Photography
I've realized that I really enjoy photography and I want to explore turning it into a side business. I've got a Federal EIN and a state sales tax certificate on the way, and I'll pick up a county occupational license soon.
The stack of library books about the business of photography all seem to assume I want to be a copyright baron. I don't. I'd prefer to sell my services as a wedding/event photographer and provide my customers with CDs and a written license to do as they please with the images.
I need to figure out what legal forms to use so that I don't lose my shirt if I get sick the day before the wedding and Bridezilla sues me for malpractice. Perhaps one of these books will have sample wording.
Also, I need to get in some serious practice. I bought the digital camera I've been lusting after, but I need to know its limits: How many shots can I get in 60 seconds? How long until the flash recharges? How long until I run out of battery power for the flash and/or camera?
Then there's my limits. How long can I run around the room before I need water and a protein bar, and can I snarf them discreetly without missing a shot or smudging the gear? Can I stay focused for hours on end? Can I remember to get all of the standard shots (waist-high individual shots of each attendant, ceremony stuff, kissing, rice, etc.) and actually pull it off with no do-overs?
Of course, that's wedding photography -- it's an entire sub-discipline. I'd also enjoy selling rights to stock photos, selling framed prints of nature shots, maybe a bit of pro-am stringer photojournalism... the nice thing about a sideline is the freedom to dabble.
I suspect the best thing for me to do is photograph a street fair and figure out my limits. Tropical Heatwave is this weekend... hmm...
On the other hand, if anyone needs an event photographer and wants to give me a chance, let's talk!
The stack of library books about the business of photography all seem to assume I want to be a copyright baron. I don't. I'd prefer to sell my services as a wedding/event photographer and provide my customers with CDs and a written license to do as they please with the images.
I need to figure out what legal forms to use so that I don't lose my shirt if I get sick the day before the wedding and Bridezilla sues me for malpractice. Perhaps one of these books will have sample wording.
Also, I need to get in some serious practice. I bought the digital camera I've been lusting after, but I need to know its limits: How many shots can I get in 60 seconds? How long until the flash recharges? How long until I run out of battery power for the flash and/or camera?
Then there's my limits. How long can I run around the room before I need water and a protein bar, and can I snarf them discreetly without missing a shot or smudging the gear? Can I stay focused for hours on end? Can I remember to get all of the standard shots (waist-high individual shots of each attendant, ceremony stuff, kissing, rice, etc.) and actually pull it off with no do-overs?
Of course, that's wedding photography -- it's an entire sub-discipline. I'd also enjoy selling rights to stock photos, selling framed prints of nature shots, maybe a bit of pro-am stringer photojournalism... the nice thing about a sideline is the freedom to dabble.
I suspect the best thing for me to do is photograph a street fair and figure out my limits. Tropical Heatwave is this weekend... hmm...
On the other hand, if anyone needs an event photographer and wants to give me a chance, let's talk!