Category: Uncategorized

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State sales tax?!?

We just did our taxes, and it made me think of a few things that every self-employed photographer should be doing.  I’ll try blogging about several of these things over the next few days, starting with a VERY important one right now…

If you are charging other people for your efforts, you need to be doing this, too:  

www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/sales/  

Of course, this form is for businesses in Texas, but the basic idea is the same for all states.  If you are selling something, you should be collecting sales tax.  If you are collecting sales tax, you had better be giving it to the government!  
To make a long story short, this is completely different from the federal IRS stuff that you see H&R Block for every year (or maybe you are lucky enough to be filling out a 1040ez form on your own).  This has to do with state sales tax, just like when you buy a dvd or a bottle of shampoo.  The price of the item is ten dollars, but you leave the store in Dallas paying $10.82 (each state will have a slightly different percentage of sales tax).  
The store doesn’t keep that eighty two cents.  They give it to the state.  I also collect sales tax on any business transaction that doesn’t have a valid reason to exempt it (certain charities, businesses, and other situations allow for the tax to be waived).  I send the money to Austin every January.  This keeps everything I do on the straight and narrow.  I don’t need any government employees knocking on my door over something so simple to do.  
Sure, if you are only doing a couple paying gigs per year, you can slide under the radar and not get caught, but anybody making a part-time living or better NEEDS to be collecting and paying state sales tax.  There is no way around it, except the illegal way.  So, do it.
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A serious read for photogs…

I almost didn’t read all the way through this article.  It was pointed out to me, and I was told it was an “eye-opener” for self-employed photographers.  Well, the first half was a bit boring and pretty obvious.  It was late and I was close to calling this one done.  

I’m glad I kept going, though.  Page three and four really ARE eye-openers.  It details the reality of waiting for clients to call and taking assignment rates that sound good – until you really add up your expenses.  Read it for yourself (and stick with it to the end):  

www.rangefindermag.com/repository  

I’m dealing with much of this right now.  How do I keep moving in this tough market?  How do I make sure I’m bringing in enough work to make a difference?  How do I keep up to date with technology and competition without blowing my budget on new gear, computers, software, etc?!?  
There may not be many answers in the article, but it does raise enough questions to get you thinking…
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Victor…

The web is full of wonderful photography-related stuff.  For example, you can read Victor online: 

www.victorbyhasselblad.com  

Victor is a publication put out by the Hasselblad people, and it is filled with interesting images.  I’m sure the print version is even nicer, but I don’t have the $76 to waste on four issues.  I’d rather just register my email address and enjoy the online version for now.  
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Check this out…

A lot of useful info can be found here:  

http://www.updig.org/  

From the updig.org website:  
The UPDIG guidelines aim to clarify issues affecting accurate reproduction and management of digital images. These guidelines were created to establish photographic standards and practices for photographers, designers, printers, and image distributors. The guidelines cover Digital Asset Management, Color Profiling, Metadata, and Photography Workflow.
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Judge, Jury, and Executioner…

I’ve been asked to be a judge for a corporation’s employee photo competition.  I’m curious to see what type of work there is to judge.  I remember seeing the artwork up along a hall at the JC Penney corporate offices years ago and thinking there were some decent artists among their company.  

Of course, this company is an energy company, not exactly an artist’s collective.  I picture energy companies as having a bunch of scientists and a bean counters.  I bet I’ll be surprised and see some pretty good stuff, though. A few of those scientists may have a creative bug in them.  Heck, a few of those number crunchers may, too…  We’ll find out soon enough.
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Aligned?

Check this out:  

I will definitely consider this, once I get a 5DmkII.  Have you ever noticed that your pics seem just an inch or two off focus from where you “thought” you had focused.  For the most part, an inch or two isn’t a big deal, but it can make or break certain shots.  
This won’t solve any user focusing issues (in other words, you still need to focus properly), but it will fix any minute discrepancy in the camera’s set-up.  Now, I just need to get a 5DmkII.  One thing at a time…
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ASMP Roundtable Forum…

I just got back from the ASMP Roundtable meeting.  It was VERY beneficial.  It was free.  It was filled with industry experts.  If you didn’t go, you are a complete and total fool.  Unless, of course, you are just trying to be a casual/amateur photographer…  But then, why are you reading my blog?!?  Pretty much all my blogs relate to professional photography and improving/growing your business.  

In any case, you missed out.  If someone posts an in depth recap of the morning and afternoon, I’ll link to it.  But, I am a bit busy at the moment, so I won’t be going into any detail.  I know a couple of my readers were there, maybe one of you wants to “guest blog” and recap for us?  I’ll post it here for you.  Just email me your summary of the event…
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A classic scam…

Internet scams aren’t new.  Chances are that you get them in your email all the time.  This version of the classic email scam isn’t new to me, but it might be to you:  

Hi,


My name is Mr. Mike Mcgeeb .I am planning to have my wedding ceremony on April 9, 2009 at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Marshfield Missouri, 515 East Washington Street, Marshfield MO 65706 .  I am looking for a good photographer who will come and do the snap shots on the D-day.  


I came accross your listing on the net and decided to contact you. I want to know your charges for the following required services if you are to work for between 6 and 8 Hours on that day.  We will select the best 100 copies of different snaps photos in both black and white and coloured and in Two main sizes and dimensions which is required for my personal use at home,


1)16″ x 12″ (405 x 305mm) approx. including post and packaging
2)12″ x 10″ (305 x 204mm) approx. including post and packaging
3) I want just one Panoramic images size 18″ x 6.5″ (457mm x165mm) 30 10×8 prints in album.  coloured Snapped in the church and at the reception.  I want is for me and my wife, Our parents, the officiating ministers and our guests.

I will be requiring your service for atleast 6 Hours at both occasions (church and at the reception). The church is Holy Trinity Catholic Church – Marshfield Missouri 515 East Washington Street, Marshfield MO 65706 . If you are out of Missouri, I will pay the transportation charges to and from the party venue so I want you to indicate in your email if you are out of Missouri and state what it will cost you to get transport to Marshfield Missouri so that we both can work it out and also the total amount you will receive for the whole services at the occasion.

We will have the photographs snapped at the wedding forwarded to the Publisher of a Magazine Company in U.S so they could feature it in their celebrity journal so due to this, I want the pictures neat and nice.

However,I will be making the payment by means of a Check. Let me have your full Names, Address, Phone Number, where the Cheque will be mailed to for the payment.Moreso, should you be out of state, the Hotel accomodation will be provided for by me. Waiting to read from you soon as regards this.  Thanks and have nice day.

Regards.
Mike  

Well, I have received emails like this in the past.  Usually, it is some preacher from an African country that plans to hold his big wedding anniversary party in america and the church or city is funding it.  Some of the details are different (like the anniversary year – 35th, 40th, 50th), but the idea is always the same.  
They want you to say that you’ll book their event, out of state (so it’s harder for you to check out it’s validity).  They send you a check, often way too big for what you requested.  It turns out that the Church sent you the money for photos AND for booking something else (like music, reception room, etc), and you’ll need to send back a couple thousand dollars.  Their money order was fake, your money order was real.  You got scammed!  
The fact that they are specifically seeking out photographers to scam is interesting.  They know this is more believable than the lame emails about some foreign bank employee (or relative of a king/president/whatever) getting access to $3 million USD, and wanting your help to move it into a US account (you are supposed to get a big cut of the cash for your effort).  
Just remember, things that sound fishy ARE fishy.  And if any of you think this is a legit request, I’d be more than happy to give you the guy’s email address.  He’s your client, if you want him.  I know better…