A Semi-Pro Gig -- What's Next?

[ImageMaker]

Okay, I took the CD of images from the weekend's park event into the office of the Rhinoceros Times today.  My payment for this will be photographer credit on each image they use, and a freebie advertisement, apparently (based on the recollection of the layout folks, given the photo editor was out at the time) a 1x3 inch or 2x2 inch ad space that will run as filler -- that is, when they have room in the classified section, so may appear one week and not the next -- for a few weeks (that's sort of like getting paid $50 to $70 for the whole shoot, I think, except it's space they hadn't sold anyway so costs them only a few seconds of layout time to insert the ad).

Tomorrow's research project is determining whether the local and state governments have made it more of a pain than it's worth to be legal about operating a small portraiture business (the alternative is to use the ad space to try to land a staff position with one of the local papers).  Meantime, my question would be, how long would be a reasonable time to keep shooting (at my own expense for film and processing) for this free paper.  Clearly, I won't want to stay with them too long; I'm effectively giving away my images (they need full-res scans to be able to resize and sharpen correctly for their print and web editions, and sell prints of some photos from their web site -- though I don't know under what conditions they sell prints).  The question is, would I be ahead to stay with them until I've got another gig in hand, or put a limit on it (on the theory that the people who matter aren't reading the ads, if nothing happens by then)?  Beyond that, if I get the portraiture gig going, would I be ahead to keep doing some work for the Rhino so the ads would be free, and accompanied by photos with my byline, as compared to paying for my ads?

Hard questions, especially so for someone with zero business experience, much less any in the photo biz...

[MichaelHarris]

I'm trying not to do any "jobs", just selling prints.  It's not working out too well since in the last two weeks I've been cornered by WSU students to do senior portraits and then on Saturday I was asked to do ballet recital portraits.

It's hard for me to say no so now I'm hooked into doing it.  With the print sales, the WSU shots, and the ballet recital shots I may be able to buy a lens or something.  The lady who did the ballet shots made 500 bucks last year doing it.

I would be happy just driving the Palouse shooting landscapes, it never complains when I mess up.

[head zoo keeper]

Tough questions indeed. One question: when they're selling image via their web site, are they selling your images? If so, what's the cut for you -- assuming by giving you photo credit that you have retained all copyright on the images.

[ImageMaker]

Head, that's not clear yet -- either whether they'd *be* selling my images via web site (as opposed to simply presenting them as a photo article, as they do with some photos I've seen), or what arrangement there might be if they do sell prints.  For these images, I'm not sure it matters; they're not commercially salable (say, the way model photos would be), since I don't have model releases for any of them, and I still have the negatives if I want to make prints for myself (or, conceivably, peddle them to another journalistic market).

At no time did I view the gig with the Rhino as anything other that a stepping stone in any case; getting paid in photo credits and free ad space is not a way to eventually make photography pay for itself, much less pay some bills...

[Dean Williams]

Donald, you might ask the publication to include an endorsment of some kind with your photo credit i.e. "For reprints of this photo contact Donald Qualls".  

I have had numerous photos published in the local paper.  All I ask for is a photo credit.  Many of my photos are of young people participating in local events, and I've had quite a bit of biz from parents wanting enlargements of their kids.  I do not solicit these.  The parents call me through the paper.

[Tom Hildreth]

Donald,
It sounds like a decent stepping stone, one that may have close linkage to a possible start-up business for you. You have little to lose (some time & film, yes) for a few months as you support the Rhino, but isn't it likely you'll benefit from getting to know more people this way? Also, if you don't do it, someone else will. Someone like me, who may just be dorkin' around with a camera and have someoone ask if I have a shot of "such-and-such." The key is that over time, I have had people approach me with such requests, and if I had a portrait business, each of these contacts would be an opportunity for a free ad, or at least a "Hey, spread the word."
 
I would want to have a complete understanding of the website sales potential through the Rhino. I see substantial prices charged by the Rutland Herald for a local-interest print:
4X6" $9.00
5X7" 12.00
8X10" 18.00
 
A smaller local paper charges
4X6" $4.00
5X7" $7.00
8X10" $12.00
 
Tell you what. If I could get $9.00 for a 4X6", today's commute would be my last one. I would have a new career. My point is they don't give these things away, and you should get a cut if they are going to sell your work. Something they could tolerate, like 15%-20% of their selling price. If they can't accomodate that, well, I'd be suspect of their intent overall-but that's just me.
 
