NAME ????????????

I am wanting to start a photography business and I have an upcoming shoot in about a month (with 40 client )so I need a small business license and a bank account where I can take check so on and so forth.
My problem is what to call this business and I wanted to know what the good folks here at POTN think.
I originally wanted to name it something like Digital Dreams Photography or something to that effect. Sad thing is, when I did a search for every combination of the names I came up with there was already one or more sites that popped up on GOOGLE. I wanted to be totally original.
After beetling my brain for a name I have had more then one person tell me that people think that it is way more, what's the word I am looking for, prestigious to use a persons name (the one doing the actual shooting lol) Something like Evan's Photography, or Owen Mills photography. I just never put that type of stigma on a title but people I talk to say that, yes, they like the fact they are getting shot by the owner whose name is the business title. Does that make since to anyone?

I don't want to use my last name but I wouldn't mind using my first and/or middle, Allen Gregory.

It just sounds funny to hear my own name know what I mean.
So what does everyone think of Gregory Allen Photography. Hard for me to judge because like I said hate to hear my own name lol. Is that weird or to long of a name?
Please C&C welcome.

good question... i've been pondering this very issue myself...

has a bit of a distinguished ring to it (imo).

I think the "norm" is to just use your last name in front of "Photography" but with a last name, like mine, of Hyden I just don't think it jives. Also thought about initials AGH Photography.

bump. come on anybody can chime in on this one.

I thought it should be something short and simple so people can remember it. I used TPDphoto, I though Meulenberg Photography was really ugly and no one would remember how to spell it.

I was never fond of using my name in a business name. Personally I think it comes across as advertising that you are a small one man show company.

cory1848 wrote in post #7682337
I was never fond of using my name in a business name. Personally I think it comes across as advertising that you are a small one man show company.

A lot of people like that though. They want a connection with their photographer. They would rather deal with John than "The Portrait Shop" I think it depends a lot on your market though.

yeah, thats why I stuck with my name, i would've liked to have gone for something different, but there's that connection thing. Also, people ask someone else who their photographer was and they answer with your name then that person is going to be looking for that name. Although I might think differently if i was in a big city. which brings us to the point of this: if you're not using your proper known name then it won't matter, your real name is Allen Gregory Hyden, so people know you as.. Allen Hyden? So you call yourself Gregory Allen and you won't get that connection thing so you might as well call you anything you wish. I actually think 'Allen Hyden Photography' sounds quite good.

DDCSD wrote in post #7682359
A lot of people like that though. They want a connection with their photographer. They would rather deal with John than "The Portrait Shop" I think it depends a lot on your market though.

You also might give some thought to the observation that you can avoid the entire fictitious business name thing by using your real name in many jurisdictions.

WMSchenk

Register a business, call it whatever you want on the license, change it later if you don't like the name. It's about 15 $ for me to change my business' name with a 2 week waiting period thereafter.

It really doesn't matter what you call yourself as long as you pick something that's:

1) Not in use by another company of the same type in your state
2) Not rude or offensive
3) Descriptive of the business your operating

In all theory you can register your business, then call it something different entirely and just tell your clients your "Big Alz Photography" even if your licensed as something different.

The only time it becomes an issue is when you choose to incorporate (probably never, companies like Jostens incorporate...small photography businesses generally dont).

Oh one more thing; if you use your own name (not sure about americans) you're excempt from a lot of tax law that bigger businesses have to pay.

Good stuff, Karl that is so funny because way back when I got my first camera (all of 17 months ago) I actually made a water mark called BigAlz Studio lol

DDCSD, that is exactly what I was trying to put into words on my first post. And I have as many people call me Greg as I do Allen and Big Al.
I always wanted my name to be Gregory Allen when I was growing up don't know why, just did.
So no more inputs on what sounds better or what might be a bit more catchy?
Didn't hear any comments about the abbreviation. Any general do or don't there?

I actually like the last name Hyden. It is different enough to remember. People tend to remember a name that is a little more uncommon than one that they hear 5 times a day.

You have a PM.

Given that I do a fair amount of business with the Jewish community and happen to have a good solid German last name, I thought it best not to use my actual name. Especially since people tend to misspell it anyway.

I have (now grown) twin sons. They both have short, easy to remember first names, both of which are also common last names so I named the business for them. Not only do I (and they) like it, but often, a bride will contact me assuming that this is my own name. When I correct them and tell them the business is named for my sons, it turns out they love it, too. Gets that initial conversation off on a real nice note.

One thing to keep in mind when coming up with your business name is if you plan on launching a website as well, which most folks do. Check to see if the name you want is registered still available. If it is still available, what's the price? Sometimes common words cost more...a LOT more. I was looking at going with the "first name last name photography", but the domain name was around 2Gs since I have a very common name (Adam Williams). Instead, I went with LeftHandedImages.com, and inserted [photography by adam williams] afterwards. So it's like meeting in the middle...