Stay at home mom starting up business

[lilpacheco]

Hi everyone. I'm new here and I have a few questions. I really enjoy photography and have only done it for family really. I'm a stay at home mom and I have two toddlers. My long term goal is to start up a photography business, but I want to start off small. My husband is in the Air Force and is gone a lot because of the war, and I have two small children to care for. I basically just want to do some friends here and there--mainly the other military families in our squadron. Just a word of mouth type thing. I have no interest at this point to have a huge business--right now my main job is the mom thing. I had a friend offer to pay me to take some family portraits for her at the beach. I guess I just need some direction. I already told her I would do them for $150 (mainly cause I want to try out a new lens and that's how much it will cost me to rent it for 2 weeks--want to take some of my own pics too). I told her I would give her the images on CD and she could use them however, but I basically told her she couldn't sell the images and they still remained my property even though I would give her permission to print some up on her own etc. I told her I would print them up for her at cost if she wanted me to.

I guess I just want to know how some people do their business. Like how do people do it. Do they charge sitting fees, and charge for prints on top? Do some people just do a flat out fee? Do you think I need to have a contract set up? If I decided I want to make a profit on the prints, how do I decide how much to charge? I live in Delaware if that helps.

Any pointers for me or threads you can lead me to. I'm just lost. I'm glad my friend offered to pay me, and I can tell from reading here that that is important--not to give away my work for free. I'm sort of in a strange boat though, wanting to make a little pin money, but not really needing to. PLUS, I'm still fairly new and I'm definitely not a professional.

Does any of this make sense??

Thanks for any direction at all...

[asysin2leads]

Robyn,
Welcome to POTN. Do you have a camera?:D What kind of lighting gear do you have? Are you going to be doing the shoots at your house or going mobile? Perhaps we could help with a bit more info. There are a vast amount of resources here at POTN re: lighting, setups, pricing, well pretty much anything else you can think of. There are some real pros on here. They have covered everything from cost to the finish product and everything in between. It's a good idea about setting up family shots. I know that deployed family members will appreciate them. Best of luck with everything.

[sonshine_rae]

Well minus the husband in the military .. you sound just like me lol.

I'm also a sahm, with two little ones (2.5 yrs and almost 11 months), who doesn't 'have' to make extra money.. but is starting something to the 'side' for her own enjoyment.. with the extra plus of basically supporting her expensive hobby. I don't expect to make money unless I go 'big' with it.. which I don't plan to do while my kids are this little.

What I've done so far is.. research a ton, and came up with a regular per hour charge/sitting fee and found a good printing service that is fairly local (I use Mpix.com) so I get a fast turn around with them, and based my print prices off of theirs. So I added on more $$ for my time in post-processing and sizing for printing etc, right into my portrait packages.

At this point I'm mostly doing studio photography since that's the equipment I have and it's easier to just have people come to me. I had already invested in most of my equipment for my own use prior to deciding to start a small business on the side, or a paying hobby lol whatever this is.

You do want to look into the tax end of things, and keep good records, I've been told if I earn over $500 from clients that I have to declare it a business (which I'm not ready to do yet). But under that I can just declare it as 'earned income' on my taxes. So far my records show I've put out way way more money then I've taken in, oh well.

Hope this helps a little.. oh and for advertising so far I'm mostly going by word of mouth and passing out some flyers/business cards.

take care,
~Rae~

[lilpacheco]

Robyn,
Welcome to POTN. Do you have a camera?:D What kind of lighting gear do you have? Are you going to be doing the shoots at your house or going mobile? Perhaps we could help with a bit more info. There are a vast amount of resources here at POTN re: lighting, setups, pricing, well pretty much anything else you can think of. There are some real pros on here. They have covered everything from cost to the finish product and everything in between. It's a good idea about setting up family shots. I know that deployed family members will appreciate them. Best of luck with everything.

Thanks for responding! I had to go out of town for a few days, so it's taken me a long time to get back on here. I have a Canon Rebel XT and a Canon Speedlite 580EX II. I also have a TURBO SC. The additional lens that I have on top of my kit lens is an EF 50 mm 1:1.8. Don't really know too much about lenses yet other than my husband does and he just buys them for me. I do know the basics of photography and I learn more and more each day. This site has already helped me a ton.

I would like to go mobile...or whatever really. I think I'm starting to refine things more and more. I'm continuing to navigate here and finding out some stuff that I need.

Does anyone know if there are classes you can take on Photoshop? That's really where I'm lacking. I don't know much about anything when it comes to editing pictures.

