Congratulations! You caught the entrepreneurial bug and started your own photography business. But now your business needs a name. After all, a brand without a name is like a blurry image – it’s not memorable, nothing about it is clear to clients, and it doesn’t stand out from the rest.
If you’ve hit a wall, that’s ok. We have tons of strategies to help you develop potential names for your photography business, choose the best one, and use it to make your brand a standout in the market.
6 Strategies for Picture-Perfect Photography Business Names (+ Examples)
Coming up with ideas for names for a photography business can be fun. But coming up with that picture-perfect name for your brand can also feel like a lot of pressure. Think about how you could apply the strategies below to find the best name to rep your brand: from using industry-related terms or personalized names to niche words or locations.
Industry-Related Examples
An industry-related photography business name can make your brand stand out by speaking to your style or services. For example, “Portfolio Fotography” tells a potential client that you could be a great choice for an aspiring model, actress, or some other creative looking to get a portfolio to promote their work.
- Bokeh Boutique
- No-Selfies Portraits
- Portfolio Fotography
- Shutter Stories
- Snapshot Savants
- Dark Room Pix
- Photobooth Station
- Picture-Perfect Pix
- The Photo Framer
- Shutter Speedsterz
Niche Examples
You can also lean into photography business name ideas for your niche or market. Weddings, sports, commercial events, school portraits, and modeling are some photography niches you might be interested in shooting, for example.
- LoveLens Studio
- Forever Frames Photography
- DwellWell Photos
- Luxe Lens Real Estate
- Models Spotlight
- School Daze Photos
- Bright Eyes Photography
- Tiny Tots Photo Co.
- Cherub Clicks Studio
- Heart & Home Photography
- Family Treasures Studio
- Generations Photography
- Memory Makers Studio
- Mini Moments Photography
- Untamed Focus Fotography
- Photographers Go Wild
- Event Photos By Us!
- Sport Prints Photography
- Corporate Clicks & Pics
- Executive Portraiture Studio
Pop Culture Reference Examples
If you’re super nerdy (like me) and love pop culture things like movies, comic books, music, or cartoons, why not find business name ideas that incorporate them? It can help you “find your tribe” in the market and give clients a reason to feel connected to your brand.
- May The SD Cards Be With You!
- The Power of Photos Compels You!
- Sherlock Albums
- Along Came A Photographer
- SnapVengers Studio
- American Photoshoots
- Once Upon A Zoom Lenses
- Eat. Film. Love.
- The Photogs Club
- The PhotoFather
- Frame Fighters Fotography
- Flash Force Photography
Personal Name Examples
There’s no getting around the fact that clients are going to link your name to your brand, so there’s nothing wrong with using your name to brand your studio. Or, if you’re feeling sentimental, you could name your business after someone you know, like a family member, friend, teacher, or someone who inspired you.
- Alexandra Nicholson Photos
- Julis Berzatto Fine Art Photography
- William Stiller Photography
- Laurence Washington Photos
- Rick Sanchez Studios
Punny Examples
If you’re all about wordplay, puns, and dad jokes, coming up with a “punny” name for your photography services can make your brand memorable.
- Try Pod Snapshots
- No Red Eye Photos
- Saturday/Shutter-Day Pix
- Focus On Me Photos
- Say Cheese Photography!
- F-Stop Editorz
- Shutteroni Flash Lens
- Shutter Butter Cups!
- Golden Hour Supreme
- Green Eggs and Lenses Co.
Location-Based Examples
Many people who want to find a business like yours will start their search online with a location-based query, like “family photographers in Peoria”. A photography business name that incorporates references to your locale could be a smart play for that reason.
- Denver Exposure Photos
- SoDo Dark Room Magic
- LA Model Pics & Portfolio
- Boulder Baby & Bassinet Studio
- Miami Film School Rejects
- Aurora Portrait Pros
- New York, NY Photogz
- Mile High Photo Ops
- Las Vegas Shutter Zoomers
- Corporate Clicks in Seattle
How to Brainstorm Names for a Photography Business
We have a few more tips to help you create a list of ideas. From keywords and name generators to working with business consultants, these practices can help you focus in on the best photography business name ever.
Use Name and AI Generators
Using an artificial intelligence (AI) powered tool like ChatGPT or a dedicated business name generator can shortcut your process.
With these, your prompt is everything. For example, for a wedding photographer, asking ChatGPT to give you business name ideas for wedding photography that sound modern, or romantic, or traditional could all give you different results.
