We’re not thinking about our photography business as the sun edges from behind a tree at the magic hour. Nor when a A fluffy hooded merganser glides through a golden pond at sunset. We pause when the bright, rapid beat of a woodpecker’s tapping echoes through the woods.
It’s moments like these that call nature photographers to rise before dawn and embrace the cold. Then it’s the thrill of editing and bringing our images to life as we sip our hot green tea.
The last place we want to be? With invoices, expenses and legal paperwork! To help expedite getting your business back office set up, here’s a few key resources.
Your Business: An Official Business Entity
First, check with your accountant the best option for your business goals. If forming a legal business entity, consider looking at Legal Zoom. They complete the tedious legwork for you.
The process took about 45 minutes online combined with a well-deserved payment. They took care of everything. When I made a slight mistake, they let me know. As a result, I had a credit applied to the total. Updates came in consistently.
Within a few weeks, my Limited Liability Corporation: Sheen’s Nature Photography LLC was formed. All that I needed, including the tax information, was delivered to my door.
There was no way I could get the time savings, accuracy and speed doing this on my own. Since I’m not an attorney or accountant, I needed their KISS method. Keep it super simple!
Financials & Your Photography Business
Customer Payments: We generate sales from art shows, websites, online transactions and photography services. Methods for making it easy for your customers to buy is essential. Square, Paypal and others take just a few minutes to set up.
Checking and Savings: Next, a business checking account. Banks require you to have an EIN number for business accounts. They also need a copy of your articles which Legal Zoom provided.
Expenses: A small business credit card will help keep business expenses organized. The American Express Small Business Credit Card is a great way to go. Earning miles is an extra perk. Those miles will fly us to new adventures.
Quickbooks: For tracking expenses and income, Quickbooks simplifies the annual trip to your accountant. Quick, monthly reviews keeps your income, expenses and profit and loss information clean. The reporting features are easy and can be used at any time.
Professional Organizations and Insurance
Photographers have an organization, Professional Photographer’s Association whose “mission is to foster a vibrant community of successful professional photographers. In a nutshell, we’re a photographer’s go-to resource to grow their photography business and be more profitable.” (this is a quote from their website).
I’ve been a member for several years. Their insurance coverage, initiatives and community supports our industry.
Setting up your business entity takes time. Having the right tools gives you more time in the field and less time behind the desk.
Related Article: Managing Time & Life from Behind the Lens
