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05/19/2006 03:24:58 PM · #1 |
When I decided to go pro and start my own business, it took me a while to figure out a name I'd like to use. I came up with Photos By June, which I thought was short, sweet and to the point. I didn't want to use something as impersonal as Juneisy Hawkins Photography or something like that.
I went ahead and bought the domain name photosbyjune.com, set up my email, holder page etc. I have since given my business email address to many people and signed up with my business email address at many photographer services websites/company.
Today there was some discussion on a pro wedding photography site I frequent and some photogriaphers in the UK, where I am planning to do business, think that the name is just wrong. Some went as far as saying that if they were looking for a wedding photographer they would stay away from anyone who went by "Photos By June". They also recommended I use my full name for the business. Apparently is makes me sound "like a granny" and corny and they don't think that business name sends the right message, specially in the UK.
Now, I realize they know the UK's ins and outs better than me but on the other hand, a name is just a name and the quality of my work should be what matters. I am seeking your advice. My question is, should I go through the trouble and changing the name, getting a new domain name, etc and relaunch the website with June Hawkins Photography as the name or should I stick with Photos By June and make the best of it? I am torn and I really don't know what to do.
June
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05/19/2006 03:32:47 PM · #2 |
Difficult one here, June, as there are some members of the great British public who like to remain staid in the belief it makes them more professional. Frankly, I am not sure it matters a great deal, although this is coming from the guy who set up a consultancy company called "Snugfit Limited"! Mind you, I got a lot of business with the weird name...
At this stage in the game, leave it as it is and then watch what kind of real response you get from the public and customers rather than fellow photographers/potential competitors. Also worth mentioning that being an American will have a degree of credibility in the UK, too: there is almost a mystical cachet about you guys over here in certain fields.
Cut a long story short: go for it!
Carl |
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05/19/2006 03:34:24 PM · #3 |
I'm not British by any stretch, so take my opinion for what it is -- an opinion.
If I were looking for a photog, "Photos by June" sounds much more appealing to me than "June Hawkins Photography".
And that comes from someone who has "karma shuford photography." :/ |
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05/19/2006 03:38:39 PM · #4 |
Photos by June would be my choice too :) and this is from Anastasia Kapluggin Photography, but I do live in the conservative Germany
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05/19/2006 03:43:23 PM · #5 |
I am starting a business, not a photography business. I have specifically chosen a name that i feel will be popular in the country i plan to do business.
Having said that, i knew what would be good for my business based on my research.
Why dont you see various website of people who do same kind of work.
I think britishers will like Full name
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05/19/2006 03:44:10 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by karmat:
If I were looking for a photog, "Photos by June" sounds much more appealing to me than "June Hawkins Photography".
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Ditto!
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05/19/2006 03:52:31 PM · #7 |
| what about photography by june? photos sounds 'snapshot' to me but I do think you're absolutely right- your portfolio and your personality will be what ultimately gets you your business, not the business name. And June is NOT granny!!! :0) |
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05/19/2006 03:53:43 PM · #8 |
| stay with it as you say they will look at the photography |
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05/19/2006 03:56:25 PM · #9 |
I absolutely HATE "Photos by "; it's cutesy and inconsequential and amateurish sounding and it's been done to death. I'd just go with "Juneisy Hawkins, Photographer". It's a very unusual first name, may's well take advantage of it.
Robt.
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05/19/2006 03:58:43 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
I absolutely HATE "Photos by "; it's cutesy and inconsequential and amateurish sounding and it's been done to death. I'd just go with "Juneisy Hawkins, Photographer". It's a very unusual first name, may's well take advantage of it.
Robt. |
The problem with a very unusual name is that people don't remember it! I don't want to have a business name people cant remember or pronounce.
June
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05/19/2006 04:01:26 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Chiqui:
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
I absolutely HATE "Photos by "; it's cutesy and inconsequential and amateurish sounding and it's been done to death. I'd just go with "Juneisy Hawkins, Photographer". It's a very unusual first name, may's well take advantage of it.
Robt. |
The problem with a very unusual name is that people don't remember it! I don't want to have a business name people cant remember or pronounce.
June |
Then, "June Hawkins, Photographer"...
R.
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05/19/2006 04:02:35 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by Chiqui:
The problem with a very unusual name is that people don't remember it! I don't want to have a business name people cant remember or pronounce.
June |
How about J. Hawkins, Photography, or use your middle initial -- I've noticed almost all names sound "classy" with a "J" plus a middle initial. It's also "gender-neutral" in case that's an issue where you are. |
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05/19/2006 04:04:10 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by Chiqui:
The problem with a very unusual name is that people don't remember it! I don't want to have a business name people cant remember or pronounce.
June |
How about J. Hawkins, Photography, or use your middle initial -- I've noticed almost all names sound "classy" with a "J" plus a middle initial. It's also "gender-neutral" in case that's an issue where you are. |
That works fine for me also.
