Suggestions for a photography business name?

[cnhoffma]

My new year's resolution is to get my photography to be sold instead of just sitting around on flickr and facebook. The first big step that I want to take in achieving that is making my own website.

So I come to collective wealth of knowledge seeking help in coming up with a name for my photography, which will subsequently give me something to derive my domain name from.

I've a lot of people that doing something like "John Smith Photography". While I think that's fine, I find that just too boring for myself. I would rather something like what my friend who's got his own site and business started. He calls it "Eazy Foto". Obviously I don't want to steal or copy it too directly, but I like it in its simplicity. So I'm polling the group to help me come up with a name. Here are some inputs to draw from:

My name is Chase Hoffman.

Flickr has many of my better shots. Link is in my signature.

I take mostly landscape-ish shots, but I certainly don't limit myself to that.

I plan to take creative shots to be sold as Art as opposed to selling my services for portraits and events (but I'm not limiting myself to this).

I enjoy B&W mostly, but not exclusively.

The most "iconic" picture that people know me for is my shot of Night Bridge (seen here http://www.flickr.com/photos/cnhoffman/3096188018/).

I take a lot of pictures of dogs and I have a corgi myself (I plan on selling more than just dog pictures).

I have no nicknames (at least none that I'm proud of).

Please help me think of something or give me a few suggestions.

[snails]

Chase Photo? It's pretty simple, personal, but not too common.

[jessicainvt]

Chase Photo? It's pretty simple, personal, but not too common.

I second Chase Photo

It's to the point and easy to remember.

[cnhoffma]

What about something other than "Photo"? Like Chase Pictures, Chase Studios (would help if I had a studio, but that might change).

[snails]

What about something other than "Photo"? Like Chase Pictures, Chase Studios (would help if I had a studio, but that might change).

Pictures does not imply that you are a photographer. You could paint, sketch, print, or frame pictures. Nobody refers to Ansel Adams as a "picture-ist."

Studios suggests that you have a studio, and the "s" means "more than one". It also doesn't say "photography" implicitly. The term "studios" is more vague than "pictures" as it could apply to one-room apartments, as well as art studios. And art studios can be used for a number of things.

Photo will make everyone think "photography" which is the service that you are looking to sell. I'm all for being creative in naming your business, but a business name should effectively communicate what it is that your business does.

[cnhoffma]

Pictures does not imply that you are a photographer. You could paint, sketch, print, or frame pictures. Nobody refers to Ansel Adams as a "picture-ist."

Studios suggests that you have a studio, and the "s" means "more than one". It also doesn't say "photography" implicitly. The term "studios" is more vague than "pictures" as it could apply to one-room apartments, as well as art studios. And art studios can be used for a number of things.

Good point. Would you say that "Hoffman Photo" not as good as "Chase Photo" then?

[snails]

Good point. Would you say that "Hoffman Photo" not as good as "Chase Photo" then?

There's nothing wrong with your last name, but it does not roll off the tongue as well for me. "Chase Photo" feels quicker and more simple, easier to remember, and more personal.

[cnhoffma]

Okay, so 'Chase Photo' is a decent option. Other ideas to compete with this one?

[Balliolman]

Chase Photos is uber cool!

[cnhoffma]

What about?

Chase Images

Hoffman Images

Shoot First (Photography)

[snails]

What about?

Chase Images

Hoffman Images

Shoot First (Photography)

Copy-paste-edit:
Images does not imply that you are a photographer. You could paint, sketch, print, or frame images (mostly print). Nobody refers to Ansel Adams as an "image-ist." :)

It sounds like you don't like "Chase Photo." Remember that it doesn't matter what anyone thinks of your business name if you like it and you can make money with it; besides the legal implications of using a name that is the same or too similar to another business name. Meaning, if you want to name your business "Zaboozle", don't worry about what I think of that name.

"Shoot First Photography" is ok. It makes me think of weapons though, not photography. It also doesn't follow any of the "inputs" given. Maybe if you were an archery photographer...

[cnhoffma]

Copy-paste-edit:
Images does not imply that you are a photographer. You could paint, sketch, print, or frame images (mostly print). Nobody refers to Ansel Adams as an "image-ist." :)

It sounds like you don't like "Chase Photo." Remember that it doesn't matter what anyone thinks of your business name if you like it and you can make money with it; besides the legal implications of using a name that is the same or too similar to another business name. Meaning, if you want to name your business "Zaboozle", don't worry about what I think of that name.


Chase Photo is alright. I just want it to test against other names, so that I don't regret choosing something different. Uniqueness is important so many I should just apply for the trademark on Zaboozle now.

