I had a great question come in today from a photographer that’s starting up a new business, and contemplating name choices. “What should I name my photography business?” As I was typing up the answer, I began thinking about how many of you may also be thinking of similar things, and thought I would post about it here as well.
The first question I would have to you is, “How do you want to grow?”
For some people, it’s all about the art. They have dreams of becoming a household name with their photography. Think Denis Reggie, Anne Geddes or Annie Leibovitz.
For some people, it’s all about the business. They have dreams of building a large studio in which they can hire multiple photographers, and offer a variety of services using multiple talented people.
Both are great business models. However, both should be named differently.
If it’s all about the art form, and you’re goal is to have your art recognized instantly, your name should be incorporated into your business name. Jane Smith Photography or Smith International would work well. The key is to build the business with you as its leader. You are the heart and soul of the business.
If it’s all about the business, your goal should be to have a recognizable name that talks about your specialty as opposed to the art form of one individual. Creative Weddings International or Children’s Portraits tell people what to expect as an outcome, and speak to the business side as opposed to an individual. (Yes, these names aren’t the most creative by any means, just using the names to show you how to think.)
Let me give you another idea.
When Andrew and I first started our photography studio a long 
time ago, we chose the name Eyes On Photography without thinking much about it. We used it for almost ten years before we decided to take our business international. So we added a tagline to our name – two little words.
Worldwide Imagery
With this one change, our business changed 180 degrees. When people called us they would ask where our other offices were in the world. They would ask how many people worked for us. They expected our fees to be high – wouldn’t you pay more for artists that worked anywhere in the world?
Related posts:
just to created name for my business
I am new in photography and I know how important an Image for a business is.
I have only recently changed my flikr name to Nicspicandmix. I like this because its different and not too formal. I would also like to convey fun and not have a fixed style of photography media such as just weddings or just portraits. What do any of you think of the name. I would love some feedback to see If I have the right feel for what I want to do.
The important thing with Flickr, and with any social site for that matter, is to have fun with it and help convey your branding. I’m not sure what your overall branding is, but let’s say you have a newsletter that you put out, and you want to keep it light and fun. So you call it Nic’s Pics and Mix – that would help you convey your brand from your business, to your site, to your Flickr and social sites. It should always tie in together, and you should always have it convey the message you’re trying to create with your customers.
Hope that helps – what are your thoughts?
I’m involved with photography and want to make it my full time career. I want to publish a website but just having a difficult time coming up with a name. I can use my name & put photography as the end of it but I want something more catching & more different & as I come up with a name I search it on google & there’s tons of photography business with that same name. But I do like the name nicpicsandmix it’s clever but did you think about using the spelling of nixpixandmix?
In any instance like this, you have to make sure you can gather all the domain names for it, just in case people type in the wrong way. So you could have nicspicsandmix.com and nixpixandmix.com – and of course this leads to many other combinations as well. Since domain names are cheap, buy them all and point them to whatever your “real” domain name is.
Our photography studio was Eyes On Photography. But many people mistook what we said when we said it fast and came up with Izon Photography. Another example of how you need to capture any way your client hears your name.
Well, I’m “new” to photography. I’ve been using cameras for well over 3 years, and for my 16th birthday, I got a Canon SC20IS. Well, I know how hard it can be to get your name out into the photography world, especially as a 16 year old kid.
I’m doing Wildlife Photography as a career choice. Over the last year, my fascination has been dragonflies/damselflies. One of my favorites that I’ve seen in other pictures, but have yet to see in real life is the Common Sanddragon. So, I’ve been thinking about the name “Sanddragon Photography”.
Thoughts, ideas, comments, etc?
This is a very informative article, but I’m in a bit of a dilemma. My best friend and I are going to be starting a photography business and we can’t decide on a name. In your opinion should we have a name with both of our first names or our last names? Or should we come up with a unique name? We’re both unsure of what to do.
With two or more people involved, I would tend to go with something more generic that allows you to be flexible in what you do. What’s your specialty? Try for something that says more about that. That will allow you to grow more over time.
I am a student at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh online and I am starting up my own photography website to susidize the costs of equipment. I love photography and I do a lot of portraits and nature photography. I am hoping of drawing in portrait clients and selling my nature photographs on the website. I was thinking about using Phrazier Fotography as my business name. I think its unique and does not limit me to one type of photograhy. Do you have any suggestions for this type of endeavor?
I like the play on words. But I would be careful as most people that hear your name Frazier Photography will type it in correctly. If you can get both .com’s, it would be okay. But if FrazierPhotography.com goes to a competitor, you could be in for trouble.
Lori
I’m trying to build my photography business, and am questioning whether I want to use my last name for my business name (Karcz Photography). For one, it’s hard to spell, two: it’s my married last name (which is great, but I didn’t grow up with it), three: it’s just kind of boring to go with something that most photo businesses do (although, it sounds sophisticated — I like that).
However, I just can’t come up with anything else. My first thought is to do something with the nickname my husband has for me “Sweetpea.” Maybe “Sweetpea Photos” or “Sweetpea-Charm Photography.” The only questions I have on that is does it only focus on child photography and is it lame?
I love child photography, but I really want a wide variety of clients (families, pets, senior portraits, engagements, etc.) before I figure out which one to really focus on.
What are your thoughts on this dilemma? I need some help on this!
Jessica
I agree – Sweetpea sounds childlike, and perfect for a baby/child portrait artist. But if you want to branch out into seniors, engagements etc, I’m not sure if that’s the best choice. I can “see” lots of branding and logos with Sweetpea and it would be very memorable – but again from the baby or child perspective. If you’re not sure what you want to do at this point, your name might be best, even to the point of adding Jessica Karcz Photography. That could follow you into anything you decide. If down the road you go into one area – baby – then you might add a division to your business, and go with something like the Sweetpea Portraits.
