Newbie Looking For Business Advice

[f8ed4photography]

Hello all... I am currently working towards my associate of applied science degree in photography... actually just finishing up my first semester. I have taken photos for years and loved it, and done well enough at it, to pursue it as a career. (the first shoot I did when I realized I could really do this was a cousin's wedding that I shot with an easyshare point and shoot and now the photos are plastered all over her house and they look terrific (for an amateur)... and she's gotten tons of compliments on them) I recently purchased a Canon 40D and have since taken 1000 photos using it including shoots I did with a 2 year old, a maternity shoot of a friend, and at other times, using my own children, pets, etc as my models just to get practice with the camera. The 2 recent shoots I have done to this point, I did for free and they both told me I'm nuts not to be making money at this. But now I am starting to feel more confident and have even had people ask me how much I charge! So now I am considering my own business but am in the planning phase and trying to get some GOOD, SOLID advice from people that KNOW. I know the first step in a good business is a good business plan so that is where I'm at right now.

Setting up a business, you have to pay license fees, get tax EIN numbers, etc. Do I need to do this before I EVER charge for a single shoot... Before I ever pass out "business cards", before I am ready to even attempt to get my own studio? At this point I would just be doing on location shoots so how much is required of me if I don't have a studio? Can I be considered self employed and just work with my taxes that way, or do I need to go ahead and get the name/tax EIN stuff set up before I start charging? I guess basically I just don't know where to go from HERE. Where to START after the equipment is purchased, and the fans are now screaming for more... so where do I go? :D

The business end is what I need advice on. So maybe some of you can help me by telling me how you got started or offering your advice on things you learned from your own experiences. Any advice you're willing to offer is GREATLY appreciated! THANKS!:D

[PhotosGuy]

Newbie Looking For Business Advice Don't forget the "Sticky"s at the top of the index to the threads for a lot of good info. If we didn't think they would help, we wouldn't have put them there? ;)

If you do a "Advanced" forum KEYWORD search in "Search Titles Only" for Business, you will find a lot of help.
Be sure and select "The Business of Photography" in the Search in Forum(s) fields.

Here's some links:
Starting up in business - US
LLC, and the Business Aspect. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=3066495)

Starting up in business (UK)
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/startingup/index.htm

Write a Business Plan
http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/writeabusinessplan/index.html

Photo Marketing
http://www.marketing-for-photographers-and-photography.com/sitemap.html

Web-based Photography Business
http://www.danheller.com/photo-biz.html

Does your business HAVE to grow? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=414932)

What image hosting/online sales program do you use? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=393106)

What are you using to sell prints online? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=391298)

[stathunter]

Listen to Frank...........he is old and more importanly he is wise.

But let me add a few things to the discussion. First congrats........seems like you are going about this and thinking things through.....good job. But most wanna be photographers have the same interest and then make the mistake of getting a studio (to verify they are professional) without any real business income to make this worth thinking about.
I would suggest that you file in your state for a business name. You talk to an accountant about setting up accounting for the business. Then do your marketing and make your business more portable than a studio setup. When you have enough business to afford a stuido and it is a necessity ---then set one up.
Studios are nice---but you can typically rent one if you really need it. You can put together a portable studio with minimal equipment and a few bags of stuff and carry it in your trunk.
Good luck!

[PhotosGuy]

he is old and more importanly he is wise. Not that they go together! I've made my share of MisTEakS.m m ;)

[f8ed4photography]

THANKS SOOOOO MUCH! Frank, the sites you offered are perfect for what I was looking for. And Scott, the additional information you provided also touched on some of the advice I was looking for on the business end of things, so both of you have helped me a tremendous amount! I'm new to the site so didn't know about the stickies so I will definately be looking more into those.

Scott, you said something about a portable studio. At this point, that is exactly what I am working on. I have picked up a black backdrop, white backdrop, backdrop stand, and a set of studio lights... all portable, quick and easy to set up and take down. In fact, the maternity shots I did were shot in my friend's living room in an area about 6'x8', if that, when I didn't have studio lights... just used a standard work light bounced off a white foam board with all other lighting in the home turned off. The shots I got of the 2 year old were done outside in their yard. I knew there would be no way I could afford a studio just starting out and my husband being the only one of us working. As time goes on, I hope to add more backdrops to my collection as well as other needed items and equipment as I can afford them.

I really appreciate all the advice, websites, and other information you both offered. I will be visiting all of those sites more as time allows as well as checking out more threads here. For now, I have exams to study for! Have a great day and THANKS again! :D