Setting up small photography business

bigtel_2

Hi All,

I take a lot of photos and have done a number of baby shoots, christenings etc for friends and family for free but would now like to earn a little from it.

I have a full time job which at the moment I'm not prepared to leave for this venture as it could turn into two full time jobs.

So basically I want to stay with my full tim employer but earn money for the photography shoots as and when they happen and I want to do it properly so after some advice if possible.

I believe my first task is registering?
https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/shortforms/form/CWF1ST?dept-name=CWF1&sub-dept-name=&location=40&origin=http://www.hmrc.gov.uk

Other questions I have:

Will this affect my full time jobs taxes or pay?
Do I need to set up a separate bank account to pay money into or can I accept cash?
Can I purchase goods under the business name and claim money back?

Thanks

paddyrg

Register with HMRC
Your bank may require you to have a business account although it's not a legal requirement. Many banks offer free 12-24 months business banking
Don't forget the insurances you'll need - at a minimum that's Public Liability in case anyone trips over a tripod. It's cheap.
Tax return - do a self-assessment tax return at the end of the year. Do it online, HMRC will tell you what you owe, pay by debit card, job done.

bigtel_2

Thanks paddyrg, registered on the site now

Percy1983

Paddy has covered the base of what you need to do.

Firstly you are on the right track, it sounds like your going the same way I have of keep a full time job and grow the business.

I ask more how much work do you think you may get?

I say this as the second branch of my company has just gone into photography and I will say it seems very hard to get work, in short many already have a trust photographer. Past that many people are short on cash and have "uncle bob" who will take photos for them. Lastly price is a funny one, if you charge as some (£1000 for a wedding) then you won't get work, yet if you offer the same job at £200 then the £1000 photographer must be 5x better (we both know this isn't the case).

On insurance it depends really what you plan to do, if doing weddings and such I would get good cover against being sued (I am not doubting your skills) if doing more portrait jobs they is much less that can go wrong.

I won't go to much into equipment but you do have 2 good cameras don't you?

Other things like setting up a website or facebook page, great idea but only use pictures you have taken and if you take 30 pictures while walking in the woods only use the best 2-3 etc.

Sorry if I am sounding negative, the reality is you have little to lose so why not give it a shot and good luck.

Pennywise

bigtel wrote: »

but would now like to earn a little from it.

That comment flags up all kinds of warnings. Whilst you've been doing it as a freebie, people will have accepted any problems, such as quality issues, photo opportunities missed, you not turning up due to illness, etc. As soon as you start charging, even small sums, people want the top quality & service. In business, there's no middle ground - you're either a professional charging a fee or you're a hobbyist doing it for free. You're setting yourself up for a fall if you're thinking about charging less than the going rate for a full time professional - people still want the same quality and you'd end up not being paid, or worse, being sued, if things go wrong on a big day.

My advice is to charge the same kind of prices that your competition are charging and the kind of prices that you'd need to charge if you were doing it full time. At the same time, provide the quality service akin to your competitors. Don't undervalue yourself just because it's a sideline for you - if and when you come to doing it full time, you'll have an uphill job trying to uplift your prices as people will remember the cheepies you used to do, and regardless of it only being a sideline, your customers won't be happy if anything goes wrong.

googler

Do you have a business plan? An estimate of income vs expenses? An advertising plan?

Have you considered how your offering will compare to others offering similar services in your local area? Have you researched the competition?

bigtel_2

Thanks for the advice, glad somebody else is doing it. I've answered your questions within your quote.

Percy1983 wrote: »

Paddy has covered the base of what you need to do.

Firstly you are on the right track, it sounds like your going the same way I have of keep a full time job and grow the business.

I ask more how much work do you think you may get?
At the moment I have become the friends and family photography and people are willing to pay and this has started out to work colleagues and friends I have already done shoots for. I don't won't to quit my day job just earn extra income from this so if I earn £300 a month I would be happy.

I say this as the second branch of my company has just gone into photography and I will say it seems very hard to get work, in short many already have a trust photographer. Past that many people are short on cash and have "uncle bob" who will take photos for them. Lastly price is a funny one, if you charge as some (£1000 for a wedding) then you won't get work, yet if you offer the same job at £200 then the £1000 photographer must be 5x better (we both know this isn't the case).

As I'm not using this as my sole income my prices undercut the professionals and the package I offer is more on content than trying to make money on the back of selling prints.

On insurance it depends really what you plan to do, if doing weddings and such I would get good cover against being sued (I am not doubting your skills) if doing more portrait jobs they is much less that can go wrong.

I won't go to much into equipment but you do have 2 good cameras don't you?

Other things like setting up a website or facebook page, great idea but only use pictures you have taken and if you take 30 pictures while walking in the woods only use the best 2-3 etc.
Facebook has helped and I was overwhelm with the requests etc and it's free advertising

(Link removed by MSE Forum Team)

Sorry if I am sounding negative, the reality is you have little to lose so why not give it a shot and good luck.

All good advice, thanks again!

bigtel_2

Pennywise wrote: »

That comment flags up all kinds of warnings. Whilst you've been doing it as a freebie, people will have accepted any problems, such as quality issues, photo opportunities missed, you not turning up due to illness, etc. As soon as you start charging, even small sums, people want the top quality & service. In business, there's no middle ground - you're either a professional charging a fee or you're a hobbyist doing it for free. You're setting yourself up for a fall if you're thinking about charging less than the going rate for a full time professional - people still want the same quality and you'd end up not being paid, or worse, being sued, if things go wrong on a big day.

My advice is to charge the same kind of prices that your competition are charging and the kind of prices that you'd need to charge if you were doing it full time. At the same time, provide the quality service akin to your competitors. Don't undervalue yourself just because it's a sideline for you - if and when you come to doing it full time, you'll have an uphill job trying to uplift your prices as people will remember the cheepies you used to do, and regardless of it only being a sideline, your customers won't be happy if anything goes wrong.

Agree regarding the pricing and I guess I am undervaluing myself and offering much much more than them.
I guess I should really up my price idea, but still offer more content than a professional to attract customers. My idea was a set price for the photo shoot and they get all the images rather than try to sell just a few prints to them and me keeping their images which meant nothing to me.

People have requested additional prints as I direct them I use a better service than the likes of Asda etc.

bigtel_2

googler wrote: »

Do you have a business plan? An estimate of income vs expenses? An advertising plan?

Have you considered how your offering will compare to others offering similar services in your local area? Have you researched the competition?

Definitely researched the competition but think a good idea would be to set them all out on paper. This way it would be more visible what they have on offer and pricing.

I have downloaded a business plan tonight and just about to start it.

Thanks

sugarwalsh

Hi bigtel,
Firstly I would like to say good luck with your venture. It's a very tough market to be in - I know lots and lots of very good photographers and it's an extremely busy marketplace.
One of the photographers I know recently posted this article she found about making sure you are not undervalued. I hope it makes interesting reading for you.
http://www.elizabethhalford.com/personal/feeling-unappreciated-for-your-skills-youre-in-good-company/

I wish you well in your business - don't underestimate your skills, equally don't over estimate, there are far too many 'I own a nice camera' type photographers out there. The ones who I really rate are those who LOVE their craft, spend a lot of time making sure they are fully trained, insured, have great equipment and are good at putting their subjects at ease. I hope you have all of those in spades!
Megan

bigtel_2

Thanks Megan, appreciate the help and support