[Schatzi]

And my head is still spinning.

I went there thinking that we would be going over an outline for client contracts(Babies/Children/Teens/Family & Weddings). I shot an event months back in turn of her taking care of all legal aspects of my business. The first thing she asked me was if I will be working as a Sole Proprietor or under a corporation/LLC. I thought I would be doing this pretty much solo but she advised me that the best decision would be for me to become a LLC. Some of the advantages of this would be that it is easier when it comes to paying back taxes at the end of the year. The huge plus is that I'm represented by a corporation, so heaven forbids a client ever tries to sue me, instead of taking me to court, they take my corporation instead. All of my personal assets (ie. homes, cars, bank accounts, stocks, bonds etc.) are all protected. Not that I wish to give my clients any reason to sue me but there are always those few "maybe's" and "what if's". So My ending decision is to become LLC. But of course the best way for me is the most expensive. $200 for the application alone. Then I have to run my publication for 6 weeks straight in a notable newspaper that would cost me $500! Gadzooks! I thought I would walk out there with a mind of what my contracts would look like. We did however get to outlining the contracts and release forms. She's even working up some General Release Forms(letting family and friends that I shoot for know that the photos belong to me) for me tonight.

My head still hurts.. I thought this would be a simple walk in the park. But I rather do everything the legit way so down the road I don't have to worry about if the cutting corners will ever catch up to me.

So my question is for all the photogs here that are actually in business. Are you representing yourself or is there some big shot corporation backing you up? Or are you like how I was this morning, with an expression sort of like this > o.O ? Lol.

Oh man, my head hurts just THINKING about it For the wedding that I just booked, I used a contract that another professional photog friend of mine uses and just altered it slightly for my own needs. I doubt it's 100% correct, but its better than nothing and should *hopefully* cover me in case anything were to go wrong. I guess that is the risk I take.

It sounds like the LLC is the smart way to go. Definitely.

[LindsLuvsSi]

I know exactly what you mean! I'm still trying to understand all that and I'm getting so stressed and fed up with all there is needing to be done!!!!

[photophreak]

Good for you for doing it legit. I think too many people are putting the cart before the horse nowadays with photography.

I'm not in business at this point.

[AliciaF]

An LLC is definitely the way to go...that said we are a Partnership

As our business grows we plan to move from a legal partnership to a LLC eventually but figured as a start up we were pretty safe without a corporation.

We've found most of our legal contracts through websites where they are available to purchase.

[heatherrose415]

Yikes!!! My head is spinning too! lol. I really want to do it legit too, I am to nervous about legal matters by doing it any other way. one reason I am not charging yet. I think Corporation sounds like the way to go also!!!!