Best Business Practices for Photographers [Paperback]

John Harrington (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1598633155 | ISBN-13: 978-1598633153 | Publication Date: October 4, 2006 | Edition: 1

A successful photographer must pay close attention to all of each business obligation and must find a balance that keeps his or her business thriving. It takes more than just talent to get ahead in the marketplace. Strong business skills are just as important. Best Business Practices for Photographers covers the essential business topics that professional photographers need to know in order to succeed. It does not focus on taking pictures, starting a photography business, or selling photography, but rather explains how photographers can meet important business objectives. Instead, it covers the focal points of best practices--best practices in interacting with clients, best practices in negotiating contracts and licenses, best practices in business operations. This book provides a roadmap for successfully navigating these, and many other issues, facing photographers today.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Course Technology PTR; 1 edition (October 4, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598633155
• ISBN-13: 978-1598633153
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #590,855 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All Business, November 15, 2006

By 

Conrad J. Obregon (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Best Business Practices for Photographers (Paperback)

Here's a well written photography book that most photographers will not want to read. That's because it's aimed at professional photographers who already have at least a little business experience under their belt. Moreover, it's aimed at assignment photographers, rather than studio or fine arts photographers, although some of the people who shoot in these genres may benefit from discussions of things like rights, pricing and insurance. It's all business, with no photographic technique or vision (although Harrington certainly does describe business techniques and vision). Finally, even though it's an excellent book, it does not deal with every aspect of the business of photography.

The author begins by reminding the professional photographer that he is in business. There is a brief discussion of equipment in which the author urges the readers to get the best equipment he or she can afford, and a warning that the professional had better consider the logistics of every job.

In another part Harrington discusses working with assistants, employees and contractors as well as pricing, including consideration of factors like retirement accounts and insurance. He discusses hiring accountants and lawyers. To me, the meat of the book is in the discussion of contracts. Besides furnishing the reader with samples of his own documents, he explains essential provisions. There are also chapters on infringement and enforcing contractual rights. There's a brief tour through archiving images, although the essence of Harrington's message is, read Peter Krogh's "The DAM Book", a point with which I heartily agree. The author also touches on the market for stock photographs.

He finishes the book with chapters on care and feeding of clients (literally), training yourself and others, and a discussion of your obligations to your family and community.

A theme that keeps coming through is the importance of protecting your work by making sure you keep your ownership interest in your images and that you charge enough for their use. I agree with Harrington, but he certainly is a little strident on the subject.

I do have bones to pick. He covers the IRS's 20 factors that determine if a person is an employee or a contractor, which is important if you don't want to be responsible for paying that person's Social Security and income taxes. He suggests ways of avoiding the characterization of a person working for you as an employee. However, if you follow his suggestions and comply with federal regulations, you may find yourself paying someone who can't be made useful to you, or alternatively paying those taxes at a later date. Read this section with care so that you understand the regulations, but then discuss it with your lawyer.

There is also a discussion of negotiating indemnity agreements in contracts. I suspect many readers don't even know the consequences of an indemnity agreement, which will make it difficult to negotiate these provisions. Hopefully this will be explained in the next edition.

Finally, Harrington is sometimes hardnosed in his advice for dealing with clients. If you follow his advice, you better make sure your diplomacy skills are also in place.

Photographers who are just getting started in business would probably benefit from reading books like "Starting Your Career As a Freelance Photographer" by Tad Crawford or "American Society of Media Photographers Professional Business Practices in Photography". However, once you are on the road as a professional, this is certainly a must-read book

30 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is a fine book, but..., January 5, 2007

By 

B. Jackman (AZ, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Best Business Practices for Photographers (Paperback)

...don't be confused. This book IS NOT for people who want to start a photography business. This book is for people who already run a photography business.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glad I read it when I did., January 31, 2007

By 

Jared Cullison (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Best Business Practices for Photographers (Paperback)

I wish I could give this book to every "photographer" on Craigslist who only charges $100 for a photo shoot. They don't realize they hurt the photo industry as a whole by undervaluing the craft. This book is an excellent wakeup call to anyone truly serious about making a living as a photographer.

Not only does this book cover solid business principles with real-world examples, it gives the reader insight into the value of the work we do as photographers. To me, this book says: "Don't sell yourself short. You are a business: start acting like it. Determine what it costs to be in business and charge accordingly."

If you're serious about making a living as a photographer, read this.