Thank you!

[lilpacheco]

Well minus the husband in the military .. you sound just like me lol.

I'm also a sahm, with two little ones (2.5 yrs and almost 11 months), who doesn't 'have' to make extra money.. but is starting something to the 'side' for her own enjoyment.. with the extra plus of basically supporting her expensive hobby. I don't expect to make money unless I go 'big' with it.. which I don't plan to do while my kids are this little.

What I've done so far is.. research a ton, and came up with a regular per hour charge/sitting fee and found a good printing service that is fairly local (I use Mpix.com) so I get a fast turn around with them, and based my print prices off of theirs. So I added on more $$ for my time in post-processing and sizing for printing etc, right into my portrait packages.

At this point I'm mostly doing studio photography since that's the equipment I have and it's easier to just have people come to me. I had already invested in most of my equipment for my own use prior to deciding to start a small business on the side, or a paying hobby lol whatever this is.

You do want to look into the tax end of things, and keep good records, I've been told if I earn over $500 from clients that I have to declare it a business (which I'm not ready to do yet). But under that I can just declare it as 'earned income' on my taxes. So far my records show I've put out way way more money then I've taken in, oh well.

Hope this helps a little.. oh and for advertising so far I'm mostly going by word of mouth and passing out some flyers/business cards.

take care,
~Rae~

You were a lot of help. Definitely a good reminder about the taxes. I don't want to get arrested. Would you mind sharing your portrait packages and prices. I just have no idea where to even start as far as that's concerned. Thanks!!

[asdisc]

You would have to claim all monies earned, there isn't a per customer amount, whether its 500 dollars or 50 dollars it is still considered income and still needs to be claimed on your taxes. But the benefit to it is, you can claim all that neat camera stuff as a tax deduction off setting what you earned with what you spent to earn it. Good luck, my husband is like yours AF.

[MelisaP]

Pricing is going to vary considerably depending on location and market. So my prices will probably be of no use to you. Google people in your area or check out craigslist, but you will not be able to (or should not, at least) charge what the "pros" charge as you are not a pro. I would first invest some more time into understanding your gear and maybe gaining another lens. The kit lens isn't good for pro work and the 50mm 1.8 is fine, but I would look into better lenses. I would also rather have another lens (maybe like the 85mm 1.8) with the 430ex flash rather than the 580ex... but I suppose that may just be me. :) Anyway, good luck- keep learning.

[sonshine_rae]

Robyn,
I sent you a PM about my pricing.. oh and about the taxes.. I wasn't saying 'per customer' .. I was saying total earned income for the year.. so if I earned over $500 a year total then I would need to consider claiming it as a business. Less then that I would claim all of it simply as 'earned income' and go on.

Due be careful about claiming the 'neat camera stuff' as a tax deduction.. this would of course only matter if you got caught/audited .. but if 'business' equipment is 'ever' used for a hobby.. then your not supposed to be able to get a tax cut on it. For that reason I refuse to claim my camera/lenses etc as deductions... because I do a lot of 'hobby' stuff with them. If you can afford to have 'personal/hobby equipment' and 'business equipment' and keep them separate.. then YES do go for that tax cut..

:) ~Rae~

[asdisc]

Robyn,
I sent you a PM about my pricing.. oh and about the taxes.. I wasn't saying 'per customer' .. I was saying total earned income for the year.. so if I earned over $500 a year total then I would need to consider claiming it as a business. Less then that I would claim all of it simply as 'earned income' and go on.

Due be careful about claiming the 'neat camera stuff' as a tax deduction.. this would of course only matter if you got caught/audited .. but if 'business' equipment is 'ever' used for a hobby.. then your not supposed to be able to get a tax cut on it. For that reason I refuse to claim my camera/lenses etc as deductions... because I do a lot of 'hobby' stuff with them. If you can afford to have 'personal/hobby equipment' and 'business equipment' and keep them separate.. then YES do go for that tax cut..

:) ~Rae~


Sorry I guess I read that too fast...the hobby/pro stuff isn't that you can't use it for hobby stuff or personal use, but it has to be over a certain % of the use must be for business use. It is right on the tax form during a deduction what is the % of use for the item being itemized.

[sonshine_rae]

Sorry I guess I read that too fast...the hobby/pro stuff isn't that you can't use it for hobby stuff or personal use, but it has to be over a certain % of the use must be for business use. It is right on the tax form during a deduction what is the % of use for the item being itemized.


No sweat :) we all do that sometimes .. thanks for clarifying that tid-bit about the usage of equipment deemed for business tax-deductions :)!!

