davidjames

<p>Thank you Charles, the way I understand it is that when I submit a print order for a client of mine, I should issue a resale certificate and be tax exempt since I am reselling it to my customer and I would obviously be responsible to charge them sales tax. </p>

<p>However if I am using an item for display and do not intend to resell it I should pay tax on that item. </p>

<p>I have a seller's permit here in California. I run a portrait/wedding business. I order my prints through WHCC. Since I have a seller's permit (sales tax) do I file for a Resale Certificate through WHCC (sales tax exemption), and then just charge my customer the sales tax (8.975% in my city)? How does having a resale certificate work? I feel like I am making it too complicated. <br /><br /><br /></p>

<p>Everyone here talks of differentiating a service etc etc. But really if your passionate about photography, then you have your answer. If your considering giving up your studio, maybe it was never the right choice to begin with. Maybe think of another career.<br>

"Do it for the money, and your mojo will come and go. Do it for the passion and the same might happen, but you'll have a reason to keep going." -David duChemin<br>

Take it how you will.</p>

<p>Learn to retouch skin. The first one is WAY to warmed up for my taste. Subtlety sometimes takes time to learn. Otherwise not bad.</p>

<p><strong>Jay</strong> thats exactly what I was looking for, makes sense with everything I have read, guess I just made it too complicated. And <strong>Derek</strong> thats exactly what I planned to do, I'm debating just going the whole nine yards and going for an MBA as well, school's business program is one of the best, but we will see. Thanks for your help guys.</p>

<p>Hello all,<br>

Ok let me paint you my picture. I am 18 years old, attend college at a Univ. in California (soph), I live at home as the University is 15 min from the house, and I am looking to start up my own portrait and event photography business. I understand photo technique very well, I have a good grasp on contracts, model releases, pricing, and marketing. I have all the gear in order for me to make portraits I am satisfied with and others will be satisfied with. I have been shooting portraits, and local models wishing to build portfolios for some time now, and by the way if it is worth anything I have started charging for my services. I also have my own website setup and visible to other people and has been for probably a month or two now. I would run the business out of my home as I am mainly a location shooter. I have a pro account setup with mpix as well.</p>

<p>Feeling that everything is in place, <strong>what does it take to run the business side of it?</strong> I have read numerous articles about starting a business, hobby vs business, the difference between the two in taxes, forms that I would need (ex. business license, seller's permit, etc.) If I understand correctly, I need to keep all receipts of business related expenses, for when tax season comes around. Recently I have heard from other photographers that Quickbooks is a great software for small business managing. My plans would be to establish a sole proprietorship as well. <strong>Basically, what are some key things I need to do in order to be ready when tax season comes around?</strong></p>

<p><strong>Could I continue conducting things as I am without a business license, seller's permit, tax license and still charge for my services?</strong><br>

<strong><br /></strong><br>

I would hazard a guess at this previous question to be a resounding no.<br>

As stated earlier my expenses would be minimal as I live at home and this would be a means for me to have income, and also help out my parents with my remaining costs of college (on scholarship). I know this is what books are devoted for, and I fully intend on taking a small business course at my university, but I wanted to get a jump on it. Thank you for helping me all advice is appreciated and I feel this could help many others in similar situations. </p>

<p>It has to do with curves, you manipulate the red green and blue channels individually. Pick one channel to mess around with and leave the others alone and just experiment. Very popular nowadays everyone has their own version of it pretty much.</p>

<p>If you feel you need weather sealing get the D300s if not a D90 will more than suffice. Everyone here is usually a pro or semi pro amateur and if they were in your shoes most all of us would pick up a D700. Now why should you not do that? Well doesnt sound like your making money or using your photography as a business. Therefore a D700 is OVERKILL. You can get stunning results from a D90. My little D80 continues to produce amazing photos that I and my clients are happy with. I would lean towards D300s that will last you a while gives you faster AF, tough body, way better low light than a D50. So camera body D300s. Check.</p>

<p>Lenses. Hmm well first I would have to agree to ditch the 70-300mm, 18-55mm, and the Phoenix. Because you have or will have after you spend some money those focal lengths covered and there is no use having duplicates. Which in turn gives you extra cash. Maybe keep the 70-300mm as a lighter alternative to the 80-200mm. Now if there is even a hint of you buying a FF camera in the future. Buy the 24-70mm. If not get the 17-55mm its a fantastic lens I own it and it stays on the camera the majority of the time. Although everyone says great things about the tamron 17-50mm as a cheaper alternative. </p>

