How to Start a Home-Based Photography Business

by Kenn Oberrecht

• ISBN13: 9780762705146
• ISBN10: 0762705140
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 1999-12-01
• Publisher: Globe Pequot

Summary

This new edition of starting a home-based photography business includes useful information on start-up costs, zoning regulations, how to attract first time customers, keeping prices profitable and competitive and easy-to-use worksheets.

Author Biography

Kenn Oberrecht is the author of more than two dozen books and has written for such magazines as Popular Photography, Field and Stream, Sports Afield, and The Writer. He is currently a freelance photographer and writer working out of his home in Oregon

Table of Contents

Introduction	vii
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	8	(3)
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	(7)
Handling Growth	30	(1)
Working with Others	31	(3)
Separating Business Life from Personal Life	34	(3)
Financial Planning	37	(18)
Start-up Costs	38	(2)
Opening Bank Accounts	40	(1)
The Personal Financial Statement	41	(2)
Columnar Pads for Accounting and Bookkeeping	43	(1)
Profit-and-Loss Projections and Reports	43	(3)
Balance Sheets	46	(2)
Cash-Flow Projections and Reports	48	(3)
Credit and Borrowing	51	(4)
Financial Management	55	(20)
Pricing for Profit	57	(3)
Managing Accounts Payable	60	(2)
Managing Accounts Receivable	62	(6)
Purchasing	68	(3)
Is the Lowest Price Always the Best Price?	71	(4)
The Legal Aspects of Your Photography Business	75	(20)
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	(3)
Copyright	86	(3)
Contracts	89	(6)
Writing a Business Plan	95	(16)
Why You Should Write a Business Plan	96	(2)
Organizing Your Business Plan	98	(2)
Cover Page	100	(1)
Table of Contents	100	(1)
Executive Summary	100	(2)
The Organizational Plan	102	(1)
The Financial Plan	102	(5)
The Management Plan	107	(1)
The Marketing Plan	108	(2)
Appendices	110	(1)
Taxes and Record Keeping	111	(22)
Using Your Home for Your Business	113	(1)
Use Test	114	(3)
Using a Vehicle in Your Business	117	(5)
Using a Computer in Your Business	122	(1)
Business Expenses	122	(2)
Depreciation of Business Property	124	(2)
Estimating Your Taxes	126	(1)
Record Keeping	126	(5)
Capitalizing Start-up Costs	131	(1)
Sales Tax	132	(1)
Using a Computer in Your Business	133	(24)
Getting Started with a Computer	134	(4)
Hardware Overview	138	(6)
Software Overview	144	(2)
Buying a Computer System	146	(1)
Computer and Software Sources	146	(3)
Working the World Wide Web	149	(8)
Managing Your Photography Business	157	(36)
Setting Goals	158	(1)
Job Planning, Forecasting, and Scheduling	158	(13)
Storage, Filing, and Retrieval Systems	171	(1)
The Reference Library	171	(3)
Business Files	174	(4)
Photographic Filing Systems	178	(6)
Problems in Managing Your Business	184	(2)
Productivity	186	(3)
Business Communication	189	(2)
Follow-up	191	(1)
Procrastination	192	(1)
Marketing Your Photography Business	193	(26)
Creating a Marketable Reputation	193	(1)
Publicity and Promotion	194	(1)
Public Relations	195	(4)
Your Portfolio	199	(1)
Mounting, Matting, and Framing Photographs	200	(1)
Advertising Your Business	201	(5)
The Best of All Advertising	206	(1)
Internet Marketing	207	(5)
Developing New Products, Services, and Markets	212	(7)
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY	219	(2)
SOURCE DIRECTORY	221	(25)
Associations	221	(1)
Book Publishers	221	(1)
Camera and Lens Companies	222	(2)
Cameras, Bags, Cases, Straps, and Belt Systems	224	(1)
Computer Companies	225	(6)
Courses, Seminars, and Schools	231	(1)
Direct Sales Outlets: Business and Office Equipment and Supplies	231	(2)
Direct Sales Outlets: Computer Products	233	(2)
Direct Sales Outlets: Photographic Equipment and Supplies	235	(3)
Electronic Flashes and Accessories	238	(1)
Film Manufacturers	238	(1)
Filters, Screens, and Lens Attachments	239	(1)
Magazines	240	(2)
Miltifunction Peripherals	242	(1)
Photographic Filing and Storage Systems and Supplies	242	(1)
Picture-Framing Tools and Materials	243	(1)
Tripods and Accessories	244	(1)
U.S. Government	245	(1)
Index	246	(9)
About the Author	255