Find Relevant Keywords
Finding the keywords clients will use to find a business like yours in online searches, and using them in your name and digital branding makes your services more visible online. If you’re thinking this sounds a lot like search engine optimization (SEO), you’re right.
There are free SEO tools like Semrush or Google Trends you can use to discover keywords that “real people” search for online. It might make sense to include one of these in your business name to help rank your company higher in search results for more online visibility, which can deliver website traffic and clients to your business.
Hire a Marketing and Branding Consultant
Contacting marketing or branding consultants for help here could be a smart play. They can tap into market expertise and branding know-how to come up with creative photography business name ideas that truly reflect the image, style, values, and feel you want for your brand.
Plus, if you’re a novice photographer, working with professionals could be the best way to get your name out into the marketplace and build a book of business.
Zoom In On the Best Name for Your Brand
Brainstorming is great, but let’s face it, of all the ideas you came up with, you probably have a handful of finalist favs. If you can’t break the tie or you want to test your top pick, here’s what to do.
Check Domain and Trademark Availability
Before you fall in love with one or more of your top business name ideas, check to see whether it’s available legally and practically. You don’t want to be disappointed if your chosen business name has already been trademarked or you can’t get a matching website domain or social handles.
Trademarks indicate a business name has been legally registered. Infringing on trademarked brand marks is serious business that can land you in a lawsuit – so don’t skip this step! Search the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to see if a name is registered. If not, you can claim and register it as a trademark to prevent others from using that name.
Practically speaking, you need to be able to get a website URL and social handles that match your business name to make it easy for clients to find and refer you!
- Check to make sure the profile names (aka handles) are available on social media channels.
- See if the website domain is available using tools like web hosting company Namecheap or all-in-one website builder Wix.
Get Opinions
It may seem like a no-brainer, but getting opinions from trusted peers, loved ones, friends, or clients can give you additional insight. These people know you better, understand your style and strengths, and some may have even worked with you before.
Ask them which of your top picks they think is best for your brand, and why. If the consensus opinion backs up your own personal thinking, you’ll know you’ve captured a great business name. But remember these are still just opinions — at the end of the day, you need to be in love with your business name!
Do Social Media Polls
Another fun, creative way to find the perfect title for your organization is to poll your social connections on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and so on. Plus, one of your followers might have a creative idea you hadn’t thought of yet that’s even better for your brand.
What to Do After Choosing a Business Name
You did it! You found the right name for your photography business. It’s time to handle the administrative side of things to keep your business afloat for years to come.
- Register your business name with federal, state, and local agencies
- Create a Google Business profile
- Register a website domain that matches your business name
- Grab your social media handles
- Add it to your website, marketing materials, business cards, and so on
- Protect your brand marks (name, logo, etc.) with a trademark
- Protect your good business reputation with insurance
Protect Your Brand Name and Reputation
You’re doing all the right things to build a strong name for yourself professionally, including investments of time and money. Why wouldn’t you protect that? Photographers insurance can protect the good name of your photography business if a mishap or misstep ends up in a lawsuit or claim.
For example, after two full days of shooting a wedding, you upload all your shots to the cloud. An internet glitch stopped your upload mid-way through, but you didn’t notice. You wiped your cards and (to your horror) only discovered that half of your photos were missing when you started editing.
Now the bride is suing you and you’re worried she’s going to destroy your reputation online. Professional liability (what we call “failure to deliver”) can protect your good name by settling the claim and compensating the disappointed couple.
Things can go wrong even if you’re the most careful photographer in the world. Insurance protects you and your business from bottoming out from pricey claims and legal, settlement, and medical fees.
FAQs About Choosing Names for Photography Businesses
Should I Use My Own Name for My Photography Business Name?
Absolutely. You can use your first, last, or both as the name of your photography business. You can also use the names of family members, friends, favorite teachers, or those you wish to memorialize.
How Can I Test Photography Business Name Ideas?
Some ways to test photography business name ideas include asking the opinions of friends and family members, business consultants, current and potential clients, and social media followers via polls and surveys.
How Can I Make My Business Name More Memorable?
Some ways to make your business name more memorable include tying it to your specialty, niche, locale, or your own name, or coming up with a play on words or cultural tie-in.
Do I Need to Trademark My Business Name?
Trademarking your business name and logo isn’t required, but is an extra layer of legal protection that keeps others from using the same name. Trademarks also deter others from using your business name in an inappropriate context.
