Finding a name

[tiffanymck]

I am trying to decide on a name to register my business. All of the names I come up with lead to many other photography links and are already taken by someone. I have been told to keep it simple like your name and the word photography or images. I have tried my first name, my last name, my initials, and even creative names I can think of. They are all taken. I guess I'm not that creative! Any suggestions, ideas, advise?

[Steelsun]

What type of photography do you like most? Maybe take a subject from there?

What's your last name? Maybe a play on words can be done with that?

Even if the domain is taken, don't forget to check in Houston (Harris County) that the name is available for business use. You can check Harris County Assumed names here:
http://www.cclerk.hctx.net/coolice/d...ice=mastermenu

I'm sure a bunch of us would like to help out and get you some ideas.

It took me awhile to pick my company name (Sun Stock Photography - and it's listed as an assumed name on the county site I linked above).

[Steelsun]

Idea, since your initials are TM (like Trademark), that could be an idea to play with.

Texas TM Photo seems available.

Wow - and "HouTex Photo" and Houtexphoto.com seem available. I almost want to register that domain name "just because".

[d2creative]

Man, I wish I had an easy answer for you. I just went through this myself. Took me months to come up with something i liked - Blue Lemon Photo. My birth name doesn't exactly roll off your tongue and it seems like 95% of photographers use their name so I ended up going the creative route.
All I can say is good luck, you'll come up with something eventually.

[David_3]

I'm going through the same thing right now. I have a somewhat unique last name, so I think that may be the easy route for me. And just to complicate things a little more for you....you will probably want to start thinking about some type of logo, and business card design too.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide on.

[Jay Henley]

I had been using my wifes domain name for my website "mydatalion" she was doing custom databases but no longer does it. That name did not work for me. Kept racking my brain for something along the creative route, then listened to the Sopranos them song (full version) and heard several things I liked. I went with "BlueMoonEyes". I was also thinking of going with "ColdHarborLane" which I had heard in the song. It just sounded cool when the guy says it in the song. I am still not convinced if BlueMoonEyes is right but needed something other than "mydatalion". I know BlueMoonEyes does not say anything about photography in the name but best I can do for now. Maybe change it later. Good Luck with name.

[Daniel Bates]

I'm going with Derby Digital right now... it's a fairly easy to remember name (the alliteration helps), and it comes from my name (Daniel R. Bates = D.R.B. = Derby).

[Jay Henley]

Aww, I like Bates Motel!!

[HeatherLou]

My last name is Nix, and Curt (Digital Prophet) came up with Nix Pix, but it was taken by a guy in Austraila, so i went with Nix Pix Studios, and all is good!

[LadyShutterBug]

what kind of work will you be doing?

i just went with "hmm, this will make people take a second glance when they see it."

i was sititng int he living room and looked into the bathroom at our shower curtain. monkeys in trees. Monkey Tree Photography. I had a logo made and the rest is history.

SO... i say go with creative, somethign that will make people wonder. It's at least a conversation starter... plus I really didn't want to ue my name or any form of my name or initials.

[HotHolly]

We named our studio after my daughter. Something that reflects what you want people to think about you works well. Our logo is a rubber duck...and some how people think that looks classy. (people are silly) So its all what you do with what you got.

[debibelt]

you also want it to be something easy to remember and spell - if people hear it and then try to look for it later, you want to make sure they find you
personally i also wouldn't go with a name or domain that is so close to another to be confused - houstonphotographer.com vs houstonphotograph.com
though it might be available I think it would be confusing for a consumer

[scott1120]

Originally Posted by d2creative

Man, I wish I had an easy answer for you. I just went through this myself. Took me months to come up with something i liked - Blue Lemon Photo. My birth name doesn't exactly roll off your tongue and it seems like 95% of photographers use their name so I ended up going the creative route.
All I can say is good luck, you'll come up with something eventually.

We'll I don't like my name (last name Smith, that's not common at all), so I will have to get creative. Hopefully I will find something I like before I really need it.

[tiffanymck]

Thanks guys, great suggestions. I am taking mostly portraits. Senior pictures, kid pictures. I want to do some maternity pics as well soon. My last name is McKinley. I like the idea of being creative, I have just heard so many people put down that idea. I love BlueMoonEyes and Monkey Tree Photography. Derby Digital is great too. I'll think creative and maybe run a few ideas past you soon. Good luck to all you guys trying to figure yours out too.

[tiffanymck]

SteelSun thanks for the Harris County Assumed names web page too.