Down to Business

This week has been the week of TO DO. Last week I finished a 2 month freelance graphic design job so this week I have been home. I am trying to get things done related to the new photography business while I have the chance. I do feel like I am making some progress because I have been crossing things off the list but there are also a lot of things that seem to hinge on other things. Does that ever happen to you? Where you find out that in order to do one thing you need to do 7 other things first. For instance, I’d like to start shooting in RAW, or at least try it out. But to do that, I want to get Adobe Lightroom first. But to get Lightroom, I need to get more memory for my eMac. Do I really want to spend $150 on more memory for my 5 year old eMac? I’m still deciding.

I also spoke to a nice guy with the state about starting a small business here and what I need to do to get things going. He sent me all of the appropriate links and forms to fill out. But as I started reading through the tax info I got confused. So I moved on to another task that seemed simple - applying for a trade name. In order to legally do business with a name other than your own, you need to file paperwork for a trade name. A few months back when I was deciding on a name, I searched the state’s online database of names to see if Spark Photo was available and it looked like it was. So yesterday I e-mailed a woman to make sure it was open before I sent in my check and paperwork. She wrote back and said that it was NOT available!!!! There is a photographer in my state with the last name of Sparks and he uses it in the name of his business. I had completely missed it before because the ‘s’ on the end of Sparks sent the name to the next page of alphabetical listings. It was a total oversight on my part and I was devastated. I designed a logo! I loved the name! OMG! I was back to square one on a name. It took me a couple of hours to get over that one, but I don’t have time to waste. So I think I’ve decided to go with Paige B. Photography. I kind of like the sound of it and the way that it kind of rhymes. I do like my first name (thanks mom and dad!), so I figure that using it in my business name makes sense. What do you guys think?

Here are some other things on my to do list for the next month or so:
-Buy some actions. I really like these.
-Develop pricing
-Create the necessary forms (contract, model release)
-Design a new logo (wasn’t expecting that one!)
-Create some marketing materials (business cards, postcards)

Here are some things on my wish list:
-New lens (still looking into which one)
-Camera bag (maybe this one or this one)
-CS3 (Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator- I currently have CS)
-Adobe Lightroom
-Blu Domain Website
-New Mac (ha! a girl can dream)

So, to recap – I have a lot to do. And here’s what I’d love to hear from you.
-What do you think of Paige B. Photography? Any other ideas you like better?
-What is on your photography related To Do list lately?
-What is on your photography related Wish List?

Comments

[maya]

Actually I like Paige Balcer Photography. I think Balcer is a great name and with the right logo would look really elegant and be easy to remember.

I also have CS. But I have a PC. Before I start my business (which won't be until the kids are in school - and I haven't even had one of them yet!) I should get Lightroom, but I don't want to invest in CS3 or Lightroom until I get a Mac. But I just got this computer in 2007, so I can't really justify the Mac (I bought the PC before I realized what I wanted to be when I grow up).

I also need more lenses, at least two of them (I have one 50mm & one kit, which is crummy). I want to take a class/workshop. I'll need to find an accountant. I have a list that seems a mile long...

But I'm really excited, even if it is 3 years away.

[divrchk]

I love these actions. http://shop.nicholev.com/welcome.aspx
I've got to figure out how to clean my mirrors in the camera well. When I look through the view finder, there is so much dust. None of it is showing up on my photos. I had my sensors cleaned less than a year ago but this dust is so distracting when I take photos.

[megan]

i like paige b. photography, although i agree with maya that your last name sound great, too. but "paige b.", when you say it out loud, sounds like you're on your own page, you know? like...there is a page a, but you'd rather be on page b. it's good.

[Thea]

My friend got a Jille bag for xmas it is to die for. I really want one.

Shooting in RAW made a HUGE difference for me. Did your camera come with software to enable you to still shoot in RAW? I don't have a mac, but my girlfriend www.geninegullicksonphotography.blogspot.com bought a non mac, home computer for $400. Photoshop/Lightroom and RAW make a HUGE difference and I think it will come back 500x what you invest upfront. Well worth the investment.

This is a great post. I am not a portrait photographer but since my best friend is I enjoyed reading this a lot.

[Dawn]

I love the name...Paige B. Photography...it rolls off the tongue nicely! and ITA with Megan...about the page b thing...very good!

