Crafting the Perfect Name for Your Photography Business: A Step-by-Step Guide
One of the questions I get asked most by aspiring photographers, beyond what camera they should have, is how do I name my photography business? So whether you are an established photographer looking to rebrand or a becoming photographer I am here for you!
Your Photography Business name is a huge part of your brand so it is one of the most important steps in this entire process of creating a business. When I started over 14 years ago, I first pondered the idea of using my name. I decided against this for two reasons. As a woman, I didn’t know if my last name would change and I didn’t want to deal with that down the road. My first name wasn’t something I wanted to use either. Also, what if my photography business got popular and I wanted to sell it someday (dream big right), I didn’t want to sell my name. Now this is not to say you can’t use your name for your business…if I had a catchy, strong, fun, or cool name I certainly would have used it!
The absolute first place you’ll want to start is; defining your brand identity. A brand identity is how customers in your target market are going to perceive you. The main identity is your logo, tagline, and voice but there are other things you need to consider. Let’s get into that, next.
Understanding the Importance of your Photography Business Name
Your business name reflects your brand identity and influences customer perception. What do I mean by this? Let’s say you won a free item – Would you be more excited to win a purse from Walmart or a Louis Vuitton handbag? Which one would you be more likely to choose if you had a choice? You want your Business name to carry value so that people prefer it over the other Business. It is a saturated market, but that won’t affect you if you can stand out from the crowd! The name of your business is just one of those factors.
Your Brand must also consider what the business aspires to be and what it aims to achieve in the long game. In deciding on a Business name ask yourself these questions: What’s the center main purpose of my business? What makes my photography business unique when comparing it to other businesses? What values does my business hold? Who am I talking to, who is my target customer? How would I want my customers to describe me in just a few words?
Brainstorming the name for your Photography Business
You want to sit down, slow down, and brainstorm about names because you are not going to want to change your business name in the future. After all, that can confuse clients! When I narrowed down the name I wanted to name my business (Freebird Photography) I did several Google searches to see if anyone was using that name. At the time there was only one other Photography Business with this name and it was in a different state. So I went with it! Had I known it was going to be so popular I may have picked something else – this can be a benefit in using your name if you have a very unique name! Because now there seems to be a Freebird Photography everywhere I turn. You will want to try and pick something unique, and not heavily used so you can set yourself apart. I don’t feel this is affecting my business negatively it just annoys me on some level that so many people share my business name.
There are several ways to brainstorm and you may remember some of them from middle school. The first one I’ll recommend is also the method I used.
Make a list Method: Make a list of photography-related words such as capture, shutter, light, digital, etc. If you know the genre that you want to specialize in you can take that even further. For example, I am primarily a newborn photographer so I could make a list of newborn-related words. Some of those might include; fleeting moments, gentle, etc. (a thesaurus or dictionary might be helpful here) so you can find several other options for one word. So once you have these lists you can play around with the words by putting them together and checking if anything jumps out at you or has a nice ring to it.
AI Business Name Generator: Here is a generator I found and tried. You don’t have to sign up for anything so that’s nice. It is called Brand Crowd Business Name Generator (make sure you have your pop-ups enabled because the link will open in a new browser).
Mind Mapping: First choose a topic (Photography). Place your topic (Photography) at the center of the paper with a circle around the word Photography. Next, you’ll have branches coming off of the word Photography where you will add words that are related concepts. You might start with a Newborn, Baby, Family, etc. Then you will continue to branch out from there. It will be similar to the make-a-list option but will be a better way for people who are extremely visual to organize their thoughts.
Additional ways to Brainstorm: The Entrepreneur website has some great ideas for brainstorming. If you need some additional brainstorming ideas you can see that article here.
Tips for Selecting a Unique and Memorable Name for your Photography Business
- Easy for people to remember
- Short and memorable
- Does it look good as a domain name with no spaces
- Make sure you go for timeless rather than trendy
- Name should be able to evolve with the business as it grows.
- Consider how the name looks and sounds – should be easy to read and sound out.
