Going into partnership/business with family?

[Ronie]

Once again thanks everyone for your advice. I've been thinking long and hard on the consequences of such an action.

Peter: That's what's been rubbing at me, and it's actually something she said. She doesn't want to do this full time for her she says she just wants to do it part time, and help me out. When we talked things over she said that if something went wrong she'd be the one who would most likely pull out because since I am the one with the talent, and the post processing skills I could keep going on without her.

TheEagleSpirit: Thats the other thing thats been eating at me. We haven't officially tried her behind the camera yet but I get this feeling she'll be pretty good. Since she lives where the business I've been getting comes from I'm wondering if people may start asking for her; when I mentioned this to her however she said that we'd put up a guide where the option would first be both of us, second be me, and the third option be her. I guess, at the risk of sounding immature, I don't want to be pushed out of something I love because of her involvement.

[sk66]

You have a valid concern. To be honest it would be easier for her to learn your skills than it will be for you to learn her skills.
Photography is largely technical and can be learned, marketing/sales etc is largely "personality" and very hard to change.
At some point you will likely need a second shooter....now she's doing almost everything you do +, and so it goes.
Here's what I would do...Start "your business" legally (if you haven't) and employ her. The specifics of the employment could be somewhat tricky.

[Ronie]

Thank you for your input sk66. I am a bit worried that at some point I will no longer be needed. I guess that's what it all boils down to, I'm scared that she will take the spotlight... in all honesty being the middle sibling I've always taken the backseat to her, so having something where I'm in front has been good for me as a person... I was trying to avoid bringing that up because I don't want to sound like I'm throwing a pity party here...

I have in the past couple months begun to be more outgoing and friendly; and I have stretched myself so my people skills have improved but I'm not sure I'll ever be the marketer she is. As we discussed this however she told me that what you had outlined is what she wanted to do. She wanted me to be the employer and she the employee; because she does not want this to be a full time job. It almost sounds like it may benefit me more than her, because any equipment bought (excluding personal equipment bought by herself) will belong to the business, therefore if she pulls out it would belong to me. Any clients will refer to the business, if she pulls out, it would be me... etc.


I've been thinking about it a lot lately, and despite my few fears I just can't get past this sense that this is the right thing to do, only outline it like was said, where there's a contract and I would be in charge seeing as she doesn't want to go into this full time. She would then answer to me, and my views would not be trampled because in most instances I would have the last word. She would then be the second shooter, and also be in charge of marketing since she is such a whiz at it.

Does that sound reasonable? Or does it sound to strict on my part? Any suggestions would be helpful.

[LMAshton]

Reasonable? Absolutely yes. Too strict? Absolutely not.

If you're the owner, you get to (try to) dictate the terms. As the employee, she gets to accept/reject/try to negotiate those terms. That's the way it works.

As the business owner, you should get the most benefit since you're also taking the biggest risks. That's also the way it works.

Speaking of risks... Consider the legal implications of whether you want to run the business as a sole proprietorship or corporation (and whatever the various types of corporations there might be in your area). Consider tax, liability, and the cost of doing business implications as well. Consider insurance and all that other lovely stuff.