Photography Business Name Ideas

If you’re ready to start your own photography business, then you’re probably already thinking of photography business names. To be successful as a professional photographer, you need a good photography business name that reflects your style, your niche, and even the customers you’ll serve. 

But coming up with a business name can feel overwhelming. If you’re feeling like you need some inspiration or even a ready-to-use name, keep reading! We’ve assembled a master list of 350+ of our best photography business names for a wide variety of niches, including: 

• Clever Photography Studio Names
• Cute Photography Names
• Creative Photography Name Ideas
• Unique Outdoor and Specialty Photography Names
• Wedding and Event Photography
• Portrait Photography
• Fashion Photography
• Commercial Photography

We’ll also walk you through the process to protect and claim your business, helping set you on a path to photography success.

One quick note before we proceed: just because we’ve included a name in this list doesn’t guarantee that a particular name is available in your state. If you like one of the names we’ve suggested, please do your homework and check that it’s truly available for you to use. Checking is ultimately your responsibility. 

Photography Name Ideas

No matter what type of photo studio you’ll open, you’re going to need a great name idea. Here are some of our 351 favorite photography business names. 

Clever Photography Business Names

A great way to attract potential clients to your photography studio is to have a clever name. A good clever name can instill confidence in your skills, your creativity, and your service. Here are some of our favorite clever name ideas.

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Cute Photography Names

A cute photography name can be a great choice if you want to attract fun-loving brides or young families to your new photo studio. Here are some of our favorite cute photo business name ideas.

Creative Photography Business Names

If you want to attract stand-out customers, you need a stand-out name. A creative name can make a strong impression on your customers, too. Here are some of our favorite ideas.

Unique Outdoor and Specialty Photography Names

If you specialize in a specific type of photography like drone photography, pet photography, media photography, real estate photography, or something else, you’ll want a specialized name that reflects your unique photography services. With a specialized name, you’ll be able to tell people a little bit about your business at a glance and attract your ideal client. 

Wedding and Event Photography

There’s a constant demand for wedding photographers and event photographers. If you’re going to help fill that demand, you need some great wedding photography business names to pick from to help you instill confidence in your soon-to-be clients.

Portrait Photography

Getting portraits done is a fun, exciting time for many clients — graduations, job promotions, growing families, and much more. If you’re going to document those moments, you’ll need a name that makes clients feel at ease in front of your camera. Here are some of our favorite portrait photography names.

Fashion Photography

Specializing in fashion photography can be a lucrative venture, giving you the opportunity to serve top clothing brands, small local boutiques, bridal shops, and so much more. But first you’ll need a great fashion photography business name. Here are some of our favorites.

Commercial Photography

Capturing the essence of a brand with eye-catching visuals is your passion, and you’re excited to serve local companies with commercial photography. Now you just need the perfect commercial photography business name. Here are some of our favorites.

Using a Photography Business Name Generator

When you find yourself struggling to spark that creative flair needed to devise a business name, turning to a business name generator could be a helpful strategy. These online tools generate suggestions based on the keywords you provide, offering a wide range of name ideas.

To maximize the potential of these generators, try entering various combinations of keywords: start with a single keyword, then try pairs, and even experiment with unique combinations. This method will furnish you with an extensive selection of names.

Once you’ve pinpointed some appealing options, consider making them more personal by incorporating elements such as your own name, your city, or any other distinctive trait. This can make your business name stand out and be more memorable.

Lastly, it’s critical to verify the availability of your chosen name. While name generators offer a great starting point, they aren’t perfect. Ensuring your chosen name isn’t already in use by other photography businesses (or any business within your region) is essential to maintain uniqueness and avoid legal complications.

Tips for Choosing a Photography Business Name

Selecting the perfect name for your photography business is an essential step in the journey to building a brand that captures the essence of your artistic vision and services. With the market increasingly becoming saturated, a distinctive name not only sets you apart but also plays a critical role in attracting your target clientele.

With that in mind, here are some of our best tips to guide you in choosing a name that resonates with both your brand and your audience.

Pick a name that stands out in a crowded market

Creating a name that stands out in a crowded market requires a blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and market research. Consider names that evoke the feelings or experiences you want your clients to associate with your work. Whether it’s the elegance of wedding photography or the cutting-edge vibe of fashion shoots, your business name should reflect the unique perspective you bring to the field. Playing with words, incorporating visual elements, and even creating new words can lead to a memorable and standout name.

Conduct a trademark search and business name search

Before settling on a name, it’s imperative to ensure that it doesn’t infringe on protected names. This involves conducting two critical types of searches: a state business name search and a trademark search.

