Customer Reviews

Best Business Practices for Photographers, Second Edition

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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I just finished reading "Best Business Practices..." and I must say, from my perspective of 40-plus years in the business -- as shooter, picture editor and director of photography -- the book is fantastic. I've recommended it to several colleagues, and suggested to a friend who teaches at Brooks Institute that it be required reading for every one of his students. I'll certainly also recommend the book to students at workshops I teach. Harrington deserves thanks for putting such balanced and varied wisdom on paper. It's a great service to photographers and everyone in the business -- all the more necessary in today's extremely volatile photography market. -- Kent Kobersteen, former Director of Photography, National Geographic Magazine

John Harrington has added so much information in his second edition that is relevant to the business climate of photography today. The new edition will be especially helpful to photojournalists who need to be prepared for the future in a changing profession. This needs to be on the bookshelf of every student and photographer.

As a college professor, I require this book for all my upper level photo classes. It should be required reading for every student who wants to be a photographer. Harrington has provided a valuable insight at how to be successful in the business of photography.

I own the first edition, and couldn't wait for this new edition. When I got the second edition, I was pleased to see how much Harrington has added. Even if you own the first edition, you'll want this if you are making your living as a photographer or are even thinking about it.

Pricing, contracts, copyright -- even IRS audits: If you are going to walk through the minefield that is the business of being a professional photographer, you'll want a good map. And "Best Business Practices..." is exactly that.

David Hobby
[...]

John Harrington's revised edition of his Best Business Practices for Photographers goes beyond a few timely updates. Using his own business experiences John has adjusted his business practices to the changing photography industry. Addressing topics such as "Pricing your work to stay in business", the first hand - "Insights into am IRS audit", and the timely "transitioning to Freelance", for the newspaper staffers entering the self-employed business world. This book delivers the business information many of us have learned at the "school of hard knocks" and most photo schools don't even offer, but with this book readers can learn how to build a successful career."

~ Richard Kelly, Photographer, Educator & President ASMP

As a former client of John's (as head of a PR team at a major agency, I hired him), I want to comment on the reviewer (of the first edition) who said that if you implement his approach, you need to have good diplomacy skills. Interestingly, he is so professional, buttoned up and clear about the value of and rights to his work, that he seems even MORE attractive than photographers who aren't so demanding. First you assume his work is really really good if he can be that adamant about protecting its rights, and second you know for sure he won't be late, sloppy, embarrass you in front of a client, charge you for add-ons you weren't expecting, etc. While he is a very good photographer, there are others around. The combination of being a good photographer and a good businessman, however, puts his business up a few levels from competitors.

Just as "The Rules" was correct in its rather annoying assumption that playing hard to get seems to get people wanting you more, Harrington's rules for photographers will make any professional photographer more attractive to his/her clients.

I'll confess to having finished only 1/5 of the book. If the rest are blank pages it's still worth the ~$25 I paid for it. The most important lesson is the idea of photography as a sustainable _business_. From his early tales John Harrington clearly had to sink or swim and learned the hard way; he offers the reader who wishes to make a business of photography the mindset that will allow success. Including suggestions to help other photographer friends succeed and not undermine the profession.

"Best Business Practices for Photographers" by John Harrington is not exactly a catchy title, but if you are starting as a professional shooter, or have been in the biz like me for over four decades, you better put down your camera and buy this book. I predict it will make your business better and more productive. When it does, drop me a line at: [...] and give me one example of how it changed your life.

. . . David Hume Kennerly

This book is very well written and is a must for those in business already and wanting to perhaps improve or for those wanting to get into the business. I am still mid reading the book (it's over 500 pages) but everything I have read so far has either reaffirmed my knowledge in the area or has given me new tools and resources for being successful. I recommend while reading it and to begin implementing these concepts into your business and observe the wonderful effects.

.... for everyone who has a photography business or is starting one. Very detailed and good example cases.

A very comprehensive (if not a bit too comprehensive in some areas) and well written book. Although Mr Harrington prefaces the book by stating it is written for the established professional photographer -- in my opinion, anyone even considering going pro should read this book first. It gave me a much better idea of the legal pitfalls of this profession that I was not originally aware of, which will allow me to put processes in place even before my website is up, in order to avoid potential future problems.