Receiving Mail

ssimmonsphotossimmonsphoto Registered Users Posts: 424 Major grins
edited February 16, 2009 in Mind Your Own Business
I'm a relative new comer to the business side of photography (have been teaching the craft for longer). My question is for those of you who do not have an established studio location. How do you receive mail from clients? My home mailing address is my physical address, so I am leary of giving it out. I also don't want to pay tons of money for a post office box for the very little mail I actually get from clients. I currently have an arrangement with the post office to hold my photography related mail at the post office, but I'm worried that they will "return to sender" even though they know what to do with it. I'm feeling a bit paranoid about it all. :dunno

What do you do?
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Comments

  • kd2kd2 Registered Users Posts: 179 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2009
    I got a post office box. It wasn't that expensive and worth the cost to be able to present a professional appearance for sending and receiving mail.
    ~Kathy
    Success Coach, Motivational Speaker, Professional Photographer
    "Enriching Lives through Images and Inspiration"
    www.kathleendavenport.com


  • RustingInPeaceRustingInPeace Registered Users Posts: 255 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2009
    I have always used my home address and have never had an issue.

    “Look, I'm not an intellectual - I just take pictures.” -Helmut Newton-
  • nipprdognipprdog Registered Users Posts: 660 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2009
    RustingInPeace wrote:
    I have always used my home address and have never had an issue.

    Agreed.

    Why are you (OP) so paranoid???
    Jim

    http://www.knippixels.com
  • kd2kd2 Registered Users Posts: 179 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2009
    Back to my comment about using a post office box. As a female, it's also a safety measure for me. Especially since I'd been receiving some crank phone calls.
    ~Kathy
    Success Coach, Motivational Speaker, Professional Photographer
    "Enriching Lives through Images and Inspiration"
    www.kathleendavenport.com


  • ssimmonsphotossimmonsphoto Registered Users Posts: 424 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2009
    nipprdog wrote:
    Agreed.

    Why are you (OP) so paranoid???
    I actually don't know! I suppose that part of that is because I'm also a high school teacher and am used to hiding where I live from my students. I'm going to follow your suggestions and just start using my home address. I don't get enough mail to warrant a PO box and it's a pain to have to drive there on the off chance something came.

    Thanks for your input, everyone. I just needed reassurance that other people gave out their home address as well. thumb.gif
    Website (hosted by Zenfolio after 6.5 years with SmugMug) | Blog (hosted by Zenfolio) | Tave User
  • RustingInPeaceRustingInPeace Registered Users Posts: 255 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2009
    kd2 wrote:
    Back to my comment about using a post office box. As a female, it's also a safety measure for me. Especially since I'd been receiving some crank phone calls.

    I have a great safety messure in place a Sig Sauer P220. It's amazing how you most situations get resolved. Works great when shooting in tough areas.

    “Look, I'm not an intellectual - I just take pictures.” -Helmut Newton-
  • leaforteleaforte Registered Users Posts: 1,948 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2009
    You might check into a forwarding service. I'm not sure how they compare to a PO Box, but you will be incognito, and won't have to drive in to check your PO Box. I am forced to the PO Box, since I live out in the hills where they do not deliver mail anyway.
    Growing with Dgrin



  • AngeloAngelo Super Moderators Posts: 8,937 moderator
    edited February 7, 2009
    in today's world of websites and email why publish any mailing address?

    use the home address only on a need-to-know basis
    www.angelo.smugmug.com

    Moderator of: Location, Location, Location , Mind Your Own Business & Other Cool Shots
  • kd2kd2 Registered Users Posts: 179 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2009
    RustingInPeace wrote:
    I have a great safety messure in place a Sig Sauer P220. It's amazing how you most situations get resolved. Works great when shooting in tough areas.

    Laughing.gif! That works, too!
    ~Kathy
    Success Coach, Motivational Speaker, Professional Photographer
    "Enriching Lives through Images and Inspiration"
    www.kathleendavenport.com


  • ssimmonsphotossimmonsphoto Registered Users Posts: 424 Major grins
    edited February 8, 2009
    Angelo wrote:
    in today's world of websites and email why publish any mailing address?

    use the home address only on a need-to-know basis
    That's my plan now. Thank you, everyone, for your help.
    Website (hosted by Zenfolio after 6.5 years with SmugMug) | Blog (hosted by Zenfolio) | Tave User
  • Scott McLeod PhotoScott McLeod Photo Registered Users Posts: 77 Big grins
    edited February 8, 2009
    Boxes at the Post Office or at UPS stores run about $50-60 a year. Only you can judge it that is worth it. I have had a P.O. Box for a number of years and have pretty much everything important sent there.
    WTB: 1GB and 512k CF cards.
    I have a need for a decent # of these smaller cards. If you have multiple cards that would be great. I am located at zip code 35243 & 35255.
  • SCPSCP Registered Users Posts: 100 Major grins
    edited February 15, 2009
    In this age of technology and smarter computer Savvy Students. You only THINK you are hiding your address. I bet all your students know where you live.

    If you are listed in the phone book anyways, you are all over the internet. Try googling yourself.
    Kandie Kingery
    __________________
    Stone Creek Photography
    Equine and Historical Landscape Photographer.
    New Mexico.

    Become a fan of Stone Creek Photography
  • ssimmonsphotossimmonsphoto Registered Users Posts: 424 Major grins
    edited February 16, 2009
    SCP wrote:
    In this age of technology and smarter computer Savvy Students. You only THINK you are hiding your address. I bet all your students know where you live.

    If you are listed in the phone book anyways, you are all over the internet. Try googling yourself.
    Oh, I've googled myself before. But my phone number is unlisted (no land line has ever been at my house) and we live on a new street in a new house.
    Website (hosted by Zenfolio after 6.5 years with SmugMug) | Blog (hosted by Zenfolio) | Tave User
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