studio name and watermarking?

[natalieegbert]

Ok, Im not a pro by any means yet but I am working towards that goal. I have a small studio in my house that I am currently just using for personal use to photography my own kids but would love to get into it more professionally. My question is I have already thought up a name and Ive googled it and couldnt find it any where else which I was worried about. How can I make sure its not being used and then trademark it for my own use? This name has sentimenal value for me as its in memory of my little brother who passed away and his passing is what actually got me started in photography in the first place, so this only makes since. I also have a tattoo on my wrist that kinda goes with the name and would like to make that my watermark, Im just not sure how to do that either.
So basically what I want to know is how do make sure the studio name i want is not being used and make it so I can officially use it? And how do I watermark with a picture (not anything major just angel wings and my bros name)? And can I do this before I actually start making money from my photography?

[badgerW]

I wouldn't worry too much about trademarking your business name. As long as there is nobody local with the same name, then it will likely never come up as an issue. A Google search and a search through your local phone directory should be good enough. Be sure and register your website domain name ASAP, and that will establish some sort of precedence that you have been doing business under this name since such and such date. If there is ever a dispute then that is what you need, something showing that you were the first to use that name in that way. Unless you get to where you are a nationwide business though, there like a 0.00001% chance that it will ever come up. Also it might be a good idea to file a "DBA" (doing business as) at your local jurisdiction (city or county, most likely). This should be a pretty minimal fee ($50 or less?) and you will get an official slip of paper, and they will verify that you are the only one in your locale doing business under that name.

[Mark1]

Do a search here for watermarking and you will find several techniques for making and useng a watermark. Try them all and find one style that fits your style of working. None of them are hard but some are more involved than others. Active pro or not I would start putting the water mark on everything that the customer does not pay for.

As far as getting the name legally. Just filing the DBA mentioned above will reserve the name for you. Here in Maryland is only $25 to file so there is no reason not to.