When you say you want to investigate "whether the local and state governments have made it more of a pain than it's worth to be legal about operating a small portraiture business"- I take this to mean you are concerned the state business registration fees and tax issues may be daunting. It cost me very little here in Vermont, a one-time fee of maybe $25 to register my photo business. At the end of every year I have to fill out a state tax form. This year for me my sales were all out-of-state through the mail, so there was no tax burden. If I had a studio and was taking in local money, I would be paying a percentage of my sales in taxes. (Does your state have a sales tax-if not, you don't even have to worry about this little item-I don't think, anyway.)
 
Good luck whatever you do.

[ImageMaker]

Tom, I'm with you -- if I could get nine bucks for a 4x6, I'd be running around anywhere there are people with my camera (maybe even a Polaroid) and a bunch of business cards with a tear-off for subject information.  Sell *one* print from a roll of 24, and I've covered cost of the film and processing, and pocketed a couple bucks.

The local regulatory issues are exactly what you surmised -- cost and necessity of business licenses, tax requirements, etc.  Last time I tried a home business, I got a letter from the city *two years* later, asking if perhaps I owed them some taxes, and wondering if I was interested in a business license vs. being shut down?  When I explained that I'd made $13 gross, and hadn't had a single order in over a year, they never said another word -- but I spent more than $13 of my own time filling out state tax forms and learning how to file Federal taxes with self-employment tax included.  Mind you, both of those would be less onerous if there were actual income on which to pay taxes.  This state does have a sales tax as well as state income tax, but I've dealt with sales tax before (Washington has one, not to mention a "Business and Occupation" tax despite not having personal income tax) -- and it's simple enough to pass along the effect of sales tax, just a tack-on on the invoice and no one ever quibbles over it.

Anyway, just about time to get on the phone to city hall...

[sandeha]

It sounds like a decent stepping stone, one that may have close linkage to a possible start-up business for you. You have little to lose (some time & film, yes) for a few months as you support the Rhino, but isn't it likely you'll benefit from getting to know more people this way? Also, if you don't do it, someone else will. Someone like me, who may just be dorkin' around with a camera and have someoone ask if I have a shot of "such-and-such." The key is that over time, I have had people approach me with such requests, and if I had a portrait business, each of these contacts would be an opportunity for a free ad, or at least a "Hey, spread the word."

Very pertinent, Tom.  As I see it, if you're unknown you need to network first, and not worry about cash inflow.  An example here of something I'm working on ... I came to an agreement with a local business to do product and hair shots on a free-free basis.  It's slow happening as yet, but however long it takes there'll be no charges on either side ... and it's worth it for me because I get provided with free models to shoot.  Once the work gets seen and word gets about, I'll pull out the calculator for everybody else.

Donald, go find the most competitive and upcoming hair stylist in town.  

[ImageMaker]

Sandeha, what you're talking about is very close to TFP (Time For Prints, or often now Time for CD), a common payment arrangement for beginning models and model photographers.  It works very well to get a portfolio built up and gain experience, as long as you know where to draw the line (or at least start tapering off).  I'm not sure about hair stylists, though -- there's rather a gulf between portraiture and fashion photography, and hair stylists really want and need the latter more than the former...

I just got off the phone with the state and city, and it appears I don't need a "business license" per se from either, but a "Photographer's Privilege License" from the state (I suspect that name is derived from a law written 150+ years ago, when the competition between Daguerreotypists was stiff enough there were a few instances of actual violence between them); it's a flat annual fee/tax, apparently, and no more complications until or unless I employ one or more people (not likely to happen soon, and a complication to be sought, since it would mean I have too much work to do my own schlepping of gear etc.).

I certainly plan to continue the relationship with the Rhino for the immediate future -- they like my work, do a good job explaining things to the noob (BTW, they do provide a percentage when they sell an image from their web pages, though they've had almost no sales in six months they've had the sale option up), and free advertising is the best kind.

So, I've got the state business licensing information on the way via email, and have until 4 PM Friday to submit an ad (B&W only, but halftone okay, either 1 column by 3 inches or 2 columns by 2 inches) to run next week (paper hits the street on Thursday).

Between now and Friday, I have to come up with a business name to put in the ad (I think I've got it already), register the trade name, design the ad, and design and print some business cards.  Shouldn't be hard, got a couple hours work there and a trip to the county offices to get the "Assumed Name Certificate" notarized.

[head zoo keeper]

The Stobist-dude linked to this Photo Business blogger today... don't know if you'll find it useful but there might be some good tips:

http://photobusinessforum.blogspot.com

Stobist is also doing an interesting series on being discovered and going pro. Interesting read. Part One in the series was a nice, almost fairy tale like discovery.

[LarryD]

I used to sell it for the byline only. I think I can't do that anymore.

Reason being it was because it was a Local paper and the picture was not going to be anyplace but the AP Got payed extra if the AP picked it up like 50 bucks. Now it is internet.... And API nope need money.



Larry