Maybe our other halves do have a point sometimes!

Starting a new business? Choose your name carefully.

In 2005 I had a corporate career and I also launched my part time photography business. I was so excited after studying for three years at evening school to get my City & Guilds photography qualification and could not wait to capture images for people.

Back then it was still film and I was especially proud of my new (very expensive) studio lights with my white paper backdrop – very ‘Venture’ 1990’s style.

So, what to call my brand-new sparkly business.

I talked to my family and researched other photographers’ names. So many ideas, something abstract? child friendly? My name?

In the end I decided my name was the best idea but to make it more ‘official’ I decided to add in the word studio – in recognition of that fancy studio set up that I loved.

Tracy Williams Studio Photography was created!

Logo designed (by Hubbie) website set up and email address created. WWW.twsp.co.uk was born and I was so pleased.

Little did I realise what I had done. My husband always tells me that I do not listen to his advice but have to hear it from others.

Three years later in 2008 I realised my passion was not studio photography……………but rather using natural light and shooting on location. Put a child or adult under bright lights and a white backdrop and they are like a deer in headlights and totally uncomfortable.

I did manage to get relaxed images in my studio set up by talking to clients and having fun however the comparison to those shot in natural light and normal surroundings is so different.

Most of my work these days is natural light. I can use flash and still do have my studio lights set up however my heart drops slightly when prospective clients ask me if I do studio work as it’s not for me anymore and I refer them to other photography colleagues.

A few years later I rebranded to Tracy Williams Photography.

The problem? Well my website was established so I kept it but changed the name. My website and email address also remained the same by my choice so clients could still find me but that means they are [email protected] & www.twsp.co.uk.

Clients do ask why the ‘S’ and can’t always find my website as they look under www.twp.co.uk. (A will writing company!!)

Also, in its infinite wisdom some places on the internet have still retained ‘Tracy Williams Studio Photography’ and it occasionally pops up just to remind me.

When Hubbie set it all up for me he did question if I should have the word ‘Studio’. I insisted as thought it made me more professional. Lesson learnt!

For anyone creating a new business please do choose your name wisely and try to future proof it if you can. If your business is successful, the name will be with you for a long time.

Here are some general tips for deciding on a business name – hope they are helpful.

1) Choose a name that is easy to spell

2) Check that it’s not already in use by another business and search online

3) Do not include words that may limit you in the future – i.e. a specific geographical area – you may expand

4) Try and make the name meaningful

5) Check that the initials do not spell something awkward

6) Ask for feedback from others

If this has helped you to decide on a business name please do let us know what you have decided and why in the comments.

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Maybe our other halves do have a point sometimes!

Starting a new business? Choose your name carefully.

In 2005 I had a corporate career and I also launched my part time photography business. I was so excited after studying for three years at evening school to get my City & Guilds photography qualification and could not wait to capture images for people.

Back then it was still film and I was especially proud of my new (very expensive) studio lights with my white paper backdrop – very ‘Venture’ 1990’s style.

So, what to call my brand-new sparkly business.

I talked to my family and researched other photographers’ names. So many ideas, something abstract? child friendly? My name?

In the end I decided my name was the best idea but to make it more ‘official’ I decided to add in the word studio – in recognition of that fancy studio set up that I loved.

Tracy Williams Studio Photography was created!

Logo designed (by Hubbie) website set up and email address created. WWW.twsp.co.uk was born and I was so pleased.

Little did I realise what I had done. My husband always tells me that I do not listen to his advice but have to hear it from others.

Three years later in 2008 I realised my passion was not studio photography……………but rather using natural light and shooting on location. Put a child or adult under bright lights and a white backdrop and they are like a deer in headlights and totally uncomfortable.

I did manage to get relaxed images in my studio set up by talking to clients and having fun however the comparison to those shot in natural light and normal surroundings is so different.

Most of my work these days is natural light. I can use flash and still do have my studio lights set up however my heart drops slightly when prospective clients ask me if I do studio work as it’s not for me anymore and I refer them to other photography colleagues.

A few years later I rebranded to Tracy Williams Photography.

The problem? Well my website was established so I kept it but changed the name. My website and email address also remained the same by my choice so clients could still find me but that means they are [email protected] & www.twsp.co.uk.

Clients do ask why the ‘S’ and can’t always find my website as they look under www.twp.co.uk. (A will writing company!!)

Also, in its infinite wisdom some places on the internet have still retained ‘Tracy Williams Studio Photography’ and it occasionally pops up just to remind me.

When Hubbie set it all up for me he did question if I should have the word ‘Studio’. I insisted as thought it made me more professional. Lesson learnt!

For anyone creating a new business please do choose your name wisely and try to future proof it if you can. If your business is successful, the name will be with you for a long time.

Here are some general tips for deciding on a business name – hope they are helpful.

1) Choose a name that is easy to spell

2) Check that it’s not already in use by another business and search online

3) Do not include words that may limit you in the future – i.e. a specific geographical area – you may expand

4) Try and make the name meaningful

5) Check that the initials do not spell something awkward

6) Ask for feedback from others

If this has helped you to decide on a business name please do let us know what you have decided and why in the comments.

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