Decisions, decisions..... and that means lots of questions!!

[essiejane]

Hi everybody!
So here is my situation: To start off, I am 15 years old. I really, really enjoy photography, portrait and nature especially. I purchased my first dSLR (Canon 20d) about 3 months ago. (Has it really been that long???!!) I practice every day and am now very comfortable with the manual settings on the camera.
So anyway, my friends and family have been asking for me to do some pictures for them. I did some headshots for my aunt's book and a 40th birthday party for my neighbor for free. Both times, they were very happy with the result, so that was very encouraging. Now, a homeschool mom (also a close friend of our family) aksed me to do some 'school photos' for her kids. Of course, I said "YES!" right away, any opportunity to take portraits is very exciting for me. Being that they are close friends of our family, and we have exchanged favors over the years, and I am only 15, I wouldn't hesitate to do it for free for them. However, she has invited 2 other homeschool families to have me take their school photos at the same time. I don't mind that at all, (I love taking photos -- as you already know!) except I don't want everyone and their second-cousin's dog asking me to do a free shoot. I do eventually want to make some money at photography, and I think that it will be harder to transition from 'free' to 'fee' if I keep doing shoots for free. Or is it just way too soon for me to be thinking about making money doing this?
Do you have any advice? Would I be presumptuous, just starting out, to charge a small sitting fee? (I plan to use backphoto.com for proofing.) And if I do decide to charge a fee, what about taxes and business licenses and all that stuff? I am really confused at this point. Thanks for any help!!

[SusanH1970]

A young photographer I'm friendly with is in the same boat. Because of the whole business license/tax thing, she takes "payment" in the form of gift cards to her favorite places. B&H is one of them so she's been buying more equipment.

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

A young photographer I'm friendly with is in the same boat. Because of the whole business license/tax thing, she takes "payment" in the form of gift cards to her favorite places. B&H is one of them so she's been buying more equipment.

In many (most?) states photography is not a licensed business. Gift cards are a neat idea though.


essiejane
That link you posted about your proofing is very suspicious as it seems to lead to a parked site generating income based on clicks. Are you for real?

[essiejane]

Yes, I am for real!! I don't see a link in my post, though?
Maybe it's the website -- has anybody here had any experience with backphoto? It looks legit to me, but it's free, so maybe its not for real?

EDIT:
Oops!! It's backPRINT.com not backphoto. Sorry!!

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

In many (most?) states photography is not a licensed business.

True, I only mentioned it because Essie had.

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by essiejane

Yes, I am for real!! I don't see a link in my post, though?
Maybe it's the website -- has anybody here had any experience with backphoto? It looks legit to me, but it's free, so maybe its not for real?

EDIT:
Oops!! It's backPRINT.com not backphoto. Sorry!!

Before you edited your post, there was a link to backphoto.com rather than backprint, so that would explain it.

[essiejane]

Hmmm...
Personally, I think that taking gift cards instead of cash to avoid taxes is dishonest. If I am required by law to pay taxes on my income, it would be wrong to try to avoid that.
I am thinking about saying that either I will charge a sitting fee and give them a disk, or that I will not charge a sitting fee and do online proofing for prints. Do you think that that is wise? If so, what would be appropriate to charge for a sitting fee? How much should I make off of prints? (Percentages would be nice!)
And how would I go about the whole tax thing? Which forms? Maybe this is the wrong place to ask -- if so -- sorry!
Ultimately my parents will help me make the descision, but input from photographers is greatly appreciated!

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by essiejane

Hmmm...
Personally, I think that taking gift cards instead of cash to avoid taxes is dishonest. If I am required by law to pay taxes on my income, it would be wrong to try to avoid that.

it's only dishonest if you are required to file and fail to report their value. The fact that it isn't cash doesn't make earning them tax free.
As far as how much do you have to earn before you have to file a tax return, i found this: Children and Teens classified as a dependent: $5,700. source:Answers.com - How much income do you have to earn before you file income tax

[essiejane]

Originally Posted by zona5101

The fact that it isn't cash doesn't make earning them tax free. [/url]

Yes, that's what I meant.

Thanks so much for finding that info - I was looking for it and couldn't find it. I assume that that is $5700 annually?
The problem is that backprint -- Home requires a W-9 tax form to be filled out before they send you a check. Would I not be able to use that site without paying taxes?

[AnneWynne]

Originally Posted by essiejane

Yes, that's what I meant.

Thanks so much for finding that info - I was looking for it and couldn't find it. I assume that that is $5700 annually?
The problem is that backprint -- Home requires a W-9 tax form to be filled out before they send you a check. Would I not be able to use that site without paying taxes?

The W-9 is a reporting form that businesses who send you money in payment for something use to report your income to the IRS. They need your taxpayer ID (your ss#) or employee identification number (ein). You don't pay taxes if you make less than $5700 annually, net income (net income is what is left after you deduct business expenses and other deductions allowed by the tax code., so hang onto receipts for business expenses) You should still be able to use the site, unless your age is a factor.

I truly hope you make enough to pay taxes...that would really rock!

Goods in exchange for services (or other goods) is considered barter, and barter "income" is supposed to be reported. BUT, if you are given gifts, I doubt they would be taxed. But check with a tax accountant to be sure.

And start charging for your sessions, even if it is a modest amount. By the time you are through with business school you should be charging what you will be worth, given the years of experience and practice and learning you will do.

GL