Advantages/Disadvantages of "firstname lastname photo.com"

[js09]

I know it's been asked a million times, but this is a bit more specific.

Which would you choose, and why? I can't decide and need some persuasion :)

firstnamelastnamephoto.com

or

firstnamelastnamephotography.com

Perhaps go with whatever sounds better?

[sunnydacat]

depends on the first name last name

[js09]

jeffsimpsonphoto.com

jeffsimpsonphotography.com

[k8et]

hmm while I briefly considered that I didn't think of the simple solution. Register both domains. At least for the first year, if I don't think anyone would ever use the shorter one, I won't renew it.

I just went and did that :D

[js09]

I like the shorter one more, but it's not really what I think. It's easier to remember, right?

[steelsun]

All depends on hard your name is to spell for others, mine for instance is Poirier and it can be difficult, so I don't use it for a company name.

[brownbugger]

id go with the longer one , just choice, ive not registered mine yet & my last name is difficult for even locals to pronounce .

[Borna C]

why do you even have to have photo or photography in the domain? just call it firstlast.com and put photography in the title of the page.

[js09]

why do you even have to have photo or photography in the domain? just call it firstlast.com and put photography in the title of the page.

ideally, yeah you're right! but... domain is taken already :(

[neil_r]

Grab them both and put a redirect on one.

[k8et]

ideally, yeah you're right! but... domain is taken already :(

same here! Though I sent an email to the owner because it's not in use, and has been registered for about 5 years. Never hurts to ask, but I think I'm stuck with the photo/photography options (both will point to my zenfolio acct for now)

[Lens Lenders]

I know it's been asked a million times, but this is a bit more specific.

Which would you choose, and why? I can't decide and need some persuasion :)

firstnamelastnamephoto.com

or

firstnamelastnamephotography.com

Perhaps go with whatever sounds better?
Register both, plus firstlast.com

In your advertising, run tests to determine which draws the most attention. Google Ads is particularly powerful tool for testing this.

In the end, it's not up to you. It's up to your customers.

[pcj]

I have extremely common first name last name combos (Paul Jones), so I chose a different company name, RT2 - after the location I'm based in.

I use photo for the domain, as it's easiest to remember - but I registered both photo and photography

[js09]

same here! Though I sent an email to the owner because it's not in use, and has been registered for about 5 years. Never hurts to ask, but I think I'm stuck with the photo/photography options (both will point to my zenfolio acct for now)

yeah, same here. jeffsimpson.com is some worthless company site, and the owner of jeffreysimpson.com won't give it up, even though its NEVER been developed. ughhhhhhhhh

firstname middleinitial lastname.com is also a good option

[neil_r]

yeah, same here. jeffsimpson.com is some worthless company site, and the owner of jeffreysimpson.com won't give it up, even though its NEVER been developed. ughhhhhhhhh

firstname middleinitial lastname.com is also a good option

Obviously not worthless to them. :rolleyes:

[Park Street]

You might wish you had made it something other than your name if you ever want to sell the business.

[sigma pi]

ideally, yeah you're right! but... domain is taken already :(
I feel you
first last taken by a UK guy
last taken by a guy in CA
maybe last, first :lol:

[sigma pi]

You might wish you had made it something other than your name if you ever want to sell the business.
Good idea but orville redenbacher (pop corn) Sold the company and they still use his face today. I would think it would be OK to sell.

[Hikin Mike]

Why not 'firstname-lastname.com'?

[dche5390]

Personally,, I find the photo/photography suffix as being a bit overused. I made that mistake earlier, and registered a domain name with firstname middldinitial lastname.com (and .com.au just in case).

[ruchad1]

why do you even have to have photo or photography in the domain? just call it firstlast.com and put photography in the title of the page.

+1 Not a big fan of firstlastphoto ot photography.com

[RDKirk]

Good idea but orville redenbacher (pop corn) Sold the company and they still use his face today. I would think it would be OK to sell.

There can be complications--that's why "Famous Amos" can't use his name anymore on any products and why "Prince" had to go by a symbol for several years. I suspect they didn't have good lawyers to examine their contracts.

But a problem with an eponymously named business an extremely minimal possibility for a photography business, even if it becomes wildly successful. I've noted that at least two studios are operating under the "Philip Stewart Charis" name who were students of the original Charis...and Charis continues to operate under his own name.

In other cases, the success of the business is closely tied to the photographer himself to the extent that it can't actually be sold. When Irving Penn died, "Irving Penn Photography" died with him.

[Chris215]

lol i just made a thread about this in the other section since I'm having the same conflict. For me, I am leaning towards firstlastphoto.com because with photo (photography) at the end, it tells other that you are photography related for those who never heard of you before, also helps connect your name to photography i guess.

[sigma pi]

There can be complications--that's why "Famous Amos" can't use his name anymore on any products and why "Prince" had to go by a symbol for several years. I suspect they didn't have good lawyers to examine their contracts.

But a problem with an eponymously named business an extremely minimal possibility for a photography business, even if it becomes wildly successful. I've noted that at least two studios are operating under the "Philip Stewart Charis" name who were students of the original Charis...and Charis continues to operate under his own name.

In other cases, the success of the business is closely tied to the photographer himself to the extent that it can't actually be sold. When Irving Penn died, "Irving Penn Photography" died with him.
Yeah the famous amos story is kinda sad but kinda his fault too
he got paid but not enough :(

I agree its about making your brand you. That way it doesnt matter what name it has, it is you.