chris m., central florida Posted October 26, 2004 Share Posted October 26, 2004 I've been contracted to shoot a wedding in NJ on Sunday, July 3rd, 2005. I have family in NJ, grew up there, and I visit often. I would like to shoot more weddings and portraits while I'm in town for a couple of weeks. Will be in the Ocean Grove/Bradley Beach/Spring Lake areas of NJ. This is a "working vacation." I will also be in Connecticut (Trumbull/Fairfield/Milford) for at least two weeks. Since I'm in Florida, what would you suggest would be the best way to advertise my availability on the week before and the week after July 4th? Have any of you ever done this before? Maybe place a small advertisement in the local newspaper? Connect with local studios? I would think my prices would be very attractive for folks used to paying significantly more in the Northeast. I've already called the appropriate folks and know my business operating requirements (basically, there aren't any restrictions I need to be concerned about witht he exception of sales tax issues). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
__stu_evans Posted October 26, 2004 Share Posted October 26, 2004 I'm sure somewhere there's a dumb Yankee willing to prepay $2000 to some stranger 1200 miles away hoping he'll give up a bit of his vacation to show up for a lifetime event. I'd like to meet him first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris m., central florida Posted October 26, 2004 Author Share Posted October 26, 2004 Thanks for your help. Oh, wait, was that advice you were trying to give? I have photographed weddings as far away as 1400 miles - for couples I didn't know, period. Is there something wrong with wanting to maximize profit and continue working through the busy season, and in my old hometown? What I've asked for is advice on how to attract business while I'm off my normal turf. You've done a remarkably good job of doing aboslutely nothing to help. Hey, if there are no worthwhile responses, the thread can simply be deleted by the moderators. Otherwise, I'd appreciate genuine help if anyone has any information or experiences to share. I did connect with my local hometown paper today - so it looks like I might be able to post an ad. We're thinking long term, possibly spending a month every summer shooting while we visit family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry_ Posted October 26, 2004 Share Posted October 26, 2004 Post your 'ad' in the paper, and then wait and see if a 'local business' license/permit, and the question of New Jersey sales tax will appear from a 'concerned' studio owner in the area. He or she may not really, really dig your 'working' visit in their neighborhood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photobyalan.com Posted October 26, 2004 Share Posted October 26, 2004 Have you contacted the local NJ "Legitmate Businessman's Association"? You will need to give them a cut of the money you make or you might find yourself the victim of an "unfortunate accident"... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris m., central florida Posted October 26, 2004 Author Share Posted October 26, 2004 Ha ha! Nope, haven't talked to them yet, although my first taste of real photography many years ago was working for a PI firm catching insurance fraud and cracking rings. If I can deal with those guys, I can deal with a few angry wedding photographers. I can also run really, really fast. I plan to remit sales tax, and if needed get a temp/seasonal business permit and license, just to keep things legit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnmarkpainter Posted October 26, 2004 Share Posted October 26, 2004 Chris, Of course your job may be legit..I have travelled to other countries for work before. BUT Read up on the scams that are going on with Wedding Photogs. There have been a few threads about it lately. jmp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_kaplan1 Posted October 26, 2004 Share Posted October 26, 2004 Visit your family, shoot the wedding, and enjoy your vacation. Don't undercut the prices of the photographers already there. Would you want somebody to do that to you? Remember too, Florida has no income tax. Those photographers are probably paying income tax. By the time you hire and pay an accountant familiar with all the local taxes and regulations, insurance rquirements, etc, you may just be left wondering how the hell those photographers make a living at all, even with their higher prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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