[jenny d]

Paige...
how frustrating about the name! i like paige b. too!

just a few thoughts about what you've had rolling around in your head.

you do not need lightroom to start shooting RAW. Try it out with ACR, which is already included in photoshop. I LOVE lightroom, and i think its a worthwhile investment, but not necessary to get started. I toook me FOREVER before I jumped into RAW shooting, and once i did I found that it isn't all that different - just gives you more possibilities. go fo it!!!!

as for all of the thing you want... i think you should just go for it. get a business credit card, and make those initial investments in your new biz. if you think about it, its probably less than $5k, which is really a small investment to get a business going!

as for me, I have just about everything I want (for now)!!! wow!
on my to do list first and foremost is to streamline my proofing workflow! i spend sooooo much time proofing that it becomes ridiculous! I have some new ideas, and I plan to try them out this weekend.
Also, I need to work on my marketing and getting my branding out there. I've been putting it off, but it is time! Go me!

Have fun with all of it! The very most important thing is to keep growing with your photography. The rest of it is just the icing. yummy, delicious icing!

[Jennifer]

Oh I love the name Paige B Photography. It has such a sweet ring to it. I think it is wonderful. My photography related to do list is filled with taking out my camera more and taking more photos. I have a simple Cannon PowerShot SD500, which I love but on my dream list is the Cannon Digital Rebel xti. Dreams do come true, so maybe one day I will be able to take delectible photos with my new camera. Good luck with your new buissness adventure.

[Paige]

Thanks for the input ladies!
Megan-I never thought of Paige B as being on another page. That's funny!

This is all really great advice!

[Luann]

Page I really like the sound of Paige B. Photography it does have a fun ring to it.

I found your site through Jessica's I am so happy I followed the link. I am no where near starting my own business but I do love to shoot family and friends on the side, save the poor hubby and puppies from being a constant focal point.

As far as photography goals for the year I am going to take some classes to extend my skills, to more effectively use lighting, and how to use my wonderful lenses to their fullest. Santa was good to me this year and blessed me with a new lens and flash for my Xti.

Good lunck on your new ventures!

[krystyn]

You've inspired me in nine hundred ways this morning. I want to make a logo! I want to play with actions! I want to have a cool looking board with pretty magnets and to-do lists printed off in my favorite font! I want to finish setting up my state self-employed tax account! (Ok, maybe I don't WANT to do that one... but it was a much needed reminder/kick in the butt.)

I like "Paige B" all by itself. It's kinda catchy, I dunno, I just have a thing about stating the service in a name or logo... "Photography", "Design", "Escort"...it's kind of overkill sometimes.

Or, a thought. What if you still used "Spark Photo" for your business name, and just operated your state-registered business as "Paige Balcer Photography", like for tax purposes only? How far away is this Sparks fellow, would it cause any confusion?

[Raven]

I like Paige B, to me it sounds like Plan B which is sorta what the name is-ya know?

I'm still learning so my wish list is relatively small but I would LOVE a jille camera bag. My tamrac bag is getting cumbersome with more than one lens in it at the time. I'd also like to take some photoshop classes and classes on lighting.

[vivienne]

we have very similar to-do and wish lists!

i also had a recent realization that the business name i've been going with -Viva Photography- is already used by someone with the same first name as me, in the same city. oh dear!

I love the name Paige B. Photography...i wish you well with your growing business!

[nicky thomas]

paige b is a cool name. I wanted to start a business with my own name only to find another photographer in the area that i am moving to with the same name. grrr. She doesnt use her name for her business but it still feels like bad sportsmanship to use it when she is already well established.

ah well. with 3 little kids, i dont have time for it anyway yet. Good luck x

[Maya]

I have so many of the same things on the to-do list as well. My mom's been in business for 25+ years and now I'm joining her to find out all the stuff she hasn't been doing and could make it so much more successful. I like the name a lot!!! It sounds so classy.

Check out these actions too...now that you have a ton to check out! :)
http://boutwellstudio.com/totallyrad/examples.html

[Leeanthro]

I have some of the same "To Do's." Friends keep telling me that I should make note cards of my photos to sell (I've used a few of them for shower invitations). I think I am going to take the plunge. But I have to start low cost and make due. I also a a 3 year old and 9 month old and a full-time job in a completely unrelated field!

I didn't know about "actions" before your post. I tend to just shoot and accept what I take. But we recently had some pictures taken by a terrific local photographer. Her colors are so amazing that I bet she's using these actions. Huh, who knew?

On my list: get a tax #, take a few photos to a local printer to make some sample note cards, talk my husband into giving me a few hundred dollars from our tax return as seed money.

I would love any pointers!

[Fran]

I think you can't go wrong w/ whatever you choose to name the business. Your last name is great. I guess my fav would have to be Paige B - On my wish list - Nikon D300 or D200 - but before I can make that leap I'll take the Nikon 85mm f1/4. I'm dreaming about it daily. On my to do list...the usual mundane household chores. (btw...great blog...look forward to participating and viewing lots!)

