Best Business Practices for Photographers, Second Edition

Best Business Practices for Photographers is outstanding. I can hardly describe how impressed I am with this book. It is essential reading for anyone already involved in professional photography and anyone looking to begin a career in photography. The topics covered are, in a nut shell, everything a photographer needs to know about the business side of photography; (Amazing! The title says it all.) What I like so much about this book is how simple it makes understanding these things. Most of us in artistic fields zone out the minute we hear words like business plan, contract, insurance, logistics, Accounting etc. Hey! Wake Up! This book is written so simply and intuitively it makes these topics, crucial to running a successful business, simple to understand and a breeze to read about. I actually found that I couldn't put it down. I couldn't believe some of the things I was reading could be so common sense and so foreign to me at the same time. This book is an easy read. It provides you with all the external help you'll need to keep these things simple, and all the advice you'll need implement these practices into your business life seamlessly and simply. Buy it, push yourself to read through the first chapter, get yourself engrossed and amazed at what you didn't know, and reap the long term rewards of reading this book. (Rewards that will probably in the form of more money and more time for you to do what you love.) Hope you enjoy it. Happy reading, -Zsen

Having had a none related business for 15 years, prior to becoming a photographer, I thought that experience would be all I needed to get up-and-running. Well, it was not. To not understand the particluars of any business are the things that will keep you from being a success. This book will provide you with all the things one must know and consider if he/she is really interested in creating a successful and enduring Photography business; talent alone, believe it or not, will not. It is an easy, easy read. I also recommend taking a basic business planning course with your local SBA prior to or while reading it to get the most out of it, and to be able to chat with other new business owners; and potential future customers. Invaluable adivice about contracts, pricing and how to treat yourself to avoid the most common msitakes people make in this industry. Super software recommendations and, again, how to present oneself in one's market to maintain continued business. If you find yourself intimidated, or bored by the finance section, it is a bit of a slog, skip it and read the other chapters first, but be certain that you do read it as soon as you finish the rest of the book.

As the author, John Harrington, writes in the book, most colleges and photography schools spend precious little time (if any at all) teaching students about the business side of photography. As it turns out, running a successful photography business requires much more than just the ability to take good pictures. Setting prices, negotiating contracts, managing employees, licensing, balancing work and family, etc. - it all plays a role, and this book helps you do it. It's absolutely packed with useful information and advice. Anyone serious about having stable, long-term success in the photography industry should consider owning this book. It has opened my eyes to aspects of the business that I either would not have thought of on my own, or learned the hard way through regrettable errors. The bottom line is, photography is a life-long journey, and to make a living at it requires skill, talent, supportive family and friends, and a good mind for business. Use schooling and practice to develop your skill, find ways to inspire and focus your talent, thank and love your family and friends...and use this book to help hone your business.

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

For anyone that is just starting out for the first time in this business or for that matter any business, this a very good resource of information. For those that already understand the nature of business in general, it may be redundant except for some specific topics related to the field of photography. It never hurts to have information of this nature on hand. It does show some valid tactics regarding marketing as well as saving you some major time in research regarding finding avenues to market to. Bottom line: resources such as this are always great to have on hand as it can remind one of simple things one might tend to forget and stumble on. Basically, between the three books I purchased Marketing Fine Art Photography , 2012 Photographer's Market and this one, I would pretty much state that I have a fairly complete library on this topic.

I am an amateur photographer. I bought, read, and enjoyed John Harrington's Best Business Practices for Photographers, Second Edition. I believe John wrote both his first and second editions with professional photographers in mind. Every professional photographer should own this book. If you are an amateur like me, you should buy this book, and let me tell you why. If your photography is good, sooner or later, a friend or family member will ask you to photograph something and offer to pay you for it. As soon as you decide to accept money for your time, sell your photographs at a show, or sell your photos over the Internet, you are in business. Even if you are giving your craft away to a non-profit, you will want some control over your work and some assurance that your work will not be used to harm. You will need to know when you and your work need protection and how to do it. If money changes hands you are in business, and in every municipality in the US being in business means something. The moment money changes hands you are required to register your business as an entity; adhere to all local licensing and zoning laws; and pay federal, state and local taxes including sales tax. Once your business has value - enough that someone would pay you for your time and work - then you will want to protect your business, your work, and yourself from harm resulting from your business activity. So amateurs should buy this book too. As an amateur you may someday be faced with the prospect of selling your time and work. You should know what that means and be prepared for that decision. I hope John will view my review as affirmation for his work and embrace this perhaps unintended consequence of his book in the marketplace. On a lighter note I would like to report that this book is well written, accurate, and very up to date. I would highly recommend that every photographer purchase and read this book, cover to cover.

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.

I've been shooting professionally for 43 years. Just came back from a brief retirement as I love the field so much. This go around, I'm Freelancing it. No more hassles of studio ownership, no partners taking the fun out of it, no more serving as a Photographer Director to Photographers & Videographers who obediently shoot when I tell them too. This book is the best business book I've ever seen; not in this life-not in the previous 43 years. Especially not in Art School, back in the 70's no one taught the business end; which, unless you want to fit the starving artist mold, may be the most important part of the art of photography. Great job, Mr. Harrington, great book, a must read for students, beginning pros, to seasoned professionals.

I recommend this book if you want to make your transition from whatever full time job into successful freelance photography business world. Inspirational and motivational material with a lot of to the point information (choosing equipment, business tactics and strategies, planning and negotiating etc.) especially for photographers in the US. Get it, read it and reread from time to time in order to be a successful photographer.

Sehr guter Überblick über die geschäftlichen und politischen Fallen in die man so als Freelancer (jeder Art) tappen kann. …

Il libro è arrivato quasi intatto, piccoli danni esterni dovuti al trasporto. L'unico motivo per cui non riceve il massimo della valutazione sono i tempi e le modalità di consegna. Atteso per più di venti giorni è stato abbandonato all'aperto perché non entrava nella cassetta della posta.

This recently released 2nd edition is simply the best single reference volume for photographers to refer to when wanting to understand the business/contract side of photography. It really should be 'essential reading' (as well as "VisionMongers: Making a Life and a Living in Photography" by David duChemin) for anyone thinking of going either semi-pro or pro with their photography. It covers a very wide gamut (pun intended) of critically important information and perspectives that literally will make or break things financially for many photographers. Photographers need the sagacious and practical insight such a book as this contains in plenty! This is not a book for hobbyist photographers. Highly recommended. If you have a friend entering the photography business in any capacity I suggest that you buy this as a gift and they will thank you for years!

Excellent book that gave me lots of ideas