How to Start a Home-Based Photography Business
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...
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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'd enjoy - a home-based photography business. Author Kenn Oberrecht shares his experiences and down-to-earth advice on every aspect of setting up and running a thriving home-based photography business, from estimating your start-up costs and outfitting your darkroom to staying profitable once you're in business. Use his handy worksheets, quizzes, and checklists as practical steps toward achieving your dream. 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. Learn all about honing your photography skills, working out of your home, buying the right computer equipment, pricing your services, getting paid and marketing your business on the Web.
IntroductionixChapter 1Getting Started as a Home-Based Photographer1How I Got Started in the Business1Should You Start Your Own Business?4Amateur vs Professional8Part-Time vs Full-Time Photography8Learning the Craft of Photography11Branches of Home-Based Photography14Photographer Turned Manager15Quick Quiz for the Home-Based Photographer15Chapter 2Working Out of Your Home19The Pros and Cons of Self-Employment20Setting Up Your Business Space23Handling Growth29Working with Others30Separating Business Life from Personal Life34Chapter 3Financial Planning37Start-Up Costs38Opening Bank Accounts40The Personal Financial Statement41Columnar Pads for Accounting and Bookkeeping42Profit-and-Loss Projections and Reports43Balance Sheets46Cash-Flow Projections and Reports46Credit and Borrowing50Chapter 4Financial Management53Pricing for Profit55Managing Accounts Payable58Managing Accounts Receivable60Purchasing65Is the Lowest Price Always the Best Price?71Chapter 5The Legal Aspects of Your Photography Business73Sole Proprietorship73Partnership74Corporation76Zoning Ordinances77Naming and Licensing Your Business77Hiring an Attorney80Insuring Your Home-Based Business81Copyright83Contracts86Chapter 6Writing a Business Plan91Why You Should Write a Business Plan92Organizing Your Business Plan94Cover Page95Table of Contents96Executive Summary96The Organizational Plan96The Financial Plan98The Management Plan103The Marketing Plan104Appendices106Chapter 7Taxes and Record Keeping107Using Your Home for Your Business109Use Test110Using a Vehicle in Your Business113Using a Computer in Your Business117Business Expenses118Depreciation of Business Property119Estimating Your Taxes122Record Keeping122Capitalizing Start-Up Costs126Sales Tax127Chapter 8Using a Computer in Your Business129Getting Started with a Computer130Hardware Overview134Software Overview140Buying a Computer System141Computer and Software Sources144Working the World Wide Web144Chapter 9Managing Your Photography Business151Setting Goals152Job Planning, Forecasting, and Scheduling152Storage, Filing, and Retrieval Systems165The Reference Library165Business Files168Photographic Filing Systems172Problems in Managing Your Business178Productivity180Business Communication183Follow-Up185Procrastination186Chapter 10Marketing Your Photography Business187Creating a Marketable Reputation187Publicity and Promotion188Public Relations189Your Portfolio194Mounting, Matting, and Framing Photographs194Advertising Your Business195The Best of All Advertising200Internet Marketing201Developing New Products, Services, and Markets206Selected Bibliography213Source Directory215Associations215Book Publishers215Camera and Lens Companies216Camera Bags, Cases, Straps, and Belt Systems219Computer Companies219Courses, Seminars, and Schools222Direct Sales Outlets: Business and Office Equipment and Supplies223Direct Sales Outlets: Computer Products224Direct Sales Outlets: Photographic Equipment and Supplies226Electronic Flashes and Accessories228Film Manufacturers228Filters, Screens, and Lens Attachments229Magazines230Multifunction Peripherals232Photographic Filing and Storage Systems and Supplies233Picture-Framing Tools and Materials234Tripods and Accessories235U.S. Government236Index237About the Author246
