tomsmalling

<p>Just to clear up the LLC, there are two forms of running a business as an LLC. You can remain a sole proprietor and have an LLC. This is called a disregarded entity. Now, you'll need to speak with a CPA or attorney to decided which will work best for you. Read more here: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98277,00.html<br>

As far as what to do first, I would go the official route and form a corporation/LLC, establish a business, open the bank accounts and apply for the EIN. This will help lend credibility to your business and help separate the funds from your personal assets.</p>

<p>What to charge is always the question. For the befores, since it's probably not going to be pretty, I would just charge and hourly fee and capture as many different viewpoints as you can. For the afters, I would consider charging a flat fee based on the amount of images/rooms you plan on documenting and the level of lighting and staging you plan to do. And for the afters, you normally try to match the same vantage point as your before (so they can see the difference). Also, you could tell the client they could share the cost with the contractors, designers, etc because they all like to document their projects.</p>

<p>Good luck is all I can really say to this post. As others have mentioned, there is some really nice stock photography out there for really cheap prices. If you "can't" afford a couple hundred dollars for the image of your company, I think your outlook of success is pretty dismal. A bio and link on a website does not make great compensation for either a professional or an amateur photographer, and I sincerely hope no one takes you up on the offer. If you're unwilling to spend money on an image, how much are you spending on your overall brand? </p>

<p>Please understand, those of us that working in the creative industries always deal with these kind of requests. Just because I enjoy what I do doesn't mean I should give it away. Most photographers here have made significant investments in education, time and equipment to get where they are today, and this experience is worth money.</p>

<p>Wash your hands of the problem. Put an offer on the table to sell her the images, copyright and all for three times the amount your seeking, and fulfilling the contract, and be done with it. If she truly wants the images, she'll pay and you can forget the whole experience and find a better client. You're spending too much time beating this horse, instead of finding a better client.</p>

<p>Just because you "gave" them copies of the images does not imply that you've given them your entire copyright on the image - which you do still own. And it certainly doesn't give a third party the right to make a derivative work from your images without first obtaining permission. Search for <strong>Shepard Fairey </strong> on the internet, and read about his fiasco with the Obama illustration - same concept.</p>

<p>With this said, I would take the high road on the matter and educate the offenders on using others' work for their own gain - get permission! Otherwise, I wouldn't waste much more time on the matter because it is "small potatoes" in the scheme of things.</p>

<p>Lasers can't compete with the colors of an inkjet, especially when you get into the lighter pigments. However, laser printers a very dependable and great for quick comps or daily printing. They can be cheaper to maintain & run, but this depends highly on the amount of coverage per page - which is normally calculated at 18% for business applications. These numbers are not indicative of someone who prints full page color images, and the consumables will not last as long as the numbers stated on the package.</p>

<p>If you rent a vehicle, there is a nice out of the way place called Valley of the Gods. It's north of Monument Valley over the Utah border. It's very similar terrain with a lot less people. I do recommend an SUV as a minimum and definitely do not attempt to drive the road if it's raining without 4 wheel drive. </p>

<p>WOW... That's crazy. I've shot countless schools over the years for architects and I have never once come across that. As the others mention, I would definitely put the burden on the architect to secure access and charge them accordingly if the school requires a copy. To me it sounds like an overzealous person in the school! </p>