Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Pro Business Discussion => Topic started by: PSA DC-9-30 on February 20, 2012, 11:44:34 pm

Title: The business side of photography--essential reading/books
Post by: PSA DC-9-30 on February 20, 2012, 11:44:34 pm
I have been encouraged by several colleagues (some of whom are pros) and friends to start uploading some of my images to stock libraries and to start looking into gallery representation, selling prints, etc. To date, I have not crossed over into the business side of photography, although my scanning and transmission electron micrographs (I am a biologist) have been featured on six different scientific journal covers, as well as textbooks, newspapers, etc. I own copyright on many of these, but I also do my own landscape and nature photography with my own dSLR.

In any case, I basically know squat about business/accounting/taxes. To say the least, I do not find these topics interesting in and of themselves, but I do realize that I need to educate myself to a certain degree. To start, I see no need to start my own business, but I suppose there may be advantages in doing so eventually (i.e., if my images can garner enough interest). I need some basic business background (Business for Dummies?  ;D ) and also a good book on the legal/copyright issues pertaining to photographers. Any other books/articles (even YouTube videos) any of you could suggest would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Kevin

Title: Re: The business side of photography--essential reading/books
Post by: bdkphoto on February 22, 2012, 04:29:52 pm
http://asmp.org/articles/professional-business-practices-book.html
Title: Re: The business side of photography--essential reading/books
Post by: langier on February 22, 2012, 07:43:44 pm
+1
Title: Re: The business side of photography--essential reading/books
Post by: jjj on February 22, 2012, 08:58:51 pm
One of the best books on photography, I've ever read. And it doesn't ever contain any photos.  :)
I have the prior edition, but I'm guessing this will be updated with recent changes in the business.

Best Business Practices for Photographers (http://www.amazon.com/Best-Business-Practices-Photographers-Second/dp/1435454294/ref=pd_sim_b_1)
Title: Re: The business side of photography--essential reading/books
Post by: Ken Bennett on February 22, 2012, 09:20:40 pm
+1 on the Joh n Harrington book linked in the above post. Very well thought out and well written.
Title: Re: The business side of photography--essential reading/books
Post by: PSA DC-9-30 on February 26, 2012, 12:01:33 am
Thanks for your recommendations; I will look into these books.
Title: Re: The business side of photography--essential reading/books
Post by: Ellis Vener on March 17, 2012, 03:43:25 pm
Photographer's Survival Manual: http://thecopyrightzone.com/?page_id=190
Title: Re: The business side of photography--essential reading/books
Post by: fredjeang on March 18, 2012, 07:13:07 pm
Coot's posts, on this website.

(I'm serious)
Title: Re: The business side of photography--essential reading/books
Post by: Rob C on March 19, 2012, 06:21:11 am
Indeed, along with the understanding that it's nothing much to do with books and a helluva lot to do with your own personality and salesmanship abilities, your photo skills taken for granted.

Rob C
Title: Re: The business side of photography--essential reading/books
Post by: Ellis Vener on March 23, 2012, 10:23:47 am
Suzanne Sease and Amanda Sosa Stone also have a terrific and up to date book "The Photographer's Survival Guide": http://www.amazon.com/The-Photographers-Survival-Guide-Successful/dp/0817476776/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332512592&sr=8-1
Title: Re: The business side of photography--essential reading/books
Post by: leuallen on March 23, 2012, 02:09:34 pm
Not a book but a video. CreativeLive.com recent series by Sue Bryce. It is beauty/boudoir based but the salesmanship and insight that this woman has is terrific and applies to most anything. It is 16 hours long and I've watched it twice. I bought it even though I watched it live for free and I don't even own a business anymore (retired). You have to watch the whole thing as she drop nuggets of wisdom throughout.

Larry