Don't want to step on toes...

[ptrd]

Thanks for the all of the replies.

It's funny because I'm an accountant by trade during the day :) Just more mutual fund accounting not personal business so I guess I have to do more research on what I need.

Yeah I don't want to be an "illegal" photog running a business inside my apartment. I guess I have to apply for stuff? Any terms I should search in the forums for some starting points?

Thanks again for the replies, I think this the most replies I have ever gotten (all meaningful too).

[Tom]

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

do you have an accountant that knows what they are doing, can keep books and do all the rest of the accounting work for $300? If so, please send me their name.

I was just giving an example. Replace accountant with any number of services that you can outsource.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by ptrd

Thanks for the all of the replies.

It's funny because I'm an accountant by trade during the day :) Just more mutual fund accounting not personal business so I guess I have to do more research on what I need.

Yeah I don't want to be an "illegal" photog running a business inside my apartment. I guess I have to apply for stuff? Any terms I should search in the forums for some starting points?

Thanks again for the replies, I think this the most replies I have ever gotten (all meaningful too).

There used to be a sticky in here with the info.

Basically you need to get a DBA then a tax ID and remember to file your taxes appropriately. Then declare your income appropriately. Consider getting liability insurance.

[auddii]

Here's some stuff that has been stickied in the business section:

Tax Code for Photographers

Contracts, forms, etc.

I'd definitely search for "tax" and "contract"; I know there are lots of threads on being a "legal" business, and often other useful information is included in the threads on what you need to run a business.

[kayumangi]

Originally Posted by ptrd

My question is I feel slightly guilty. Maybe I'm too nice of a guy but hopefully I don't tread on anyone's actual job here. Obviously it would be nice to expand my business but I realize there are about 600,000 more qualified photographers and start up photographers. I guess I don't want to really impede on anyone's earnings.

Too nice?

If that someone feel threatened by you then he/she has issues beyond you and may not running a profitable business thus their reaction.

One thing to consider when you start building your port, shot what you like, not what we or other people like. That way, you will attract like minded people and reduce the headache of pleasing clients you don't like and should have never booked in the first place =)

[Corrie]

"If that someone feel threatened by you then he/she has issues beyond you and may not running a profitable business thus their reaction."

Word.

Just do what you need to get where you want but set some boundaries from the beginning so no one takes advantage. Also, learn to control your shoots from the beginning so you get the images you want to represent you. I shot so many crappy, generic portfolio building shoots because I let the clients run the show.