Me, the Pro Wannabe....

dusty-dog

OK, I admit it. I'm not a professional photographer. I am a professional wannabe. In that vein, I do sell images from time to time, either by specific image requests, photo exhibitions with my photo club, NWPLI, or events (pets and people portraits, or family reunions, etc., but on a very limited basis. Given that I am a wannabe, and therefore, by some standards, a pro because I do make a few pennies at my passion, I set up my gallery site and I call it Dusty Dog Digital. I have made up a business card and stationary. I put Dusty Dog Digital stickers on the back of all my images, particularly for exhibitions and sales. My day job is a landscape architect/park planner for the National Park Service, and I make a pretty good living at it. I'm not looking to be giving up the day job just yet.

I sold one image to an acquantance because she loved it. I sold it for not very much, $60 for the print, or $75 matted. I suggested that she get it framed herself, as shipping a framed image to Arizona from NY was a bit dicey. She got the image, and mailed me a check for the matted print, plus shipping costs. But, she made the check out to Dusty Dog Digital. Yikes!

I guess I have to go to the bank tomorrow to see whether I can add Dusty Dog Digital to my bank account, or not. I suppose I'd need to set up a new business account, but what kind of ramifications will I be facing? Do you recommend I just ask her to send me a new check made out with my real name? This is really the first time I've encountered this. Is it time to just get real and set my business up? Then maybe I can start deducting the cost (now into the thousands, of course) of my equipment and expenses. Of course, I'm sure I'd have some tax implications.

What's a photoholic pro wannabe to do??

jdryan3

dusty-dog wrote:

I sold one image to an acquantance because she loved it. I sold it for not very much, $60 for the print, or $75 matted. She got the image, and mailed me a check for the matted print, plus shipping costs. But, she made the check out to Dusty Dog Digital. Yikes!

First sale? Matte & Frame the check :jose

dusty-dog

jdryan3 wrote:

First sale? Matte & Frame the check :jose

Hehehe.... not my first sale. Just the first paid to "Dusty Dog Digital". If I didn't need the money, I would frame it.

Angelo

why didn't she order through smugmug? doing so would've avoided this problem.

dusty-dog

Angelo wrote:

why didn't she order through smugmug? doing so would've avoided this problem.

Angelo, some of my galleries are set up to order big prints. But frankly, I usually just upload 72dpi images, so prints must come through me. I don't have a pro account with smugmug, and I'm concerned about images being illegally lifted from my site. I know, I'm flattering myself, but it does happen. So far, I cannot justify the $150 +/- that smugmug charges for their account, with all the watermark and copyright protections not offered in the basic or power user accounts. Maybe, I should think more on it. After all, I am a true wannabe, right?

jww

dusty-dog wrote:

Angelo, some of my galleries are set up to order big prints. But frankly, I usually just upload 72dpi images, so prints must come through me. I don't have a pro account with smugmug, and I'm concerned about images being illegally lifted from my site. I know, I'm flattering myself, but it does happen. So far, I cannot justify the $150 +/- that smugmug charges for their account, with all the watermark and copyright protections not offered in the basic or power user accounts. Maybe, I should think more on it. After all, I am a true wannabe, right?

I think of it as a really cool backup with unlimited storage space of all your processed ready to print pics with a nifty customer facing interface! ..as a bonus if someone wants a print they can help themselves as smugmug handles all the printing and shipping.

Tango

can you just add your name behind dustydog?

Elaine

dusty-dog wrote:

Angelo, some of my galleries are set up to order big prints. But frankly, I usually just upload 72dpi images, so prints must come through me. I don't have a pro account with smugmug, and I'm concerned about images being illegally lifted from my site. I know, I'm flattering myself, but it does happen. So far, I cannot justify the $150 +/- that smugmug charges for their account, with all the watermark and copyright protections not offered in the basic or power user accounts. Maybe, I should think more on it. After all, I am a true wannabe, right?

Just a thought...this one item could have put you well towards covering the cost for a Smug pro account. I'm kinda a pro-wannabe myself and I got the pro account in August. I've barely marked up my print prices and just recently marked them up a little bit more (but only for paid portrait sessions - family still gets cost + .01) and I'm quite sure my account subscription will be covered by my print/download profits, even this first year. If you really do want to go "pro," having a pro account will only enable you to present yourself in a more pro way, IMO.

EDIT: And having a pro account allows proof-delay, so you can still only upload low res files for proofing/viewing and then you can replace them with high res when they are ordered.

Bill_M

It's easy...and free...to set-up a business account. I have one set-up because people often write checks to my business name instead of my name. Just set it up at the same bank as your regular account...wait for the check to clear, then transfer the $$ to your regular account.

...or you can add the business name to your regular account, either way works.

Good luck...

dusty-dog wrote:

I guess I have to go to the bank tomorrow to see whether I can add Dusty Dog Digital to my bank account, or not. I suppose I'd need to set up a new business account, but what kind of ramifications will I be facing? Do you recommend I just ask her to send me a new check made out with my real name? This is really the first time I've encountered this. Is it time to just get real and set my business up? Then maybe I can start deducting the cost (now into the thousands, of course) of my equipment and expenses. Of course, I'm sure I'd have some tax implications.

What's a photoholic pro wannabe to do??

dusty-dog

Follow Up
I took my Dusty Dog Digital check to the bank today. They agreed to allow me to deposit it only, given that it was such a small amount of money. Case closed? Maybe. I still need to think about how I will be going forward with my "business".

One person asked me if I was interested in "shooting her baby". Problem is, she's a pain in the tush. She acts like we're best of friends, but the only time I ever have any dealings with her is when she wants some photo services. She's looking for a bargain basement price. I think I'm gonna charge her VERY HIGH. If she accepts, fine, I'll make some money. If she doesn't, tough sh...... She can find herself another photographer. She wants me to spend a few hours shooting her baby's christening (did I spell that right?). I'm sure she's looking for about $100 price, including all images.

I'm not a great business person. I'm just not. I'm a very happy pro wannabe right now.

justus

Check from Sale
Sounds like you have some decisions to make regarding your business status. I filed my business with the county clerk, got a license to DO business, opened up a bank account in the name of the business and it serves many purposes. First, I keep easier records of expenses, income, etc and for tax purposes, it's a necessity. I'd take the steps to maintain a legal business stance and it kind of gives you the "boot" to promote your photography one step further. Good luck. Sounds like you're at a crossroads trying to figure out which way to go. Go forward! If you love photography, promote it!

dusty-dog

Well photo phokes, I took the leap. I'm no longer a wannabe. I now have a pro smugmug account, and I'm in the process of transitioning my site for business. It's going to be quite a challenge to get rid of the junk, and put up the ones that I think are really worthwhile for sale. But, I know that junk is a relative term. I just sold one image that..... well...... isn't junk, but it sure wasn't even close to my favs. Ya never know.

So, wish me luck. Offer me advise. Let er rip. My site looks like hell, and I am going to need to "professionalize" it. Right now, it just seems like a daunting task. Anyone do this for a living? I'm willing to talk.

Thanks all for your input, kind words, and encouragement. I'm a pro.