"Shoot First Photography" is ok. It makes me think of weapons though, not photography. It also doesn't follow any of the "inputs" given. Maybe if you were an archery photographer...[/quote]

It was just a passing throught. There are two sites and film agency that use it already.

[cnhoffma]

I got a few more ideas. Feel free to point out their faults

Pursuit Photo

Focus Photo

Choto (weird I know)

[FlyingPhotog]

"The Pixel Chase" ;)

[cnhoffma]

"The Pixel Chase" ;)

I kind of like it. (Although I use a film camera too, but that doesn't make it a bad idea). In fact, the use of "The" could be a good idea too.

The Photo Chase?

[Paul J McCain]

No offense, but I think your name is great for a "John Smith Photography" deal. I always think anything else sounds tacky though, so maybe I'm biased.

[cnhoffma]

No offense, but I think your name is great for a "John Smith Photography" deal. I always think anything else sounds tacky though, so maybe I'm biased.

I see your point. The name business derives its substance from the quality of the pictures and the reputation of the photographer. I just feels there's a better idea out there that won't sound tacky, but doesn't have to be the same as "John Smith Photography"

[SquareOne]

I'm really feelin the "ChasePhoto" that was suggested earlier. I have nothing that I can think of that I like better. Here's something that might persuade you:

You always want to think of something that's easily said, heard, spelled and that you can get the ".com" for. If you can't get the ".com" throw it out the window. Cause you're going to be sending people to another site. (speaking of... there's already a chasephoto.com... back to the drawing board).

Maybe search URL's first:
http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/

[cnhoffma]

I'm really feelin the "ChasePhoto" that was suggested earlier. I have nothing that I can think of that I like better. Here's something that might persuade you:

You always want to think of something that's easily said, heard, spelled and that you can get the ".com" for. If you can't get the ".com" throw it out the window. Cause you're going to be sending people to another site. (speaking of... there's already a chasephoto.com... back to the drawing board).

Maybe search URL's first:
http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/

I've been going through godaddy.com to see if they are taken. I know the chase-photo.com is not taken. I could do chasephoto.net or some other suffix like .biz, .info, etc, but I don't like that. I would rather have .com.

[snails]

there is nothing wrong with adding a "-" in the url. Chase-photo.com will do fine.

[ChrisRabior]

I struggled with this notion for a while, until several things dawned on me.
1. My site is always going to represent my photography work.
2. I am not a wedding photographer, or a sports photographer, or a concert photographer, or any single type of photographer. Having a name that only represents one of those facets would look stupid when trying to promote any of the others.
3. My name is unique, a brand in and of itself. It was about time to register a 'my name' dot com, before someone else could. Since discovering another Chris Rabior, it was definitely time to register.
4. If I decide on something else in the future or go into another career that requires a site, there's nothing stopping me from it (the joy of web domains).

With all that in mind, it was really easy to choose chrisrabior.com as my website address. I also thought it was a lot more professional sounding than a lot of the other 'cool' ideas that got thrown around.

ChaseHoffman.com
ChaseHoffmanPhotography.com
HoffmanPhotography.com
HoffmanPhoto.com

What's wrong with any of those?

[cnhoffma]

I struggled with this notion for a while, until several things dawned on me.
1. My site is always going to represent my photography work.
2. I am not a wedding photographer, or a sports photographer, or a concert photographer, or any single type of photographer. Having a name that only represents one of those facets would look stupid when trying to promote any of the others.
3. My name is unique, a brand in and of itself. It was about time to register a 'my name' dot com, before someone else could. Since discovering another Chris Rabior, it was definitely time to register.
4. If I decide on something else in the future or go into another career that requires a site, there's nothing stopping me from it (the joy of web domains).

With all that in mind, it was really easy to choose chrisrabior.com as my website address. I also thought it was a lot more professional sounding than a lot of the other 'cool' ideas that got thrown around.

ChaseHoffman.com
ChaseHoffmanPhotography.com
HoffmanPhotography.com
HoffmanPhoto.com

What's wrong with any of those?

Thanks for your inputs. I suppose I need to reconsider using "Chase Hoffman Photography". Owning "chasehoffman.com" would nice in general.

[BMS Studios]

What about:

Photography by Chase
Chasing Photos

I have written business curricula and taught business in a number of trade schools. These are guidelines I've taught my students:

1-Convey the type of business
2-Be memorable so it's sticks in peoples memory
3-Easy to spell
4-Should be relatively short
5-If using the web, is the url available

[cnhoffma]

So I think I've realised that sounding professional is a priority over being catchy and gimmicky. Hence I'm considering "Photography by Chase Hoffman" with the url www.photobychase.com

[amfoto1]

How about:

"Yet Another Photo Business Startup Hoping To Survive Out In The Cold Cruel Real World"? ;)

Seriously, there are many good reasons to use your name. "Chase Hoffman Photography" may sound boring to you because you've lived with your name your whole life. But it also serves to introduce you and gives an air of self confidence and professionalism. I'd consider this carefully before deciding on something else.

