Using psuedonyms

**cyrus** · 24-Oct-2011, 11:19

How many of you do or have considered using pseudonyms to display your art, and why? For example, if you shoot a lot of nudes or erotica, and have a day job where that sort of thing may not be quite acceptable....

Have you experienced any unforseen consequences for doing that? Has someone "discovered" or "outed" you? What's your favorite ?

PS: "Blinky Palermo" - love it!

**Greg Blank** · 24-Oct-2011, 16:06

Pony up and be responsible for what you do. If you want to use a psuedonym its a sign you have some issues at least so in my minds eye. If you are merely trying to hide the fact that you do that sort of thing maybe incorporating or going into business as an LLC with a company name is better than you signing your work. There is a defined cut off in social acceptance related to porn, as far as kink and erotica its a matter of taste. A lot of photographers have and do stretch the boundaries of social acceptance, but it brands you against other types of photographic income. I have shot several nude figure studies- probably tame related to many, yet I have not shown them in public because I don't have enough work to realistically show, just a few women so far.

**cyrus** · 24-Oct-2011, 16:25

Originally Posted by Greg Blank

Pony up and be responsible for what you do. If you want to use a psuedonym its a sign you have some issues at least so in my minds eye. If you are merely trying to hide the fact that you do that sort of thing maybe incorporating or going into business as an LLC with a company name is better than you signing your work. There is a defined cut off in social acceptance related to porn, as far as kink and erotica its a matter of taste. A lot of photographers have and do stretch the boundaries of social acceptance, but it brands you against other types of photographic income. I have shot several nude figure studies- probably tame related to many, yet I have not shown them in public because I don't have enough work to realistically show, just a few women so far.

Thanks - I am tempted to use my real name but there would be definite consequences not just to me. Incorporating would not be much of a help because people still want to know the name of a photographer. thankfully I don't derive my primary income from photography so I'm not worried about being branded against other types of photographic income.

**Frank Petronio** · 24-Oct-2011, 17:01

If I can't have my name on it then I won't or shouldn't do it, even if it's a peeing shot ;-p

**Bill Burk** · 24-Oct-2011, 17:09

I use my real name for photography and my psuedonym for everything else.

Bill "Beefalobill" Burk

jp · 24-Oct-2011, 17:19

Seems like all the famous authors have done it. I'd have no problem with a photographer using a pen name.

A gender ambiguous foreign sounding name might be more intriguing than a more common gray-haired-men's name. Or a name with initials replacing the first name, like O Henry.

**Eric Rose** · 24-Oct-2011, 17:26

Originally Posted by Greg Blank

Pony up and be responsible for what you do. If you want to use a psuedonym its a sign you have some issues at least so in my minds eye.

Says he that wears a mask lol.

**Greg Blank** · 24-Oct-2011, 17:31

All you have to do is click on the link to my site. The world has enough anon people, though. When you have a website with your name on it every a-hole spammer and telemarketer finds you eventually and I get a lot of phone calls that people don't have manners. No on knows how to introduce themselves before asking who you are, & no on knows how to leave VM messages but they sure know how to drive aggressively with the phone stuck to thier ears.

When you are in business all kinds of people feel entitled to the money they "think" you have.

Originally Posted by Eric Rose

Says he that wears a mask lol.

**Nathan Potter** · 24-Oct-2011, 21:03

The value of your real name was explained well in Arthur Millers "The Crucible". If you don't admit to your name, you don't admit to your existence.

Nate Potter, Austin TX.

**mdm** · 24-Oct-2011, 22:58

I display my dodgy photography on my blog and here without displaying my real name, I dont want to show up in google searches. But if you are hanging it on a real wall in a real place where real people look at it and may need to find you to pay you, use your real name, as I would if I did. One day I may do.

Perhaps there comes a point where your conventionally displayed pictures require you own your real name online, thats fine too. My hobbyist pictures do not require me to give up my anonymity just yet.