Question about changing business name

[Stina3246]

Right now my photo business is called Paparazzi Productions. The main reason we chose this is because we were going into business with a friend (In a completely different direction as far as photos are concerned...we were going to do some type of theme park, county fair thrill or fun photos...hence the name Paparazzi) My friend went as far as getting a trademark on the name. Believe it or not, no one had a trademark on it. We even had a lawyer draw up some type of partnership agreement but my friend lost interest and we never completed it but we decided to use the name for my Wedding and event photography. I've been doing OK so far....I'm a newbie and have been apprenticing under an AMAZING photographer but my husband hates the name because of the image that the Paparazzi have. I agree with him. I want to change the name but all my business cards have Paparazzi Productions on them and many people know us by that name. There's 2 things I was thinking of doing. Keeping Paparazzi Productions as the "parent" company and having the new name as "a division of...." I ALSO would like to have my Pet photography under PAWparazzi Productions. I've done a little research and so far have not been able to find any reason not to use my new names but don't know how to go about doing the change.
ANY help?

[lonni]

Sounds kind of complicated. Change your name, let your current customers know you are changing and for a while run all your advertising with Formerly Paperazzi productions.

Business cards is not a reason to keep the name and having divisions and parent companies sounds kind of dodgy, unless your a multinational, which you are not.

Also why do you need differnt nakes for different types. Fat orange sat does pet and wedding photography under one name pretty well.

link: http://www.fatorangecatstudio.com/blog/


HTH

[Stina3246]

Originally Posted by lonni

Sounds kind of complicated. Change your name, let your current customers know you are changing and for a while run all your advertising with Formerly Paperazzi productions.

Business cards is not a reason to keep the name and having divisions and parent companies sounds kind of dodgy, unless your a multinational, which you are not.

Also why do you need differnt nakes for different types. Fat orange sat does pet and wedding photography under one name pretty well.

link: Fat Orange Cat Studio - A Dog, Cat and Wedding Photo Blog by Li Ward

HTH

It's just that my husband HATES the name Paparazzi Productions because of the negative association. I was thinking of changing it and a friend of mine made a suggestion that I really liked.
And forgive me but I'm not sure what "dodgy" means.....it sounds like maybe "misleading" or having something to hide.
Thanks for you input.
Oh and LOL, I LOVE Fat Orange Cat studio. A long time ago we were thinking of opening a bookstore coffee house and naming it the Thirst Blue Parrot because of my Macaw. I'm guess they had a similar reason.

[lonni]

If i was you i would just change it, get rid of paparazzi all together. Your husband is right about the negative connotation about it. But it could also work to bring in the younger ones, especially if you do the high fashion photojournalistic style, like a classy paparazzi.

You hit the nail on the head with dodgy, a synonym would be shady, must be an aussi thing.

[KatTankersley]

I don't like the name for the same reason. I think negatively of paparazzi. Vultures, so to speak, who chase down their subjects and feed off them. I am not sure that is the image (no pun intended, lol) that you want.