Naming New Business

[lfox880420]

I'm just in the portfolio building stage of this business thing but I'm considering the whole branding/name thing up front. I'm wrestling with whether or not to name it with my name or something else. My name is fine, (maybe a little plain and boring) but I'm not sure I want to brand my future business with my personal name or something completely different. I'm leaning towards something else.

The other names I'm considering are:

Joyful Grace Photography
Graceful Joy Photography

(my daughter's middle names). The others I've considered have been used (as found in a google search) and I'd like to be somewhat unique. So, I'd appreciate any thoughts or ideas or examples of your experience when it came to naming your business. Thanks!

[Photologyst]

I’m all for not using one’s own name in “branding.” However, I would suggest something a bit more neutral because, the two names that you are considering could be construed at having religious connotations. Unless, of course you are aiming for a certain clientele/audience to the exclusion of others.

The other consideration is getting a domain name. Be careful how you do that. Often companies like Big Daddy or resellers will “park” your name or ones that you have searched, as soon as you have searched, and then want you to pay through the nose to get it back. Should that happen you can negotiate them down to a bout $10- above the going rate.

Search via trusted sites like WhoIs instead and secure your name ASAP: Whois Lookup - Domain Names Search, Registration, & Availability | Whois.net

[theosus]

Second that- being anti religious... I would skip right over joyful grace in the phone book just because it sounds churchy.

When I make videos I always use my fictional production company name "WWMD? Productions"(what would mark do?)... I think WWMD? Photography would be good if I ever sold anything. I was going to use @theosus studios but someone told me it was a twitter thing, and I don't want to be confused with the tweetards.

[candleman]

Unless you have a very cool name, choose a proper busines name.
take a photographer by the name of "Red Andal" ...cool name.

However, if you have a boring name..I would choose something like Rocket Studio, Sub-Lime or Pickled Pear Photography ....or something catchy and modern if that's your style.

If you're a little more classic in style you may want something like Momento ...the lists are endless.

Think about this....
What happens when you want to franchise?
sell your business?
if something goes wrong and you get BAD media attention.. then your name is mud and not the business name.?

That's the whole reason for registering as a Ltd. Liability Company, in order to create separation between yourself and the business.

what happens if you want to hire another photographer? All the clients will expect YOU to shoot it because it's in your name and you have glamorised your own name.

[Biomech]

WWMD? Photography would be good if I ever sold anything.

Unless you're selling photos to the Middle East

I agree with Candleman, always think about where and how names will be used.

[BigFuzzy]

Problem is is you have all these c*cksuckers out there that gobble up all the domain names even if they don't use them or don't plan on using them. I wanted ABstudios, studioab, abphotogrpahy, all sort of other similar combinations, and NOTHING. I think one of the ones above is actually used for a legit (ie not ad parked) business. At least they had alborrelli.com but I wanted something with the word photography or studios in it..
domain name prospectors and spam emailers, I have a special notch on my baseball bat for them.

[Biomech]

That's one of my biggest hatreds in the Internet. I have a few domains (actually about 46), some are projects in waiting. But I recently wanted some company/product domains and they were ALL squatted on. Infact I tried to get one parked domain and they were demanding £7,500 ($12,000 USD) for it - despite the fact that it wasn't being used in the slightest.

I don't have a special notch, I have an extra nail.

[CharlieJ]

Of the two you listed, I'd choose Joyful Grace Photography.

[Biomech]

Out of interest, are you 23 in May? What's your name and do you have a website? What area would you like to spe******e in? If we get more of a feel for your company then we might be able to come up with something

[lfox880420]

Thank you all for your input. I have a lot to think about. I do have a sort of website. Waiting until I'm actually ready to start charging before I invest in building a real website.

I know I'm still a long ways off from charging but I'd like to at least start getting some of my "ducks in a row" now. I want to start out with free "casting call" type shoots for my own experience and to build my portfolio, but I feel like (and maybe I'm wrong) that I should have a name so that if even these free shoots go well and people want to refer a friend they have a name to give them. But, maybe I'm jumping the gun.

Here's the link: Laura Fox Photography

@ Biomech, not sure where you got 23 in May...but no, not even close. . Part of this portfolio building thing for me will be to help me narrow down what I want to specialize in. Right now, I'm leaning towards mostly child/newborn photography but I don't want to limit myself with a name that is specific to that.

thanks again for the help.