[IndyJeff]

First off thank you for your sacrifice and your husband for his service to his country.

Now down to business, go to the local county clerks office and fill out a Doing Business As ( DBA ) form. You need to pick a name which is unique in your county for your business. Once you have that form, get a bank account set up (Sonshine_Rae DBA Sonshine Photography for example).
Now you will fill out a schedule C on your tax return for this business. You can show a profit if you make enough and deduct the cost of equipment as an expense. Word of caution tho, you must show a profit 3 out of 5 years or the IRS will declare it a hobby and no deductions are allowed and back taxes may apply. If you are heavy on purchases the first year and show a much greater expense record than income you will be red flagged for an audit if you don't show a profit the next year.
If you keep a record of travel in your vehicle, with a mileage log book, you can get a deduction for business travel or keep track of receipts for gas spent when you go out shooting. I find the milage much easier.
The best thing to do is find someone local who is a CPA and ask for a consultation which you may be able to get 30 minutes at no cost. He/she will be able to guide you on local laws as well as US Tax Code.
Once you go thru the process of filing your taxes 2 -3 years then you will be a great supporter of the Fair Tax movement LOL.

[sonshine_rae]

First off thank you for your sacrifice and your husband for his service to his country.

Now down to business, go to the local county clerks office and fill out a Doing Business As ( DBA ) form. You need to pick a name which is unique in your county for your business. Once you have that form, get a bank account set up (Sonshine_Rae DBA Sonshine Photography for example).
Now you will fill out a schedule C on your tax return for this business. You can show a profit if you make enough and deduct the cost of equipment as an expense. Word of caution tho, you must show a profit 3 out of 5 years or the IRS will declare it a hobby and no deductions are allowed and back taxes may apply. If you are heavy on purchases the first year and show a much greater expense record than income you will be red flagged for an audit if you don't show a profit the next year.
If you keep a record of travel in your vehicle, with a mileage log book, you can get a deduction for business travel or keep track of receipts for gas spent when you go out shooting. I find the milage much easier.
The best thing to do is find someone local who is a CPA and ask for a consultation which you may be able to get 30 minutes at no cost. He/she will be able to guide you on local laws as well as US Tax Code.
Once you go thru the process of filing your taxes 2 -3 years then you will be a great supporter of the Fair Tax movement LOL.


Um Jeff... I think you have me confused with the OP ... but this would be great info for the OP I'm sure.

[lilpacheco]

First off thank you for your sacrifice and your husband for his service to his country.

Now down to business, go to the local county clerks office and fill out a Doing Business As ( DBA ) form. You need to pick a name which is unique in your county for your business. Once you have that form, get a bank account set up (Sonshine_Rae DBA Sonshine Photography for example).
Now you will fill out a schedule C on your tax return for this business. You can show a profit if you make enough and deduct the cost of equipment as an expense. Word of caution tho, you must show a profit 3 out of 5 years or the IRS will declare it a hobby and no deductions are allowed and back taxes may apply. If you are heavy on purchases the first year and show a much greater expense record than income you will be red flagged for an audit if you don't show a profit the next year.
If you keep a record of travel in your vehicle, with a mileage log book, you can get a deduction for business travel or keep track of receipts for gas spent when you go out shooting. I find the milage much easier.
The best thing to do is find someone local who is a CPA and ask for a consultation which you may be able to get 30 minutes at no cost. He/she will be able to guide you on local laws as well as US Tax Code.
Once you go thru the process of filing your taxes 2 -3 years then you will be a great supporter of the Fair Tax movement LOL.

This was great help! I mean, I never would have thought of that, of course it all comes back to me from my schooling. Kinda sad to say I graduated with a business degree--ha! I'm so glad I posted here. I've learned so much already from you guys!!

[lilpacheco]

Pricing is going to vary considerably depending on location and market. So my prices will probably be of no use to you. Google people in your area or check out craigslist, but you will not be able to (or should not, at least) charge what the "pros" charge as you are not a pro. I would first invest some more time into understanding your gear and maybe gaining another lens. The kit lens isn't good for pro work and the 50mm 1.8 is fine, but I would look into better lenses. I would also rather have another lens (maybe like the 85mm 1.8) with the 430ex flash rather than the 580ex... but I suppose that may just be me. :) Anyway, good luck- keep learning.

Thanks for the tip. Oh and yes, I definitely plan on getting a new lens. I'm researching it now. Just deciding. I'll probably visit that part of the board next! :)