Business Name Votes Requested

[EagleGirl]

OK, I'm just getting started (barely) and I'm trying to decide on a name.

My name is Joanne Eanes. The last name is not usable because there is only about 1% of the population that can pronounce it (nobody knows phonics these days). BTW it is pronounced like jeans without the J.

So I'm trying to come up with a name that I like that isn't already taken. I want a website to have the same name as the studio name if possible so domain availabilty is an issue. After first round of family voting, I decided on Captured Memories by Joanne. but I've since decided that that is too long. So here are the remaining contenders. (website domain available) shown in parenthesis.

Joanne's Photography (joannesphotos.com)
Images by Joanne (imagesbyjoanne.com)
Photography by Jo (photographybyjo.com) - some friends call me Jo
Joanne's Portraits (joannesportraits.com)

I can't make up my mind so if anybody has any opinions, please voice them. I am planning on doing weddings, babies, maternity, family portraits if that helps.

Thanks in advance.
Jo
aka Queen B and Grammie

[Wes]

How about, "JoTography, Inc."


I was never any good with coming up with this kind of stuff.

[hmiles619]

i just claimed all of those sites. If you want to use any of them you'll have to pay me $200

[EagleGirl]

very hilarious. well I guess that solves my problem

[raevyncent]

Why does it have to be JOanne? I was thinking, try something creative using the word JEanes, or maybe leave out the last 'e', and It would incorporate not only your name, but explain its pronunciation too> Gimme a day to get the creativity flowing on this

EDIT: wow , creativity flowing tonight... but that is what gave me the first Idea: Creative JEanes Photography

[EagleGirl]

It doesn't have to have my name in it, it just seems like that's what most people do. I'm in no hurry and look forward to what you think up.

[smseeley]

I'll put my vote in for Photography by Jo

[EagleGirl]

I'll count your vote, thanks

[HotHolly]

Personally, (and this is gonna sound really sexist) but I would rather take maternity photos and child photos with a woman photog. My kids respond better - generally speaking - to women. Jo sounds like a man - it being short for JoAnne wouldnt have come to mind.

I would lean toward the finding a memorable name as opposed to using your own name. Something like purple cow pictures - or something. Logo is easy and most people can remember it 1st try b/c there is no such thing. They make a mental note that there are no purple cows, and tahad - they remember you.

Odd advice coming from a name like boring Belle's. Like Im one to talk - but by the time I noticed what clients remember, we were already branded Belle's. Our original name was Belle's Bridal and Family Photography. Now you now why we ended up with just Belle's. Ha ha.

Oh, and if you come up with some name that doesnt have all the sister sites purchased, buy the domains and reroute to your site. We should have done that. Clients end up at someone else's site when you skip that part. Have fun!

[EagleGirl]

I'm never good at coming up with these ideas, especially something like purple cow kind of a thing. I'll try to turn my mind that direction. I'd figured that it was good to actually have your name in it just for the connection to yourself. BTW, who is Belle anyway?

[EagleGirl]

Along the lines of what Holly said, what do you think of this. One of my nicknames is Queen Bee. What would ya'll think of working that into a name somehow. I hadn't really considered it because I thought it was hokey.

[Outlaw]

Another option to consider is something that people can identify with for their region. For example, my companies, Outlaw Photography Studios and Outlaw Business Services, the Outlaw name is drawn from my hometown of Bandera. Bandera is the self-proclaimed Cowboy Capital of the World, and being a tourist destination, they push the Old West feel, style, and so forth. I like to step outside the lines a bit and break tradition just enough to keep life interesting, so instead of wearing the white hat of photography as a Cowboy, I prefer the black hat of the Outlaw.

So think about what kinds of things are representative of your community's image and see where that takes you!

[EagleGirl]

hmm, i'll think about that. I live outside Houton. a lot of western things and space program

[LadyShutterBug]

i also stand by my decision to go with a "memorable" name rather than using my own name or something forgettable.

incorporate something visual into your name. i'm "monkey tree photography" and people always comment on how they could never forget a name likee that. it makes them think, and makes them wonder why i chose the name. it's a great conversational topic as well ;)

my name is Kasey, and aside from being spelled "incorrectly" (not Casey), it's ambiguous as to whether i am male or female, and someone might know someone named Kasey that htey hate and that would be strike one against me.

the chances of someone hating monekys or trees are smaller...lol... and if someone dislikes monkeys that much, i'm not sure they're my type in the first place!

[raevyncent]

Wheels still turnin.... got you on a back burner, by tonight it should be delicious!