Help naming a Photography Business

[wdwmom0f3]

My sweet cousin is about to start a new chapter in her life and open a Photography business. She is REAL good at it. Anyway, she is needing a whimsical name for it. Any ideas? I thought this would be a great place to ask. Her name is Amanda

 

[LuLuO]

Is she going to be doing portraits and weddings and such? If so, I don't think she needs a fancy name. I'd go with her name, if the websites and such are available like:

Amanda Smith Photography

or

Smith Photography

or

Photography by Amanda Smith

 

[golfgal]

I agree, when the business names get too whimsical it loses some professionalism and you can't figure out what the business actually does. I would stick with something related to her name and add photography

Portraits by Amanda
Amanda Photography
AJS (her initials) Photography

 

[DawnCt1]

Images.

 

[We_Love_Disney]

Photographic Memories by Amanda Smith

Capture the Moment by Amanda Smith

 

[hereyago]

Worth a 1,000 words

 

[AKL_Megs]

Is she going to be doing portraits and weddings and such? If so, I don't think she needs a fancy name. I'd go with her name, if the websites and such are available like:

Amanda Smith Photography

or

Smith Photography

or

Photography by Amanda Smith

I agree.

She needs to pick her genre.

My parent's neighbor is a photographer, and she focuses on portraits of children. She is "Little Moments Photography".

The woman who did my wedding pictures was "Photos By _____" (I forget her name!)

I remember my senior photos were done by "Prestige Photography".

She can't be "cutesy" and focus on weddings. She can't be "serious" and focus on children.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

You all have a great point. I will tell her, in the mean time, keep them coming just in case.

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

Picture This!
Make it Snappy!
In The Picture
New Developments

 

[Swank]

In our area there is one called "Cheap Shots"

I don't think I would trust them because they picked a name that didn't instill confidence.

 

[Geoff_M]

If you want a whimsical name, given the current state of the profession, I'd call it "Poorhouse Photos".

But in all honesty, I'd stick with something that incorporates your names. It's your reputations that should be able to draw customers in the long run, so leverage it... unless you think your individual skills are irrelevant and you you want to be like the nameless portrait photographers at Sears, Penny's, and Walmart.

 

[RUDisney]

All of the successful photographers in this area have their name in their business name.

Photography by Amanda Smith
Images by Amanda Smith
Amanda Smith Photography

If she has a horribly hard name to pronounce or spell, she could take on a pseudonym like many authors do.

 

[Golf4food]

I'm a Sadist Who Doesn't Mind Being Abused and Underpaid for the Hassle by Amanda

 

[Orange County Girl]

All of the successful photographers in this area have their name in their business name.

Photography by Amanda Smith
Images by Amanda Smith
Amanda Smith Photography

If she has a horribly hard name to pronounce or spell, she could take on a pseudonym like many authors do.

I agree. I like to look at photography blogs and the most successful photographers seem to use their own name. No cutesy names.

 

[golfgal]

In our area there is one called "Cheap Shots"

I don't think I would trust them because they picked a name that didn't instill confidence.

This is a perfect example of what people are saying, I would never use this company for wedding photos or "important" photos. If I saw this in the yellow pages I would skip by it because to me it says "hey, I don't really take this seriously but if you want a cheap picture call me".

 

[acejka]

I agree.

She needs to pick her genre.

My parent's neighbor is a photographer, and she focuses on portraits of children. She is "Little Moments Photography".

The woman who did my wedding pictures was "Photos By _____" (I forget her name!)

I remember my senior photos were done by "Prestige Photography".

She can't be "cutesy" and focus on weddings. She can't be "serious" and focus on children.

I know plenty of successful photographers who are well rounded and do every genre of photography. From lifestyle, to weddings, to budior to landscapes. She doesn't necessarily have to pick just one genre if she doesn't want to.

I would go with her name no matter what she chooses.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Ok, I think she is going with her name. Plus it's Amanda, and she will be the first in the phone book.

Thank you all for your help!!

 

[jasta]

If she is doing weddings, my husband and I just launched last week a new on line wedding marketplace www.weddingblisslane.com. The site is in Beta right now so all listing fees are free and no commissions during this time. It could be a good way for her to start advertising her business. Thanks!

 

[minnie1012]

"Amanda's Keepsakes" or Amanda's Keepsake Photography

 

[Maridw]

I have two friends that are photographers, both use their name is some fashion. One is M----'s Creative Photography (uses last name) and the other is Kim S----- Photography. Most of the photographers in our area use the photographers name in the business name. I can think of only one that doesn't.

Kim is always joking that she "shoots people for a living".