Good luck!
Lori
Hello Lori! Thank you for such informative articles!! I was hoping you may be able to give me a bit of advice… I have a photography business currently named “Momentology Photography” but have been wondering if my name would sound more professional (Brittany Preston Photography). I mainly shoot newborns, babies, and children…but also do Seniors and occasionally families. I am contemplating a rebrand/redesign, and so I thought I would get your opinion on the name (as now would be the time to change it if I’m going to). Thank you so much for your valuable help and insights!!
You can go either way – with your name, it will always be about you, so it will be harder to bring on other photographers or sell your business down the road. Momentology is interesting and you could do a lot with that to brand it. Mainly its about commitment and what your goals are for the future. If you want to build up you as an artist, I would change it. If you are designing a business where others could come into it in the future, I would stick with Momentology.
Thank you for the wonderful work you are doing, i’m trying to build my photographic business as a life long career but i’m faced with the issue of chasing a name that is not common but attractive, so i choose ‘simple concept digital xposures’ the issue with this name is that my clients complain that it is too long. faced with this issue i’m thinking either to choose IMAGE EXPOSURE or IMAGE CONCEPT….Please what what do you think?
Emmanuel – Yes you had multiple issues with that name – length and a word not spelled how everyone expects. I would definitely shorten it up to make it easier to remember and brand. Both can be good, it just depends on how you brand it and use it.
Lori
Hi, I’d love your help with my photography business name… I’m really enjoying the fun and colourful side of photography, especially child photography, but at this stage I’m really new to photography (only had a couple of ‘shoots’ for family and friends outside of my personal sessions…) and so I’m trying to fix on a name for the future. I have three ideas I’m toying with, could you help me?
ShortAndSnappy – Up until now I’ve been using this (for Deviant Art, etc..) – I think this is really fun and cute (and I’m a shot photographer), but I suspect very common.
Sophie Andrews Photography – My name, but I’m not sure if it really stands out.
Ruth Andrews Photography – My middle name and my surname… a little bit more unusual than ‘Sophie’ and as I’m Australian, but planning to move to the UK at some point in the future, I have an idea about marketing involving something along the lines of Ruth/Roo (kangaroo) and playing around with that a little more… not quite sure how it would be done, but I think it’s cute.
Hi Sophie
I would go with one of your names – either Sophie or Ruth – and that would be totally optional to you. I know you’re in child photography now, but if you decide to change at some point in the future, it would be as simple as changing the look of your logo, not your entire name. I do like the concept of the “kangaroo” and that could be a fun branding technique. Just make sure its well transferable in case you do more to the UK.
Lori
I am trying to possibly start a dance photography business. i’m torn between picking a name for my business with my name in it or one that has to do with Dance. I love the idea of picking something to do with dancing but then i risk the chance of ever being able to do other kinds of photography in the future or people confusing my name with dance studios’ names. I’m at a loss because my other problem is that i don’t really like my last name, it’s hard to pronounce and doesnt sound great with most “name” names. Any suggestions?
Ally
I think you said a lot in your paragraph – you love the idea of Dance in the name but you may want to change and do other types of photography in the future. I would say start there. Really take a look at your goals and where you want to be in 5 to 10. Dance is one “sport” but how about ice skating? Or gymnastics? There are many ways to branch out from there and yet stick with a “sports” theme. Then you could make you name closer to the movement concept and do very well.
But if you can see yourself doing babies or weddings or commercial work in the future, a more generic name would probably suit you best.
One other thought – you could build up “dance photography” to a large dollar amount by being very specific and niched. Then in the future if you decide to do something else, you could always sell that business and start over with your name – or a new niche.
So to answer your question, a lot of it boils down to soul searching and really looking 5 to 10 years in the future to decide what you want.
Lori
Thank you so much for your input! I have been thinking i’m liking the name Soul Exposures Photography, it’s at least a good start. and I agree with what you said about being a good market, there’s not too many dance photographers.. and i really can branch out from there with sports as well. If that’s the case i may change it, but i’d probably start doing children and family portraits first before i do those other things so i think this name will be good for now. And i never thought like you said that in the future i could always sell that, or rename and start anew. Thanks again!
Ally – You’re welcome. Good luck!
Lori
I am trying to make what seems to be the most difficult decision I have ever made! I am starting up a small photography business on the side to get me through school while I also have another job. I have been trying to come up with a name for so long and my aunt, who is in the marketing field, helped me out with some names. However, I can’t decide what I want to do… go with a name with my name in it or go with another name just to be different since so many go with their name. I don’t want to narrow down any options becuase I’d like to do all different kinds of shoots from weddings to families to maternity, etc.
Here are a few names that I am having trouble deciding… If you could give me your opinion I would DEEPLY appreciate it!!
Farrah’s Focus..
TreasureSnap..
Flashbacks..
icMemories..
Any that you like and would pick if it were your own business name??
Farrah Walton
Farrah
You mention its a part time business while you get through school. Will you be keeping this and going full time after school? Is this a long term goal for you?
If not, I would keep it simple and go with your name. Its easy to do and easy to brand in a variety of ways while you work at it part time.
If you want this to be full time from this point forward, then it depends on your goals. Do you want to add other photographers down the road? Or are you going to be the creative artist all the way through? If its you, I would brand your name with it. If you want to grow it into something more, look towards a more brandable name.
I know you have several thoughts listed here – are the domain names available? That’s always my first check when I come up with a name. If not, choose again. You don’t want someone hearing your name – Flashbacks Photography – and typing it in only to find another studio.
Good luck
Lori