Choosing A Business Name

saurora

I've decided to focus on portraiture and start a small business. I have been researching websites and gathering ideas about design for my own website. I want to get started on this soon and I also need to design some business cards. Problem is that I can't seem to get past the first step.........naming my business. Seems there are 2 ways to go, either using your name or a fictious business name. I am not crazy about my last name, which people always have trouble spelling, pronouncing and maybe, as a business, remembering. Should I be concerned about this, or am I making much ado about nothing? Would a fictious name be a better business choice, and what do I need to be concerned about? This will probably be a small part-time business unless I should really luck out. I don't have room for an in-home studio so it would be strickly on location for me, which may be limiting. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance for any input or suggestions!

urbanaries

saurora wrote:

I've decided to focus on portraiture and start a small business. I have been researching websites and gathering ideas about design for my own website. I want to get started on this soon and I also need to design some business cards. Problem is that I can't seem to get past the first step.........naming my business. Seems there are 2 ways to go, either using your name or a fictious business name. I am not crazy about my last name, which people always have trouble spelling, pronouncing and maybe, as a business, remembering. Should I be concerned about this, or am I making much ado about nothing? Would a fictious name be a better business choice, and what do I need to be concerned about? This will probably be a small part-time business unless I should really luck out. I don't have room for an in-home studio so it would be strickly on location for me, which may be limiting. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance for any input or suggestions!

hey saurora, obviously i need a life if i'm on here this late on a friday night! but your question is a good one. I started with a "word" name myself. When my business started growing, it was by word of mouth, and my name was getting passed on, but not my 'word'. So folks would use my name to search for my old site, and get lost. Once I changed my URL to my name, and started promoting myself that way, it seemed to stick better. My google ranking (searching for my name) finally put my photography website at the top, and not various other sites where I was listed as a contact at my day job! Everyone is different, but that's my limited experience.

If you're not thrilled about your last name, maybe use your [very unique and pretty] first name in conjunction with something else. Andi Tippie (a.k.a. photogmomma) is a great example of this, with her TippiePics business name.

sorry i'm rambling, it is definitely a decision worth careful thought, as you want to do it right the first time, and then you can move forward.

Art Scott

I am now curious as to what yur last name is? Remember also a name that is sometimes hard to pronounce is also easily remember usually.

I went the road of several name over the years: SUN AIRE PHOTOGRAPHY (The housing additon I was living in), Arthur Scott Photography (had to change due to another ART in same city......his customers were calling complaining), Contemporary Visons....decided to go back to my name because I wanted people to know who the photographer is.....but using a different business names has its pros also...like people think you are just and employee......

Good luck...

saurora

urbanaries wrote:

hey saurora, obviously i need a life if i'm on here this late on a friday night! but your question is a good one. I started with a "word" name myself. When my business started growing, it was by word of mouth, and my name was getting passed on, but not my 'word'. So folks would use my name to search for my old site, and get lost. Once I changed my URL to my name, and started promoting myself that way, it seemed to stick better. My google ranking (searching for my name) finally put my photography website at the top, and not various other sites where I was listed as a contact at my day job! Everyone is different, but that's my limited experience.

If you're not thrilled about your last name, maybe use your [very unique and pretty] first name in conjunction with something else. Andi Tippie (a.k.a. photogmomma) is a great example of this, with her TippiePics business name.

sorry i'm rambling, it is definitely a decision worth careful thought, as you want to do it right the first time, and then you can move forward.

Hi Lynne....that makes at least 2 of us who don't have a life!!! Thank you for your thoughtful response, it's the kind of feedback I was hoping for....some practical experience from someone who knows! 'Saurora' is actually my 'online' name I picked out many, many years ago when I had my first online account! I've just stuck with it. My name is actually Susan DeSisto. Not a bad "looking" name, but you would not believe how people botch up the last name...I don't think most people could do a search on it. Even members of my family spell it wrong. Susan gets spelled many ways, too. Heck, I spelled your name without an 'e'!!!! (But I've learned!) Thanks again, I'll give it more thought.

gmonkeh

I'm one of those photographer's cursed with a non-photographer name. I'm a native born Filipino in Seattle. And Alex Galang Photography doesn't quite roll off the tongue.