<p>Eventually you can save up again for more lenses such as the fish eye. Hope this helps. </p>

<p>Wow thank you all for the responses. The fact that the alienbees have so much power is definitely I think what is going to make me keep them because the few times I have used them have been usually in late day sun, and there is no way that i would have been able to get those shots with a speedlight, probably would have taken at least 3-4 speedlights. I think i will just go pick up a Vivitar and another trigger and switch off between just speedlights (Vivitar and SB 600) and throw in the B800 in every other time. And then see how the images compare Again thank you all.</p>

<p>Ok well not too long ago I bought some Alienbee gear, specifically an B800, 13' HD Stand, softbox, and Vagabond II. Well the gear itself is great I have used it probably 3 or 4 times and it has worked fantastically, but the only problem is since i work alone, no assistant, the gear is a lot to be carrying back and forth. Also I shoot a lot of different types of photography where the more i think about it, the more practical it seems to be using an SB900. I see people like Bert Stephani and many others getting great results from nothing more than speedlights. Plus with the extra money I could buy an extra radio trigger to use with my SB 600 and use my existing set with the 900 giving me two lights to work with instead of one.</p>

<p>I Am a college student so usually any money I make goes toward college funds otherwise I would just go out an buy a SB900 without getting rid of my AB gear. So does this sound reasonable to you guys? Or do you think I should just stick it out with the AB gear. Thanks for opinions or recommendations in advance. Any questions please ask. </p>

<p>SO tonight I'm got wind of a couple bands playing at a local place called Kuppajoe and my friend is actually in one of these bands, but I see this as a business opportunity, so I am planning on going and taking photos of the bands and handing out business cards as a way to get more exposure. Problem is that no one asked me to come a take pictures so do i need to speak to the bands first? I was planning on speaking to the manager of the place and making sure it was ok that I take photos there, is that all i need to do? Anything i am missing? </p>

<p>Personally, I see no room for a D700 because from what you have described you are in serious need of better quality lenses. At the same time you ask about a camera and for weddings it is high priority to have a backup, but you are only assisting so the logical thing would be to invest in glass and i mean pro quality zooms to replace your kit lenses, for example 17-55mm f 2.8 if you plan to stay DX for a while or go for the 24-70mm f 2.8 then a 70-200mm f 2.8. And for a camera if you really feel like you can't convince yourself out of a camera pick up a D90 they are cheap and just as good if not a hair better than the D300. Thats my take. Hope it helps. </p>

<p>Again thank you everyone for responses. Last thing anyone have any experience with the sigma 24-70mm HSM IF f 2.8 (not the macro versions) and the sigma 70-200mm HSM II? I hear the 70-200mm gets great reviews but what about the 24-70mm?</p>

<ul>

<li><strong>Kent S.</strong>-Thank you for your advice i seriously appreciate it. I hadn't even considered that option and your right that is the key is a good light system and i realize now that your right an SB-900 is a waste when i could get an AB800 and used vagabond for same price.</li>

<li><strong>Eric A.-</strong> Thank you as well for taking the time and your completely right that if I am to think long term and want the most bang for my buck i need to stay away from a D200. </li>

<li>Lastly just as a response to everyone, in order to really cover everything I am expanding the budget to around $2500-$3000 because i am shooting for longevity here and that extra cash spent is the difference between a year or two and constant need for upgrade, vs 5+ years without needing to upgrade. Thanks everyone</li>

</ul>

<p>Eric thanks for your input. Lets just say due to special circumstances I have come across a 17-55mm used but in as good as new condition for $1000 (you were once able to find them for $800-900, but times change) and also a used D200 (low actuations) with grip and SB-900 for another grand, deals can be had if you look hard enough haha. <br>

I appreciate the advice tho and I will definitely look into the tokina lenses you mentioned maybe save myself some money.</p>

<p>Wow thank you all for the responses. </p>

<ul>

<li>It seems to me, from what i gathered from all your posts is a resounding "don't do it" on the D200, which quite frankly i was debating myself. Just curious Mark P., how is the low light performance compared to the D80 i have gotten quite usable results up to ISO 1600 with the D80 of course i had to work it over in photo shop pretty good haha. </li>

<li>Also i see a lot of people against the SB-900, would you recommend an 800 because i would really like and could use the extra power compared to a 600, but dont want to go the studio strobe route just yet. </li>

<li>Lastly i would like to stay away from the plastic body of the D90, which is why i looked at a D200 because weather proofing and durability is high on the list so maybe ill try and find a used D300.</li>

