One of the hardest things about taking your passion and making it your business is figuring out how to actually make a profit. When I say profit, I’m not talking about streaming green. I’m talking about not claiming a loss at the end of the year. In this digital age, one might think it only takes two eyes, two hands and a camera to start and run a profitable photography business. So, when you look at possibly investing in a custom portrait photography session, it’s understandable to wonder about the pricing. In the hopes of answering at least the nuts and bolts of that question, I’m going to pull back the curtain and share with you my own personal monetary business investments (so far)…

Marketing
1. Website (design, domain name, hosting fees)
2. Printing (business cards, brochures, postcards, bookmarks)
3. Promotional shoots during downtime or for portfolio building
5. Blog site (design, hosting fees)
6. Samples (prints, albums, jewelry, bags etc.)
7. Networking events
8. Online advertising
9. Postage
10. Charity package/print donations

Cost of Goods
1. Prints
2. Albums
3. Folios and CD sleeves
4. Client complimentary prints
5. Lab packaging & shipping costs
6. Packaging & shipping to clients (boxes, tissue, stickers/labels, postage etc.)

Business Management
1. Business registration
2. Banking fees
3. Business software
4. Professional services (legal & accounting)
5. Office supplies
6. Cell phone
7. Setting up DBA (fees for Legal Zoom)
8. Calendar/appointment system
9. INCOME TAX & SALES TAX!

Professional Organization and Development
1. Professional organization fees (PPA)
2. Business Insurance (Liability and Equipment)
3. Forum subscriptions
4. Seminars/workshops/instructional DVDs
6. Professional Magazines
7. Photography Books

Preparation & Travel
1. Child care (for prep time, travel time & session)
2. Gas
3. Wear and tear on car
4. Location fees
5. Parking

Photography Equipment
1. Camera and back-up camera (top of the line)
2. Lenses (good glass costs a fortune)
3. Accessories
4. Backdrops
5. Lighting equipment
6. Batteries/chargers
7. Props (blankets, baskets, seating etc.)
8. White balance target
9. Camera bags
10. CF cards and CF card reader
11. Maintenance (repairs, sensor cleaning etc.)
12. Portable backdrop stand
13. Tripod

Computer
1. PC & large monitor
2. Laptop
3. Actions, templates & fonts
4. Editing programs (Photoshop CS4)
5. Plug-ins (Noiseware, Portraiture etc.)
6. Printer, ink, photo paper (test prints & invoices)
7. CDs for digital files
8. Slideshow/DVD software
9. Color calibration hardware
10. EXTERNAL HARD DRIVES (4 back-up drives totaling 4 terabytes)

After all that, if you you do good work and people are willing to pay for your particular brand/style, you might be able to add “salary” to that list. Believe me, I’m not complaining… just explaining. If you’re serious about your art, and about your art being your work, it’s a pretty big investment.

We mostly discussed how well the book was adapted to the movie. And, how we hoped there would be a fifth book. And, how eight-year-old girls were as into the Cullens as we were. But, we only talked about the book for the first hour. The next two hours was all girl talk. Guys, you don’t even want to know.

I have a confession to make. I am a memory packrat. I’ve been going through old photos this evening in an attempt to clear up some space on my hard drive. Let’s just say… it’s not going well. I have a hard time deleting even the most atrocious, out-of focus shots for fear of losing that irreplaceable moment in time. I’m such a sap.

Anyway, while perusing my old folders, I found this gem:

That’s my sweet little niece (on the right) and one of her best friends at her fifth birthday party. I’m hoping these two remain besties for the rest of their lives so that they can look back on this photo and realized that time means nothing when it comes to true friendship.

… is a furry boy’s treasure.

This past monday, I went out for drinks and tapas with mah girls. It was about time I washed off the mummy scum and painted the town. I made sure to bring my camera so I could have some fun with it’s 6400 ISO capabilities. And, to document that I actually do get out every once in a while.