How To Chose Your Photography Company Name
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 มิ.ย. 2022
- How to chose your photography companies name is far more important than we give it credit for, although not for the reasons you probably think. The two main options are to come up with a random company name, or to trade under your own name. Here is what I think you should do.
You can find me on;
Instagram / scottchoucino
Facebook Group / 1893064874281393
Tin House Website and WORKSHOPS www.tinhouse-studio.com/
My Commercial Workscottchoucino.com/ - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Let me know what you call your photography business below, and why?
I thought about registering under my surname followed by "photography" as a limited company, mostly because I want any earnings to be separate from my day job salary as far as taxation goes. the company name is available and is just a very straightforward and simple way to be prepared in case I get to a point where I need to hire in others, but all jobs would be acquired by myself as an individual and my website URL is just my name. straight forward enough or should I hold off on registering until later I wonder?
The Orange Slice, which is the one for my food/drink photography that i have started recently. At first i was debating doing this "fun" name or my real name, decided to roll with The Orange Slice, but was not completely sure about it, just wanted to start posting something and needed a name for the accounts. But after watching this video im convinced that i should go with my actual name. Need to do some rebranding now though, but i think it will be worth it.
On my two early struggles to build a creative businesses with some of my friends I always give it a thoughtful company names. And both of them were failures.
Now I’m tired of thinking thoughtful names again, and I go with just my first and surname followed by ‘Studio’ to associate people that my photography business is more of a commercial photography studio. So far, it’s quite working, though.
I've been "[First Name Last Name] Creative" for nearly 4 or 5 years now, and before that just my name. Issue is I changed my first and last names a while back, and this was hitting reset in many ways. Also, I say Creative because I do more than photography work. But I am considering creating a different page for the other work I do (design, consulting, video). I call myself a creative consultant and intend to list all my trades on my site.
I'm a sole trader and I go under the name "Antonio Franco - Photographer" . Mainly for the same reasons you stated in the video.
Some of the best advice I got in my photography business was to scrap the business name and go with my real name. At the time, I had just paid a graphic designer to design my logo. But I'm so glad I changed. I believe it is what's helped me grow this past couple of years. Now, people on Facebook know I do photography. Before, they were like oh I didn't realize that was you. I've been stopped at gas stations and other stores telling me how much they like my work since I switched to my name. To me with doing portrait work and landscape work, it's more personal that way as well. I also have two separate Facebook and Instagram pages. One for portrait work and weddings and the other one for landscapes. I believe it has helped me as well. The website looks much cleaner with my name instead of having someone create a logo for me. It looks a whole lot more professional. That's just what has helped me.
Got it! So I'm changing my legal name to "Snap Pixels" then?
Once again, clear straight advice.
Very straightforward sensible advice, thank you, Scott.
Every time you post a new video, i am shocked of how useful and relevant it is. Absolutely love it
Great advice. I've started binge watching the channel, as it's rare to find someone on TH-cam who makes coherent sense!
This video has given me so much direction in life 👏 you’ve made everything so much clearer in terms of how to structure the business unlike any other content I’ve seen
This was very helpful - to get an industry viewpoint, and for me, this is timely. Because I have gone by my name for years, but because I've not aggressively pursued photography as a career I've never really focused on one area photography. But I am currently creating a studio space in my house that I intend to use for portrait work (mum and baby type stuff) and I WAS going to call it "My House Name Studio" to seperate it from my more generic long standing mix of work under my name. But on reflection, I might just stick with what I have. Not really sure now what to do because your advice seems compelling.
Thank you, such good advice.
appreciated your video, that totally gave me the direction.
This is really good advice. I've recently started a photography business under the name 'Aesthetic Dimensions' I thought it's a pretty neat name as my niche is product/still life and wanted to be original but I've noticed most professionals just go by their full name. I feel like whenever I've reached out to companies to offer my service they've assumed I'm more than just a photographer. I suppose lucky for me my renewal period is coming up soon. I don't exactly have aspirations to turn it into a company with multiple people either.
This is the video I've needed. My photography business is my name here, but people outside of the Ozarks don't know what it means and think it's my name. My wife keeps telling me using my name doesn't have a catch to it, so I never used it 😂 but all week I've been thinking of how to rename and rebrand for the future.
Thanks so much for making this video I've always wondered how photographers come up with their names and I notice most usually use their full name. And the way you explained it makes complete sense, clients are hiring a person and not a company so it would make sense to use your name. Do you also purchase property like your studio under the Tin House Studio LLC or as a sole proprietor? Again thanks for making this video.
Thank you so much for your Channel. I learned so much allready.
You are so welcome!
thanks, video really helped me start up
APPRECIATE THIS 🙏🏽
I was overthinking this waaay too much and trying to be creative with the name.
