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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Business name?

Jenn M
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Jun 23, 2006, 12:57 PM

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Business name?	Can't Post

For those who offer both services, photo and video, and especially for those who offered video first than added photo... what is your business name? Did you change it to incorporate both services? Do you have 2 different companies/biz names - one for each end of the business?

I'm just wondering what would make more sense.... add a separate company name for the photography end; keep the Video name (which has the word video in it) and risk confusing potential Clients who are looking for photography services; or come up with a new name entirely, which runs the risk of getting lost or overlooked by those who already may know our name from referrals, etc.?

Feedback?

Colvin ADTR
Enthusiast

Jun 23, 2006, 12:59 PM

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RustyB
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Jun 23, 2006, 1:18 PM

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Re: [Jenn M] Business name? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I gradually dumped my odd corporate sounding name when I started focusing mostly on wedding video work, and just started using my real name.

For photography, I'm using an alias name, until I can guage where I'm going to go with it. If I get into wedding photography, once I hook customers with my alias name website, I'll give them my proper name.

I'm getting out of the video business sooner than I had planned..so I should be dropping the alias fairly quick now.

I'm not into the cheesy wedding business names. Every videographer company name seems to be a combination of about 10 common words. Any aspirations of running a "business" have diminished. I'm simply offering my services...not running a business...clients are hiring ME...not a studio. So I just use my name.

Faith Poison Wedding Films Blog
Intergalactic Award-Winning Epic-Cinematic Wedding New-Doc Style Indie Bridal Movies on Hi-Definition Blu-Ray Disc

Jenn M
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Jun 23, 2006, 1:31 PM

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Re: [RustyB] Business name? [In reply to]	Can't Post

That's what I want to do - just use our name, but with a name like Moak - it's hard. What is a Moak? Rhymes with dope. Just sounds goofy.

Jenn M
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Jun 23, 2006, 1:33 PM

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Re: [RustyB] Business name? [In reply to]	Can't Post

By the way - how did that work for you - the name change? Didn't you have to change it on all your paperwork? Taxes? Then there's NOVA, which was a pain to set up the first time. Then there's all the advertising directories, etc. sigh

I thought about just starting a new name - but I wasn't sure if that would be more or less lucrative on paper. Again, taxes and all that jazz.

RustyB
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Jun 23, 2006, 1:55 PM

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Re: [Jenn M] Business name? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

It's no big deal for me. I can still use my old business name for anything I want. I'm a sole proprietor, so my business name is simply an "assumed name", or DBA, so I can still use my real name for business stuff. For taxes, I still use my old business name, but customers can write checks to ME or my old business name...both names are on my checking account and P.O. Box...and everything else.

For example, if I go do some telecom/audio-video work on something, I bill them as "VARIKOR"...my assumed name/DBA. But brides are wondering,"WTF is a VARIKOR?" (VARied KORporate services)Actually, that name seemed to work pretty well among brides...it was so odd I guess it was easy to remember. I just got sick of it...it didn't make any sense for wedding videos, and I don't really consider this a business anymore...I don't hire contractors anymore, and don't really want to run a big office anymore. I'm enjoying working alone these days...even if it means making crap money. I do better work like this anyways. Cool

Faith Poison Wedding Films Blog
Intergalactic Award-Winning Epic-Cinematic Wedding New-Doc Style Indie Bridal Movies on Hi-Definition Blu-Ray Disc

Jeko
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Jun 23, 2006, 3:05 PM

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Re: [Jenn M] Business name? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I did adjust our letterhead stuff and website headers to just "Jeko" instead of "Jeko Video". Now the wedding services is split into two sides : "Jeko Video" and "Photography by Jeko".

I am starting to think that I need to have an actual unique website for the photography service to let it fly alone. I am getting alot of photo/video combo bookings, & and video-only bookings. I'd like to get more photo-only bookings though to balance the video-only out. Perhaps once I market the photo-aspect better it will pick-up.

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.

Scott Brooks
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Jun 23, 2006, 4:13 PM

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Re: [Jenn M] Business name? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Do you prefer to keep it separate?

I changed mine from Scott Brooks Video Productions to Scott Brooks Photography. I still do event video and a little bit of wedding video. Funny thing is, simply by mentioning that I have video to two of my photography clients they've booked a basic package as well as our photography.

I do not keep separate accounts, but I DO have to keep track of them individually in my checking account. Illinois is strange because there is a weird tax structure for photography, but basically there is no sales tax on video.

I'm guessing that you don't want to have to double up on your YP ads by having two companies. Like mentioned above ... you might go with something like Moak Studios.

I would probably lean more towards something with your first name. If you're in this more for wedding photography instead of commercial ... I think having YOUR name as opposed to Brian might be benefitial. I think women photographers have a bit of an advantage when it comes to connecting with the bride.

Photography by Jennifer (I think) sounds a little better than Jennifer Moak Photography.

Throw some stuff out and we'll give you an opinion ... don't we always have one. Wink

Art Vandelay
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Jun 23, 2006, 6:31 PM

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Re: [Jenn M] Business name? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Jenn

I assume by this thread that you and Brian are adding photography. How are you going to do both, will one of you do video alone, the other photos? Will you hire a 2nd shooter to help with video? I am just curious of the logistics of pulling both off.

