What about removing photography from your name?

[RobyMD]

So companies reinvent themselves, such as Apple Computer becoming Apple Inc, or other examples. I don't know if Vincent Laforet has always been Laforet Visuals but I noticed it on his site the other day.

All that said, to those embracing the melding of the photo and video world are you thinking about changing your name if it has or suggest photography?

I'm working on some new marketing material but I don't want to call the sessions photo session because I want to include video in a way that enhances the final product but it's not a video session either.

Right now it's still in the conceptual stages but I wondered if anyone has contemplated the same things.

[bondarnes]

Just call it a creative session.

[RobyMD]

Don you are so smart. I'm really mean that. Can I just hang around you for a week. I'll make copies get the coffee, walk the dog. Whatever you need.

[bondarnes]

You can come next week and help me move. The copy machine is busted, I get coffee at the Racetrac, and the dog died a few years back. A strong back and a weak mind is all I need to get everything moved.

[CaptainTom]

Moving Rule no. 12
"When hiring a mover you don't care if they have an advanced degree, you hire them from the neck down."

Why have photography in your business name at all ??? Easy for me to say.

[RobyMD]

I get that but even using the mover analogy I want to know what kind of mover I'm hiring. Commercial, residential, boat.

So the studio name is Studio Envisage. We add photography so there is no confusion, we aren't a hair studio, recording studio, Paramount Studios. You get the idea.

[toverman]

Before I read Don's comment I was thinking "imaging," but that isn't all that clear, either. A beauty salon could also have "imaging sessions."

[brad]

A point to make here....

Before you go removing the word photography from all your materials, note that people do Google searches on Photography/Photo/Photographer .. and if the word doesn't appear on your website often, your Google rank may suffer.

[mcf0807]

I put photography in my business name for the internet searches.

[bondarnes]

In my opinion we photographers over think this sort of thing. In our efforts to appear unique and artistic we confuse the very potential clients we are seeking to woo.

When I started years ago my goal was to build a multi studio business that I could sell so I didn't want to use my name. I chose The Photographers because it is clear and concise and easily understood. In the end I never had more than two studios so I didn't reach my goal. Since most prospects are looking for "the right studio", I entertained the thought of naming it The Really Right Photography Studio. Can you see that as a URL?

[HotHolly]

I think you need to keep photography in your description, if not your name, to keep things clear. You know, where you see the main name and then a descriptor under it:

FRED'S:
Photography for farmers

Im sure you can think of seeing ads for companies and you have no idea what the heck they do. You so DONT want that to be you. Expensive mistake.

You could also just think of a name for the session, and if those take off, then rethink you studio name.

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by RobyMD

I get that but even using the mover analogy I want to know what kind of mover I'm hiring. Commercial, residential, boat.

When my son had a moving company for several years. He named it North Texas Relogistics. If he hadn't been listed under movers in the yellow pages I'm not sure anybody would have found him.

[Dorothy Wilson]

I agree 100% with Don about the use of 'creative sessions' for what you are doing. I would also follow the suggestion of waiting to change the name until you see how things flow with the integration.

Our name is 'DandD Images' with 'Photography + Digital Art' next to it or underneath. I went into this knowing we would be competing with 'Dungeons and Dragons' for SEO. (No, I've never played it. I'm not *that* nerdy. )
Sometimes I want to rebrand but when I make a sale where they say they found it by accident doing a search for the game, I have to admit the name works for us.

~DW