Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

virtuousphotography · **Starting my photography business! -** 01-23-2010, 07:11 PM

Hello all! I've been a member of this forum for awhile, but haven't been on in quite some time. I'm finally trying to get my photography business up and going, and I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice. I've been doing small photos sessions, but I'm ready to dive in full force and get this thing going. Can someone let me know what legal things I need to look into and how to go about that? Any advice on advertising, etc? Anything that y'all could fill me in on would be FABULOUS! Looking forward to chatting with you all! Thanks in advance! :)

ldelacruz · 01-23-2010, 08:11 PM

Hire a CPA for the business side of things and set things up right in the beginning. You can file all the forms yourself to save money but I would get their advice for your future plans.

ChristopherCoy · 01-23-2010, 08:31 PM

Buy a new camera, otherwise your clients will have better equipment than you will.

brad · 08:52 PM

I'd tell you to stay legal and not break any laws..

Get a sales tax permit from the state before you do much of anything else.. there is lots of advice on threads with a quick search using the term "Sales Tax."

Keep your "business" banking separate from your personal banking. It makes things much easier for tax filing... that includes deposits and purchases.

ChristopherCoy · 01-23-2010, 08:58 PM

Quick edit Brad.... I saw that. LOL

brad · 01-23-2010, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

Quick edit Brad.... I saw that. LOL

It was a gut, angry shot that I thought better of as soon as I'd typed it.

J Eddington · 01-23-2010, 09:15 PM

JOIN PPA! Get and do a business Plan. Look at the software from Stragety Avenue Plan. Aspire. Achieve.
Take some classes on running a business.
Think it costs alot think again. ONE wrong move and it could cost you and your family. If a client were to sue you, you could lose alot more than you might think.
STARTING OUT RIGHT: ONE-DAY INTENSIVE HOUSTON FEBRUARY 8, 2010] STARTING OUT RIGHT: BUSINESS HELP FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS - REGISTER

thedaddymike · 01-23-2010, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

Buy a new camera, otherwise your clients will have better equipment than you will.

But what if she has a 24-70 2.8, and other good glass, just because she has a D40 doesn't mean anything.

ChristopherCoy · 01-23-2010, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedaddymike

But what if she has a 24-70 2.8, and other good glass, just because she has a D40 doesn't mean anything.

Yes it does. Just as we saw in the thread the other day about the wedding photographer who showed up to shoot a wedding with a D40, people are judged by the equipment they carry. She may be a GREAT photographer, but as a newly born business, first impressions are everything.

thedaddymike · 01-23-2010, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

Yes it does. Just as we saw in the thread the other day about the wedding photographer who showed up to shoot a wedding with a D40, people are judged by the equipment they carry. She may be a GREAT photographer, but as a newly born business, first impressions are everything.

So if I showed up with my D1X I would be judged by that? Makes no sense to me. I see alot of photographers with nice expensive gear, and they suck, and their websites prove it but they are perceived as being good because of the gear?

ChristopherCoy · 01-23-2010, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedaddymike

So if I showed up with my D1X I would be judged by that? Makes no sense to me. I see alot of photographers with nice expensive gear, and they suck, and their websites prove it but they are perceived as being good because of the gear?

Ugh! I'm not going there with you.

thedaddymike · 01-23-2010, 09:48 PM

Ha, your the one who said it not me!

To me, I just don't get it. Judging someone by their camera is just plain stupid and arrogant. A REAL photographer can use any camera with a good quality lens and make awesome pictures. A poser photographer has to go into photoshop and re-do the whole picture. That being said, a D40 can do awesome with a good lens. I learned back in the day shooting film, that the camera just holds the film, the lens and knowledge does the rest.