New here, just a few questions

[valentinephoto]

Hello everyone! I'm new to the forums (this is my first post) and wanted to introduce myself and ask a few questions.

First, my name is Crystal and I am opening my pole fitness and photography studio in June. I had been running my own gourmet dog treat bakery for the past three years but just closed a few weeks ago due to the fact I started to hate it and my real passion is pole dancing for fitness and photography.

I will only be doing boudoir, glamour, pin-up, artistic nude/semi-nude photography for women. The whole idea behind my business is for women, by women.

Because I never ran my own photography studio (which will be out of my home), and the type of photography I am doing is more risque, I wanted to make sure I have all the necessary forms/contracts/etc. needed to do this legally and avoid any law suits or issues that may arise down the road.

I should also mention that I will be giving over full copyrights of the images. I'm not looking to make money off my photos. I will simply be charging a photoshoot package fee that will include a few prints and the images (all high res) on a CD so they can re-print them where they want or I can print them from a photolab for a fee. If I ever did any kind of commerical work then I would probably worry about copyrights at that point, but really the way I want to run my business is just as I mentioned above.

Here's a list of what I plan to do. Please let me know what I am missing:
1. A model release for every client that allows me to use their photos on my website or anywhere else.
2. I will be giving every client a release stating they have full copyrights incase a place like Wal-Mart (heaven forbid they print them there) wants to know if they can print them.
3. I will be making a copy of each client's ID and making them sign a waiver stating they are 18 or older at the time the photo was taken.
4. Each client will be required to have a card on file to hold their spot and a cancellation fee will be charged if they fail to give me proper notification they can't make it to the shoot or need to re-schedule (I'm requesting two weeks notice).

I know there's a few more things I've written down but I honestly can't remember right now (not enough sleep - suffering from bad insomnia the past few weeks).

Also, I don't use a Canon camera, I have a Nikon, (I know, ban me now) but was wondering if it's still okay to post on this forum. I seem to find a lot of posts here very helpful.

I'll have my portfolio up in a few weeks and then I will post that for critique.

Thanks!:D

[flipstyle72]

Well, as a guy...I have to say I'm interested in seeing your work!

You checked local laws for running the business out of your home? I know it varies on location. I know sometimes it doesn't matter as long as you have no employees or if the business is not separated OR separated from the actual residence etc.

Nikon user?? We'll have to see some sample work before banning you ;-) lol.

Welcome to the forum and Good luck on your business venture!

Any leftover doggie treats? we have 5 dogs over here! And I'm interested in how you turn from doggie treats to Pole Fitness/Photography...lol. Not judging, just wondering.

Now post some shots!

[valentinephoto]

Since I ran my dog treat business from my home, I think the same kind of rules apply. But I will find out next week when I officially get my business licnese for this new business.

I also have 5 dogs! 4 pit bulls and a mini-pin mix. No left over treats - everything I created I would bake fresh (used to own Bark Bark Bakery).

As for the jump from dog treats to pole fitness & photography, well I've been doing pole fitness for over a year now. I train almost everyday, sometimes hours a day and sometimes just a few minutes. I've always done photoshoots of my friends (and myself using the timer... that's always fun to do) and I edit all their photos for them. So it was time to move onto something I really loved and did anyway. I was tired of slaving away in the kitchen baking dog treats - sometimes I would bake 20 hours a day.

I'll post my work soon. I don't have any of my friend's photos on my computer and the ones of myself aren't really that great considering at the time my camera only had a 10 second timer. Imagine trying to quickly run into a spot and get into a sexy pose within 10 seconds - it doesn't always turn out nice, but that's what photoshop is for. I call it the "stupid face fix".

Anyhow, I will post my work very soon - that's a promise! I Just don't have anything right now I feel good about posting.