Business Partner? Or Flyin' Solo?

[RyanCrane]

I am one of the "lucky" few who got the career of "Photographer" in the Air Force. Now I had done this for a few years prior, but nothing serious. I was quite excited.

Now about a year and a half later, I feel I have grown a lot, in the sense of skill and business knowledge. Afterall, I am essentially running a business here :)

Me and a co-worker have expressed our desire to branch out and do some work on the side: Senior portraits, Sports events, family pictures etc etc.. pretty much just a freelance thing for hire.

We both would like to make money (obviously) and want to be a competative entity in the local business. But in your experience, is it usually wise to have a partner in the photoography business? Is it even necessary? Especially since my work load would be minimal, I dont think an assistant would be necessary. Just more to eat into my profits.. right?

I guess my ultimate question is can dual-photographer business' be successful, or are we better off going our separate ways?

[michael_]

well if you are planning to get a partner i would have thought it would mean business is just to busy so you need one, if you get a partner and your workload slows down then you dont need one.

[EnronRocks]

LLC is what I did with a family member of mine. We both share the profit in the form of equipment. Cut the profit down the middle minus business expenses.

LLC Infohttp://www.legalzoom.com/limited-liability-company/limited-liability-company-overview.html
DBA - FILE THIS ANYWAY ONCE YOU FIGURE OUT A BUSINESS NAME!!!!!! https://www.legalzoom.com/legal-dba/dba-doing-business-as-overview.html

First thing I recommend doing if you go into business with a partner is hire a attorney to make a contract between the owners, splitting assets (or soon to have assets) and then file as a LLC or something of that nature. Take out a small business loan and invest in the equipment needed using BOTH yourself and your partner to sign the load, BUT get the loan under the business, so if the idea goes under you do not go with it (or so I am told, look into that).

I would never look back at going into business with another person. Its really fun, and differences will arise that you will work out. Welcome to small business, its a b**** at first!

Dual photographer is a good investment if you can find the market and get a database of customers. Propose contract to school districts for their sports photos, and so on. A perfect example of this is http://www.wagnerportraitgroup.com/

[PhotosGuy]

Especially since my work load would be minimal, I dont think an assistant would be necessary. Just more to eat into my profits.. right? It doesn't sound to me as if you need an office, but you might share the expenses of one if you think you do. Most of your work looks as if it will be on location, so you probably don't need a studio either. Is there one there that you could rent as needed?
There are loose groups of photogs here that work under that system, & they also share one rep.

[RyanCrane]

I have a studio in my house, but I feel that that is kinf of unprofessional to have people come to my house to have picturers done.

But the reputation is mainyl what im worried about. Im not trying to be cocky, but she isn't on the same skill level as me. She is getting there, but I dont want to put my name on something im not comfortable calling my own. you know what I mean? I may look into picking up a partner sometime down the orad, but I think Ill be flying this one solo..

Time shall tell :)

Thnaks for the info guys!

-ryan

[Aaagogo]

flying solo, but have independent contractors working for me...

mine is complicated.

[MikeT]

I wanted Combat Photo when I came in, is that the AFSC your in? I ended up working Avionics. It's not bad, but I would rather be taking pictures, and getting the same pay instead of fixing planes lol

[RyanCrane]

Im technically still Photographer under Public Affairs. Im a 3N now.

But its alot of fun. What Avionics are you on? a guy in our shop cross trained from F-16 Avionics. He said it wasnt bad.. but Im sure taking pictures is a helluva lot better :)

[John Mireles]

You certainly don't need a business partner. In fact, you should only consider partnering with someone if there's a clear, compelling, profitable reason for you to do so. Otherwise, just stay single. A partnership is in every way a marriage - except you have a business license, not a marriage license.

Do you want to be married to the person you're partnering with? It may seem extreme to think of it that way, but you'll probably spend more time with your business partner than your wife. You'll also be making many big and small business decisions with this person. Do you want the hassle?

John

[amfoto1]

There are pluses and minuses to establishing a partnership.

It might position you to get jobs others can't handle. There's the opportunity to share equipment, and leverage what you have available to do the work, while splitting the upfront costs. But, it means splitting all the proceeds and profits of course.

Think long and hard about it. Write down all the pluses and minuses you can think of. Then decide based on that.

No, I don't think it's necessarily unprofessional to have a studio in your home. It's quite common, in fact. There might be some instances where it would not be a good idea. I'd think twice about it if folks had to traipse through the bedroom or kitchen to get to it. But if it has a separate entrance or is off one of the more "public" rooms of the house, it shouldn't be a problem and might be a benefit. It does mean keeping everything neat and tidy all the time. Your dirty laundry will be out there for everyone to see, literally.

[sierra_nova]

There has been some great advice on this thread.

I am a photographer in a business partnership - and I promise you that it will never all be clear sailing, but if it is the right fit, it will be beneficial.

Think about your strenths and weaknesses, honestly. Think about your partners strengths and weaknesses. The best partnerships workwhen your strengths are your partners weaknesses, and vice versa.

You say that your proposed partner isn't as good as you are technically, photographically - but are they better than you at running a business? It has been said many many many times before - but being a successful photographer, living off your work, it really is 20% photography and 80% business.

Cheers,
Naomi

[MikeT]

Im technically still Photographer under Public Affairs. Im a 3N now.

But its alot of fun. What Avionics are you on? a guy in our shop cross trained from F-16 Avionics. He said it wasnt bad.. but Im sure taking pictures is a helluva lot better :)

I work heavys. I started out on C-130's, and now I work on recon planes. RC-135S/U/V/W's, OC-135's, and WC-135's.

Yeah it's not bad, but yeah taking pics would be alot better. Atleast in this job I do get to travel alot :)

[karlahaze]

Hello everyone, I am a single mom and I would like to start a business. I need government grant because I don’t have that much money. Does it matter or not that I am a single mom who wants to start a business, or can any loan or grant apply to me? Where can a person who has bad credit get a loan or government grant to start a business? Have nice day.

[PhotosGuy]

I am a single mom and I would like to start a business... Where you live makes a difference? Ask local agencies.

[zacker]

fly solo baby.... youre much better off... if you have too much business, find some one to referr them too, and who will do the same for you, ive been down this road and am still in debt and kicking myself 3 years later!!