How to Start a Home-Based Photography Business

by Kenn Oberrecht, Rosemary Del Delucco-Alpert

Overview

Do you love to take photographs? Do you tote your camera wherever you go? Now you can realize your dream of working from your home at something you enjoy—a home-based photography business. This comprehensive guide offers advice on every aspect of setting up and running a thriving home-based photography business. Learn how to estimate your start-up costs, outfit your darkroom, and stay profitable once you are in business. Whether you want to earn your living as a portrait photographer, photojournalist, or product photographer, or be the most versatile photographer in your community—this guide will put you on the path to building your own home-based business. This sixth edition has been updated in light of the many changes in technology that have come about in the twenty-first century. Use these special features and workbook pages: Cash-flow Projection WorksheetProfit-and-Loss Worksheet Production/Sales/Income Report Sample Invoice and StatementExtensive Resource Listing

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780762759538
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	07/13/2010
Series:	Home-Based Business Series
Edition description:	Sixth Edition
Pages:	200
Sales rank:	793,210
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Kenn Oberrecht is the author of many books, including How to Start a Home-Based Craft Business (Globe Pequot Press), and his articles and photographs have appeared in hundreds of magazines, including Modern Photography and Sports Illustrated. He has taught both photography and writing at the university level. Rosemary DeLucco-Alpert has been working in the photo industry for over twenty-five years as a freelance photographer, photo editor, curator, teacher, and lecturer. Visit her at rdalpertphoto.com.

Table of Contents

	Introduction	ix
Chapter 1	Getting Started as a Home-Based Photographer	1
	How I Got Started in the Business	1
	Should You Start Your Own Business?	4
	Amateur vs Professional	8
	Part-Time vs Full-Time Photography	8
	Learning the Craft of Photography	11
	Branches of Home-Based Photography	14
	Photographer Turned Manager	15
	Quick Quiz for the Home-Based Photographer	15
Chapter 2	Working Out of Your Home	19
	The Pros and Cons of Self-Employment	20
	Setting Up Your Business Space	23
	Handling Growth	29
	Working with Others	30
	Separating Business Life from Personal Life	34
Chapter 3	Financial Planning	37
	Start-Up Costs	38
	Opening Bank Accounts	40
	The Personal Financial Statement	41
	Columnar Pads for Accounting and Bookkeeping	42
	Profit-and-Loss Projections and Reports	43
	Balance Sheets	46
	Cash-Flow Projections and Reports	46
	Credit and Borrowing	50
Chapter 4	Financial Management	53
	Pricing for Profit	55
	Managing Accounts Payable	58
	Managing Accounts Receivable	60
	Purchasing	65
	Is the Lowest Price Always the Best Price?	71
Chapter 5	The Legal Aspects of Your Photography Business	73
	Sole Proprietorship	73
	Partnership	74
	Corporation	76
	Zoning Ordinances	77
	Naming and Licensing Your Business	77
	Hiring an Attorney	80
	Insuring Your Home-Based Business	81
	Copyright	83
	Contracts	86
Chapter 6	Writing a Business Plan	91
	Why You Should Write a Business Plan	92
	Organizing Your Business Plan	94
	Cover Page	95
	Table of Contents	96
	Executive Summary	96
	The Organizational Plan	96
	The Financial Plan	98
	The Management Plan	103
	The Marketing Plan	104
	Appendices	106
Chapter 7	Taxes and Record Keeping	107
	Using Your Home for Your Business	109
	Use Test	110
	Using a Vehicle in Your Business	113
	Using a Computer in Your Business	117
	Business Expenses	118
	Depreciation of Business Property	119
	Estimating Your Taxes	122
	Record Keeping	122
	Capitalizing Start-Up Costs	126
	Sales Tax	127
Chapter 8	Using a Computer in Your Business	129
	Getting Started with a Computer	130
	Hardware Overview	134
	Software Overview	140
	Buying a Computer System	141
	Computer and Software Sources	144
	Working the World Wide Web	144
Chapter 9	Managing Your Photography Business	151
	Setting Goals	152
	Job Planning, Forecasting, and Scheduling	152
	Storage, Filing, and Retrieval Systems	165
	The Reference Library	165
	Business Files	168
	Photographic Filing Systems	172
	Problems in Managing Your Business	178
	Productivity	180
	Business Communication	183
	Follow-Up	185
	Procrastination	186
Chapter 10	Marketing Your Photography Business	187
	Creating a Marketable Reputation	187
	Publicity and Promotion	188
	Public Relations	189
	Your Portfolio	194
	Mounting, Matting, and Framing Photographs	194
	Advertising Your Business	195
	The Best of All Advertising	200
	Internet Marketing	201
	Developing New Products, Services, and Markets	206
	Selected Bibliography	213
	Source Directory	215
	Associations	215
	Book Publishers	215
	Camera and Lens Companies	216
	Camera Bags, Cases, Straps, and Belt Systems	219
	Computer Companies	219
	Courses, Seminars, and Schools	222
	Direct Sales Outlets: Business and Office Equipment and Supplies	223
	Direct Sales Outlets: Computer Products	224
	Direct Sales Outlets: Photographic Equipment and Supplies	226
	Electronic Flashes and Accessories	228
	Film Manufacturers	228
	Filters, Screens, and Lens Attachments	229
	Magazines	230
	Multifunction Peripherals	232
	Photographic Filing and Storage Systems and Supplies	233
	Picture-Framing Tools and Materials	234
	Tripods and Accessories	235
	U.S. Government	236
	Index	237
	About the Author	246