Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
01-14-2014, 12:13 PM   #1
Veteran Member
Wired's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Edmonton, AB
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 2,519
site name concerns

Things are moving along for me where I think it's time to actually build a more professional web presence for my photography other than my informal blog. We are only two weeks into 2014 and I've already gotten a long term gig as the main photographer for a new local cycling magazine startup, as well as booking some portrait and wedding jobs. I've also been contacted privately by the city for them to gain publishing rights to some of my images for tourism promotion....ironically through my instagram account. I also still have my steady work as a secondary shooter and shoot for live bands.

The one thing I'm struggling with is what to name myself. I've been struggling with this for a while. For the past few years my blog and flickr have been under "LK1:1photographics" but I'm not exactly happy with it and it doesn't translate well to a domain name (the : isn't a valid character in a domain name). Let me dissect the name and why I went with that... LK are my initials, 1:1 is both a play on photography terminology for "one on one", and photographics as I was dealing with more than just photography at the time. No longer interested in doing specialized graphic design however.

So now I'm thinking that I want to change the name to something that sounds less personalized and speaks more to my niche...even though I think I'm still having an issue finding it. My primary goals are music and community photography. By that I mean local music and musicians, live music, and local events. My two most reoccurring jobs in 2014 will be live music and the cycling community.

I was thinking "upstroke photography" a play on a picking method for guitars. This is my top contender, but I'm open to suggestion, and who better to ask than my Pentax comrades.

Other names that have crossed my mind:

"Century Park Photos" named after the community I live in (could also go with Yellow Bird or Bears Paw), but I'm worried about the word "Century"

"106 street Studio" or "Photos on 106" named due to a few music venues being on 106 as well as the street being used as the pilot project for dedicated cyclist commute lanes. Could also use "82, 104, 107, Jasper" in place of 106

Any help or suggestions are more than welcome. Thanks you

01-14-2014, 12:41 PM - 1 Like   #2
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter




Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 114
I'm guessing "Rock and Roll Photography" would be too corny, although it does cover both the music and cycling aspects. A couple others come to mind:
"Music and Motion Photography"
"Front Row Photography"
"Memories" or something similar could be substituted for "Photography" in any of the above
01-14-2014, 12:51 PM - 2 Likes   #3
Veteran Member
VisualDarkness's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Uppsala, Sweden
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 4,438
I wouldn't name it upstroke as "stroking" and internet makes me think of something totally different than music.
01-14-2014, 12:55 PM   #4
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Miguel's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Near Seattle
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,743
A few of my self-employed shooting friends have paid for self-marketing consultation services. A consistent message is to simply use your name as your photography brand. The reasoning is that you are the product, and that whoever is impressed with your images--both from an artistic and business perspective-- will want to know who took them. I think that is good advice, but not the only way to go about it. Some folks' names are more accommodating to puns and visual imagery (if your last name is Bird for example, then you have a lot of obvious directions to go).

It is not easy most of the time to come up with a witty memorable brand, which is why corporations pay consultants huge bucks to create something and then test it methodically.

Oh, and congratulations on your successes.

M

01-14-2014, 12:57 PM   #5
Pentaxian
johnyates's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Saskatoon, SK
Photos: Albums
Posts: 1,345
QuoteOriginally posted by Wired Quote
speaks more to my niche...even though I think I'm still having an issue finding it.
So what happens if you pick a name, and start using it, and then your 'niche' evolves into something else?
01-14-2014, 01:09 PM   #6
Veteran Member
Wired's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Edmonton, AB
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 2,519
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by johnyates Quote
So what happens if you pick a name, and start using it, and then your 'niche' evolves into something else?
Good question, but the music and community has never changed. Music has always been my priority (as I'm also a musician), so I think that would be a safe bet.

QuoteOriginally posted by Miguel Quote
A few of my self-employed shooting friends have paid for self-marketing consultation services. A consistent message is to simply use your name as your photography brand. The reasoning is that you are the product, and that whoever is impressed with your images--both from an artistic and business perspective-- will want to know who took them. I think that is good advice, but not the only way to go about it. Some folks' names are more accommodating to puns and visual imagery (if your last name is Bird for example, then you have a lot of obvious directions to go).

It is not easy most of the time to come up with a witty memorable brand, which is why corporations pay consultants huge bucks to create something and then test it methodically.

Oh, and congratulations on your successes.

M
This has been my focus. I do agree the fact you are the brand and you are what you are selling, so using your name is not a bad thing. I mean I could go with "LukeKowandphotography" or "LKowandphotos" or "photosbylkowand" (writing them based on a dot.com name) but the name Kowand has been misspelt for generations which has been a major reason why I went with "LK" for the past few years. I don't mind using LK, just would like to branch off from it. "Photos by Luke" also doesn't have the punch or uniqueness I'm looking for either.

QuoteOriginally posted by VisualDarkness Quote
I wouldn't name it upstroke as "stroking" and internet makes me think of something totally different than music.
ah ha! Good call on that. wouldn't want to get thrown into a different niche by accident.


QuoteOriginally posted by BlackTalon Quote
I'm guessing "Rock and Roll Photography" would be too corny, although it does cover both the music and cycling aspects. A couple others come to mind:
"Music and Motion Photography"
"Front Row Photography"
"Memories" or something similar could be substituted for "Photography" in any of the above
Oh thank you, there is something to work off from here.

"Music and Motion Photos by LK" kind of combines both ideas. musicandmotion.com

Could also do "Music in Motion" I really like that actually
01-14-2014, 01:27 PM   #7
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Miguel's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Near Seattle
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,743
QuoteOriginally posted by Wired Quote
Music in Motion" I really like that actually
Nice words and associated imagery, but it doesn't feel like it connects with photography as much as dance.

