Copy right the business name???

I think I am finally at a cross road to officially starting my own photography business. Since I can't afford a studio, most likely the business will be all about on location shoots. I worry about that later. The overhead at the moment isn't much. Money for a business account website. Business cards. I have the gear already, maybe adding a third speedlite, another umbrella stand and umbrella, and maybe some background setting. Need to work with my portfolio with friends and family members. I also have over 5 years of management experiences running a high volume retail store. I need a name for my photography business. I don't want to use my real name. However, can I use a business name that has been already taken or used???

Looks like the name I want to use hasn't been trademarked...

TooManyShots wrote in post #11876005
I think I am finally at a cross road to officially starting my own photography business. Since I can't afford a studio, most likely the business will be all about on location shoots. I worry about that later. The overhead at the moment isn't much. Money for a business account website. Business cards. I have the gear already, maybe adding a third speedlite, another umbrella stand and umbrella, and maybe some background setting. Need to work with my portfolio with friends and family members. I also have over 5 years of management experiences running a high volume retail store. I need a name for my photography business. I don't want to use my real name. However, can I use a business name that has been already taken or used???

If it hasn't been registered federally as a trademark and if it's not the name of a corporation/LLC in your state, yes. But usually you don't want to.

A business name can't be copyrighted--it has to be registered as a trademark. Most states do not permit two corporations to have the same name.

Victor. We are new into the business. Just starting out. We too were just going to do outdoor because of the but the demand led us to looking for an alternative to buying a studio. Granted, we are in a population of a couple hundred thousand in our area and surrounding areas vs your millions in NYC but here is what we have worked out.

We went and looked at all our hotels conference rooms. We found one with 12 foot ceilings, good natural light from one side, adjoining private restroom. They cut the rate in half with very little argument n our second visit to them. It also has a door to outside that leads to a back parking lot so everyone can come in and out the side door instead of lobby and we can back right up to door to load and unload. Has stereo sound with iPod inputs and a big flat panel tv and so forth.

$75 from 6am till midnight.

Yesterday we shot 5 senior girls. The manager came by to visit and asked where they were changing, and I said in the bathroom. She left and came back with a key to a room right next to the conference room. It worked freest for a rented studio. Just an idea.

I would also think about using some MM models to boost the port. Friends and family are great, but you will get much more production from someone wanting to model or even a pro. More faces, more looks.

Good luck.

cbknight wrote in post #11884616
Victor. We are new into the business. Just starting out. We too were just going to do outdoor because of the but the demand led us to looking for an alternative to buying a studio. Granted, we are in a population of a couple hundred thousand in our area and surrounding areas vs your millions in NYC but here is what we have worked out.

We went and looked at all our hotels conference rooms. We found one with 12 foot ceilings, good natural light from one side, adjoining private restroom. They cut the rate in half with very little argument n our second visit to them. It also has a door to outside that leads to a back parking lot so everyone can come in and out the side door instead of lobby and we can back right up to door to load and unload. Has stereo sound with iPod inputs and a big flat panel tv and so forth.

$75 from 6am till midnight.

Yesterday we shot 5 senior girls. The manager came by to visit and asked where they were changing, and I said in the bathroom. She left and came back with a key to a room right next to the conference room. It worked freest for a rented studio. Just an idea.

I would also think about using some MM models to boost the port. Friends and family are great, but you will get much more production from someone wanting to model or even a pro. More faces, more looks.

Good luck.

Thanks for the ideas about renting a "studio." I will definitely look into that. This may be cost effective if I am doing a group session. One thing I worry about doing location shoots outside is that I don't have an assistant. Meaning that light stands can get knocked over by the wind Meaning that I can't carry too much gear with me. Must try to do the best with minimal equipment. I have enough friends and connections to give my portfolio different looks. I think my initial business market model is family and individual oriented. Nothing glamor. I do expect I am going into it slowly though. I am planning to shoot a lot of cycling/races around here too.

RDKirk wrote in post #11884065
If it hasn't been registered federally as a trademark and if it's not the name of a corporation/LLC in your state, yes. But usually you don't want to.

A business name can't be copyrighted--it has to be registered as a trademark. Most states do not permit two corporations to have the same name.

Thanks.