not sure if i should rebrand or not

im thinking about doing a rebranding.

here is my current website:

www.michaelalestraphot​ography.com

when i started shooting it was mainly just people but now i have expanded into weddings and and i wonder if its time to move away from the comical approach to naming the business to a more traditional style, ie drop "i shoot people" and go with "Michael Alestra Photography". I like the fact that im a bit differentiated but im not sure it conveys the professionalism that taking on bigger gigs requires.

here is a logo i had designed and i would use this instead.

If everything goes well, you will retire in the future and your business will be an asset you can sell -- the problem I see with using your own name is that you and the business are one and the same, how will you be able to sell it?

Mind you, I do not make a living from photography but do own a business

I kind of like it the "i shoot people" branding, it's bold and fun. I'm still new to the business, but I think it depends on what you desire in a client; someone that will smile when they read that, or think you're immature and need to grow up? Me personally, I'd rather work with someone that has a sense of humor and can appreciate that line than someone that won't. In the land of 1000's of "Dragonfly studios" with fancy smooth fonts and butterflies, anything you can do to stand out above the crowd, in my opinion, is an advantage.

I'd rebrand, your website is your shop window, it's crucial these days to get business, and the 'comical' may put people off, especially the professional/high end clients who may think you're not professional enough. The pictures speak for themselves, they're great, so why sell yourself short?

Not a bad idea about the name being generic name either, I'd have never thought of that, but I'm quite shallow, I'd like my name plastered everywhere

welshwizard1971 wrote in post #17755880
I'd rebrand, your website is your shop window, it's crucial these days to get business, and the 'comical' may put people off, especially the professional/high end clients who may think you're not professional enough. The pictures speak for themselves, they're great, so why sell yourself short?

Not a bad idea about the name being generic name either, I'd have never thought of that, but I'm quite shallow, I'd like my name plastered everywhere

this is kind of why im torn, i've gotten clients who tell me they love the comical fun approach but I also feel like it may be off-putting to higher end clients..

:\

maybe i can find something in between the two.

A joke about poor people

lol, yeah, not intended. i guess i shouldn't have said higher end, but more conservative clientele or those expecting a more traditional photographer.

i dont know if my brand is off-putting which is why i'm trying to garner feedback.

i like the new logo design!
I like the "I Shoot People (for a fee)" too.

Why not use it as a tag line under your logo....
hope ya don't mind...

JOSX2 wrote in post #17756016
i like the new logo design!
I like the "I Shoot People (for a fee)" too.

Why not use it as a tag line under your logo....
hope ya don't mind...

Hosted photo: posted by JOSX2 in
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forum: The Business of Photography

Now it just looks like a business card for an assassin!

I'll bet he also 'frames' people too

I don't like using my name. I am in the process of coming up with something that is not related to my name at all. I'd suggest the same for you.

You could just use "Alestra" in some way instead of your first name with it. Alestra is just a cool sounding name. Doesn't even make me think it is a name.
Alestra Photography
Alestra Photography Services
Alestra Photos
etc etc etc

i hate my last name, i always thought it sounded weird. :P

BlakeC wrote in post #17756028
I don't like using my name. I am in the process of coming up with something that is not related to my name at all. I'd suggest the same for you.

You could just use "Alestra" in some way instead of your first name with it. Alestra is just a cool sounding name. Doesn't even make me think it is a name.
Alestra Photography
Alestra Photography Services
Alestra Photos
etc etc etc

Yeah, do that, great idea

i'm in the boat with blakeC....it's pretty damn cool sounding

Alestra Images
Alestra Portraits
Alestra Photographic Services (blake suggested 'photography')
Alestra shoots people