[paula]

Hmmmm. I see that fabulous jillie camera bag in your future. Like about March 11. With love from Mom? Sound good?

[Just Pure Lovely]

Sometimes those unhappy situations can turn out for the best....I think this might be one. Paige B is a really cool name. I like it a lot better than Spark, which immediately makes me think of SparkPeople.com and that I really should get to working out and not be on this computer.

Just got a new lens a couple of weeks ago, so I'm content with what I have for now. It's not much, but enough. For now. :)

[Paige]

Ok, I think I am convinced that Paige B. is the way to go. I am sitting here with the form on my lap and I just need to go for it so I can start working on a new logo soon. Thank you!!

[patricia]

here's a couple more camera bags http://shootsac.com/ and http://www.goboda.com/ via http://blog.emilieinc.net/

i like paige b -- easy to remember and sounds pure, simple and lovely...

[stacelet]

I love Paige B - I think it can be a little whimsical, but you're also using your first name, being who you are, and being direct.

You inspired me to look at the lilyblue actions (I've been looking for some new actions for a while) and because of the presets for RAW processing that she also offers, I decided to buy the actions and presets from her - and I love them. Thank you for pointing me in that direction!
I shoot in RAW and use Photochop CS3 to process photos in the Bridge ACR and it is wonderful - and Lilyblue's presets are not only great of themselves (although perhaps a little overexposed or overcontrasted?), but are helping me to learn to process photos differently.

My photo to-do list is more get practice and take more photos! I'm probably going to add a class or two as well.

Thank you for an inspiring post, and for sharing with us!

[Stacy]

Good luck on your business venture! Sounds like you may have already decided on your name, but I thought I would just throw some thoughts out there. Who is your target client? Paige B sounds more informal, fun and family friendly. Paige Balcer sounds more formal and in the end may attract a higher end client. I work for a lot of "higher end" people, so I know their mindset when it comes to that sort of thing.

I have the Jille camera bag in bone, and it is really nice. I can fit my D50 with lens attached, 3 extra lenses a speedlight and all the other stuff (batteries, manual, etc.). It's such a classy looking camera bag.

Going RAW is on my wish list, too. I keep saying "eventually", but I am a procrastinator. ;)

Have you tried making your own actions in CS3? That helps to streamline your workflow if you have a consistent processing technique down. I just create my own for what I normally do and I can tweak it from there. It isn't hard to do at all.

[Angela]

I like that name! Sounds simple and easy to remember!

My goals are...

1~ Get my tax return...hopefully soon!
2~ Buy a back up camera (probably the Canon XT)
3~ Buy a really great <a href="http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-105mm-f-4-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx">wedding lens<a/> (big wish!)
4~ I really need to get a computer (right now Im using my husbands really old del lap-top that has no more life)
5~ And finally...stay on top of the weddings I have this coming season!

[Angela]

well that didnt work but I meant to send you here!

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-105mm-f-4-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

[Amy]

Aww, Paigey, my little entrepreneur! I love Paige B. and I love that it's not page a. That is really catchy. On my photography related to do list is 1.GET CAMERA FIXED! I am by no means the photographer you are, but having a camera out of comission is really frustrating. Even for a rookie, like me. Take care! Love ya tons.

[Kat]

Digi SLRs with the dust cleaning feature really help alot. Also,be sure to shut your camera off before changing lenses as that attracts more dust.

As for filters/actions and the like,there are alot of free ones on the Adobe site from contributors.
Honestly after viewing the LilyBlue actions on a friends system,I wouldn't waste my money..
The IntelMacs run WIN and MAC and rock!

Kat

[Jenny]

Hi Page!

I am also trying to get a photography business going! I'm overwhelmed by all the 'businessy' things I need to take care of. Did you have to register your business name first to make sure no one else had that name in your state? or for tax purposes? or just for your domain name site? Also, what are all the 'official' things I should be taking care of?

I'm just shooting friends/family for free right now. What is the best way to get them their pics? Just burn a CD for now for free? I think it would be a hassle try to fill print orders and stuff. ?

I am trying to set up something with a gallery website, where I can set my own pricing and clients can order from. Do you recommend something like zenfolio - which uses mpix for print fulfillment? Or should I go with the full blue domain website? Does the gallery & cart act as the same thing that zenfolio would? I'm a little confused how the two compare and which path to go down. I'm not making money yet, but that is the plan! =)

Any advice would be awesome!! Thanks!!
Jenny