Before photography I was a music performance major, doing vocal performance. So reverb kind of jumped at me. Reverb Photography, so next I check out the domain availability and it's free so I jumped right on it.

And that's the way uh huh uh huh I like it.

Lex

Sam

Saurora,

Don't stress over the name too much. Work on all the other aspects of setting up your business, and let your sub-conscience chew on while you sleep. If you actually get to the point where everything else is done and you still don’t have a name, then
Stress.

The name doesn’t need to be magic just something to convey what you do, and hopefully something they will remember. You make the name. The name will not make you. Who ever heard of calling a major company Apple!

Your name doesn’t seem to be that hard, but that’s your choice.

Orange County Photography:
Photos by DeSisto

Sam

Malte

Up until this moment I thought your given name was Aurora and that you had added an S to make it a "screen-name". It's amazing how you can turn fiction into fact and run with it.

Aurora is a great word if you decide to go that route:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/aurora

However, some people will (like me!) assume it's your given name.

DeSisto is a very cool name and not that hard to remember I think.

Malte

saurora

Malte wrote:

Up until this moment I thought your given name was Aurora and that you had added an S to make it a "screen-name". It's amazing how you can turn fiction into fact and run with it.

Aurora is a great word if you decide to go that route:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/aurora

However, some people will (like me!) assume it's your given name.

DeSisto is a very cool name and not that hard to remember I think.

Malte

Well, you're pretty darn close! Actually the brand name of my first monitor was Aurora....I added the S from Susan and became Saurora!

Pupator

Domain name availability is an important factor too. You don't want to choose "XYZ Photography" only to find that the only web address you can get is exwhyzeephoto.tv.

Go to a domain registration site and just start typing in words. They'll suggest lots of names that are available and maybe you'll find a name you like. I've had a business for years that got its name this way (not a photo business).

Art Scott

Sam wrote:

Orange County Photography:
Photos by DeSisto

Sam

that sounds waaaaaay tooooooo official.....official - like goverment official man......:D

Go with your first name......MEMORIES by SUSAN........BABIES by SUSAN (Ohh no no that won't work will it....sorry).....BABES by SUSAN ..... BEAUTIFUL MOMENTS BY SUSAN.......CAPTURED MEMORIES (or MOMENTS) by SUSAN..........

I personally think that an artist should Promote themselves, so their ART is remember for them not for some company name.....reason I finally decided to go back to my name on all my work.......


Saurora is catchie also......so just replace Susan with Saurora

saurora

Art Scott wrote:

that sounds waaaaaay tooooooo official.....official - like goverment official man......:D

Go with your first name......MEMORIES by SUSAN........BABIES by SUSAN (Ohh no no that won't work will it....sorry).....BABES by SUSAN ..... BEAUTIFUL MOMENTS BY SUSAN.......CAPTURED MEMORIES (or MOMENTS) by SUSAN..........

I personally think that an artist should Promote themselves, so their ART is remember for them not for some company name.....reason I finally decided to go back to my name on all my work.......


Saurora is catchie also......so just replace Susan with Saurora

Thanks Art for all your comments. I will see if I can call up my creative side (where the heck is that?) and see what I can come up with with just my first name, and if the domain is available or not. (Babes by Susan???? Hmmm. "Hunks" by Susan could be a fun and possibly overlooked niche!!!)

saurora

Sam wrote:

Saurora,

Don't stress over the name too much. Work on all the other aspects of setting up your business, and let your sub-conscience chew on while you sleep. If you actually get to the point where everything else is done and you still don’t have a name, then
Stress.

The name doesn’t need to be magic just something to convey what you do, and hopefully something they will remember. You make the name. The name will not make you. Who ever heard of calling a major company Apple!

Your name doesn’t seem to be that hard, but that’s your choice.

Orange County Photography:
Photos by DeSisto

Sam

Thanks Sam for responding. Apple is a popular search word....maybe I can come up with a good Apple name? He he he.

Angelo

I vote for "Saurora"

urbanaries

Malte wrote:

Aurora is a great word if you decide to go that route:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/aurora

ah, Aurora...

Several years back my ex had bought me a oldsmobile aurora v8. That car was awesome until and it was stolen and totaled!

*sigh!*

what were we talking about again?

Scott_Quier

Susan,

I'm coming into the game a little late, but here's my thoughts on the matter (I had the same questions some months ago when I started out).