</ul>

<p>Overall thank you guys again for the advice.</p>

<p>Hey guys well its another one of those what should i get questions. I know there is already enough of that on here so im gonna keep it simple and quick, or at least try to. <br>

<strong>What I Shoot/ Want to Shoot:</strong> Mainly portraits such as senior outdoor portraits, event photography (anniversaries, quincenareas, baptisms, etc no weddings tho), interior photography for advertising for example interiors of model homes, Basically i want to be very versatile as the market and requests i get are very broad in scope but concentrated in senior portraits and events.<br>

<strong>Current Setup:</strong> Nikon D80, 18-135mm kit lens, Sb-600 w/ stand and umbrella, also have a 55-200mm but would rather not use it because it is a Quaternary.<br>

<strong>Question:</strong> What is the minimum upgrade in equipment i need to accomplish the things stated above?<br>

<strong>My Thoughts:</strong> <em><strong>Nikon D200 w/ grip</strong></em> (cheap but great camera that way i have main and backup bodies), <strong><em>Nikon 17-55mm f 2.8</em></strong> ( very versatile, covers interiors, low light events, as well as portraits), and a <strong><em>Nikon SB-900</em></strong> ( one flash for each camera, also gives more creative possibilities in terms of lighting setup). And i have been toying with adding a <strong><em>Nikon</em></strong> <strong><em>85mm 1.8</em></strong> to that mix as it is a great portrait lens and fits my photojournalistic style of event photography.</p>

<p>Those are my thoughts if you see any gaping holes in that please feel free to suggest also if you see and more cost effective ways or different route please don't hesitate to leave a comment. I would really like to keep it in that range in terms of price (<$2000) but if there is something very important thats needs to be added then I can make changes main thing is I would like this potential setup to last a couple years or longer with very few if any additions.</p>

<p>First off I'm glad you posted on here before upgrading. This is not necessarily pushing the limit with this camera. This shows that you really need to refine your technique. Under your circumstances this capture required use of a flash or other type of lighting. Granted you could upgrade to a D700 be able to shoot at 6400 ISO but than you would still down the road run into technique problems in making satisfactory pictures.<br>

Concerning this picture, you shot at 1/30s with a 50mm which isn't bad at all may or may not be handholdable, that just depends on how steady you are. Secondly you shot wide open, meaning the lens' maximum aperture, this in itself is a problem. All lenses tend to be soft at the very least at their max aperture along with other distortions. Now if you stop it down to say f4 you tend to get pretty sharp results.<br>

Also a foot away from your subject is awfully close, i dont exactly know what the minimum focusing distance is for that lens so im not sure but you might want to make sure you were within the minimum focusing distance of that lens.<br>

Lastly if you are barely exploring the manual (M) and aperture priority (A) settings you really should consider maybe familiarizing yourself with the basics of exposure a little more until you can use these shooting modes without any worries and be able to nail the exposure every time. Your camera is more than capable focus more on your technique, maybe purchasing an external flash or other types of lighting and also better lenses. <br>

Good Luck<br>

-David O.</p>

<p>The grass is always greener on the other side.</p>

<p>D300s or even the D300. its a prosumer camera anyway there is only so much they can put in it without hurting sales for higher end models. 6 mega pixel difference = more noise and again at the prosumer range its not that big deal. Nikon simply doesnt need to answer they made this category of dslr with the d300 this is canon's answer. </p>

<p>get better glass. not everyone uses a full frame camera or for that matter the latest gear on the market. plus these conditions your shooting in aren't a piece of cake either. also i agree with some of the other posters saying that we need a 100% crop to accurately judge. </p>

<p>Bob:<br>

I'm curious if you compared this 7D directly against a D300 or D700 while you were at the shop. If so i would very much like to hear your opinions and how it sizes up against them. What deterred you from the D300, to me your describing things that the D300 has already had. Also if anyone else has done this comparison please feel free to give an answer. I would like it to be a technical comparison and try not to let emotions or favoritism play into it. Thanks </p>

<p>my apologies question has already been answered.</p>

<p>Simple question. do i need a business license to in order to start taking pictures for people in exchange for money. Also legally what are some things that i need to take care of in getting started. By the way i am a portrait/ event photography, not weddings yet.</p>

<p>Wow thank you everyone for your responses i really appreciate them. Thomas i originally looked at zenfolio and smugmug but there are too many restrictions. It essentially takes care of all the work for you but still doesn't look that professional in my opinion. Also you have to pay $100+ USD just to get control if the pricing of your photos i would rather just make my own website site using a template of course and have full control for a cheaper price. Again thank you everyone for your input. </p>