First paid job!!!!

[SwissJon]

My Little favour for the local circus has paid dividends. Having taken 1600 photos in 90mins just for fun as a favour, they were very impressed with the results and are using some of my photos in their advertising and website.

So impressed they asked me to come back next Saturday and take some photos on a paid basis.. Since I have a full time job and being paid for extracurricular work causes issues with the tax man, I have asked them to buy me a speedlight instead, they can claim it as a business expense, get the tax back, and I'm getting something I can use on Saturday to further improve my photos, and my wife can't complain about my buying yet another photo thing!

Anyway, I'm excited.. I wanted to thank all of you who have taken the time and trouble to critique my photos and help me develop my eye and confidence over the last 6 months or so. No way, back in September, I'd ever have imagined being paid for my hobby.. Thanks guys and girls.

[Photog*Scott]

Congratulations!

Don't forget to bring your diffuser and extra batteries if this is your first time using a speedlight.

[SwissJon]

Already packed..

[NgaiHill]

Congratulations Jon, well done.
Getting paid in camera gear is a great idea, now where can I get a job like that??

[Aegea]

Congratulations, good idea to get the gear rather than cash!

[RichardTaylor]

Congratulations are in order....

[UlpilotSC]

Originally Posted by Aegea

Congratulations, good idea to get the gear rather than cash!

I hope the swiss tax codes are simpler than the american ones. In the usa, you would still have to claim the value of the speedlight, as business profit. They get you either way.
If youre going to cheat the tax man, though, its harder to prove you cheated if you arent getting cash.

[metallion58]

Congratulation for that first job.
It shows a little time investment can go a long way.

Originally Posted by SwissJon

I have asked them to buy me a speedlight instead

Make good use of the speedlight but be careful not to blind the artists.
Especialy if they're juggling with torches !

[mad editor]

Congrats! Have fun with your new toy.

[Bruce A]

Congratulations. Getting paid in gear is terrific even if you have to go hungry