Naming Your Photography Business – An Advanced Guide

One of the most popular questions that finds its way into my email box and throughout my various social sites is: What’s a good name for my photography business?

I’ve touched on a lot of issues in two of my posts:

What Should I Name My Photography Business?

Choosing The Right Name For Your Photography Business

But there are several other things you should think about when you’re deciding on a name, and a few resources you should keep in mind.

Will you be trademarking your name?
Twenty years ago, your photography business would only be in competition with other photographers in your local area. Not true anymore. Now you’re in competition with photographers from all over the world. If you travel regularly as a wedding photographer (as we did starting in the mid 1990’s) your branding extends well beyond local lines. Trademarking your name gives you added protection of having someone come in and choosing something similar, and trying to ride on your coattails. It’s also important as you expand into multiple areas: books, gift products, artwork, etc.

You can trademark your name and any branding material, such as a logo. While there are many companies and law offices out there that will help you with the trademarking process, two of my favorite sites are Nolo and the USPTO. Nolo is a legal site filled with all kinds of help for small businesses. You can order books, legal forms, and even find a lawyer in your area if that’s your next step. They have a great book on Trademarking that gives you everything you need to know about the trademark process and protecting your name. The USPTO (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office) has a ton of information on trademarking. They have an online search function that allows you to put in your name ideas, and see if anyone else has trademarked it. And once you file for trademark status, you can follow it online as well.
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How To Photograph Pets

According to a recent pet owner survey, over 62 percent of U.S. households own a pet – equating to 71.4 million homes. And for a great majority of these households, they look at their pet as a part of the family. Which means it’s an ideal source for your photography business.

If you’ve ever photographed small children, you know how difficult it can be working with something that has a mind of its own. In that manner, pets are a similar subject matter. It can be a challenge to keep them still, make them “pose”, and get them into a great position. But the results can be monetarily rewarding. Here are 7 tips to get you started.

1. Develop a trust. Determine where you’ll be photographing: the client’s home, your studio, the park? Meet your client there and plan on spending the first five to ten minutes playing and warming up to the pet. (Okay, you may not have to do this if it’s fish, but definitely with a dog or cat.) Talk with the owner about ways to shorten this process, like introducing a favorite toy or treat. If they trust you, they’ll work with you easier.

image source

2. Choose your background. Keep your background as clean and uncluttered as possible. If you’re meeting at the park, watch what angle you’re photographing from. Are there cars in the background? Groups of people? Switch your angle to ensure the most pleasing look. Then be prepared for taking a variety of photographs to ensure you get the best angle and poses.
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The Missing Ingredient To Your Photography Dreams

Last night we had dinner with some very dear friends. We met them over 15 years ago at a bridal expo, and have been friends ever since.

They’ve been in the photography industry for over 30 years now, and I have to say they are in love with it as much now as they were when we met them. They’ve changed direction along the way, and are doing things completely different even from a few short years ago. But sitting with them is a motivating experience. They love what they do. They never run out of ideas. And they always reach their goals because of their passion.

So last night I started thinking about what separates photographers like them from other photographers. And I came up with five characteristics – or ingredients you have to have to find success in this business. 

1. Dreams. The first ingredient is where everyone starts. It starts with your dream of doing something different and meaningful in your life. You can’t accept what you already have. You have to dream of where you want to be. The more vivid your dreams, the easier you’ll be able to make them a reality.
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The #1 Reason My Photography Grew Into a Business

Have you ever had a day that you just don’t feel like doing that much work, and thanks to owning your own business, you don’t have to?

It really is the best feeling in the world.

I had an early morning breakfast meeting with friends. Then I ran Andrew out to the airport as he and a friend are heading out to Blogworld for the weekend. (I chose not to go this year, as it’s our daughter’s final cross country meet tonight).

So instead of “working”, I decided to catch up on some reading, and started looking through my feeds. I came across a great post by Darren Rowse – The #1 Reason My Blogging Grew Into a Business – and decided that concept would be a great inspiration for today’s blog post.

Andrew and I started out as most photographers. We both worked corporate 9 to 5, and photographed at night and on the weekends. We made a little extra cash, but nothing that ever pulled us away from our full time positions. Until we had our own paradigm shifting moment:

My father died at the age of 54, 2 months shy of his 55th birthday when he would have retired from a job he’d had to reinterview for several years running. His goal was to do something he loved – something that made him smile going to work – instead of worrying if he had a job every day.

That day never came for him. But it really made us look at our lives and ask what the future had in store for us. Read more

Choosing The Right Name For Your Photography Business

I’ve had a ton of comments over the past few months about my article What Should I Name My Photography Business? Based on some of those comments I thought I would dive into the concept of choosing the right name for your photography business a little bit further.

Choose one that’s unique
I know the word “unique” is overused, but in this case it’s true. In many cases a photographer will choose a relatively common name based on the type of photography they are going to promote, and wind up one of many with the same name. Now that we have the Internet, it’s easy to find out how unique your name is. Simply head over to Google and type in your choices – are there any other photographers using the same name?