My focus (no pun intended) is to capture the happy moments in peoples lives. I do this through portraits, events (parties, etc), weddings - that sort of thing.

What I'm really interested in is spreading love (throw back to my hippy days, even if I was very young at the time) and making people laugh.

Hence the name Love N Laughter Photography. I've had lots of people remember that name and have lots of problems with my real name (just look in the upper left corner of this post - that's my name!).

Hope this helps.

saurora

Thanks Scott.....you're not too late, 'cause I haven't picked a name yet! Just too busy this weekend to "focus" on the name. I need to set a deadline for myself and just 'do it'.

Jonathan R. Walcher

Thanks for posting such a great question!

saurora wrote:

Thanks Scott.....you're not too late, 'cause I haven't picked a name yet! Just too busy this weekend to "focus" on the name. I need to set a deadline for myself and just 'do it'.

Saurora:

Great thread! I don't think I have much to offer except to say that I agree with sam that you just need to do it and move to the next step; there are still a million things to do (I'm on like number 35 of a million)

I spent a number of days trying to figure out what I was going to do my self. I finally ended up using my name, even though it's hard to pronounce, because I felt that I could always "grow" or expand into a Brand Name but it would be very difficult for me to try to reassociate people with my name if I started with a BrandName and tried to revert back.

Also, this may sound a bit dreamy (I'm a big dreamer)...it kind of relates to what lynne said....I don't think I have ever seen a "brandName" below a published print (e.g. table top books, magazines, newspapers, etc) Even if it's through agency the photographers name comes first followed by a slash then the agency. So I could be wrong....but I've kind of assumed that in the portrait/head shot business that it's all in a name and, as the old saying goes, "...who you know".

With all that said, you have a beautiful name if you decide to go that route.

Cheers,
Jonathan R. Walcher

saurora

Jonathan R. Walcher wrote:

Saurora:

Great thread! I don't think I have much to offer except to say that I agree with sam that you just need to do it and move to the next step; there are still a million things to do (I'm on like number 35 of a million)

I spent a number of days trying to figure out what I was going to do my self. I finally ended up using my name, even though it's hard to pronounce, because I felt that I could always "grow" or expand into a Brand Name but it would be very difficult for me to try to reassociate people with my name if I started with a BrandName and tried to revert back.

Also, this may sound a bit dreamy (I'm a big dreamer)...it kind of relates to what lynne said....I don't think I have ever seen a "brandName" below a published print (e.g. table top books, magazines, newspapers, etc) Even if it's through agency the photographers name comes first followed by a slash then the agency. So I could be wrong....but I've kind of assumed that in the portrait/head shot business that it's all in a name and, as the old saying goes, "...who you know".

With all that said, you have a beautiful name if you decide to go that route.

Cheers,
Jonathan R. Walcher

That's another great point Jonathan, about signing your work. There are a million things to think of (I agree!!!) and I spent the 3 day weekend doing alot of them, but still fussing with the name. I may end up using just my first and middle name (Susan Leslie)...at least the domain is available! I think your name works well...it's not a totally common name, but not difficult to spell. Good luck....I've been following some of your posts in the cusomizing thread as that is my next step.....gulp.

anwmn1

This is a great question and one that I have pondered at times myself. It has bothered me to the point where I haven't moved forward in customizing my site (well that and I don't know how to do it).

So what do you do when there is another company using your name even though he doesn't have that name? If someone else is useing it in another state does that mean you cannot use it where you are? I think my name is pretty good and had high dreams of being the next Ansel Adams (well okay maybe a fantasy) but the URL is already taken.

Sam

Susan.

After thinking on this I think you should stick to your name.

I know you seem to have an issue with your last name, but I really don't see it at all. It's short, seems easy to remember, and doen't matter if they misspronounce it, as long as they remember it.

You said your targeting prrtraits. This is a personal service rendered by one person to another. People have names. They will remember you and your name far better than a generic business name.

Would you remember a photo done by XYZ Studio, or Ansel Adams better?

Sam

Rhuarc

You want to talk about a difficult name, try... Wendell Beitzel

Oy!! THe only decent way to use that would be Beitzel Photography, and a distant relative of mine already owns a photoraphy studio in Pennsylvania with that name. (his last name is Beitzel too)

My full name is Wendell Duane Beitzel.

