What's in a name? (Please show me your opinions!)

[shinseiromeo]

I currently have a name for my company but have not registered it as an LLC yet since I was not 100% on keeping the name. For my area, I believe the name is too difficult. I have met a few people, and even friends, who have difficulty pronouncing the name. I like the name, but in the business sense, if it's difficult to say or remember, it probably won't work.

In the end, I have a few ideas on mind, and I hope I could get some honest questions. I originally wanted my name, I.E. John Michael Smith Photography. (let's just use John Smith as an example) but surprisingly there is something with the EXACT name as me who does photography, and it has been registered already. So my ideas are this so far (the name is just an example:

John Michael Smith Foto
John Michael Smith Studios
John Michael Smith Media
John Michael Smith Photography

So in the end... what's in a name? Heh. When I decide this final name, this will be registered, licensed, etc.

[tim]

Find an abbreviation with the domain name available - jmf.com for example but it's taken.

[shinseiromeo]

Find an abbreviation with the domain name available - jmf.com for example but it's taken.

The name is only an example. My real initials have already been taken though. My plan is to name the company (again, an example) John Michael Smith "something". The domain will be www.jms"something".com.

[tim]

jmsphoto.com would be great, shame it's gone.

[shinseiromeo]

Anyone have any thoughts on the name? As far as business wise, is it still best to use "name" Photography? I see it all too often nowadays, which is why I was thinking of "name" Studios, Foto, or Media.

[steve mac]

Hi,
when I started out I was steve mac photos ie www.stevemacphotos.com but when I started to specialise in weddings I moved away from my own name and to give the impression I was a more established company and became love & bride ie www.loveandbride.com now I have other photographers I employ to do the wedding side of things I am glad I moved and am personally going to specialise in fine art and so am going to be Ravenscroft Photography ie www.ravenscroftphotography.com
not sure if this ramblings helped any its just what worked for me. As an aside i would stay away from Foto it sounds very low rate to my ears a bit like a shopping mall booth.
all the best
stefve

[shinseiromeo]

Hi,
when I started out I was steve mac photos ie www.stevemacphotos.com but when I started to specialise in weddings I moved away from my own name and to give the impression I was a more established company and became love & bride ie www.loveandbride.com now I have other photographers I employ to do the wedding side of things I am glad I moved and am personally going to specialise in fine art and so am going to be Ravenscroft Photography ie www.ravenscroftphotography.com
not sure if this ramblings helped any its just what worked for me. As an aside i would stay away from Foto it sounds very low rate to my ears a bit like a shopping mall booth.
all the best
stefve

Perfect opinion I was looking for! Lay it on me! Hah

I also considered choosing a real name, as my company has right now. But many have also recommended I use "real name" Photography (along those lines) as it appears more professional to them.

[MMD]

I pained on my name for at least a year. In the end, I settled on my name Meyer Media Design to allow for future "potential" expansion. I personally would avoid "foto", and the like. The web gurus will tell you more about keywords.

I dont think "NAME" Photography is overused. I found myself thinking way too deep into a name. You will seem never content if you try to be too exotic. Your name and your craft is fine.

Photography by JMS...may be a different approach. Just my .02. Before registering though, be sure you have the domain available.

[_Sim]

not sure if this ramblings helped any its just what worked for me. As an aside i would stay away from Foto it sounds very low rate to my ears a bit like a shopping mall booth.
all the best
stefve

I just wanted to second this point. To me, "foto" just sounds cheap and reminds me of bad ads with misspelled words. Yuck.

[waynedsargent]

Skip the Michael. Or use initial people dont know how to spell it.

[shinseiromeo]

I pained on my name for at least a year. In the end, I settled on my name Meyer Media Design to allow for future "potential" expansion. I personally would avoid "foto", and the like. The web gurus will tell you more about keywords.

I dont think "NAME" Photography is overused. I found myself thinking way too deep into a name. You will seem never content if you try to be too exotic. Your name and your craft is fine.

Photography by JMS...may be a different approach. Just my .02. Before registering though, be sure you have the domain available.

Well if I did "name" Photography or Photography by "name", I don't want to use the initials. I prefer to have my own name in the company name. The initials will be for the website and logo.

I discussed this just a bit ago with a friend. He didn't like the idea of studios as it (to him) insinuates I do movies or both. Any thoughts on that?

[_Sim]

Well if I did "name" Photography or Photography by "name", I don't want to use the initials. I prefer to have my own name in the company name. The initials will be for the website and logo.

I discussed this just a bit ago with a friend. He didn't like the idea of studios as it (to him) insinuates I do movies or both. Any thoughts on that?

Using "Photography" in your name certainly clarifies what you do right off the bat. He's right that "Studios" is more ambiguous. Guess it just depends what you want.

[ddmoore]

the other thing you want to keep in mind is, "will it stick". By that I mean, if someone uses your services, when it comes to word of mouth reputation will they easily be able to remember and roll off your business name with ease?

think about it for a minute.. you've taken some outstanding photo's and they are delighted to be able to show their friends your work. Their friends then ask - "oh wow, those are great.. who was the photographer?"

Is it better for you and your business that they sit and go "uhm.. john michael smith photography.. I think, or it might have been michael john smith photography.. oh possible smith john michael photography"?

do you see where I'm leading? I understand that nowadays, especially with finding a good domain name (www.xyz.com), that there are a lot of good business names that you like and feel will not only sound great said aloud, look great printed etc., that are taken and/or overused.

its not the end of the world though if someone else uses the same name or something similar. but then you need to think about how to differentiate yourself from what it is they do..

sit down.. whip out your dictionary and thesaurus and brainstorm.