Naming Issue

[mrsamandal]

I'd love to just use my name, it'd certainly be easiest, but we adopted a little girl and I'd rather not have my last name plastered everywhere (on my website, etc). So I wanted to come up with a company name and then could just use my first name in the about me section on the site. The only people who would have my last name are obviously customers for payment purposes. However, I'm only wanting to do this on the side for right now, so all the work with coming up with a business name and registering it just overwhelms me.

While I realize I'm not really giving y'all alotof options, as I've been twirling this in my head for a few weeks, does anyone have any suggestions? I'm guessing if you have a company name that doesn't include your legal/given name, that you did register it...right? I mean, I need to plan to do that before I start buying up the domains correct?

I open for any and all suggestions at this point. I have stuff I some photos I want to get out there to try and drum up some business, but I have to solve this before I do.

[BenE]

Perhaps your first name and last name initial, because there might be several "Amanda" Studios.

Photography by Amanda B (or whatever)
Amanda B Studio
Images by Amanda B
etc.

[suerenee]

I know several ladies who use there middle name. There is an Amanda Marie Photography in MI who I met at a workshop once. Jasmine Star is another one who uses her middle name.

[mrsamandal]

I actually am liking the Amanda B or Amanda L Photography (B is maiden, and L is married).

I had thought about first and middle, but the feedback I got was that it sounded more Adult Entertainment than Photography...

So here is where I'm at and thinking of-thoughts?
Amanda B Photography
Amanda L Photography
Amanda Danielle Photography
A2 Portraiture (said A Squared-our daughter's name is Abby)

[J Eddington]

Amanda B Photography is out. She has been in business for 2 years according to her blog. Have no idea where she is located.
Amanda L PHotography well, it is going to be hard to beat all the other Amanda L ??? Photography on Google.
Amanda Danielle Is a pinup girl.
A2 just doesn't do it for me.

[mrsamandal]

Ugh. This is SO frustrating...I have pictures and I want to share them yet I can't come up with a name. Grrrr.

What about Amanda B or L Portraiture? Thoughts on that? There aren't alot of "portraiture" uses

[BenE]

Originally Posted by mrsamandal

Ugh. This is SO frustrating...I have pictures and I want to share them yet I can't come up with a name. Grrrr.

What about Amanda B or L Portraiture? Thoughts on that? There aren't alot of "portraiture" uses

Even if there is another Amanda B, unless she is in your immediate area, that should not be a problem. The only situation that might be is for a domain name, but that can be solved also.

Don't over think it.

....edit... That is why a DBA is important. Once you have that, no one else in your county can use the same name.

[Outlaw]

I'm with Ben, try not to over think it. What you name your business will be inconsequential compared to the art you make and how you present it through marketing.

Start with Photography by Amanda (or Mandi, if that's a nickname you like). If you're aiming at a specific niche, you could be specific, like Senior Photos by Amanda. Or go with your town or community's name - here in Bandera, it would be Bandera Photography.

Or you can go with a completely unrelated name - just make it up. Look up law firm names and pick two names that sound luxurious together, an Abercrombie & Fitch, a Dolce & Gabbana. It's all just marketing and fun.

The most important part is to not get stymied by the little things, paralysis by analysis. Believe it or not, you can always change your business name down the road. It's really that simple.

[Nikonfan]

Originally Posted by BenE

Even if there is another Amanda B, unless she is in your immediate area, that should not be a problem. The only situation that might be is for a domain name, but that can be solved also.

Don't over think it.

....edit... That is why a DBA is important. Once you have that, no one else in your county can use the same name.

I agree. Even with my uncommon last name "Lunt" there is another David Lunt Photography. Who would have thought? But he is out of New England. It's never been an issue. I believe the only time it would be an issue is if the name was Trademarked. I can see that with a Business Name like Microsoft. I have a hard time seeing that someone would trademark a photography business name if it has their personal name.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Nikonfan

I agree. Even with my uncommon last name "Lunt" there is another David Lunt Photography. Who would have thought? But he is out of New England. It's never been an issue. I believe the only time it would be an issue is if the name was Trademarked. I can see that with a Business Name like Microsoft. I have a hard time seeing that someone would trademark a photography business name if it has their personal name.

I'm not an intellectual property attorney, but I believe that even if someone trademarked their name and you have an identical name, you could still use your name to describe you.

[LadyShutterBug]

i chose to not go with my actual name for several reasons... one of which being, well, my mom spelled my name incorrectly and i didn't want people judging. yes, i have a complex ; )

also, in the event i ever dominate the world and want to sell my business, i don't want to sell my personal name.

i just went kind of off the wall and chose Monkey Tree. people remember it, and it's a little different when they're shopping photogs.