Business names: fancy name versus your own

[Paul Tinworth]

Out of interest, which do people find more effective: '<Insert your name here> Photography/Imagery/Whatevery' or '<Insert fancy name here> Photography'?

I understand many photographers name their business in relation to what they shoot, or just in relation to photography in general, but there're also some very abstract names out there as well.

I ask because I know the absolute minimum when it comes to marketing (I have classes approaching to help me out there, though)!

I'd love to hear your opinions. :)

[Dchemist]

I think your business name should say who you are and what you do...

[Steve Parr]

I shoot, primarily, concerts.

Hence the name "OnStage Photography"...

[willowdawn]

I went with "my name photography" but my first and middle names are unique and don't necessarily sound like a personal name. Best of both worlds I think...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2079/1600877258_acd531b6d3.jpg

[Hikin Mike]

I'm a landscape/nature photographer. Before I got "into" photography, I had a website called "The Backcountry (http://www.thebackcountry.org/)". I have trip journals and photos from all of my backpacking/hiking trips. When I started getting "serious" about photography, I picked "Images In The Backcountry" as my business so I can use my "old" website too.

[Steve Parr]

I went with "my name photography" but my first and middle names are unique and don't necessarily sound like a personal name. Best of both worlds I think...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2079/1600877258_acd531b6d3.jpg

I think that's a great name...

[willowdawn]

Thank you! I'll pass the high praise onto my mom!

[Paul Tinworth]

Thanks for the replies so far, folks!

Not sure about you, but I think I'm seeing a trend here... :p

[Brian Austin]

I'm not officially running this as a company but moving in that direction. "Subjective Vision" was designed as a "fancy name" for a few reasons:

1. Saleability and transfer of ownership, should the company become successful.
2. Ability to use a variety of sources, including other photographers, without losing THEIR identities in the organization or appearing as if I did it (ie it's more "us" and not "me").
3. It's not about me...it's about the image and the viewer's interpretation.

I've seen very successful business owners have a hard time selling their companies or getting the new owners to remove their name from the company. That name is the company's identifier. Linking it up to the owner is fine if you have an exit strategy or don't mind "splitting" it off when you sell it. I'd rather not do that, though.