American Society of Media Photographers

American Society of Media Photographers

So I m Finally a Professional Photographer! What do I do now? Presented by CT ASMP Board Members: Jane Shauck www.photojane.com Carl Vernlund www.vernlund.com www.photoiris.com http://ctasmp.org/business-resources

Contents Some Advice Photographers Resources How ASMP Can Help Please note that the recommendations and resources in this presentation are compiled from a number of sources including personal opinions and are not all endorsed by the ASMP or the presenters. The resources are a starting point and you need to do a full investigation of anything you decide to pursue.

Some Advice Getting Set-Up in Business Assisting Marketing Quoting Accounting and Legal

Getting Set Up in Business The IRS requirements for being a business are that you must be able to show you had intention to make a profit and you must be able to show that you are operating like a business. There are a number of ways to be seen as a business including: Choose a business entity (sole proprietorship, limited liability corporation, partnership, s-corp, corporation). Jane Shauck 2011 Register your business with the local, state and federal government. Get a separate bank account for your business. Your current bank can educate you about this. To avoid tax trouble, you need to keep your finances from your business in a separate account from your personal. Create a business plan.

Getting Set Up in Business Decide on your business name Get a logo Get a business card Get a website Business Insurance: Hill and Usher Personal health insurance: ehealthinsurance.com

Assisting CT ASMP has an assistant list you can belong to. By becoming a member you can be in our Find an Assistant database and get higher priority on the CT list. Network, network, network. Go to industry events. Meet photographers. Cold call via email and send a link to your website. If you don t hear back follow up with a second email. Good Article Entitled How to Never Get Hired as an Assistant Again at http:// www.asmp.org/strictlybusiness/ 2011/06/how-to-never-get-hired-asan-assistant-again/

Marketing Local Regional National Graphic Design Homemade Custom Local Custom National Website Template Template or Custom Template or Custom Portfolio Website Only, PDF of Images, Maybe IPAD Professional book, Sleeves OK Professional Book, Designed, No Sleeves Subjects Broad but Categorized Medium Broad but Categorized Specialized Database Spreadsheet + Madmimi/CC Spreadsheet + Madmimi/CC Spreadsheet + Agency Access Email and Mail Campaigns Email 6-8 weeks Action followed by a phone call, ask for work Email 6-8 weeks, Postcard Twice/Yr Action followed by a phone call, ask for work Email 6-8 weeks, Postcard Twice/Yr, Marketing Piece Action followed by a phone call, ask for work Advertising Free or Inexpensive Listings, Facebook, Twitter, Press Releases Same plus Online Listings Same plus Agency Access, Reps, Source Directories Networking Ad Clubs, Local Photographers Photoplus Expo Portfolio Reviews Cost $ $$ $$$

Email Blast Examples

Website Examples

Blogging and Social Media

Portfolio Examples

Quoting Commercial Jobs Start educating yourself with the Licensing Guide on the ASMP website which covers quoting different types of photography... editorial, commercial, retail: http:// asmp.org/links/32 Commercial jobs involve a Creative Fee + Licensing (or Usage) Fee + Expenses Creative Fee is based on your cost of doing business and what you think the market will bear. Calculate your Cost of Doing Business here: http://www.nppa.org/ professional_development/business_practices/cdb/ cdbcalc.cfm Usage Fee guidelines can be found online at stock agencies, fotoquote software, ASMP Paperwork Share Get all the details needed for a good quote Don t feel you have to give pricing over the phone Some photographers prefer to lump all into one price. Some clients ask for day rates.

Accounting and Legal Starting off with a spreadsheet is fine for tracking: Income Expenses Mileage Overdue Invoices Clients Workflow When you can, move to an accounting software like Quickbooks and/or hire an accountant. You can also get a customer/workflow mgmt system for photographers like ShootQ Create some basic forms Estimating Form Invoice Change Form Receipt

Accounting and Legal Contracts Create your own contract at asmp.org When you hire assistants, second shooters, make-up artists, models, etc. you ll need a specific contract Business Plans Plan on who you are going to serve, how you are going to get those clients, what and how much you will sell and what profit you will make Professionals Lawyers and Accountants cost money...you have to decide when you can afford them and when you need them.

Scale and Using Your Time and Money Wisely Over your career ask: What should I do myself? What should I outsource? What software can help your efficiency? Book: Getting Things Done by David Allen DAM Marketing Selling You make money when you shoot! Register You Shooting Client Mgmt Editing Accounting

National Resources - Education/Industry Photoplus Expo Strobist.com Joe McNally s Blog A Photo Editor Agency Access Photo District News (PDN) Magazine noplasticsleeves.com pdnonline.com asmp.org digitalweddingforum.com

National Resources - Labs/Supplies White House Custom Color Lab: whcc.com Milller s Lab Websites: Livebooks, Photoshelter, BluDomain, intothedarkroom.com Gallery Hosts: Pictage, Collages.net, Zenfolio, PickPic, RedCart Portfolios: Lost-Luggage.com Albums (Weddings and Portraits): whcc.com ($), finao.com ($$) leathercraftsman.com ($$$), Cypress Albums ($$$), Queensberry.com ($$$) Business cards www.overnightprints.com

Local Resources Local chapter of asmp: ctasmp.org Simonds Milford Photo Camera Wholesalers Monthly PUG - Wedding Photographers CT PPA - Portrait Photographers mysticseminars.com Inspire Boston

What is ASMP and how can it help? ASMP is the premier trade association for photographers focused on helping photographers be successful. It helps save you money, get jobs, and run your business more profitably.

ASMP Benefit: Find a Photographer and Find an Assistant

ASMP Benefit: Education and Networking Local Live Programs offered this Year: Platon Lightroom 3 The Business of Architectural Photography Ask Anything The Agile Photographer Bus Trip to the ASMPNY Portfolio Reviews Upcoming: Sean Kernan Workshop Upcoming: Ask Anything Strictly Business Conference 3 Every 3 Years Jane Shauck 2011

ASMP Benefit: Online Tutorials Bad Contract Business Forms Copyright Licensing Guide Paperwork Share Releases Social Media Terms and Conditions Video

ASMP Benefit: Online Communities Architecture ASMPproAdvice Corporate Facebook Food Fine Art LinkedIn Strictly Business Blog Stock Twitter Video

ASMP Benefit: Member Discounts Adobe Apple Blinkbid fotoquote Hindsight Imagenomic PC Connection ASMP Health Plans Agency Access American Airlines AT&T B&H FedEx Office Depot Think Tank Paychex Still River Editions Rental Cards Allworth Press American PHOTO Photo District News Clickbooq Creative Edge livebooks PhotoServe FolioLink

ASMP Benefit: The Book This classic guide is the ultimate source on key business practices and industry standards from the foremost authority in professional photography. From standard practices in stock and assignment photography to special one-time decisions such as acquiring a digital workstation, this business bible provides the latest answers to any legal or business question an aspiring or professional photographer can ask.

ASMP Benefit: Membership Student Associate $45 Emerging Associate $140 General Member $335

American Society of Media Photographers