Author Topic: Should you use your real name for contributor accounts? (Read 5155 times)

Shooter · « **on:** October 23, 2016, 23:39 »

What are the pros and cons to using your real first and last name for your stock photography contributor accounts?

I see bylines in magazines with odd contributor screen names and think they are missing opportunities to promote their true name and identity.

I am considering requesting my screen names be changed to my real first and last name.

Your thoughts?

MyCrowStock · « **Reply #1 on:** October 24, 2016, 03:36 »

Pros:

Grow your business by having everything linked - social media, website etc, and a trusted name. People like the authenticity of a personal name. It's also easier to remember.

Cons:
For people who prefer anonymity and privacy, a pseudonym works for them, myself included. I do not care for social media and the likes or spending time trying to grow the business in those ways (website, postings etc). I simply want to shoot and upload and keep it separate from my day to day life.

ShadySue · « **Reply #2 on:** October 24, 2016, 03:55 »

A reason for a pseudonym might be if someone's day job boss might take a dim view.

lemonyellow · « **Reply #3 on:** October 24, 2016, 05:31 »

Another reason for using a pseudonym is if you wish to separate your career as an art or assignment photographer from your stock job

franzi · « **Reply #4 on:** October 24, 2016, 15:36 »

I agree with ShadySue, some people have a career that's totally unconnected to photography or illustration. And when you apply for jobs, you don't want your future boss google your name and find your travel photographs, or funny doodle backgrounds, or icons, no matter how great they are.

Also, depending on the country you're from, your name might sound strange or complicated to others - then a pseudonym or memorable username might be better.

YadaYadaYada · « **Reply #5 on:** October 24, 2016, 20:49 »

Quote from: lemonyellow on October 24, 2016, 05:31

Another reason for using a pseudonym is if you wish to separate your career as an art or assignment photographer from your stock job

Nobody wants to be real here and no body wants to admit they do Microstcok. That's a real statement about how proud people are to be in this business. They want to be anonymous.

skyfish · « **Reply #6 on:** October 25, 2016, 02:06 »

Some names are damaging for business development. If googling for your name returns thousands of records related to other people with the same FN/LN combination, you will think that spending any money for advertisement will work in favour of other photographers and designers etc with the same name. Personally i had cases when HRs were not capable at all to distinguish between several people with the same names and some systems didn't allow to create account, because ID there was related to names.

hamikus01 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 25, 2016, 04:27 »

I don´t use my real name on stock sites, but I understand why on Thinkstockphoto as partner of iStockphoto show my real name, but on iStockphoto as the main site I don´t have show my real name publicity... How Can I change and forbid the showing of my real name on Thinkstockphoto ?

lemonyellow · « **Reply #8 on:** October 25, 2016, 06:10 »

Quote from: YadaYadaYada on October 24, 2016, 20:49

Quote from: lemonyellow on October 24, 2016, 05:31
Another reason for using a pseudonym is if you wish to separate your career as an art or assignment photographer from your stock job

Nobody wants to be real here and no body wants to admit they do Microstcok. That's a real statement about how proud people are to be in this business. They want to be anonymous.

Indeed. However, it's quite normal not to be proud of microstock. Stock photos are a commodity, there's nothing glamorous about it. But I am grateful nonetheless, because it allows me to be just free - instead of free and broke as if I were doing only "art". Anonymity is all I need for peace of mind.

YadaYadaYada · « **Reply #9 on:** October 25, 2016, 10:34 »

Quote from: hamik on October 25, 2016, 04:27

I don´t use my real name on stock sites, but I understand why on Thinkstockphoto as partner of iStockphoto show my real name, but on iStockphoto as the main site I don´t have show my real name publicity... How Can I change and forbid the showing of my real name on Thinkstockphoto ?

I'd write to IS and ask. They shouldn't show your name if you don't want it exposed. I do understand why some people would want to be anonymous for business and other reasons, just a point that people are working Micro and afraid employers will find out. Doesn't say much for pride in selling on Micro.

I don't use my name either, on any site. I don't want an agent or buyer to think they could get some better photos for less if they just search Micro. And I don't want to lead them to look, because they might find somebody else with what they want, cheaper on micro.

I don't tell professional friends that I work for Micro, unless they admit they do first.

zorba · « **Reply #10 on:** October 25, 2016, 13:44 »

Quote from: Shooter on October 23, 2016, 23:39

What are the pros and cons to using your real first and last name for your stock photography contributor accounts?

I see bylines in magazines with odd contributor screen names and think they are missing opportunities to promote their true name and identity.

I am considering requesting my screen names be changed to my real first and last name.

Your thoughts?

I did it from the start. But sometimes ago I spoke with an English fashion photographer and she told me that if someone googles you and finds out you are a stock photographer they immediately exclude you from fashion things.

Don't know if these are b*s* but since I don't mean to be a fashion photographer I concentrated my "SEO potential" towards my models. If they search for me and don't find me anywhere this IS a problem. If they search me so far they find me thousands of time everywhere and perfectly targeted on what I really do.

So... consider these two facts. They are not the whole cake... but some interesting pieces

ccbcc · « **Reply #11 on:** October 25, 2016, 13:50 »

I use my full name, I'm proud of my work.

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Author Topic: Should you use your real name for contributor accounts? (Read 5155 times)

Shooter

MyCrowStock

ShadySue

lemonyellow

franzi

YadaYadaYada

skyfish

hamikus01

lemonyellow

YadaYadaYada

zorba

ccbcc

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