Naming ideas

[TootysMom]

2009 is the year that I will launch my business. I've done lots of research, having a pricing schedule, yada yada yada....but I'm at a loss for a name. I know, dumb huh? Those of you who don't use your own name for your business, how did you come up with your business name? I've wracked my brain for catchy names that convey the type of photography I do, but nothing has really blown my skirt up Any ideas are greatly appreciated!

[ara.bentley]

what type of photography do you do? looks like mostly familes on your blog spot. If that's what you want to focus on maybe come up with a name that specificly catch a mothers eye (since they will be the ones booking appointments).

i dunno something like:

Kissed Knee Photography (don't where that came from - just a mom thought I guess)

that's all i got - we weren't super creative with ours - my husband and I do it so we called ours Bentley House Photography - we also did that to leave ours open to changes in what type of photography we do - we're starting out so didn't want to be too specific.

Good luck with opening your biz!

[HeatherLou]

I would strongly suggest using your name. When I started out, I used Nix Pix Studios. Nix is my last name, so I thought it was cute. However, no one spells it right! So this year, I'm changing it back to Heather Nix Photography.

If you do decide to not use your name, use something that is easily remembered, easy to spell and that is not cliche.

[TootysMom]

Thanks Ara - right now I'm just doing family and child photography, but I'd like to do other types later on like boudoir photos...so I want to have a name that doesn't lock me in...maybe I'll just use my name after all :)

[TootysMom]

Heather, what if your first name and last name are not easy to spell LOL....I'm pretty sure people would mess up the spelling of mine.... Britney Voelkel LOL

[Sonny]

If you haven't already sit down with a pen and paper and start writing down your ideas. No mater how silly or crazy the idea, write it down. You never know when you'll find a that winning combination from previous ideas. Include family, friends, and other business associates to help you brainstorm.

[dtscds]

I agree with the brainstorming idea but I would like to offer another option. It's like brainstorming but I think it is more effective than just sitting down with a blank sheet of paper and pencil and then wondering what to do next. It's something I learned in a creative writing class. It's a technique called "Clustering".
Here is a link for a quick example.
Clustering works because it allows your mind to work on different options at the same time. When one branch plays out you move on to another. Often something else will pop into your head that works off the branch you assumed had finished.
One "rule" is you cannot just sit there fixating on it. If something pops in your head you write it down. If, after 5 seconds, nothing is coming to you, start doodling. Draw arrowheads on your lines. Make the circles bigger/darker. Whatever, just keep your pencil moving and keep your brain from fixating on anything in particular.
Hope that helps
I found it much better than traditional "brainstorming".

[CaptainTom]

not a photography name, but as an aside:

In upstate NY there was a rock band called Free Beer and Chicken.

You can imagine the crowds they'd get when the sign outside the Beer hall said: Friday night: Free Beer and Chicken

[debbry531]

I'm no help as I'm trying to come up with a name as well -- though I have the opposite problem. I'd actually like to use my name (Debbie Bryant) so that I have flexibility if I want to take my business into different areas, but it's too common, and all the websites with variations of my name are already taken (I want my website to match my business name). I have the extra need to distinguish myself from another Dallas dog photographer - named Margaret Bryant (which happens to have been my mom's name) who already is established and works as Bryant Dog Photography. I'm hoping for a sudden spark of inspiration as I'm not crazy about anything I've come up with yet. Hope you have better luck!

[TootysMom]

That clustering thing sounds like a really neat idea, I looked at the link and I'm going to try it.

[HeatherLou]

Originally Posted by debbry531

I'm no help as I'm trying to come up with a name as well -- though I have the opposite problem. I'd actually like to use my name (Debbie Bryant) so that I have flexibility if I want to take my business into different areas, but it's too common, and all the websites with variations of my name are already taken (I want my website to match my business name). I have the extra need to distinguish myself from another Dallas dog photographer - named Margaret Bryant (which happens to have been my mom's name) who already is established and works as Bryant Dog Photography. I'm hoping for a sudden spark of inspiration as I'm not crazy about anything I've come up with yet. Hope you have better luck!

If I was ever going to do just photos of dogs, my name would be Puppy Pixels LOL



Britney, do you use a nickname??? Maybe there is some inspiration there?

[HotHolly]

I wish we had a more unique studio name. I love our name - it was named after my kid, at the beginning of the alphabet (for phone book listings), it means beautiful - which is my primary task when shooting a client...but everybody and their dog has used the name recently. One of the soaps used the name for a character recently, and the Twilight books, and omg. Belle's chicken just opened. I waiting for someone to come in here and order a bucket. I own a bridal shop with the same name. If I hadnt paid $3K for my sign I would have changed the name by now.

It should communicate what you do and who you are. Consider your target demographic while choosing your name. Some names attract certain types of clients while other names repel them. If you use your name, remember you are 100% marketing YOU. You have to live up to what you are marketing on a daily basis. If you value your amininity, then making your name the headline isnt the way to go. It should also be memorable and EASY to spell. And very imporantly - buy all similar domains and similarly spelled domains to cut down on confusion.

Also be aware that there are companies who will buy your domain as soon as you file your DBA or corp papers. Buy the domain ASAP after choosing your name.

GOOD LUCK!

[debbry531]

but everybody and their dog has used the name recently

My dog's name is Belle. Of course, in my case, that makes the name of your studio MORE appealing!

If I was ever going to do just photos of dogs, my name would be Puppy Pixels

And you have a built-in, ready poster model!

[Shelby Lane]

Also think about whether or not you ever plan on branching out. I know a few people with precious baby portrait names that are finding they have to have an entirely new business name now that they've added seniors and weddings or bridals.

[carrbowl]

Originally Posted by Heatherlou

If I was ever going to do just photos of dogs, my name would be Puppy Pixels LOL



Britney, do you use a nickname??? Maybe there is some inspiration there?

So when I was thinking of names...someone suggested I do pet photography so I could be called Carr Pet Photography....get it ...(carpet...ha ha ha...) Definitely find something that people will remember....I can't use my first name and the last name is common. Then you have to look and see what website names are still available. The advantage to being a "girl" is you can use girlie names....like flowers, etc. But the brainstorming is what got my name...I just kept narrowing the list down until it felt right...