I'm needing some advice. I will be moving to Kentucky in June, from Minnesota. My current business name is "Life Moments Photography" That name is available in Kentucky, looked it up on the sec. of state website. I was thinking of changing the business name to just my name, Stephanie Stigman photography or Stephanie K photography (Kay is my middle name). The area I'm moving to already has several businesses with the name "moments" in it. And here in MN I've had people make out their checks to me as "life touch" by mistake because of the word "life". So what's a better way to go? You're name in your business or something else?

We don't use a name, mostly because it's both of us shooting and I didn't want it to sound like it was all about me when we both did it. But, I think that moving gives you a perfect opportunity to make some changes. I'm not wild about the current name, so it'd be a great time to change. If you are the only one shooting, go with your name as the business name - I probably would have if it were just me - that and if Emily Canfield had a ring to it, lol.

Emily

You've considered all angles, Stephanie, so that's a great start! I agree with the dilema of reusing your name that sounds similar to your area competitors.

I vote for changing it but do some Google searches with your considerations before deciding. Doing a quick glance with your name, and variations of it, I saw Jillian Kay at #8, a soap opera personality and other photographers with the same name. Just weigh all possibilities.