How to Start a Home-Based Photography Business, 5th

by Kenn Oberrecht

• ISBN13: 9780762738809
• ISBN10: 0762738804
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2005-12-01
• Publisher: Globe Pequot

Summary

From estimating your start-up costs and setting up your darkroom to staying profitable once you're in business, this comprehensive guide has it all for aspiring photography professionals.

Author Biography

Kenn Oberrecht is the author of more than two dozen books, and has written for such magazines as Modern Photography, Sports Illustrated, and The Writer. He has taught both photography and writing at the university level, and is currently a freelance photographer and writer working out of his home in Oregon.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xi
Getting Started as a Home-Based Photographer	1	(18)
How I Got Started in the Business	1	(3)
Should You Start Your Own Business?	4	(4)
Amateur vs Professional	8	(1)
Part-Time vs Full-Time Photography	9	(2)
Learning the Craft of Photography	11	(3)
Branches of Home-Based Photography	14	(1)
Photographer Turned Manager	15	(1)
Quick Quiz for the Home-Based Photographer	15	(4)
Working Out of Your Home	19	(18)
The Pros and Cons of Self-Employment	20	(3)
Setting Up Your Business Space	23	(6)
Handling Growth	29	(1)
Working with Others	30	(4)
Separating Business Life from Personal Life	34	(3)
Financial Planning	37	(16)
Start-Up Costs	38	(2)
Opening Bank Accounts	40	(1)
The Personal Financial Statement	41	(1)
Columnar Pads for Accounting and Bookkeeping	42	(1)
Profit-and-Loss Projections and Reports	43	(3)
Balance Sheets	46	(1)
Cash-Flow Projections and Reports	46	(5)
Credit and Borrowing	51	(2)
Financial Management	53	(22)
Pricing for Profit	55	(3)
Managing Accounts Payable	58	(2)
Managing Accounts Receivable	60	(5)
Purchasing	65	(7)
Is the Lowest Price Always the Best Price?	72	(3)
The Legal Aspects of Your Photography Business	75	(18)
Sole Proprietorship	75	(1)
Partnership	76	(2)
Corporation	78	(1)
Zoning Ordinances	79	(1)
Naming and Licensing Your Business	79	(3)
Hiring an Attorney	82	(1)
Insuring Your Home-Based Business	83	(2)
Copyright	85	(3)
Contracts	88	(5)
Writing a Business Plan	93	(16)
Why You Should Write a Business Plan	94	(2)
Organizing Your Business Plan	96	(1)
Cover Page	97	(1)
Table of Contents	98	(1)
Executive Summary	98	(1)
The Organizational Plan	98	(2)
The Financial Plan	100	(5)
The Management Plan	105	(1)
The Marketing Plan	106	(2)
Appendices	108	(1)
Taxes and Record Keeping	109	(22)
Using Your Home for Your Business	111	(1)
Use Test	112	(3)
Using a Vehicle in Your Business	115	(4)
Using a Computer in Your Business	119	(1)
Business Expenses	120	(1)
Depreciation of Business Property	121	(3)
Estimating Your Taxes	124	(1)
Record Keeping	124	(4)
Capitalizing Start-Up Costs	128	(1)
Sales Tax	129	(2)
Using a Computer in Your Business	131	(22)
Getting Started with a Computer	132	(4)
Hardware Overview	136	(5)
Software Overview	141	(1)
Buying a Computer System	142	(1)
Computer and Software Sources	143	(1)
Working the World Wide Web	143	(10)
Managing Your Photography Business	153	(36)
Setting Goals	154	(1)
Job Planning, Forecasting, and Scheduling	154	(13)
Storage, Filing, and Retrieval Systems	167	(1)
The Reference Library	167	(3)
Business Files	170	(4)
Photographic Filing Systems	174	(6)
Problems in Managing Your Business	180	(2)
Productivity	182	(3)
Business Communication	185	(2)
Follow-Up	187	(1)
Procrastination	188	(1)
Marketing Your Photography Business	189	(26)
Creating a Marketable Reputation	189	(1)
Publicity and Promotion	190	(1)
Public Relations	191	(5)
Your Portfolio	196	(1)
Mounting, Matting, and Framing Photographs	196	(1)
Advertising Your Business	197	(5)
The Best of All Advertising	202	(1)
Internet Marketing	203	(5)
Developing New Products, Services, and Markets	208	(7)
Selected Bibliography	215	(2)
Source Directory	217	(18)
Associations	217	(1)
Book Publishers	217	(1)
Camera and Lens Companies	218	(2)
Camera Bags, Cases, Straps, and Belt Systems	220	(1)
Computer Companies	221	(2)
Courses, Seminars, and Schools	223	(1)
Direct Sales Outlets: Business and Office Equipment and Supplies	223	(2)
Direct Sales Outlets: Computer Products	225	(1)
Direct Sales Outlets: Photographic Equipment and Supplies	226	(1)
Electronic Flashes and Accessories	227	(1)
Film Manufacturers	228	(1)
Filters, Screens, and Lens Attachments	229	(1)
Magazines	229	(2)
Multifunction Peripherals	231	(1)
Photographic Filing and Storage Systems and Supplies	231	(1)
Picture-Framing Tools and Materials	232	(1)
Tripods and Accessories	233	(1)
U.S. Government	234	(1)
Index	235	(9)
About the Author	244