Thanks,
Dave

__________________________________________________
Dave LaBrec
Nashville Wedding Videos

videochicke
Veteran

Jun 24, 2006, 9:59 AM

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Re: [Jenn M] Business name? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think a lot depends on how big you want to be. If you use your own name, such as John Smith Studios you somehow get the feeling as though you have have a second string person if John Doe is the one who actually shoots your wedding instead of John Smith. But if you are "We Shoot you Studios", you get the impression of a staff all on equal footing.
Julie

Postal Boy
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Jun 24, 2006, 11:01 AM

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Re: [Jeko] Business name? [In reply to]	Can't Post

have you tried using subdomains? Such as photo.jeko.com or video.jeko.com? That might work for two distinct sites.

-Postal

Jenn M
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Jun 28, 2006, 2:39 PM

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Re: [Art Vandelay] Business name? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I assume by this thread that you and Brian are adding photography. How are you going to do both, will one of you do video alone, the other photos? Will you hire a 2nd shooter to help with video? I am just curious of the logistics of pulling both off.

HI Dave,

I've thought a lot about as we've been shooting weddings this year, trying to imagine how we would accomplish it logistically, and the way weddings organized around here, I feel it could be done rather simply. However, we would offer photography as an add-on service for couples who have the video as their priority - those few couples we encounter every year that claim that they don't even need a photographer - for those looking for less photographic coverage of the actual ceremony and reception, but want a few nice "formals" between the events. However, for couples that have greater needs or preferences, I would refer them to one of the photogs on our list. We have always been very honest regarding our abilities, including any limitations, so we wouldn't allow ourselves to get in over our heads.

Like I said, I've been paying close attention during weddings, and I can imagine being able to accomplish both, since there are 2 of us. The only time I foresee a problem would be with our Deluxe package, and in that case we wouldn't be able to offer photography. Besides, couples who book the Deluxe are more likely to hire a higer end photographer, as well.

We'll see how it goes.

Colvin ADTR
Enthusiast

Jun 28, 2006, 3:20 PM

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Re: [Jenn M] Business name? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Subcontract or build a team. It is the way of the future - big studios.

videobear
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Jun 30, 2006, 1:11 PM

Post #14 of 20 (2104 views)
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Re: [Jenn M] Business name? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Quote

That's what I want to do - just use our name, but with a name like Moak - it's hard. What is a Moak? Rhymes with dope. Just sounds goofy.

But aren't you already "Video By Moak"?

Anyway, you could be

Moak Digital Images
JBM Studios
J&B Wedding Memories (better make that "B&J", unless you want to sound like a bottle of Scotch).
Moak Photo and Video
JBM Photo and Video
Elegant Images by Jenny (Brian'll just have to be put in his place, eh?)

Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions

Jenn M
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Jul 1, 2006, 2:03 PM

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Re: [videobear] Business name? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yes, we are, but we were wondering if we should change it as we (if we) incorporate photography. Personally, I like the last suggestion. Sly

(This post was edited by Jenn M on Aug 25, 2006, 6:09 AM)

Shadow
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Jul 9, 2006, 5:08 PM

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Re: [Colvin ADTR] Business name? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Rip off terry like the rest of us and be a "Studio" Wink

I was going to say this very thing. :) Except I don't know who Terry is, I just thought about adding "Studios" to the end of my business name.

I think it would work well then you don't have to change your business registration, banking stuff and all the rest of it.

Plus, it sounds cool.

Shadow
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Jul 9, 2006, 5:11 PM

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Re: [Jenn M] Business name? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I believe that you can call your business whatever you want as a "division of" for example "Pretty Pictures... a division of Scooby Video"

that's what my old accountant told me, but he was a weenie so I'm not sure how valid any of his bad advice would be.

DJ
Enthusiast

Jul 26, 2006, 10:14 AM

Post #18 of 20 (1870 views)
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Re: [Jenn M] Business name? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Yes, we are Video by Moak, but we were wondering if we should change it as we (if we) incorporate photography. Personally, I like the last suggestion. Sly

I dropped Backyard Productions when I added photography and went with a deveraux film. I also dropped all other production services and made adf wedding only. (Actually I pushed all the other stuff under a different banner.

It's taken a couple years but the name is starting to catch on. And it's unique. People remember it. (Spelling it is a different story Wink

)It's not Joe Blow Photo, or Joe Blow Studio or some other generic, insert name here. It's about branding... You want something that that is going to stand out in a crowd, but also you want to consider the future. Incorporating your name into your business name makes it more difficult to sell the business in the future. Jenn and Brian Wedding Studio is gonna be a tough sell to someone named Chuck and Linda in 20 years...

But, at the same time, personalising the business name can be advantageous for such a personalized service as we provide.

There is no clear cut answer here, just some observations of the pros and cons...

Consider:

StudioMoak instead of Moak Studios (but only if you actually have a studio)
BriJenn Image & Sound
Moak Visual
Visions by Moak or Dreams by Moak (consistent with current name)

License Plate: DJ
Make the Time 4 Oh 9

ShannonHodges
Novice

Aug 3, 2006, 11:05 PM

Post #19 of 20 (1823 views)
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Re: [Jenn M] Business name? [In reply to]	Can't Post

We started out as JNS Productions, which sounded small & unprofessional IMO. So 2 years ago we started Creative Studios, LLC & added photography at that time. We tried to keep it broad because we weren't sure where the company would go 5-10 years from now.

The website is still: MissouriVideo.com but we also use CreativeStudiosVideo.com & CreativeStudiosPhoto.com when we have to.

Shannon Hodges
Creative Studios, LLC

Jason
User

Aug 13, 2006, 9:20 PM

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Re: [ShannonHodges] Business name? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Mine is 'Artistic Developments' and I can tack on videography or photography if it suits--just want the main company name to catch on. This way, I can depict it as a larger company or small, depending on the vibe from the customer.
Jason