When you use a business name that’s different than your own personal name, you’ll be developing and promoting an identity that’s separate from yourself.

And that’s fine if you’re selling stuff that’s not really related to you. For example, if you have a shoe store on 3rd street, “Third Street Shoes” is an OK name.

Most photography businesses, however, promote the services of a particular person, or are at least identified with one primary person. Having a separate name for that person’s photography business detracts from promoting the person.