Biz name & identity

[k8et]

I am starting to separate my personal and "professional" photos. I'm setting up stuff to be able to grow into a side business, but taking it slowly - and I fully admit to having no business plan and probably doing a million business things "wrong" :P (Well, I'm hoping that I'm just skipping steps that I can do later, and that nothing I do now is horribly detrimental down the road!)

Created a blog and zenfolio account, will get a domain name and direct it at one of those.

One reason that I am doing this is to have a biz name that's not MY name, as I want to work with sites like model mayhem and suicide girls. I feel like it's best with that to keep my full name private, especially given my day job as a professional engineer. But then, I can't really link that account with my flickr/personal blog, and I'd have to be much more careful about what I post. And I'd have to pay extra to have the domain whois info hidden from public.

Am I being too overcautious? Should I not worry about it and just focus on this being my "pro" side, my best work, treat it as a business even if it's not quite one yet? I plan on being tasteful and discrete with my work and online portfolio/blog.

Also, if I have taken photos in the past that I want to use in my portfolio, do I need releases from the subjects? I already post my photos online, as snapshots really, and usually hear from people if that's an issue before or immediately after and take care of it. But I worry especially if it's a minor in the photo - and tracking some of them down would be EXTREMELY difficult or impossible. Obviously future "sessions" will include a contract, but snapshots at events (private or public) would be annoying to deal with it for every one.

thanks!

[Swisstony10]

I'd say always get a model release (even if it's from a friend) to use pictures of them in a portfolio - it might never be an issue, especially if they're a good friend, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

And absolutely start treating the "pro" side like a business from day one, no matter how embryonic it is. If you get into the habit of being businesslike about it from the start, it'll be easier to keep up. Start as you mean to go on, and all that..

Russ.

[candidrachel]

There is nothing wrong in sitting pretty even though you don't have any business coming in. I have a business account since last Aug that has £0 in it! I also have a website rachelgingellphotography.co.uk that generates 0 enquiries but the way I see it is that that's OK because one day I wil have £ in the bank and enquiries it just takes time!

I need more marketing skills more than anything else in the world. You don't have to be the greatest photographer in the world but you need to be the greatest business mogul! That I am not!