Should I change my name?

I don't think it matter, if this is where the business started than you can write up something in about us so that people can know what is going on. As for me I advertise as Edmonton Wedding Photographer but I do travel around the country. But in the end it still your choice.

Hi Corri,

If it were me, and i have an established following of clients, i would keep the name.

Really doesn' t matter if you are located on Mill Street, or Main Street. I woul dthink more confusion for existing, and prospective clients would be reduced my keeping your name.

Good Luck

Mill Street just sort of sounds like Main Street to me, in the sense that it is a home-town, home-grown business. (Seattle Coffee....) Best wishes for your success.

Tell us more - are you changing your phone number? I've kept the same phone number for 30+ years, and even though I've had 7 addresses, people can still find me when they look at my stickers (yes, I spend $6 every 6 months to have the post office forward my mail from 6 addresses!). I at first used a TLA Three Letter Acronym, then just my name when I let my staff go and went 100% solo. Either way, I've answered the same phone number over the years, and people know ME regardless of the fading of the "fictitious" DBA doing business as name over time.

For a start-up business, the name you choose should suggest to new potential customers why they might remember and consider using your services, and "photography" in the name sort of does that. You can get more descriptive, or, over time, alternatively, a random name like "Mill Street Photography" might take on a world- wide cache. "Ansel Adams" doesn't even need to add "Photography" because acquired recognition. Do you have that for your intended audience, or not? Do you depend on your name to introduce you to strangers, or to remind you to previous customers only?

As an example, here in, say, Savage Maryland, a name like "Savage Photography" transcends the locale and might sell world wide, but also confuses potential customers as to what exactly "Savage Photography" is or does! Neanderthals? Animals? The uncouth? ;-)

I use my name - "peterblaisephotography". It's ME, and it's PHOTOGRAPHY. What more does someone need? See attached logo explorations.

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With two of you, do you KNOW you will always stay together, or might one of you continue on without the other. "Steve and Edie Photography" doesn't work so well when "Edie" moves on or competes, does it?

"Mill Street Photography Studio"

"Poland Studio"

"Rome Studio"

... "Studio" suggests that other photographers can rent your space and equipment - is that your intention? Would your name work with one less word:

"Mill Street Photography"?

What do other's in town do - look at doctors and dentists and therapists. Are people used to professional services that specialize? How about:

"Family Photography"?

"Fine Art Photography"

"Field and Stream Photography"

"Portrait Photography"

What does:

"CaptivationsPhoto.com"

"Captivations Photography Studio"

... say to new people who have no idea what you are offering? (see http://millstreetstudio.smugmug.com/Events ) What are "Captivations" in your mind? More importantly, what does "Captivations" mean in your potential customer's mind? You may have to sit in a local cafe and ask people for a few days to get a sense of resolving unexpected confusion in picking a perfect name.

Oh, and what is:

"Mill Street Studio"?

A hand-crafted furniture shop using mill-driven tools? What other things do the general public think get built using the power from a water-wheel driven mill? Mill Street is near a river, right?

Do you have a focus, so to speak, or are you all over the place and willing to take on any photo assignment?

"Paladin Photography - Have Camera, Will Travel".

Is THAT the kind of message you want your name to send?

"No two people are the same. Shouldn't your portraits be different too ..."

That's a question (requiring a ? question mark, since ellipses ... mean something is missing, but common vernacular is miscible, I suppose). Do people see YOU as the answer to your question?

"Corri Michelle Portraits"

"Different Portraits"

"Captivating Portraits"

"Cori and Jay Portraits"

... might make someone think you PAINT, but then you can display at least one sample photo printed on canvas to keep them interested in you nonetheless!

"Poland Portraits"

"Rome Portraits"

Make me think of POLAND and ROME, Italy, not New York.

"Portraits of Poland, NY"

"Portraits of Rome, NY"

... IF you are locale based, and so are your customers. This is ALL customer-based. You have toi study and know your market well.

"Cori Michele and Jay Thomas Photo Portraits"

... at least says "photography", but where do you want to appear in the yellow pages and people's Rolodex?

"AAA Photo Portrait Studio"

... oops, that says CARS (American Automobile Association), and AA won't do, either - Alcoholics Anonymous! How about:

"AAAA Photo Portrait Studio"

"Alpha Photo Portrait Studio"

"A1 Photo Portrait Studio"

Does "Studio" matter?

"American Portrait and Photography"

"Ampersand Photo Portraits" (random name)

... and so on.