Thank you! I needed some clarity and guidance.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks Scott, very usefull information. Though I missed for you to mention something about what if your name sounds dull or isn't catchy? Or what if someone has it already? I know you haven't experienced it yourself, but maybe you know someone as a refference to speak about
This is great advice! I have been stumped trying to separate my Architecture Photography from a new Real Estate Multimedia company I started. This reinforced my idea, thanks!
I’d go with your own name as the architectural photography one there, and use a different name for the RE photography business. Reasoning being, Architectural is more ‘unique artistic input’ by you, but RE is more of a ‘business to business’ type service (and you may get other people to shoot for you some day), and less artistic input.
Just my 2c.
I’ve been struggling with this. I started a real estate photography company with the name River City Stills, one because it’s kind of small town and I was a bit of lush for a decade, and because I feel like with only a small amount of work to show, this sounds more established, and generic because there’s a ton of “River city X” around here. I still have my named photography socials, but figured at my current size I’d rather appear more bigger and established and niched with the option to add people, and one day when I have a larger body of work, switch back to my name when working with bigger clients and such.
This is great advice! What if you’re doing both photography & videography and want to incorporate both services into your name?
Wonderful insight
Somehow I managed to land in between, it’s my name and nickname, and the logo is my name spelled in Japanese....
Funny enough last week by chance I met an old customer of mine, did a job 6-7 years ago, we were with a common friend, she instantly recognised the logo on my T-shirt, then associated the face with the logo. I suppose this kind of proves your theory and confirms that I an the middle.
hahaha ohh man...
I have Parable Media which I have facing corporate clients as a website and email domain, and then my social channels, all under Shane Foley Media - focusing on my private wedding clients. I one day hope to have a team.
I'd hate to change it, honestly, but I definitely know after this that I will retain my social channels as is, rather than change them to Parable Media. It gives me a lot to consider though, as I almost always see people and their names.
This was extremely helpful, thank you! One question though, when naming your business after yourself- what if your last name is really long and hard to pronounce?
Hi, I know your comment is 1yr+ but my advice is to choose a creative name that is similar, eg Alex Mac instead of Alex MacQuoid (rare surname)
Thank you, makes a lot of sense. Except it does help to have an unusual name. Mine is so boring..
How about if I'm in two lines of job i.e. Medical Doctor and Photographer, won't using my name be confusing for people who know me as just one of these professions? This is what is giving me pause.
Another great video Scott, always love how upfront and honest you are. My name is Mark Brown and clearly any hope of a domain name will have been long taken. So I am thinking to incorporate 'London' where I conduct most of my work. Do you have any thoughts on this approach please? Or should I be looking at other options (middle names etc.) All input greatly appreciated
markbrown(.uk) is available
@@-globe is definitely one to consider thank you so much for pointing it out
Adding London could be a good move as it will surely narrow things down in search engines etc .. "mark brown London" is obviously more specific than "mark brown".
also it's likely people will be using "London" when searching for freelancers so it would probably work in your favour (as long as you expect most of your work to continue to be London based).
Working on my own site and I am struggling with this exact question at this very moment! Also, name in English or in my case Dutch. This is not a live video right? just a premiere.
I have a candidate name, but I do not want to exclude the possibility for other kind of creative work. Video, design etc. So is it better to have a general name, or just have multiple names e.g. bla photography and bla videography/ studio or something like lensman or studio/ productions company bla
what about people with very basic names that it seems everyone has from first to last?
I don’t deny this is good advice the problem I’m having is in that I have a pretty common name at least here in the states and every form of my name I’ve tried as a website is already registered. Is having everything under my name but the url/business name being shotbytherobot going to hinder me in the commercial space?
I agree with everything you say in this. However, when I started my business there was another guy with the same name (Dan Browning) who already established his website and had good SEO. I decided to come up with another name. I'm still not sure it was the way to go. I keep hoping the other guy will retire and I can rebrand.
Yes! This is where I’m stuck too! Another photographer with same name!
@@kenbot77 Just change your name, at least the one you use for business. Use your First and Middle name instead.
Does this apply to a videography as well? I will be doing wedding films and other client work but mostly weddings to start.
I live in an asian country in South East Asia. The majority of the people here are Chinese (70%). Racism exists here and if had used my real name, they would have dropped me immediately without looking at my portfolio. Hence, i use an English name and there times where I can here they speak in their language, "we didn't expect this "minority race" guy to be the owner/photographer of this studio..."
Been like this ever since I was born here. The good news is that the younger population is less racist compared to the older folks. Greatly and largely thanks to the govt efforts to integrate the races.
Completely relate.
What if your name is generic and a photographer already shares your name
I'm having a conundrum similar to this at the moment as well, I have a corporate photography business and a commercial photography business site as well and I don't want to tarnish my commercial side with another business with the same name, ie, I'm thinking of giving the corporate work a company name and the commercial side my own name, any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
yeah id deffo go for a diff name for that one.
