Not sure where to start?.... (lots of ?'s)

[ara.bentley]

I am a little nervous to post this after reading the "too many photographers?" post..

yes I am another one of those trying to start my own photography business. Well right now I am just getting started. I have learned SO MUCH from everyone on this website already and I know that I am no where near up to par yet to hold a steady business.

Anyway... my question is this. I want to start charging a little bit of money for my photo shoots and my work (recently I have done some stuff for free just to boost my portfolio).

How do I even start this business thing? Do I have to have a license before charging anybody anything? I want to do everything legal from the beggining.

I have already researched some release forms and stuff like that. Uh - also i am going to run a studio out of my home - do I need extra insurance (along with home insurance) or just a liability release form? We're looking at getting security cameras just for our own safety but that's a little while off.

Also I have been asked to run a photography booth at an upcoming church festival where I will taking photos for families to buy and also selling some of my framed work - is there anything special license I need for that? I already paid for the booth.

If you have any answers to any of these it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Ara

[ara.bentley]

oh and also... are photographs I take automatically copywrited? copyrighted?? sp?

anyway - or do I need to have business name in order to do that?

[CaptainTom]

Ara
This is a fairly common question. So common in fact that Coby is presenting a seminar that would be perfect for you.
It's not in the DFW area, but I guarantee that it will be worthwhile to go.

We can discuss and argue about all of your questions on this thread but, what you really need is a one on one or seminar where you can ask multitudes of questions with someone who is very qualified to give you good answers.

HERE is the link

[ara.bentley]

Thanks for the link. Just checked it out and I have a dumb day-job-conflict that weekend

hopefully I can catch the next one - I am very interested and do not mind going all the way down to h-town

thanks, Ara

[toverman]

Coby is the man with the answers. I'll have to check into a seminar as well, but I know he has already doled out excellent advice in the past on this forum.

Short answer: you'll need a DBA, Texas sales tax ID (sales tax due quarterly), check to make sure your area allows in-home businesses, etc. etc. etc. Oh, and a photography business is more about marketing and business than photography!

[ara.bentley]

oooh - yay - i did one thing right. I am a pro at reading city zoning so I checked the in home business thing already! I'm good on that one.

Ok - cool - that's very helpful. I am guessing I go to the Courthouse for these things?

Man - I do need a class! Thanks-ara

[toverman]

Yes, the "doing business as" forms are good in the county you file them. Courthouse (and many of the sub-courthouses in Tarrant County) handle them. The forms are actually online at www.tarrantycounty.com/egov, but you might have to poke around.

[Aric C. Hoek]

Originally Posted by ara.bentley

oh and also... are photographs I take automatically copywrited? copyrighted?? sp?

anyway - or do I need to have business name in order to do that?

Images are are protected by copyright at the momnent of creation. But to really be able to enforce and litigation you will need to register your images.

[ara.bentley]

Thank you guys for all your info! I've already looked into several of the links you sent and my head is spinning! but in a good (but also scary) way - i think...

Also one question that didn't get answered that I am having problems reasearching my own answer was about the church festival...

I have paid for a booth to set up my lights, backdrop, cameras...etc. Do I need a license to do business there? or does the festival general license cover everything sold there. I saw in another forum something about a "peddlers license?" I don't have a Texas Sales Tax ID yet. Do I need one or can I just include the income from this event on my taxes at the end of the year?

I don't have a business yet - I was just going to do this for my church (but I would be making money off of it)...

[HotHolly]

The moment you start taking money for your photography, you are 'in business.' I don't think you need a peddlers license since your church gig is part of a church fair. You should be charging sales tax and keeping records as soon as money starts changing hands.

As for starting on the cheap and working your way up to what you want to charge...there are a million opinions on this subject. Personally, I think you are better perfecting your craft as an intern or apprentice to a pro photog and then charging exactly what you plan to charge when you go it on your own. Its very difficult to start off cheap and then raise your prices. You have issues with keeping clients and attracting the correct demographic for your business.

What's the church fair you are doing? Is it a Fall Festival (aka Halloween party)?

[ara.bentley]

Its a Fall festival in October for Mansfield Bible Church.

True - I never thought of it that way. Right now I am doing things for free for family and friends just to practice. I was thinking about starting to charge people but didn't even thinkg about not starting cheap. But that makes sense. I was planning to do a free sitting session for some clients - but then should I charge them my full price for their prints?? I know I need to do A LOT more reasearch before setting prices.

I just read a huge long string of TPFers discussing this issue today! It's given me a lot to think about. My first gig with acutal income will be this festival - but people plan to pay festival prices at these things anyway - I was hoping to use this more as advertisement really...

[JRARNOLD243]

Someone stated a few posts ago about starting out by being an intern to a professional photographer. I would also like to start a small business on the side, and was curious about how to go about becoming an intern? Do you start calling people and asking to become their intern?

Jim

Originally Posted by ara.bentley

I don't have a Texas Sales Tax ID yet. Do I need one or can I just include the income from this event on my taxes at the end of the year?

Yes, you MUST have a Texas Sales Tax ID before you start accepting payment for work. It is easy to apply and can be done online. http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxpermit/

The State of Texas takes this VERY seriously and you are subject to huge fines for operating a business without a sales tax license, up to $500 per day.