Part-time photography

elementary

Hello everybody,


I take photographs for pleasure and have recently decided to build a website to try to sell some of my work. It's a template based site from a company specialising in photography hosting who deal with all of the orders (payment, passing to printers, etc) and pay me a profit from each order; so far about £20. I pay an annual fee to the site for their services plus they take a cut of each sale. In time I also want to add Google AdSense income. My only other expenses have been domain name registration and a small amount of Facebook advertising. I already owned all of my equipment and want to keep it as such.


In order to stay all above board I've applied to HMRC to register as a Sole Trader but as I only get profit will this be enough for their records (i.e. printers expenses, shipping, etc have already been taken account of by the website host)? Also do I need a company name; I was intending just using my own name?


As this is a hobby I expect annual turnover to be low and profit definitely below the Small Earnings Exemption threshold. I intend to apply for SEE as soon as my UTR comes through from HMRC but the big warning about opting out of Class 2 NIC affecting the State Pension concerned me. Am I correct that this will not be an issue as I am also in full time employment paying tax and NIC through PAYE?


I realise this is a lot of questions but I'd like to make sure everything is in order. Why I can't just tell them my profit in a similar way to savings account interest I don't know.


Thank you for your time.

patman99

Would you not be better-off submitting your work to the likes of Alamy & Getty Images ?.
These sites have many thousands of visitors daily, all looking for images to use.

From the Txa point. You have registered with HMRC (I presume as a sole trader). The only thing you need to do is keep a record (along with receipts) for expenditure and income. This will come in handy when you fill in your s/a forms.

Rebecca_Palmer

Hi, I think, you just have to wait a little more like just an ordinary business to earn your credibility to customers. I think, it is correct to keep your records first and create a good image and rapport with your clients. I guess, after that you'll soon realize that you are already successful and gaining a lot:)

Mistral001

elementary wrote: »

Hello everybody,

Also do I need a company name; I was intending just using my own name?

.

I think you mean business name and not company name as there is no "company". Yes, you can operate under your own name as long as there is not other photographer of the same name that your customers could confuse you with. Then you could leave yourself open to being sue by the other photographer for damages due to loss of business to you (called "passing off").


With regard to information regarding accounts. I would just list expenses as you have given above and deduct them from income you receive and that will be your profit. HMRC expect most people to have a long list of expenses, so no expenses may make them suspicious.


Actually, I think your idea is quite good. Walk before you can run. This site that you operate through could be a good way to find out about your capabilities and what type of market is out there. Also they might be able to guide you on copyright, formats, quality standards etc.