QuoteOriginally posted by Wired Quote
the name Kowand has been misspelt for generations
I don't think the history of being misspelled is really relevant; it's your email, website URL, and phone number that matter more. Actually, your surname is easy to pronounce, relatively short, and flows just fine. Might be worth your mental effort to play around with the visual associations with cows (remember this is marketing and making mental associations makes a brand work) or wands or two wands or just your name in appropriate typeface (trade photos for graphic art work from someone really good).

M

01-14-2014, 01:30 PM   #8
Veteran Member
Wired's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Edmonton, AB
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 2,519
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by Miguel Quote
Nice words and associated imagery, but it doesn't feel like it connects with photography as much as dance.



I don't think the history of being misspelled is really relevant; it's your email, website URL, and phone number that matter more. Actually, your surname is easy to pronounce, relatively short, and flows just fine. Might be worth your mental effort to play around with the visual associations with cows (remember this is marketing and making mental associations makes a brand work) or wands or two wands or just your name in appropriate typeface (trade photos for graphic art work from someone really good).

M
Both good points. I was also thinking of using my middle name to promote it (Martin) and could use the Marty McFly reference somehow too... lots of ideas to toss around.

I agree with the cows or wands as it could help with making the connection stick, the question would be merging those images for my brand of photography. I'm trying to find a connection between livestock and music but I'm a little lost. there
01-14-2014, 01:35 PM   #9
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Toronto
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 674
What about something incorporating the word "cadence"? It's relevant for music and cycling. For a logo, convert the central e into an eye and there's a link to photography.
Maybe with a phrase that builds on the idea of "Image-ining rhythm"
01-14-2014, 01:47 PM   #10
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
jatrax's Avatar

Join Date: May 2010
Location: Washington Cascades
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 12,991
Keep it simple, like your name or something fairly generic. Just because you know what "upstroke" or some other cute 'inside' reference is, your clients might not. Yeah, some will but you are limiting yourself. Keep the actual name simple and generic then use a slogan or logo to convey any other meanings. The company name is not easy (either legally or from an advertising standpoint) to change but slogans or logos are. So keep the name and if you need to change your business change the slogan. Something "LK Photography, your music photography specialists!"

My company name is Zigzag Mountain Art. I can do anything I want with it because it does not limit me too much. I started selling wood turnings and morphed into photography, both an 'art'.

Also, check in your state database (assuming you are in US) and verify that any name you pick is not already taken.
01-14-2014, 01:49 PM   #11
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Miguel's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Near Seattle
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,743
QuoteOriginally posted by Wired Quote
I'm trying to find a connection between livestock and music but I'm a little lost.
What's funny is that sometimes there needn't be a direct logical connection. You may be too young, but back in the early days of the WWW, there was and (still is) a very popular pioneering site for the downloading of shareware called Tucows. Yep, two cows, and we all remembered that quite well and used it.

M
01-14-2014, 02:02 PM   #12
Veteran Member
Wired's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Edmonton, AB
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 2,519
Original Poster
The fun thing is: "photosbyluke.ca" does not look like it's taken yet. I could use that and then change the slogan as required. I could also just go the whole name "photosbylukekowand.ca"


Thanks for all the help guys. I appreciate this brain storm.
01-14-2014, 02:09 PM   #13
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Edmonton/Vancouver, Canada
Photos: Albums
Posts: 297
May I repeat advice already given?

Use your name.

The neighborhood doesn't work, because any toponym will likely be taken as negative by at least some of your prospective clients -- it's a classist thing.

Puns are puns. They are cute but I think they work better in the slogan than in the brand.

Your upstroke idea has some possibilities. Make a slogan with it!

Last edited by asaru; 01-14-2014 at 03:48 PM.
01-14-2014, 02:16 PM   #14
Moderator
bigted's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Jessica Lake, Whiteshell Provincial Park, or Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 1,581
Luke, whatever you choose make sure you register the name. We had a family business and after much discussion we picked a name for our business and we registered it. Then we ordered business cards and liberally used it as we got our business going, only to be approached by an individual who had been using the name but hadn't taken the steps to register the name (that was how it was available for us to register). We spent the weekend after we were approached agonising over what to do. We felt that we were being made out to be the bad folks even though we did everything right and the other party had been lazy. In the end we sold the name for a price and started again. I doubt the other party will ever make that mistake again. We chose a second name that was never as good as the first as we had to pick it quickly and then change everything that was connected to the old name. It was a lot of aggravation.

Whatever you pick, keep it simple and memorable.
01-14-2014, 02:17 PM   #15
Veteran Member
Kameko's Avatar

Join Date: May 2012
Location: White Rock
Photos: Albums
Posts: 450
I'm with Miguel. There's something to be said about using your own name. I feel that as your business grows and your work becomes more well known, your name name stands out as more recognizable than a brand or generic company name. You've also got the upper hand in that your last name is more unique than Walker or Clark. It wouldn't be a matter of Luke Kowand who?

Oh, and don't forget that if you opt to go for a business name other than your own name, you'll have to register your BN.... tax time also becomes more of a hassle if you're not registered under your name.
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
blog, community, domain, jobs, music, name, photo industry, photography, street, time
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Nature New guy with concerns Quest4ADV Photo Critique 14 02-27-2014 12:02 AM
PKQ Adapter concerns with Q7 Wired Pentax Q 3 01-09-2014 10:19 PM
16-50 SDM concerns DeadJohn Ask B&H Photo! 2 12-15-2013 08:54 AM
Da* 16-50 - zoom ring concerns mgroves27 Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 9 08-18-2012 02:17 PM
register a business name or use your own name? pete_pf Photographic Industry and Professionals 19 07-31-2009 05:27 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:13 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top