So this was never an issue until I watched Becker's [b] school episode about it. I have been planning on finally making my business legit and Im trying to decide on which to do. Theresa Marie Photography is what I have been using for portfolio building but I dont think its too late to make it "er." The only investment Ive really made is my temporary moo cards that say "photography."

What do you think the benefits are of using "photographer?" Is it more professional? Do you think it would confuse clients? Do you wish you could change your "y" to an "er?"

Anything you have, Id love to hear your thoughts! : )

Truth be told I'm not sure that it really matters in the end. But to answer some of your questions, (1) I don't think "Photographer" is more professional than "Photography," and (2) I don't think it will confuse clients.

With that said, for me personally I just couldn't bring myself to name my business Wayne Toshikazu Photography. It just seemed that the vast majority of professionals were "John Doe Photography," and I wanted to try to differentiate myself in as many ways as possible, however small this one way might be.

Of course, there's lots of professionals out there who are "John Doe Photographer" as well, just not as many.

Actually, for the official, legal business name I used Wayne Toshikazu Photographers, as I wanted to project myself towards the possibility that I might one day have people working with me on a regular basis. I also think the name gives a better impression of something along the lines of a fully functioning studio while at the same time still very personal to me at the core of the business.

Anyway, that's just me. This is where I see myself going one day, and I think the name really helps me project that. Of course, I still have a long (read: long, long, long) way to actually get there, so....

I love Becker but I hate this trend. It's silly at best and specious at worst.

So you think it is a trend? It must be a long term trend because I am seeing some established photographers in business for years with this as their name.

I was also trying to get away from the rest of the world calling their business "my name photography." I wanted to set myself apart and maybe emphasize on only Theresa Marie, so I would be the brand. There arent a lot of Theresas around here to take my spotlight. : )

Id love to get more perspective! Chime in everyone. I searched for threads on this topic but couldnt find anything...

I wonder if the bigger question isn't so much what you call yourself but what you actually are ... if we put the conversation about going by "photography" for the sake of your clients off for a second, are you committed to marketing YOURSELF as more significant than the output you create?

Are you in the photographer business or the photography business?

It seems the answer to that question should be the value by which you make your branding decisions.

I like photography better.

Dane,

You make an interesting point. As bookings become more specific to personality and the experience of the client, the brand of ones self becomes ever increasingly important. On the flip side, if someone expects to work as a group with other photographers it could be important to brand yourself as both "photographer" for the good of your future and "photography" for the good of the overall company.

That's a pretty ridiculous statement, Hope, considering the historical usage of the term. The fact that a number of photogs and newcomers are latching onto it in the wedding industry doesn't make it a trend nor subject to ridicule.

Dane, you made some very sensible points about it. For me, I use Photographer in the same way I might say, "Photographer Bruce Erik Steffine" instead of "Photography by Bruce Erik Steffine" or any variation. It is to emphasize that I am a photographer, and it is about me as an artist and technician and not simply about my use of certain tools or processes. I am marketing myself.


Excellent quote!

I love your thoughts on this Dane. I chose to market myself as a photographer rather than market my work which is photography. I'm in the photographer business, and listening to you at Partnercon 2007 in LA really helped solidify my decision about this. Thanks so much!

I look at what my prospective clients google in order to get to me. It seems like even though I try to optimize my SEO for both terms, clients tend to put in "such and such photography" much more than "this and that photographer". For them, the initial search is about the photography.

My personal preference would be to say "photography" not "photographer". My portraits aren't about me as a photographer, so much as they are about providing my clients with excellent photography.

I don't know why but "photographer" bugs me for some reason. I seriously can't put my finger on it either. lol I don't think it matters as far as clients are concerned though.

Great point!

I don't think it really matters either, but I do tend to like photography better.....when I google it's always PHOTOGRAPHY for me.....

But I might be old & stuck in my ways! Becker's younger than me & certainly more successful......

Thanks everyone for replying!! I absolutely appreciate all of this perspective in one place. I would rather just leave it at Theresa Marie and throw in whatever ending I decide on here and there. I am thinking I like Theresa Marie large and big and photographer really small only on my official logo.

this is going to be difficult though because someone already has "TheresaMarie.com." Right now I have theresamariephotography.com but Im trying to step away from that. I cant use my last name, Jasper, because Im getting married in 2010 and my last name will be Monteleone. That is just way too long and hard to pronounce to incorporate even if I wanted to. I am really trying to take in what both Becker and Dane are saying, but its becoming difficult...

I think it matters a lot. Especially since I am a perfectionist. : )

just another way to go...you could be 'photograhic art' or 'photographic artist'. i know they sound like mouthfuls but it makes the clients stop for a second and think about what it is you really do.
if you include photography and photographer in your seo, you will still get found.
and, i think your new name is romantic and is fun to pronounce! best wishes.

btw...hello from new england...doing lots of reading....little posting as yet!

in Jan 07...
Photographer had 374217 searches, Photography had 311836 (~60000 less)
Wedding Photographer had 40569 searches, Wedding Photography had 36669 searches (roughly 4000, or 10% less)

Just some numbers for you. I think based on the relative parity of the search terms, it's probably more important to think about what the above people have talked about than to let search terms overide your choice.

I second!
Listening to Dane's thoughts on photographer vs. photography (in LA) opend my eyes in a way I was not expecting.

I am not sure it matters as much what it says on your business documentation, as I am Blink Photography, but more what the ownership of saying I am a photographER not in the buisiness of photography has done for my own self image and understanding of who I want to be in this field.

Great stuff Dane!

Theresa,

i think that Dane hit the nail on the head.

i remember attending Becker's workshop a few years ago when he brought up "photographer" vs "photography" and i think that he has a good point.

is the focus of your business selling yourself or your work?

for most, there will be little difference between the two and it probably isn't going to make or break anyone's business.

but i've learned from [ b ], that a lot of details and subtle clues are what help to build and strengthen your brand.

bill