphic design.

I do have some cards with photos and some with graphic design.
 
 Looking back at the cards I have sold this year so far, most orders were for graphic design cards.
But I did have one order for 25 cards with a photo of a white rose.  
 
One card that sold was a photo taken by my husband's cousin's son, used with his permission. He is a guy who loves bicycling so he gets some interesting outdoor pictures.  
 
One card was a public domain image of a kitten with really frantic looking fur. The card is a "Don't be afraid. Turning sixty doesn't hurt a bit".
 
I began switching more to graphic design about a year ago. It has become harder and harder to get photos approved here. All in all, I sell more graphic designs than photo cards. They take longer to make, but I have found the images are more versatile.

Randall,
 
Guess if you're Randall, I'll be Randy. Hope you're not a Brit or that may come off wrong!  
 
Ninety percent of what I do is strictly photography.  Doreen is mostly right, although I don't think it's so much the quality of the photo as it is that the photo speaks for the sentiment you're trying to convey.  The quality is more GCU in that the reviewers are very selective to what photos they are accepting for card designs.  GCU has always maintained certain guidelines, but only within the past year or so raised the bar and are enforcing those standards to what some are calling higher standards in the submission process.  They're not really new standards, rather in the past, reviewers were more lenient as GCU was trying to build product fast.  Now, with many more companies stepping into the P.O.D. arena, it's imperative that a company only puts out professional, top notch products to seperate themselves from any competition.
 
So as Doreen mentioned, "you absolutely have to be good at tying in a verse that speaks to the photograph and then tie that to the category ...," making sure to be direct, eliminating distractions in the photo which don't relate to the category or subject in your verse and following the rules of a professional quality editorial photo, good focus, composition and lighting.
 
By following the guidelines and being creative in writing verse to fit your photos, you should do well here.  Most all who like Doreen know how to do that, do quite nicely with their photography.  I'm doing OK and though not of the greeting card genre caliber like others here, have enjoyed relative success considering the learning curve from a professional photographer to that of a greeting card artist.   Not giving up my photography yet to just create cards - I'm a growing boy that's got to eat!  
 
Best Always, Randy

Quote from Carole_223037 on Mar 11^th, 2013, 2:05pm:

 
At GCU, you are always better off having a card with text on the front and inside.  Remember, GCU is the place to buy greeting cards rather than in a typically card aisle in a store, therefore cards that speak to occasions and relationships will always do better than blank cards.
 
Blank photography cards do better in a place like Redbubble where people come to shop for art.  I like Redbubble which has free storefronts and good sales, over Image Kind where you pay for a storefront and may or may not ever get your monthly fee returned let alone make a profit.
 
 

Most of my cards feature my photographs. I am not a photographer and have only learned by trial and error, but I have an extensive art background. I try to give my photos an artsy feel with tasteful embellishments.
I have very few blank cards on GCU. This is one that sells pretty well: http://artist.greetingcarduniverse.com/holiday-cards/passover-pesach-cards/other -passover/passover-judaica-art-candle-lit-906926
I have found that my cards featuring a common image, such as a rose or some flowers, barely get a "click". So lately I have been creating unique still-lifes for various holidays and have found some success with that. Buyers want something different. If you have a good eye for the unusual, and stay away from cliches, then I think you will do well.

Quote from Ramelle_149580 on Mar 11^th, 2013, 2:39pm:

 
Oh  my goodness! What a gorgeous photograph!! Beautiful Ramelle!! Much success with your photography designs!  
 

Cherie

Hi Michelle,
 
If I understand what you refer to clearly ... It would be the 'Card Widget' that is found in your 'Manage Cards' area then a copy/paste of the code into the area of choice in your store front or any other web location you wish to.