• State Business Name Search: This business name search can usually be done through your state’s Secretary of State website. It will tell you if your chosen name or a very similar one is already in use by another business in your state, which could prevent legal issues and confusion.
• Federal Trademark Search: A trademark search is broader, checking your potential name against a national database of registered trademarks. This is crucial for avoiding legal complications with businesses outside your state. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website is a valuable resource for conducting this search.
• State Trademark Search: A state trademark is a smaller, local version of a federal trademark; you’ll need to run a state trademark search in your area to check that your name isn’t protected as a registered trademark. 

These searches not only protect you legally but also ensure that your brand identity is uniquely yours, reducing the risk of being mistaken for another business.

Choosing a Future-Proof Name

As your photography business grows and evolves, so too might the range of services you offer. It’s important to choose a name that’s broad enough to encompass potential future expansions or shifts in focus without being too generic. Your business name should resonate with your core offering while leaving room for growth. This might mean avoiding overly specific names that pigeonhole you into a single niche (unless that is your long-term strategy, of course).

By thoughtfully considering how your name can grow with your business, you’ll help ensure that it remains a fitting and powerful representation of your brand for years to come. In crafting your photography business’s name, prioritizing uniqueness, legal clearance, and scalability will not only help you stand out but also build a strong foundation for your brand’s future.

Finalizing Your Photography Name

After navigating the creative process to select the ideal name for your photography business, the next crucial steps involve legally securing your name and initiating the branding process. This helps ensure that your chosen name is officially recognized and begins to establish its presence in the market. Here’s how to move forward effectively.

Legally Securing Your Business Name

To ensure your business name is legally yours and protect it from use by others, you have a few different options depending on your business structure and goals, including registering your business, getting a DBA, and registering a trademark. Let’s talk through those options.

Registering as an LLC or Corporation

When registering your photography business as a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation, you’re taking a significant step toward formalizing your business structure and protecting your personal assets. It also gets protection for your business name within the confines of your state. 

To get started, you’ll need to file Articles of Organization (for an LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (for a corporation) with your state’s business registration office, usually the Secretary of State. This process formalizes your business’s legal structure, name, and operational framework. Here at ZenBusiness, we can help you with this registration process.

Obtaining a DBA

If you’re going to be operating as a sole proprietorship or partnership, then protecting your name through business registration isn’t really an option. Your best option is probably getting a DBA name, or “doing business as” name. Registering a DBA allows your company to operate under a specific name that’s different from your actual name (i.e., your legal name) without having to form a completely new organization. 

The exact process for registering and protecting DBAs varies widely from state to state. Many states don’t protect DBAs for exclusive use, but some do. Even if your state doesn’t protect DBAs, it’s still recommended to register one. Registering your DBA will add your name to the state’s official records, which inspires confidence in your customers. Plus, it might deter someone else from using the same name (because they want a unique name, too).

Trademarking Your Name

Securing a federal trademark for your business name extends your protection beyond state borders, offering national coverage. This step helps prevent others from using your business name or a confusingly similar name in any state. 

To trademark your business name, you must file an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The process involves conducting a thorough search to ensure your name isn’t too similar to existing trademarks, accurately describing the goods or services your business provides, and paying the required filing fees. If you’re considering going this route, we highly recommend consulting with a trademark attorney for customized guidance. 

Although the trademark process can be more complex and time-consuming, it provides the strongest level of protection for your brand name, ensuring exclusive rights to use it nationwide in connection with your goods or services.

A state trademark is an easier and less expensive option, but the protections are limited to your state.

Start branding efforts

With your photography business name legally secured, it’s time to focus on building your brand identity. Your personal brand identity encompasses everything from your logo and website design to your social media presence and marketing materials. It should reflect the essence of your photography style and business ethos. Consider hiring a professional designer or branding expert to create a cohesive and visually appealing brand package.

After that prep work, it’s time to introduce your new brand to the world. Update your website, social media profiles, business cards, and any other marketing materials. Showcase what sets you apart and your value-add for your clients.

Using Social Media and a Business Website

Social media can be a vital tool for any photography business in today’s competitive, digital business environment. After you pick your business name, it’s a good idea to claim social media handles to match. No matter what platforms you plan to use, getting profiles that match your business name will make it easier for customers to find you online. 

You can use your social media to connect with customers, share the inspiration behind your brand, give sneak peeks for upcoming photoshoots, and even share behind-the-scenes photos. It’s also a great way to network with brands that may need your services in the future. 

You’ll also need to build a business website. Ideally, your business domain name should match your business name so it’s easy for customers to find you online. If you need help registering a website, our domain name service can help.

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Try ZenBusiness

Starting a photography business is a busy, exciting time, but you don’t have to go it alone. Here at ZenBusiness, we specialize in helping businesses navigate red tape and tedious tasks. Whether you need to register your LLC or corporation, set up a business website, or even manage your business with a streamlined app, we’ve got you covered.