- Is it visually appealing, we are a visual business after all
Checking Availability and Legality
Once you decide on a name or have it narrowed down, you’ll want to go to Dreamhost domain name search and check if your domain name is available. You will want a website for a business, even if it doesn’t happen right away. You can buy a domain name for cheap (8.99 range) so just secure it so nobody takes it in the process! You’ll also want to check social media sites to see if you’ll be able to use the name there too! It is important to stay as consistent as possible across platforms if you are able! There are many extensions for website addresses but .com is the best extension because this is what people are used to typing in the address bar.
It is very important to conduct thorough research to ensure the availability and legality of your chosen business name. You will also want to check for existing trademarks and business name registration requirements in the U.S. I will get into this next.
Avoiding Legal Pitfalls
Before I give you my thoughts on this section I have to post the Legal Disclaimer 🙂
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only. While we strive to offer accurate and up-to-date guidance on selecting a business name for your photography venture, it is important to note that we are not providing legal advice. We strongly recommend consulting with a qualified attorney or legal professional for personalized guidance regarding trademark registration, business name legality, and other legal considerations. By using the information presented here, you agree that the author and website owner are not liable for any actions taken or decisions made based on the content provided. Your use of this information is at your own risk.
You’ll want to do a free business name search at this website. You can choose the state you reside in at this website and they will guide you to where you need to do this! For this teaching, I will look up my state and business name so you can be guided through the process but keep in mind it is going to look different for every state.
Here is the landing page, you’ll see a drop-down list so find your State and it will take you to that page.
On the South Dakota page, you are going to click on Business Information Search – which is in the list on the right as 1. Notice on this page there is also a link to start an L.L.C. an also links to the Licensing Guide etc. This is very helpful information so make sure you explore that and also make sure when you follow these links that the web address is your actual legal state website.
In the search name block, type in the business name that you have decided to use to see if it is available. If I had wanted to use Freebird Photography, it is clear to see that I would not have been able to because it is already registered in my state. So I would have to pick a different business name.
Take some time to explore your state website to find out exactly what you need to do to register your business. They are very helpful and they want you to be successful!
You’ll need to decide if you want to be an L.L.C. or a DBA. I started my business with a DBA but then as it grew I switched to L.L.C. The biggest difference between a DBA and an LLC is liability protection. Under a DBA, there is no distinction between the business owner and the business. The business owner is liable for all expenses incurred on behalf of the business. On the other hand, an LLC provides limited liability protection. This means if you have an L.L.C. and someone sues you – they can not come after your personal property and money – only the business. For more information on the differences of the two check out this webpage.
Conclusion
Selecting the perfect name for your photography business is a pivotal step in building your brand and establishing your presence in the industry. Whether you’re a seasoned professional seeking to rebrand or an aspiring photographer embarking on your entrepreneurial journey, the significance of a well-chosen business name cannot be overstated.
Your business name serves as the cornerstone of your brand identity, it encapsulates the essence of your work and it needs to resonate with your target audience. It’s the first impression you make on potential clients and sets the tone for your entire business.
As I reflect on my own journey of naming my photography business, I understand the importance of thoughtful consideration and strategic planning. From pondering the use of my own name to exploring creative alternatives, each step in the process was guided by the vision I had for my business and the values I wanted to uphold.
When brainstorming your business name, remember to embrace creativity, authenticity, and uniqueness. Consider the values and aspirations of your brand, and strive to select a name that reflects your identity and resonates with your audience.
However, it’s not just about creativity and appeal; legality and availability are equally crucial factors to consider. Conduct thorough research to ensure your chosen name is legally available and free from trademark conflicts. Check domain availability and social media presence to maintain consistency across platforms.
Navigating through the legal side of business can be daunting, but seeking professional guidance and utilizing free resources provided by your state can streamline the process and mitigate potential risks. Don’t overlook the legal aspects of business as they are probably the most important.
In the end, your business name is more than just a label; it’s a representation of your passion, dedication, and commitment to serving people. Embrace the journey in the beginning steps of your business and let it serve as the foundation for your success. Don’t rush it.
Remember, your business name is not just a title—it’s the beginning of the footprint you are leaving in the world of photography.
Dena
Next article: Understanding Legal, Taxes and Business Insurance
Go back to previous article: How to Find your Photography Niche
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