Own name vs. Brand?

[Former_Member]

Hello

Seeking advice and opinions - I am a photographer, I started off doing weddings and families using my own name but have developed a range of products based on my photos, firstly for friends and then as a way of driving traffic and interest to get portrait/commercial work (not very successfully I must say)

Interest is growing in the product range (currently greetings cards, coasters and tote bags, as well as photo prints and canvases) and now I am starting to wholesale it I am considering developing a brand so I can keep consistent images and messages through what is turning out to be two distinct businesses.

So I've stuck to using my own name but I now I would like to turn the products into a brand, and I am wondering whether to build a brand identity and brand name? Any opinions welcome!

[Former_Member]

Hi Sarah - I would imagine it makes sense to build a brand for your products. That way, you can continue to work as a photographer under your own name and keep the product line separate.

It would be useful to hear from someone who has tested this theory...

Best of luck

[birdsinhats]

Hi Sarah,
Yes I think I would go brand as well in most cases... I'm in a strange position where my brand name 'Birds in Hats' is so very specific that I'm going to have to invent a new one to refer to my other, non birds in hats collections, very soon, and I'm trying to decide between my own name and a brand name!

So the only lesson I've learnt so far is don't make your brand name outrageously specific, but still try and make it relevant and memorable!
Alice x

[ohmyclumsyheart]

A lot of photographers stick with their own name and use that as the basis for their brand. If you use your name for both your photography and the prints (or whatever else) you want to sell, you can capitalise on people searching for that one name.

If you chose to separate the two, that's twice as much work to be done regarding SEO and online promotion not to mention the offline work too.

Personally I think using your name for EVERYTHING related to your photography - whether it's hiring you for events or whether it's produces like prints, totes, coasters, etc. - is the best option.