Logistics of running a home based business

[NnekaScruggs]

Hi,

I'm transitioning from FT to PT and have few questions from others who work out of their homes.

Do you have business hours? My day job as always limited my shooting time but now that it won't be an issue, I'm wondering if I should restrict my hours.

I prefer location work but out of necessity, I'm turning my small office in my home into a shooting area. I've lost a few opportunities for short notice bookings because I have to get back to them with a studio location. Do you take any security precautions? The few times I've shot people at home, my husband was always there but that won't be the case during the day.

Do you require deposits for portraits, headshots, etc? If so, how do you collect? I don't have a way to take credit cards other than PayPal. I'm starting to get queries & referrals from church and a lot still aren't very internet savvy. I definetely want to require a deposit, I mean retainer, because often when I call to confirm they cancel.

How do you proof? I'd like to show them proofs on the spot, but I don't want people breathing down my neck while I edit out the bad ones. I'd prefer to find a way to keep them occupied in the living room for 5-10 minutes.

How do you deliver? I have FedEx account & am thinking of using that & charging a flat rate.

How do you pay yourself and when? Hourly rate, percentage, ect. What about on reprint orders made weeks/months after the fact? I do have a seperate bank account for photography (personal not business account). I'm coming from the military where I knew exactly how much I would get paid & could accurately project my raises & cost of living increases for years. This will definitely be different.

Is there anything else I'm missing as far as operating the business.

Thanks,

N'neka

www.scruggsphotography.com
More than just a picture

[Gerry_Walden]

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Do you have business hours? My day job as always limited my shooting time but now that it won't be an issue, I'm wondering if I should restrict my hours.


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You can try to restrict your business hours but unless you have a seperate telephone line you will find that virtually impossible. I have taken wedding enquiries at 10.30 on a Sunday evening. My business hours are from about 6 in the morning until 8 at night on a normal day, and that usually includes weekends etc. But don't get the impression that I am hard at it all that time. It is very flexible and if I want time off to go shopping, out to lunch etc. I just take it. Voice mail and cell phones are a great help!

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I prefer location work but out of necessity, I'm turning my small office in my home into a shooting area. I've lost a few opportunities for short notice bookings because I have to get back to them with a studio location. Do you take any security precautions? The few times I've shot people at home, my husband was always there but that won't be the case during the day.


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As a 260lb 6 foot male this has never been a problem [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] but I can fully understand your apprehension. I think it is just a matter of common sense. My recommendation would be to have an alarm system fitted to protect your equipment etc. and have a couple of panic buttons in strategic locations fitted at the same time.

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Do you require deposits for portraits, headshots, etc? If so, how do you collect? I don't have a way to take credit cards other than PayPal. I'm starting to get queries & referrals from church and a lot still aren't very internet savvy. I definetely want to require a deposit, I mean retainer, because often when I call to confirm they cancel.

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I do nothing in the social field without a booking fee being paid up front. At the moment I don't take credit cards (and I have been in the business without them for 30+ years) but I want to as I think they increase the spend. I am coming across problems getting authorised to do so here in the UK though and may have to go with the Paypal system [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]!

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How do you proof? I'd like to show them proofs on the spot, but I don't want people breathing down my neck while I edit out the bad ones. I'd prefer to find a way to keep them occupied in the living room for 5-10 minutes.

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Guess you get a good coffee pot, a laptop and some CD's!

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How do you deliver? I have FedEx account & am thinking of using that & charging a flat rate.

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For me jobs are within the UK and I absorb the costs into the charges made. I have found that social clients object to 'seeing' a delivery charge.

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How do you pay yourself and when? Hourly rate, percentage, ect. What about on reprint orders made weeks/months after the fact? I do have a seperate bank account for photography (personal not business account). I'm coming from the military where I knew exactly how much I would get paid & could accurately project my raises & cost of living increases for years. This will definitely be different.

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I am afraid that I just take what is left. In theory you should pay yourself a wage but I have never found I can work it like that!

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Is there anything else I'm missing as far as operating the business.

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I dont think so, but it will encroach on your personal life. I did have a studio and you could walk out, lock the door and forget it. It is, however, great fun and it is wonderful to sit in my office writing this and watching the squirrels play on the grass outside the office window whilst still in my dressing gown (thank God there are no webcams here!)

Good luck with it!

Gerry

[JoyPetersKurtz]

I'm in LA too, in the Valley.

I think a lot of your questions depend on your type of personality. If you like structure and boundaries, it's best to set them and provide yourself with comfortable working conditions.

If you are like me, I'd rather be more fluid, not set specific working hours and office hours and allow myself to set them on a minute by minute basis. I find in LA that there are lots of interesting, odd(ish) folks who have different working hours and time constraints, and normal business hours don't accomodate them. But they tend to be some of the more cutting edge, interesting people - who appreciate the type of photography I like to do. So, I accomodate them!

You probably know how you are most comfortable working. Start out with those parameters, and remember - it's your business - you can change it to suit yourself, when you have more experience.

Please get an accountant tho. That's one area where you don't want to be playing fast and loose. You need to get a business license, sales tax account, and handle your taxes properly. You probably won't need someone daily, weekly or even monthly right now, but you need advice.

Good luck!

Joy