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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Help me think of names!
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 08/22/2007 05:34:51 PM · #1
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Message edited by author 2007-08-28 16:33:46.
 08/22/2007 05:48:16 PM · #2
Your last name has a very distinctive ring to it. I think that Portanova Photography sounds great and has visual appeal as well. Sorry, can't help with the web design ideas, but I'm sure there are lots of others who can. Best of luck in your new endeavors!
 08/22/2007 05:55:00 PM · #3
I agree that your last name has a good ring to it. How about Portanova Studios?

I used godaddy.com to purchase my domain name and then smugmug.com to create and manage my website. I don't know much about web design and I didn't have much money to spend to have someone do it for me. This was the best way for me to get my site up and running.
 08/22/2007 05:58:22 PM · #4
Maegan - not to put a damper on your enthusiasm, but long before you worry about a website and a business name, you have to decide what kind of business you will start. You need to know who your target market will be and how to attract them to your business. You need to figure out how to price your work so that your business is profitable. As for the website - you need to tailor it to the customer you want to attract - for example, if you want to do portraits, your website should showcase portraits and not travel photography or stock photography, etc.... If you want to shoot weddings, your webiste should showcase weddings... see? Just a few things to think about before you take that first big step.
08/22/2007 06:03:18 PM · #5
For our wedding website we used //www.bludomain.com. It is a template, but they have many styles to choose from. Affordable and easy to maintain.

08/22/2007 06:03:55 PM · #6
Originally posted by idnic:
Maegan - not to put a damper on your enthusiasm, but long before you worry about a website and a business name, you have to decide what kind of business you will start. You need to know who your target market will be and how to attract them to your business. You need to figure out how to price your work so that your business is profitable. As for the website - you need to tailor it to the customer you want to attract - for example, if you want to do portraits, your website should showcase portraits and not travel photography or stock photography, etc.... If you want to shoot weddings, your webiste should showcase weddings... see? Just a few things to think about before you take that first big step.


ACK! That's a lot to think about! Good thing you mentioned it, thanks Cindi. I know that I mostly want to do portrait photography...headshots and such. I'm definitely not ready to do weddings. Maybe sometime in the future though.

I figure if I have a name, and a website, I can tweak it after to add some prices and such. I guess my main idea was to get a website up and running so that I can put together something to start marketing myself? I hope I'm not way off. Any other advice after what I've said? :) I need all the help I can get!
08/22/2007 06:04:09 PM · #7
Originally posted by idnic:
Maegan - not to put a damper on your enthusiasm, but long before you worry about a website and a business name, you have to decide what kind of business you will start. You need to know who your target market will be and how to attract them to your business. You need to figure out how to price your work so that your business is profitable. As for the website - you need to tailor it to the customer you want to attract - for example, if you want to do portraits, your website should showcase portraits and not travel photography or stock photography, etc.... If you want to shoot weddings, your webiste should showcase weddings... see? Just a few things to think about before you take that first big step.


I hope you don't ignore this important advice.
 08/22/2007 06:04:09 PM · #8
Pictures By Portonova
Portonovas Pictures
Magens Magic

Message edited by author 2007-08-22 18:04:37.
 08/22/2007 06:04:45 PM · #9
Thanks Erin and Jennifer! You don't think Portanova Photography or Portanova Studios is too much of a mouthful? :)
08/22/2007 06:06:57 PM · #10
Your name means New Door

New Way Photography

Open Door Photography

Magen Marie Studio

New Room Studio

Use a new door to find a new way.
 08/22/2007 06:08:48 PM · #11
Originally posted by magenmarie:
I guess my main idea was to get a website up and running so that I can put together something to start marketing myself? I hope I'm not way off.


I agree. You want a web site so you can go out immediately and refer people to something.
 08/22/2007 06:13:01 PM · #12
Originally posted by frisca:
Originally posted by idnic:
Maegan - not to put a damper on your enthusiasm, but long before you worry about a website and a business name, you have to decide what kind of business you will start. You need to know who your target market will be and how to attract them to your business. You need to figure out how to price your work so that your business is profitable. As for the website - you need to tailor it to the customer you want to attract - for example, if you want to do portraits, your website should showcase portraits and not travel photography or stock photography, etc.... If you want to shoot weddings, your webiste should showcase weddings... see? Just a few things to think about before you take that first big step.


I hope you don't ignore this important advice.


Nope, I am not ignoring this advice, for sure. It's very important.
 08/22/2007 06:14:52 PM · #13
I think Portanova Studio's or Portanova Photography isn't to much of a mouthfull. I think it sounds great. Plus if you do business under your own name you don't have to file a ficticous(sp?) name. I am not sure what state you are in (if you are in the states) but depending on where you live if you are in business for yourself as long as you use your name you can cut down on that cost. (I hope that makes sence)

I have been doing business under my name (Jennifer Griffith Photography) but my partner and I are now in the process of getting a business licence together (Mothers Touch Photography) and we have to go threw a lot more steps since it is not just our name.
 08/22/2007 06:16:23 PM · #14
I also agree that getting a site up and running first is a good idea. You can always tweak it later to get it how you want it. The web is a powerful marketing tool and you need to have somewhere to point people too.
 08/22/2007 06:18:24 PM · #15
CSSBeauty is a great place to get inspiration I find. Its all about the pretty there. :)
 08/23/2007 09:12:49 AM · #16
*morning bump*

:)
 08/23/2007 09:20:16 AM · #17
Ya know,

I'd just call it Portanova and leave it at that, it has an important sound to it, easily memorable, would look great in blue on a black background and is a nice number of letters. It keeps it simple, ambiguous enough to be interesting and also different enough to be memorable.
 08/23/2007 10:37:36 AM · #18
Good luck.

I'd first come up with a plan, then your business name should reflect your plan. It sounds like you're just starting the business journey.

Personally, I don't want to make a job out of my hobby. Then it won't be fun anymore. It would be nice to make a little money off it tho. Instead, I'd get a job to pay for your photography instead.

Otherwise, it's like, "I have a hammer. I'm pretty good at using it with nails. Other people like it when I build things for them with my hammer and nails. I'd like to start a business with my hammer and nails." There's a whole bunch of other boring and mundain stuff that you need know and do to make anything a business.

Good luck
(Hobbiest who makes a little money on my hobby)
 08/23/2007 11:44:57 AM · #19
I like your last name as your photography business, unique. And here's a logo to start with. Just playing around with it - hope you like.

08/23/2007 01:58:02 PM · #20
Thank you for all your input, everyone. :)

swhiddon, the logo is great! Thanks for doing that!
 08/23/2007 02:05:00 PM · #21
Originally posted by magenmarie:
Thank you for all your input, everyone. :)

swhiddon, the logo is great! Thanks for doing that!


I think you have a great last name and would also encourage you to use that for your business name. I like Portanova Studios myself. You can make the studios part smaller in the logo to keep things cleaner.
 08/23/2007 02:05:59 PM · #22
haven't read all the posts here, but i want to add on to cindi's thoughts and say it would be a REALLY good idea to create a business plan first, you can find software to help you. I don't know if you will be getting a business loan but many banks will not lend if you don't present them with a business plan. Let the name be the final crowning piece of the puzzle.
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