Hi Guys!
I joined this group the other day, and wanted to introduce myself... i currently work as a sports video editor, editing highlights for pre and post game shows in the new york area... i've been doing that for a long, long time! i love what i do for a living; don't consider it "work" or a "job." Photography on the other hand is something i have a passion for. i love to shoot, and i love to help people who are new to photography, have moved up from a point and shoot to an advanced camera, or just have questions in general. i have a photography page on facebook called "Digital Photographers and Photoshoppers" which i have set up basically as a learning page for people. the feedback has been excellent.
I've decided to move myself to the next level with my photography by participating in art fairs and setting up a website. Sounds like a great idea, right? it should be so easy... the more homework i do, the more overwhelming it seems... this is why i've joined this group - as suggested by a friend of mine who's an amazing photographer and one of my biggest supporters in this arena... i have a few questions... they may have already been answered elsewhere on this blog, but quite honestly, i'm not good at this blog thing! so here goes:
1) suggestions on whether to begin as a D.B.A. or an L.L.C... i'm thinking D.B.A. in the beginning, and if the sales are there, then creating an L.L.C. any suggestions?
2) Do i need a tax I.D. number in order to do a show? does it vary from state to state?
3) suggestions for good places for supplies, etc. would be very helpful...
4) suggestions for websites would be helpful as well...
i appreciate any and all feedback... thanks!
Comments
thank you everyone for all your feedback and support. i have lots of work ahead of me, but i'm looking forward to it...
Welcome Donna and keep us posted on your progress. We'd love to hear about your exploits.
Hi Donna, we are pleased to have you join the community and appreciate your enthusiasm and obvious professionalism.
You'll need a dba for the state where you live so you can do business there and the state knows where your business is. It is a minimal charge and needs to be renewed periodically. I really think you should register yourself as a dba in your name, not some artsy name, and that this is the same name you should use for a website. It is all about name recognition.
We never did an LLC, but as you can see from Larry's answer above he thinks it's a good idea. Our accountant didn't think it was necessary as our assets were few. Yep, every state requires it's own license. Every show requires it's own application. There is nothing universal here at all. I often get requests from newbies looking for "the" application. There is a lot of paperwork in the business.
Please check our advertisers on this site, over there on the right hand side and in the suppliers like at the top. These people make this site free to all and I appreciate your rewarding them with your business so we can keep the info flowing.
We're doing a podcast on Tuesday, 8/14/12 at 5 pm ET, about artists and websites with lots of strategic details that you might want to listen to. Here's the link: www.artfairradio.com.
Welcome to the art fair business!
When I got started I did both an LLC and a DBA. The reason for that is that I can set up additional DBAs under the LLC for other work I may do. My full name is Evadsti Enterprises LLC DBA Eyes Of Nature Photography. In Virginia, you can set up the LLC online for $50, maybe more for the first year.
To get a business account all I needed was a federal tax ID, which I think you can get free online. The bank also asked for a business license, but they accepted the Federal tax ID and my LLC certificate.
Sales tax rules in Virginia is that you do not have to register and get a tax ID unless you do more than 3 shows a year. Each show is suppossed to give you a tax form. Most do not so you have to go online.
I don't have an accountant, lawyer, or financial planner, but sometimes wish I did! I just keep track of most things and figure my income tax at years end - after many hours of reading the books. A lot will depend on the size of your business.
Yes. Easy answer to all your questions.
I should start by saying that you should also join my forum. It has about 800 photographers on it currently and it's about selling photography at art shows.
http://ArtShowForums.com
But to address your other questions. What supplies? Photography, matting and framing, or art show display?
Yes you need a tax license in all the states you do shows. Also you should probably set up some kind of a corporation, probably a sub s or something like that. You probably need a commercial bank account to deposit credit card transactions. At least that was the way it used to be when I got started. The reason for the corporation is also to remove you personally from liability if anything were to happen. Speak to your accountant.
But that all may be putting the cart before the horse if you don't have a good set of jury images, which includes a booth image. Those are needed to get into any shows that are worthwhile.
I used to be a New York sports photographer in another life:
http://BermanSports.com
.
Larry Berman
Http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100