Just re-watched this. Two take-aways. This video reminds me of law firms, which always use their name. The partners, usually. They are the ones standing up in court speaking for you. Second, I think you might sell yourself short re: Tin House. I think your personality comes through the camera. I din’t think ‘anyone’ can do this. Maybe somebody else can do something similar, but not *this*.
I understand your reasoning, but:
A, What if my name is John Ford, or some really-really common name?
B, What if my name is Nádőszhéky Károly?
Even with your name...tbh, I remember Scott, and some last name starting with C. It is cool and unique, but hard for foreigners to pronounce it, and remember it (although if they remember it, they'll likely never forget).
I'm currently in the beggining of starting a pro photography carreer and went with the 'ex momentis' name, because: 1, it's latin (means from the moments), most of the people can pronounce and remember it well 2, I'm a photog currently, but might wanna venture into video too, and in the future I could make it a company and pull other people into it (additional photogs, videographers, sort of a creative agency or something). I might not do any of that, but the name doesn't limit me 3, My real name is Erdős Dániel in my country (Dániel Erdős if we go with the first and last name order). I'm Hungarian but will shoot english and spanish speaking clients.
I could translate my name (Daniel Forester, or Daniel del Bosque probably), or just leave out the weird stuff (Daniel Erdos) and I might do that, but that sort of feels weird now. But based on your video, I'm contemplating it :)
Your real name is very nice! Using it with the Hungarian accents make it unique and memorable, and I think most Americans would still be able to pronounce it just fine. Perhaps just switching the order (using Dániel first) for an American audience.
@@roaringrose thank you 🙂
What if I only want to be a family photographer, not an awesome exclusive creative on sets etc.. my legal name is not my married name because it is a bother to change it. No one else had my legal name but im worried that it wont be able to be spelled correctly, and I kindof like being more anonymous.. my married name is already used by a photographer in the UK so I dont legally think I can use that name ? This is why im considering using a pseudonym
This was SO helpful, thank you!! I do have one question- if I’m planning on offering product photography and stop motion services, should I still just call myself “Amy Andress Photography”? Or can I go with “Amy Andress Creative Media”?
Have a similar question since I do video, design (graphic and web), brand/creative/social consulting... Obviously not all photography
Yes, both similar to what I want to know too… Different genres of photography, plus back to graphics and websites when photo work is quiet… and on top of all that… other people in photog industry with same first and last name as me!?!?
Great Advice , I hope this will at least cover a coffee,☕
Thank you very much. Ill go grab one first thing!
@@TinHouseStudioUK Just the basic nothing Fancy LOL
But wouldn't a creative name help you to stand out IF you have a very common name? Because if I was to use my first name, I would be just part of the crowd and finding my work would be kinda hard for clients to find
You always provide such valuable content. You're almost like the 'Human Search Engine' for commercial photographers. I put in a question and boom you have a video for the most sought-after topics. Appreciate all the effort and time you put in to share your knowledge Scott!
If there is someone famous with my name Eg "Brad Pitt, or David Bailey" Would you recommend using your middle names? eg, David Michael James Bailey.. = Michael James... or would you stick with David Bailey?
In my case everyone knows me with my nickname. Is it ok to use a nickname instead of the real name as a photographer?
Are you aware of any instances that you've missed out on a great job because they've known of your TH-cam channel?
Do you believe this applies to video production businesses as well? Should the name of a video production business simply be the name of the owner?
I am trying to find a name for my photography business - I am just starting out (though photography has been a joyful passion and hobby for a while now). My name is a very common one, though - Cristian Rodriguez. And my full name is really long (Cristian Josue Rodriguez-Marchan). How do you recommend I choose my photography business name ?
Go for a stylistic format based off your real name. Say, Kris-Joe Rogers.
What if my name is Scott Choucino as well?
The Real Scott Choucino. 😁
Makes sense, however I don't understand why having a TH-cam space is frowned upon. Is it just stiff upper lip?
Snobbery and gatekeeping pretty much.
3:40
My name is Jesus Martinez, it is a very common name. What can I do? Just find a working domain? use my middle name ernesto, add my second last name?
Even my middle name is common enough to already have another photographer using it, and my full name is too long. I honestly wonder if it helps at all to tell how you even came up with your company name, if it isn't your government name, in a site biography to at least seem more relatable to certain clients.
@@normandy2501 update... I added "The" in front of my username lol
Wise information, I’d it safer to not use your real name,?
For guaranteed customers, I am naming my company "Click Bait".
Anything but the real name of the photographer is rather tacky IMO.
…but what if there’s already a photographer working in your area with the same first and last name as you?
This is what I have.
@@kenbot77 In my case...no problem.
@@BenjaminKanarek No problem as in you just do it anyway, or no problem as in you just got lucky in that regard? I'm asking because I actually have the same issue.
LOL, I thought I was the only one that uses 2 names one for TH-cam & when I am working I only go by me name.