New Photographer!

nbsunshine · Aug 10, 2016

Hi Everyone,

I'm a new photographer with lots to learn! My name is Kelly and I decided to pursue photography as more than a hobby when I lost my job due to the recession in Alberta. My company name is Ellie & Barkley Photography, named after my two pups Ellie & Barkley lol...I figured no one would have a photography business called that

I only do it part-time and consider myself an amateur but my clients seem ok with that! Someday I'd like to be pro - but there is quite a bit of work involved yet.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone and some great insight on the forum!

Kelly

ronlane · Aug 10, 2016

Welcome to the site.

robbins.photo · Aug 10, 2016

nbsunshine said:
Hi Everyone,

I'm a new photographer with lots to learn! My name is Kelly and I decided to pursue photography as more than a hobby when I lost my job due to the recession in Alberta. My company name is Ellie & Barkley Photography, named after my two pups Ellie & Barkley lol...I figured no one would have a photography business called that

Looking forward to getting to know everyone and some great insight on the forum!

Kelly

Welcome Kelly! Glad you joined the forum. One word of caution, however - I too taught my dog photography.

Now all he does is argue with me about shooting above ISO 100 and the fact that I don't use UV filters.

nbsunshine · Aug 10, 2016

ronlane said:
Welcome to the site.

Thank you!

nbsunshine · Aug 10, 2016

robbins.photo said:
nbsunshine said:

Hi Everyone,

I'm a new photographer with lots to learn! My name is Kelly and I decided to pursue photography as more than a hobby when I lost my job due to the recession in Alberta. My company name is Ellie & Barkley Photography, named after my two pups Ellie & Barkley lol...I figured no one would have a photography business called that

Looking forward to getting to know everyone and some great insight on the forum!

Kelly

Click to expand...

Welcome Kelly! Glad you joined the forum. One word of caution, however - I too taught my dog photography.

Now all he does is argue with me about shooting above ISO 100 and the fact that I don't use UV filters.

hahaha! thats so funny

Designer · Aug 10, 2016

Welcome!

ZombiesniperJr · Aug 10, 2016

Welcome to TPF

KmH · Aug 10, 2016

Welcome to TPF.

If you have customers you are considered as having a business and as a professional photographer.
If you live in the USA ( no location info in profile) you also have many legal obligations to your customers even if you only do it part-time and do not charge for your services.
In fact even though you only do it part-time right now, your city and state likely require you to register your business, require you have business liability insurance, and to collect and forward applicable sales taxes.

Co-mingling your personal and business funds isn't recommended and city/state/federal entities will expect you to keep good business financial records.

TheLibrarian · Aug 10, 2016

Try not to let the you must pay the man crowd impede or scare you out of business. You can get basic business insurance for $500/yr. Like $40 a month.

You've got fees for your local govt who wants a piece of your action $25-$50 non refundable business license application fee.

Then sales tax is generally 8.25% of every dollar you make or $8.25/ $100. IDK about any other vague legal obligations that old man winters wants to scare scooby doo out of the fun house with.

snowbear · Aug 10, 2016

Welcome aboard.

@KmH - she's in (or at least worked in) Alberta, judging by her original post.

nbsunshine · Aug 10, 2016

KmH said:
Welcome to TPF.

If you have customers you are considered as having a business and as a professional photographer.
If you live in the USA ( no location info in profile) you also have many legal obligations to your customers even if you only do it part-time and do not charge for your services.
In fact even though you only do it part-time right now, your city and state likely require you to register your business, require you have business liability insurance, and to collect and forward applicable sales taxes.

Co-mingling your personal and business funds isn't recommended and city/state/federal entities will expect you to keep good business financial records.

Thanks! Well, I have insurance, plus a business licence and all that, and I'll pay whatever is required by law, but I am not making enough in Canada for it to be more than a 'hobby' as per the government. I was just trying to tell all of you that I'm not feeling 'Pro' yet and still feel that I fit the amateur status

despite someone wants to pay me lol..I want to learn everything I can.

OGsPhotography · Aug 10, 2016

Hello, welcome.

Albertans don't pay tax everyone knows that haha.

zombiesniper · Aug 10, 2016

Welcome to TPF.

You'll find plenty of good knowledgable people that are more than able to assist you in photography or business.

ClickAddict · Aug 11, 2016

Welcome to TPF. Good luck with your business.

Took a peek at your website as I was curious as to the "NB"sunshine username. Thought there might be a connection to New Brunswick Canada in there somewhere. (Many people in the oil business went west for work so there are quite a few relocated or temporary Albertans that are originally from here)

Just a tip. You mention you are available for local projects. But you never mention (or at least not that I saw and was looking for it) where you are located.