Sometimes we get too serious about these things though... Some acquaintances of mine in college started a business (many years ago).... "NBI Inc.". The initials made no sense to me, didn't jive with their names or anything else I could think off, so I had to ask... They said it stood for "Nothing Better Invented".

[ChrisRabior]

What about:

Photography by Chase
Chasing Photos

I have written business curricula and taught business in a number of trade schools. These are guidelines I've taught my students:

1-Convey the type of business
2-Be memorable so it's sticks in peoples memory
3-Easy to spell
4-Should be relatively short
5-If using the web, is the url available

All good points, but remember your web address doesn't have to be the exact same as the business name. ChaseHoffman.com could represent the business known as Chase Hoffman Photography, Graphic Design, and Underwater Basketweaving Professional Services Inc.

Can't go wrong with your own name.. and if you want to cover all bases, there's nothing that says you can't make 8 domains all point to the same website.

[camerageorge]

Shoot first might imply some form of rushing into things :) just a thought!

[cnhoffma]

How about:

"Yet Another Photo Business Startup Hoping To Survive Out In The Cold Cruel Real World"? ;)

Fortunately, the expression "Don't quit your day job" has never been so wise.



Seriously, there are many good reasons to use your name. "Chase Hoffman Photography" may sound boring to you because you've lived with your name your whole life. But it also serves to introduce you and gives an air of self confidence and professionalism. I'd consider this carefully before deciding on something else.

Good point. Right now, I'm considering photobychase.com (or a derivative of it), but the business would simply be "Chase Hoffman Photography" or "Photography by Chase Hoffman"

[AngryCorgi]

I take a lot of pictures of dogs and I have a corgi myself (I plan on selling more than just dog pictures).

I have no nicknames (at least none that I'm proud of).

Please help me think of something or give me a few suggestions.

"AngryCorgi" is likely to be a turn-off to potential customers, but I'm offering it's use for a small fee!

:lol:

[scorpio_e]

Copy-paste-edit:
Images does not imply that you are a photographer.

+1 images or imagery does NOT work.... I tried it as a name and as said above,there was confusion on what I services that I actually offered.

[cnhoffma]

+1 images or imagery does NOT work.... I tried it as a name and as said above,there was confusion on what I services that I actually offered.

Good to know. I'll keep that in mind.

For everyone else (if you care):

I'm currently debating between chasehoffman.com (or a variation close to it) or photobychase.com (or a variation close to it). I'm working on getting a good idea of how to actually put this site together at the moment. I actually started a separate thread about it, if you're interested.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=634342

[mutau052]

I kind of like it. (Although I use a film camera too, but that doesn't make it a bad idea). In fact, the use of "The" could be a good idea too.

The Photo Chase?


i agree "the photo chase" sounds good.

[Jadam]

I heard Outkast (my favorite group) use the term eargasim in a song. So not too long after when I was in the same place you are now I was going to go with Eyegsim Photography (young and immature at the time ;) only to find it was all ready taken.

too many photographers use just their name. It works but I think it's a bit cliche' If you use your name mix it up some way so that later on if things are going well it gives you more options to creatively "brand" yourself

for example I was considering going with Adam Lichty Photography (my name obviously) but that felt a little tired. John is my first name (might as well throw out my SS# while we're at it ;). So I just tacked that onto my middle name (there's a lot of ins and outs in this story Jakie) and dropped the casing on the 'A' to make it, its' own word. Shorter, sweeter, not like rest, still identifies me "ADAM" as the photographer, as well is a good intro conversation starter with potential clients to break the ice. not oh your company name is your name, soooooooo, how bout that weather. It allows for me to share a bit about myself that I can sum up quickly and not bore them, while opening up some not so trite intro conversation paths.

[ngrohosky]

i also like chase photo. because, it sounds silly, but it makes me think of the verb chase. and i like that effect.

[cnhoffma]

I forgot to post here after I set up my site! what a dumbass i was...

Anyway, I'd appreicate a visit to my site, ChaseHoffman.com

I'm still working on it, but it's getting better slowly.

[p360]

+1 images or imagery does NOT work.... I tried it as a name and as said above,there was confusion on what I services that I actually offered.


Oooops..!! In that case, I might as well go back to the drawing board as well.