It’s just got to be said, peeps…what the f is wrong with you? Not all of you, just some very specific ones of you who are outlined below.
If you’ve pigeon-holed yourself with your business name, I’m going to kindly ask you to get your hand examined. For example — and I’m not using real life examples, only inspired-by-real-life examples, here — let’s say you specialize in kids’ photography. You name your biz Pinwheels & Mudpies. Okay, great. Cutesy, childish, I can guess that you’re dealing with little ones.
One day, though, you want to branch into Senior portraits. Guess what? Your name is embarrassing for 18-year-olds to have to say, and will hurt your Senior marketing efforts, regardless of how fabulous your photography is.
Likewise, let’s say you name your biz (real-life-inspired) Gorgeous Bitch Photography. Well, aside from being insulting to half the population of the planet earth, your boudoir name is great. Then you decide to start doing newborn shoots.
Uh-oh.
There is no parent on the planet earth who wants to see the Gorgeous Bitch Photography watermark against her sweet little baby’s face. And shortening it to Gorgeous Photography is just stupid.
Your business name chooses your business path, if you narrow it to just one genre. While you may stay a boudoir photographer until your dying day, leaving a bit to the imagination won’t hurt you nearly as much as what happens if you work the other way ’round.
Great, you’re thinking, I chose my business name as MY name, because I’m smart.
Well, you may be smart, but I would argue that choosing a generic name allows your business to grow, to take on associates, and to be scalable income for you and yours. Just because using your given name is easy doesn’t mean it’s the right choice.
So, take a long hard look at your business name. Consider a doing-business-as subdivision of your company if you’ve chosen unwisely in the past, or want to switch genres without 100% new branding materials. Consider your long-term goals, and whether having associates or the ability to sell your business in ten years is worth switching business names.
And please, don’t let me catch any of you mixing newborn and boudoir portraits EVER. AGAIN.
Tomorrow’s post is 100% motivation, promise.
LOL so true!
Thanks Kristen! this post was just what I needed to hear today, we have spent literally MONTHS arguing about our current business name (my name) because everyone both off and online told us that we should use our personal name for the business. That was fine until my husband started shooting weddings with me…and is now really amazing at it! but everytime images go up with just “my” name on them (cos it is the buisness name, kwim?) I can feel the tension between us….. sorry for being so honest on here! but it has caused issues ….. and we have another name we both like but for some reason I worry about making the change, it seems like such a huge “do over” and having to re-educate our clients too….would love a post on some of this stuff!
So I am currently shooting newborns and wanting to add my boudoir images on the site. What do you think?
*snickering*
Hmmmmm…I sat with my jaw dropped as I read your post today. I am in the midst of this EXACT problem. I named my business Snickerdoodles Photography when I was JSO 2 years ago, thinking children, newborn, maternity, etc. And now…I’ve discovered that I’m pretty darn great at boudoir (not to mention that I LOVE it). I don’t advertise it – as you mentioned, it doesn’t mix with the other stuff. I do some senior stuff too. So, the question is…do I completely re-brand myself? Name my business to something else, entirely? I think my graphic designer would beat me. She’s (kindly) shoved branding and consistency down my throat from day one. Shower me with your words, oh-wise-one.
xoxo
HAHAHAHAHA. that is all. Thanks for the words of wisdom for those still on the fence about First Name Last Name Photography or Beetles, Bugs and Butterflies Photography.
Oh thank the lord!! I thought I was the only one who has chosen a name other than my own, 1) because as easy as my name is, people have a hard time with it and 2)I think another name is just more imaginative and can lend itself to the creativity of the brand. I spent weeks and weeks trying to come up with something that could work for any situation- and it sure is hard, especially since I’m drawn to more dark imagery but love to shoot kids, yet wanted something sophisticated enough for weddings as well. lol.
I enjoy your words.