Wendell Duane Studios
Wendell Beitzel Photography
Wendell's Photography Studio


Nothing sounds right. That's why even though I want to go with something of my name I may have to make something up. That's what I've been trying to do for a week now, and everything I come up with I find out has already been taken! Grrrr....

Eidt: Hmm, it seems wendellbeitzel.com isn't taken. Maybe I'll just have to get that, and try to work with it.

Jonathan R. Walcher

Do it!

Rhuarc wrote:

You want to talk about a difficult name, try... Wendell Beitzel

Oy!! THe only decent way to use that would be Beitzel Photography, and a distant relative of mine already owns a photoraphy studio in Pennsylvania with that name. (his last name is Beitzel too)

My full name is Wendell Duane Beitzel.

Wendell Duane Studios
Wendell Beitzel Photography
Wendell's Photography Studio


Nothing sounds right. That's why even though I want to go with something of my name I may have to make something up. That's what I've been trying to do for a week now, and everything I come up with I find out has already been taken! Grrrr....

Eidt: Hmm, it seems wendellbeitzel.com isn't taken. Maybe I'll just have to get that, and try to work with it.

Wendell.....man you've got to own your name dude! It's a great name....I'm not sure exactly how it's pronounced but thats what is so great about it! Think of all the poor chaps with easy names out there.....how hard must it be for John Smith to start a photog business when there a million of them already doing it (I have to admit...the distant relative thing with a studio is pretty amazing....a good eye must run in your family or something ).

My advice:


You have to make your name what you want it to be....not let your name make you!

Just my 2 cents

S&SPhoto

More food for thought.

Samir

urbanaries

S&SPhoto wrote:

More food for thought.

Samir

good link. i think we have a winner for you saurora.......Aaaaaardvark Photos!

kres

Wow... I was JUST fighting this problem 2 days ago!

I have the same issue, my name is long and German, but not in that easy-to-day kinda way.

So, I just kicked around certain thoughts, concepts, experiences, and came up with "Lightbranch Media" - which I was lucky enough to have easy access to the domiain name as well.

The name is based off a memorable conversation with a friend of mine that went from being an electrical research scientist to a Buddist Monk. Essentially he stated that light is the primevil energy that branchs off to create all other energies and powers all other efforts.

Trip back over a few deep meaningful conversations of your own and see what idea's pop up.

Rhuarc

Jonathan R. Walcher wrote:

Wendell.....man you've got to own your name dude! It's a great name....I'm not sure exactly how it's pronounced but thats what is so great about it! Think of all the poor chaps with easy names out there.....how hard must it be for John Smith to start a photog business when there a million of them already doing it (I have to admit...the distant relative thing with a studio is pretty amazing....a good eye must run in your family or something ).

My advice:


You have to make your name what you want it to be....not let your name make you!

Just my 2 cents

Well, thanks to Jonathan I decided to just go ahead with my name, and make my business name Wendell Beitzel Photography. Thanks Jonathan!! And I hope everyone else is able to find just that right name!

saurora

S&SPhoto wrote:

More food for thought.

Samir

Thanks for the link....some good input in there.

Scott_Quier

Well Susan - it's been 5+ days since you started this thread. Are you any closer to a decision? I guess I'm just looking forward to learning what you decided!

ivar

Late to the party as usual....


Did you decide already?

I'm going to vote for just using your name, and not so much 'naming your business'. It's a lot more unique as opposed to a lot of other more generic way, but also very important (to me at least) it's more personal.

I'd rather have my portraits taken by "susan" or "susan desisto" as opposed to with "desisto photography" or "desisto studios". Sounds a little :crazy i know.

ShadowHawk

Wow.. same issue
Another meme for "can't think of a name'.

I too am also looking at jumping into the semi-pro pool and have been wondering on what to call it. I (like yourself) want to get it right the first time too.

I guess I am reasonably lucky, my name is 'Matthew Corr'.

So "matt corr photography" is not too bad.

Since I am such a huge bugger (6'7") I was also looking for a business name that was a play on height.. (eg. Hightower photos) but to my suprise most of the ones I looked at were already taken!

Let us know what you chose!

gmonkeh

You can always go with Vertigo, but that's more the what your superhero name would be Different topic all together.