Need a name!!!

[imgr8stmom]

I too am trying to come up with a name. I am by no means a pro photographer, but I am trying to build my portfolio to be able to gain the experience i need. In the mean time, i'm getting little gigs here & there, mostly family, and a few friends of family. I'd like to be able to hand out business cards with my name & number, and was hoping you all could help out with a name & possibly tag line!!

I've seen your suggestions on other peoples requests, so I was hoping you all could toss out ideas for me!!!

My area of interest includes, Children, Familie's, Sports, & events.

Wendy Klein
I live in Orange County

Thank you all for your great ideas!!!!

Wendy

[wri7913]

Most people do something simple like Wendy Klein Photography to get started. Its simple and easy and you can go ahead and create some business cards for it (about 100 or so). As you work you might stumble across and awesome name to use.

I've seen some pretty cool names for photography studios. I imagine they were inspired when they came up with the name.

Divine Light Studios (wedding photography)
Blue Lane Studios (wedding and portraiture)
Viva Expressions (wedding photography)
Darklight Studios (weddings)

BTW, I'm in the same boat and I am just using my name for now. Once I come up with something, I'll create a logo to go along with it. Check out the Divine Light studios web site, they have some really nice stuff shot in Fine Art wedding style. Check out their blog and you get a feel for the people behind that name, I've never met them but from their blog I feel like I know them already.

[moi]

'Klein's Photography' ...........keeping you happy-making you smile!

[laurie millar]

I have some friends who went to school for graphic design and illustration and every one of them said teachers told them the best way to go is to use your own name. People will remember it so much more. Plus, if they look up your name they'll find your business...just a thought.

[Rina Minca]

I assume you don't want to use your name because it's too common. But, you don't have to use the whole thing. You could use "Wendy K. Photography"
What style are you going for? Fun? Classic? Do you have a studio? Where do you want to go with your photography? Are youplanning on stayinf more with the portraits or with the events and sports. it makes a difference in what your name sounds like. But your name works really well because as laurie millar said, your business will pop up with any search on your name and vice versa.

[Statto]

Originally Posted by imgr8stmom

I too am trying to come up with a name. I am by no means a pro photographer, but I am trying to build my portfolio to be able to gain the experience i need. In the mean time, i'm getting little gigs here & there, mostly family, and a few friends of family. I'd like to be able to hand out business cards with my name & number, and was hoping you all could help out with a name & possibly tag line!!

I've seen your suggestions on other peoples requests, so I was hoping you all could toss out ideas for me!!!

My area of interest includes, Children, Familie's, Sports, & events.

Wendy Klein
I live in Orange County

Thank you all for your great ideas!!!!

Wendy

If your struggling with a name just use your initials - job done

Running the risk of sounding harsh, if your struggling with a name, are you upto the job of selling your skills? Photography is an art form and as such your brain should be 'wired' a certain way, if a name is perplexing you so much, does that mean your not actually cut out for photography?

Just something to ponder over you understand (not a personal attack)

[imgr8stmom]

Thanks for All the great ideas! I had already been using my name, but didn't know if it was better to have a catchy - hard to forget name. But your right, would be easier to remember a persons name then some made up name.

As for selling my job skills...well, as I mentioned, I"m just starting out, and how else do I build my experience then actually doing the job? For now, it's more for friends & family, but I still need a name for others to reference, and perhaps recommend to their friends if they appreciate my service!! I do appreciate your input tho!! =)
WendyKlein Photography it is!!!

[11A Fotografie]

I don't know if you still want some input, but you could always play around with the letters of your name.
I did! I've got 11 a's in my full name (here we have 3 middle names, so that gives a bit more), so my photography brand name is: 11A Photography (Fotografie since I'm dutch, but that's besides the point).
I think it works better as using my name, since you can write it on many ways and people don't remember it that easily. And this name has something creative, short and original, and that's what I stand for: Straight to the point.
AND everyone asks how I came up with the name, and the moment I start to explain, they won't forget it so easily, since they will remember the story!

Just a tip to come up with what you want...

[SuperDan]

Although there are plenty of cool names out there ... i chose myself to go down the path of least resistance and chose, D C Ketcham Photography.... its just my name... thats it .. nice and boring... but... I am also selling myself and not just my work

I struggled for a bit for a fun and catchy name but... I'm happy where I am at , at least for now

although i will offer some too..
maybe something like : Photos by Wendy * I always like when people make their logos and place the aperture logo in place of "o"s

[nokiN]

If you don't use your name, many cities/towns/counties will require you fill out paperwork for a Doing-Business-As (DBA) license.

Part of the business licensing/registration process is to make sure you aren't wanting to use a business name someone else already is using.

Don't forget the state and collecting sales taxes if that applies where you are.