Your business name is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when starting a new business. Not only does it help potential customers find you, but it also helps to establish your brand identity and communicate what you do. You want to make sure your name is memorable and stands out from the competition, right?! Here are some tips for how to name your photography business:
Consider Your Name
Naming your business using after your first and last name clearly utilizes and builds on your reputation, but does it explain what you do or offer?
If you include your own name in your business name, ensure you join your name with a descriptive word in the service you provide. For example, Kara Chappell Photography. If your name is hard to pronounce (e.g. my maiden name was spelled “Ryckman” and pronounced “Rickman”), it might be a better idea to use your first and middle name. But don’t adjust your identity or compromise your values – you can teach people how to pronounce your name or list a nickname you prefer. Using your own name creates a sense of intimacy and familiarity with your clients, and can be the best way to stand apart from the competition. Just make sure you’re always acting in your brand’s best interest online and in public – your behavior and interpersonal relationships will be tied to your business reputation as well.
Brainstorm
If you don’t want to use your name or any variation, then its time to start brainstorming. Write down all the words that come to mind that are related to your business or industry. Depending on what kind of company you’re starting, this could be anything from simple adjectives (like “bright” or “glowing”) to more specific terms (like “photography” or “videography”). Don’t limit yourself – just jot down as many ideas as possible! You can even list some of your values or words related to your niche to really get the wheels turning. Use Google, Dictionary.com, and take your time. You can come back to your list over the course of a week, narrowing down your best ideas as you go.
Research, Research, Research
Likely one of the most important steps to take when choosing a business name is to see if your top ideas are even available to you. Head over to GoDaddy and start to search for domains that are available as well as Instagram handles. Do a brief Google search and make sure no competitors pop up with similar names. How awful would it be to finally land on a name, register it with your state, then find out that no domain name is available in any good extension for your business! Just a little bit of research will help ensure that customers can easily find and differentiate between you and other businesses in the same space.
Make It Unique
When coming up with potential names for your business, try to think of something memorable, catchy, and unique – something that will stand out from the crowd! You don’t have to go crazy here; even small tweaks like adding an adjective or swapping out vowels can help set your name apart from others in the same industry. Beware of the cheese though! Names like “Your Image Through My Lens” are far too literal and don’t convey the professional brand you’re trying to portray.
Availability
Likely one of the most important steps to take when choosing a business name is to see if your top ideas are even available to you. Head over to GoDaddy and start to search for domains that are available as well as Instagram handles. Do a brief Google search and make sure any similar names aren’t related to industries even close to photography. It would be awful to finally land on a name, register it with your state, then find out that no domain name is available in any good extension for your business!
In conclusion, choosing a strong name for your business is essential for setting yourself apart from competitors and establishing yourself as an authority in your industry.
It doesn’t have to be complicated either; with a little bit of brainstorming and research, you can come up with a professional, creative, memorable, and unique business name that perfectly describes what you do.
Take some time to think about what makes your brand special, then get started on finding the perfect name today! Once you’re done figuring out how to name your photography business, look over the other steps needed to get started as a photography HERE.