I suggest reading all about Trademarks from a variety of sources, as whatever name you choose should probably function as a unique source identifier for your products and services, and differentiate you from competition and from non-competitors alike (Cadillac dog food versus Cadillac cars?). Explore more at web resources such as:

http://www.fredlaw.com/articles/marketing/mark_0310_dcw.html

Consider and compare names that are:

- Generic

- Descriptive

- Suggestive

- Arbitrary

- Coined/Invented

... and so on. looking for a name that identifies YOU and what YOU DO to the uninitiated person who experiences your chosen business name for the first time. Also read:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trademark

http://www.uspto.gov/web/trademarks/workflow/start.htm

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I see that you do people photography, photography of people, in portrait sessions and at events, and you take the pictures, not just publish photos of people (as a gallery might).

"Ampersand Portrait and Event Photography" apephoto.com Ooops! Already taken, anyway.

"Ampersand Event and Portrait Photography" aepphoto.com is available. Beware of http://www.aephoto.com/ taken by a web squatter.

Let us know what you do and how you get there!

(Here's a couple of my own thoughts for my own logos, imitating "Design Within Reach" and Rolls Royce")

Peter! You definitly did your homework before responding. I like that. My new partner is actually my sister. We have never been competitors before since living in seperate areas. Now, however, since I am "going back home" so to speak, we have decided to work together. So, will I ever get rid of her? I havent been able to for the last 40 years and wouldnt ever want to. She will be a great asset to me, and I to her. Its a adventure we are excited to take.

Captivations Photo was a name we decided on together. After literally months of making decisions regarding the new studio, including the name. Once it was decided on, it was my own husband who suggested we keep the original name since I am already established as a "Photography Studio" whereas my sister is location only and carries the last name "Smith".

As far as my phone number, I advertise with my cell number and also my studio number. The Studio number will need to be changed due to the distance of the move. Although, I currently use Vonage, I could probably just transfer the service there? Ill have to look into that.

Our main objective in all this is to keep the same atmosphere that people have become acustomed to. I am pretty laid back, take my time on sessions, make everyone comfortable and insure that the experience is one that will keep them coming back. So far it has worked and I want it to stay that way. Even though we are moving from my home into a larger studio, 2 studios, reception area, changing rooms, office, and storage and my most favorite - central air, I want to remain myself and not get "too big for my britches" as some say.

So much to think about. Who ever thought that a name change would be my biggest headache?

Thank you so much to everyone who responded so far.

And It was my daughter who suggested I use simply symbol, One that means "The studio formerly known as Mill Street"

Corri Michelle

Okay, how about "2 Sisters Photowerks"?

Just kidding...

There is some value to an established business name. Only you can judge just how strongly yours is established. But have you noticed that Amway is currently running a multi-million dollar advertising campaign in an effort to change theirs?

So, think about it.... If you customers know you as you, and not as your business, then it's probably safe to come up with something new.

Maybe keep the "Mill" and lose the "St?" Mill Photography? That way when someone looks in the phone book for you under your old name, they'll find you under your new name; however, they won't think you're on Mill St.

Im having a business meeting with my partner, easily translated to Lunch at moms, to talk about what we will be doing about the name. She really likes the name "Captivations" and it sounds nice when answering the phone (Yes, I think about these things). So, we will see. Ill let you all know. Thank you for everything. I dont think Ill be running a multi-million campaign to make the switch, but may have to market myself a little better for a while.

Thanks again!

Corri Michelle

Here was another marketing idea. I used it as a banner for "MySpace". Yes, I have one! lol

I think that it would depend on how established and anchored your current name is. Although the history of you business name is associated with the location (Mill Street), that history is of no value to your potential customers. If your customers currently find you in online searches or telephone directories, they will search/look based on the name that they're familiar with. Only you can determine the "value" of your name.

Corri, Captivations is a really good name! However, I'd strongly suggest reconsidering the font. It will give dyslexic eyes like mine fits. Honestly, it jumps out at me as "Capstireations." At the very least, put a break inbetween the "v" and "a." I think if you were to completely close the loop on the "p" my eyes might not be tricked by that one either.

Sarah, I see exactly what you mean! Thank you for pointing that out. This is another option of font that I liked. Opinions please :)

Now it's readable! It jumps right out. Looks good! :-)

mill street studio is very easy, but only localised.

I think, you can change one easy, bright name.

remind your customers.

be good

Roc

Thank you everyone. I believe we are changing the name. Sarah, thank you for your help and Roc, I think you are the one who convinced me. "Remind your custoners. Be good." Easy.

I will say again what I have said many many times. I truly appreciate this board so much. You are the greatest.

Corri Michelle