R.
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05/19/2006 04:05:02 PM · #14 |
There are 3 J. Hawkins in this family LOL
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05/19/2006 04:14:57 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by Chiqui:
There are 3 J. Hawkins in this family LOL |
That makes it easier to send out a substitute if you get sick : )
J.B. Hawkins, Photography
J.D. Hawkins, Photography
J.R. Hawkins, Photography
J.T. Hawkins, Photography
...
You could make up the middle initial if you don't want to use your own ... you'll probably be registering for a fictitious business name anyway.
Message edited by author 2006-05-19 16:15:26. |
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05/19/2006 04:24:16 PM · #16 |
There's also the option of "J.R.R. Tolkien Photography"
But you'll have to go to the trouble of changing your name if you want that one.
P.S. Or "J.R. Hartley" ... Matt can explain that one ;-)
Message edited by author 2006-05-19 16:26:38. |
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05/19/2006 04:37:54 PM · #17 |
Thinking of J.Lo (Jennifer Lopez)... how about J.Ha Fotos???
(just kidding, of course)
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05/19/2006 04:39:14 PM · #18 |
There is a well known and highly respected photographer in our area. Her name is Adilfa Ford. She didn't want a company with a name people couldn't remember ... so she used her dad's name:
Don Polo Photography
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05/19/2006 04:41:39 PM · #19 |
(I'd better post something marginally useful to your thread!)
I'm with bear_music on this. I lived in London most of my life, and whenever I see ".... by Name" I immediately think of hairdressers; "Hair by Clare"
"My Name Photography" is much more professional sounding, to me. |
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05/19/2006 05:11:57 PM · #20 |
| I just wanna know why you didn't go with: Chiqui Pix ?!? |
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05/19/2006 05:51:57 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by dwterry:
I just wanna know why you didn't go with: Chiqui Pix ?!? |
Because she'd get confused with the country band? Who needs to be boycotted by the Republicans -- aren't they the only ones with the $$$ to pay for private photography? |
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05/19/2006 05:55:12 PM · #22 |
I think that, in general, tooo much time is spent on agonising on the name, logo, etc. of an enterprise. Worry more about the business plan. ABC Footware will do as well as Stylish Shoes (for e.g.) if they have the same business plan.
So, for the name decide whether you are selling your personality ... and something like Chiqui Pix may work very well. Or are you selling a formal studio ... where June Hawkins Photography will probably work better.
Good Luck.
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05/19/2006 06:01:08 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
I absolutely HATE "Photos by "; it's cutesy and inconsequential and amateurish sounding and it's been done to death. I'd just go with "Juneisy Hawkins, Photographer". It's a very unusual first name, may's well take advantage of it.
Robt. |
I dislike "Photos by X" too - too cheesy. The full name approach is at least more classy, classic, simple. If you're worried about Juneisy you can always use June Hawkins but... "Photos by June" sounds too much like the waiters who sit down at the table with the diners to take their orders and have to let us know their name and life history first...
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05/19/2006 06:02:45 PM · #24 |
Oh, and I really like a combo of your surnames:
Quintana & Hawkins Photography
And makes it sound a larger business, a partnership, established. But also cool.
Message edited by author 2006-05-19 18:03:20.
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05/19/2006 06:04:14 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by oOWonderBreadOo:
what about photography by june? photos sounds 'snapshot' to me but I do think you're absolutely right- your portfolio and your personality will be what ultimately gets you your business, not the business name. And June is NOT granny!!! :0) |
The trouble is, names that might sound fine in a US context can carry different emotional weight in a UK context, wherein lies the dilemma. I'm Australian not British, but "Photos by X" type names do sound a bit grannyish (in a not-neccessarily-complimentary way), regardless of whether the X name is perceived as an elderly name or not. In any case, I would take the judgement of UK people on this one, not Americans, non-UK Europeans or Australians!
A couple of alternative suggestions to consider:
- You don't have to have just one business name. You could have one business name in the US and another in the UK. In Australia (and hence, I assume, in UK - but verify this) you can have a legal business name and a trading name e.g. Echelon Pty Ltd T/A George W Bush Communications - Echelon might be the legal name of the company, but GWBC is the name that it is advertised/marketed/etc. as.
- You can have a website with two (or more) addresses. For example, the official Australia Post website is //www.auspost.com.au - but if you go to //www.austrailapost.com.au then you will get there and all the links will refer to australiapost.com.au not auspost.com.au, ditto //www.austpost.com.au - so you could have your site with a .com or .com.us address for your American customers, and a .co.uk address for your British customers. Depending on where it's hosted, you might even be able to do some trickyness ("server-side scripting" e.g. with PHP) to show different company names/graphics etc. depending on whether the person went to your US or UK address.
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