Picking a Domain Name

[Stooly]

Evening all. I'm looking at starting up a family photo studio and was wondering about names. I see a lot of photographers doing these types of photoshoots using their names. So like Jane Doe Photography. I was wondering if this is something that is recommended or ultimately, does the name matter that much? It feels to me that maybe it's an artistic thing, using your name. But either way, I'm so stumped as to what would be a good, catchy & memorable name.

What do you all use if you're doing this professionally?

 

[lindsay]

Hi Stella,
Looking at the various threads you've started to get advice and assistance, I can't help wondering if you're in danger of trying to run before you can walk. I know I am personally guilty of trying to get all the kit I might want for something before I've actually really tried the activity out, but it looks a bit like you are falling into that trap with studio photography. You are lucky that you seem to have been able to borrow a lot of stuff, but having the lights, backdrops, maybe a studio space? and maybe a domain name and thus hosting package? is all very well, but what's your photography like? Have you tried these sort of family shots with people yet? You need confidence in your ability to deliver if you are going to charge people money for a service and product, and you need some good portfolio material to publish on a website and advertising. Have you put together a business plan - a realistic one - for your business idea?

I'm not trying to pour cold water on it, I just don't want to see you dig a hole for yourself or spend money that you maybe can't afford to lose.
It's good to do the research though, and I'm glad that various TP'ers have been able to help with that. Please do though remember that in due course, in return, maybe others can benefit from your experience treading this path too.

 

[Stooly]

Thanks for the advice Lindsay!

I have actually considered all this. I was really worried that it would be something I'd either not enjoy or be any good at. Which was fortuitous that my friend had since decided not to proceed professionally, so is letting me borrow some of her gear. I have been practising a lot, she came over a few times and we did some shoots together.

I'm quite pleased with the results, I'm also pleased with my progress. But what I need now, more than anything is practice. Not just practice with the actual shoot, my biggest concern is dealing with people during, having to get them into position and all that. So I've lined up all of my friends willing to let me use them in a portfolio.

I am part of a large FB group for twin mums in my city, I've slowly started speaking to some of them (we have weekly meet ups) & once I've done a few more shoots, I'll be reaching out to them as well. What I need is practice with other people and also some content for a portfolio. I have some long term incentives for the ones who will participate, which will hopefully also bring them back later for actual paid work.

As for the website, I am a web designer, but due to various reasons I need to change career paths. So no the hosting and site is no issue. I need somewhere to display my portfolio so that the people I ask soon, can see more or less what they'll be getting in terms of quality.

I have an extensive plan in place currently, alongside a budget and a list of goals and when they need to be reached. My maternity leave will be ending soon and I have to have a plan in place.

Yes I'm pretty confident in my abilities. I did initially doubt whether I would be able to do it, but after just taking the plunge and start doing practice shoots, it turned out I had learnt a lot more than I realized. I started photo editing in 2002. I have pretty much always had a DSLR camera, although mostly it wasn't used to it's full potential. My weaker points currently is lighting and just trying to get to grips with different types of equipment. And of course the confidence to take control in a shoot and give people direction.

 

[lindsay]

It sounds like you have indeed thought it all through and are doing the right groundwork, that's great. I didn't want to sound patronising, it's just that we do see regular posts from people who have similar ideas about earning a living from photography, and it is all too obvious that they haven't really considered everything and done much to make themselves stand out from the crowd of, dare I say, other wannabe's. It doesn't sound like you are one of those people.

 

[gramps]

So like Jane Doe Photography. I was wondering if this is something that is recommended or ultimately, does the name matter that much?

A name certainly matters, it is what will be (hopefully) remembered but you only have to think of brands like 'Apple', 'Microsoft' to realise that not everything is in a literal name.
However, unless you have a means of quickly getting an alternative name recognised, it is likely that your own name will be what is remembered by those who seek your services.
Some people will search for services in a specific area so [your city] photography, [your area] wedding photography etc etc might also work.

 

[Stooly]

It sounds like you have indeed thought it all through and are doing the right groundwork, that's great. I didn't want to sound patronising, it's just that we do see regular posts from people who have similar ideas about earning a living from photography, and it is all too obvious that they haven't really considered everything and done much to make themselves stand out from the crowd of, dare I say, other wannabe's. It doesn't sound like you are one of those people.

Hopefully I won't be! This has been a fantastic forum with friendly and helpful people, with a wealth of information.

 

[Ham]

Your question was about the domain name, rather than the trading name. As I'm sure you're aware, the name isn't important, but the SEO is. Nobody, but nobody types the domain name in, those that do probably have fat fingers anyhow, So in terms of the website, I would consider launching early with either a blog or CM format and write articles about <your area of interest>, link to useful resources and - if you can - get people to link back to you. As a business, you need to have your name + photography + geolocation + specialist area in Mr Google's corporate mind. Then, when you launch for real, you will have a headstart. Despite being a mediocre amateur at best, I used to run a website cross linked with a network of sites (back in the early days of blogs), as a result I was top 1/top 5 results on Google on a large number of significant photo related terms that got me quite a lot of fun stuff and, as ever with web content, success breeds success. Get it up there and get it working for you.

Unless you intend to build a brand, the name doesn't matter much, all the ideas people have suggested above are good.