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How Many Paths To Photography Success Can I Take?

Every morning I sit down at the computer with my hot tea and start reading. I go through my Twitter account and find out what people are saying. I read the ezines that have come through my email. And I read through my RSS feeds looking at the latest blog posts of around 50 or so of my favorite blogs. That sets me up for my day of writing and consulting.

Today one of the ezines I read was all about finding the right path to go down. It told a story of a newbie who attended a conference, looking for advice on how to start his business and get it to the point where he could walk away from his corporate life, and make this his full time income.

The problem wasn’t in finding advice – there were 5 gurus there, all selling their own strategies and systems.

The problem didn’t lie in his efforts – he was on 17 different email lists, trying to capture tidbits of information from each of them.

The problem was in the overload. Every time he would start out following one piece of advice, another “tip” would come in and contradict the first piece of advice. So he would abandon the first path, and jump onto the second.

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From Amateur to Professional Photographer – The 7 Steps That Will Get You There

It usually starts out with a love for photography. You buy more gear because you can achieve more results. You show up everywhere with a camera bag over your shoulder. And eventually you ask,

“Maybe I should be making money doing what I really love!”

That’s how the majority of photographers move from amateur to professional. For some, the love starts as a child, and they follow their dream through school and beyond. But that isn’t necessary. Photography can be something you start at any age, at any point in your career, and take it as far as you have the desire.

If moving from amateur to professional is your goal, here are 7 steps that will get you there.

1. Shoot like a pro. If you take 100 images, how many are great and really stand out? If you’re an amateur, probably a dozen or so. But as a professional, virtually all 100 should be quality, sellable images. Your clients are counting on you to capture everything in a professional way.

2. Practice. Feeding off number one, the only way to shoot like a pro is to practice. No, you don’t have to go to a four-year university to become a professional. But you can spend every day on assignment, doing something to improve what you do. Choose a theme, and head out for 30 minutes capturing your theme in different ways. Ideas would be: red, flowers, people, buildings, ducks, etc. Just pick a subject around you, and see how many creative images and angles you can find.

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What Does The Branding For Your Photography Studio Say?

Are you living and trying to compete with a look straight out of the 80’s? Or are you cutting edge, ready to take the future by storm?

The first thing people see about your and your business isn’t always your photography. In many cases it’s your logo, or your branding.

I’ve long promoted the need for your own, unique website and blog. You can’t run a successful business in today’s marketplace without them. But in order to make those successful, you have to have a look and feel for your site. Once you’ve chosen your business name and coloring, it’s time to get started with the look of your logo.

Should it be cute? Should it be elegant? Should it be feminine or masculine?

If you want to start gaining some ideas, head over to one of my favorite sites, 99designs. With this site, you don’t have access to one graphic designer – you have access to as many online designers that choose to participate. Set up your contest and give your requirements. Then let the designers compete to design a logo you love.

Check out Catch Me If You Can logo contest, a contest created to brand a photography business.

Your logo doesn’t have to be expensive or years in the making. It just has to be fresh and new, and give an insight into your niche.

For example, a commercial photographer should use a logo with clean lines and a professional look. A children’s photographer should capture a fun, whimsical look.

Your logo is your starting point for your entire branding strategy. You’ll use it to design all of your marketing, including website and blog. Make sure you love your look before moving on to other creations.

Starting Up A Photography Business Is Like Riding A Roller Coaster

I’m definitely thinking 2009 will be the year of the entrepreneur.

Back in December, I wrote a post The Return Of The Entrepreneurs. And now just a couple of months later, I’m amazed at the number of emails from people truly wanting to take that next step, and open up their own studio.

Because I’ve been answering so many questions about starting up a photography business lately, I decided some of my thoughts would make a perfect post.

image source gypbrc.co.uk

My start into my own business
Back in the early 90’s, Andrew and I had a dream of owning our own studio, and earning our living through the studio. We both had full time jobs, and worked at the business on nights and on weekends. The jobs we did for the money. The photography we did because we loved it.

Obviously we started where most photographers do. We loved it. We’re passionate about it. And had dreams of it becoming our careers. We both come from 9 to 5 parents, so we were never exposed to the entrepreneurial lifestyle. We had no idea what we were doing, and took each step completely blind.

Our first big step was having Andrew go full time. After being downsized three times from three separate positions in three separate industries, we knew it was time. So we opened up a small studio, and took on every type of client that called.

But I still held on to my full time job. Corporate, 9 to 5, with a ton of travel.

Then along came my daughter. We chose not to do day care, and she became a studio baby. Because we were focused on weddings at that point, most of the people work came on the weekends, with occasional client meetings during the week. (And we even wondered if you could use your child as a tax writeoff because bride-to-be’s loved it that a father was caring for his daughter during the week while I was at work. We booked many clients because of it – and just kidding about the tax writeoff!)

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What Should I Name My Photography Business?

I had a great question come in today from a photographer that’s starting up a new business, and contemplating name choices. 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.

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