What’s Your Preference?

CharlieJ · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011, 06:44 PM

I have read ALL of the business name threads... back to 2008.

I have seen all the logic and advice on how to name a photography business. So, my question is a bit different...

I go by "CharlieJ" for most everything. There are a couple other people around the world using the name, but most people know me as CharlieJ -- they don't even know my last name. My thought is to name the business CharlieJ Photography or Photos by CharlieJ.

I don't care about anything catchy, but have also thought about using the business name, A Day in Your Life -- derived from my initial idea to shoot photos of a day in my vacation clients' lives at the beach (I live/work near Myrtle Beach, SC... and all the area beaches up to Wrightsville Beach, NC).

BTW, my last name is Jarman -- and using Charlie Jarman Photography is not something I want to do -- primarily because NO ONE spells my last name correctly. Yes, it's two second grade words, but being from the South, it ends up coming out as Jarmin or Jarmen -- and I don't want people missing me because they spell my surname incorrectly.

Of the three ideas, which would YOU choose? Or, would anyone venture to offer another suggestion for a photographer who hopes to specialize in senior portraits, lifestyle (a day in my vacation clients' lives at the beach) and possibly some event photography??

THANKS!

scootermcq · #2 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011, 07:13 PM

I like Charlie J Photography personally.... Sounds down to earth and unpretentious... someone I could trust.

AnneWynne · #3 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 04:47 AM

Charlie J Photography...simple and to the point. Does not pigeon-hole you into a niche.

GTAltman · #4 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieJ

BTW, my last name is Jarman -- and using Charlie Jarman Photography is not something I want to do -- primarily because NO ONE spells my last name correctly. Yes, it's two second grade words, but being from the South, it ends up coming out as Jarmin or Jarmen -- and I don't want people missing me because they spell my surname incorrectly.

THANKS!

If you're comfortable with Charlie J, then go for it.

However, if you DO feel the need to use Jarman, then I'd strongly recommend ALSO purchasing the domain names Jarmin and Jarmen. Buying the domains now are relatively cheap and you can have them automatically redirected to your Jarman site where you will have everything in place.

This isn't a major thing to do either.

So, you have plenty of options!

Gary (also sign off my posts with GTA - my initals) and what I'd use if I was to go from amatuer photographer to professional photographer

Xposurepro · #5 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 05:57 AM

Charlie J Photography sounds like the name of a portrait studio. Photos by Charlie J sounds like some guy named Charlie who takes photos. In todays industry where everybody thinks they are a photographer simply because they own a camera I would go with the first choice. Subconscious elements such as this in the mind of the consumer can be a main factor when it comes to loyality, respect and justification of price.

However, If you are not set on using your name I would recommend investing time into a creative fictional name for the business. There's a million snapshooters out there with wanabee businesses they call ...INSERT NAME Photography or Photos by INSERT NAME. By following them all you are doing is blending into the crowd. Potential clients are looking at tons of studios named this way. I've had clients say they looked at 100 sites before coming to us. After looking at all those names of people they don't physically know, will they remember you because your name is Charlie or are they going to remember the studio down the street that's called "Convicted of Shooting People Photography".

Peter Ahrens · #6 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 09:26 AM

I like the sound of CharlieJ Photography.

It sounds like a personal business, not a corporate business. It describes who you are and what you do immediately. Also, when people refer to you, you'll be easily known as 'CharlieJ', not the guy that takes photographs for 'A Day In Your Life'.

kathiemt · #7 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 11:57 AM

I like Charlie J Photography too. Simple and to the point.

Biomech · #8 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 01:05 PM

Quote:

I don't care about anything catchy,

That is epic fail in terms of marketing!

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTAltman

However, if you DO feel the need to use Jarman, then I'd strongly recommend ALSO purchasing the domain names Jarmin and Jarmen.

This.

And this.

Quote:

.INSERT NAME Photography or Photos by INSERT NAME. By following them all you are doing is blending into the crowd.

If you're planning to do fine art style photography, just use "Charlie Jarman".
If I were you, I'd have "Jarman Photography". It reminds me of Garmin - which is easy to remember...... "Jarman Photography - Easy to Find" :P By marketing well it won't matter if people spell it wrong - imagine the trouble I'd have! (url in sig, not marketed online yet)

I wouldn't use a "nick name" - like your CharlieJ. I find that they sound amateurish. Who would you hire, "White Rhino Media" or "DaveyG's Photography"?

I'm in love with the company name I want, unfortunately all the domains are taken (the UK one by a squatter! ffs) so I'm going to have to wait.

CharlieJ · #9 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 07:36 PM

FWIW, I also looked at Beach Photography (due to my desired niche), Beach Photo (yeah, I had forgotten it was a store) and even the hokey name (IMO, it's hokey for a one-man shop) of Sunshine Photo. All were either an established presence or had way too many derivatives already.

So, for the time being, I'm leaning towards CharlieJ Photography. Polling thus far shows 6-1 (maybe 5-2) in favor of CharlieJ Photography.