Business Time

Yep, it sure is. Time to strap on your “boss” hat and get this business off the ground. So where to start? That is where Emancipated Artist comes in. We have this handy little list of useful information and tips that is at your disposal. No need to thank us, just get out there already and do us proud. And remember the little people when you are all big and famous.


General Resources

Contract Maker Application for your Mobile Device

Photographer's Contract Maker is a nifty application that runs on any iPod, iPhone, or iPad.  The application costs $2.99, and has several contract templates that can be edited as needed.  This application is different because it automatically inserts the names of the licenser and licensee into the wording of the contract.  Best of all, clients can sign contracts directly on the mobile device, and contracts can be emailed in PDF or JPEG format for easy digital contract management.  This is a perfect tool for the freelance photographer on-the-go.

NPPA Independent Photographer’s Toolkit
Business practices toolkit From the National Press Photographers Association, including resources on best practices, pricing, contracts, business forms, copyright, ethics, and much more.

Business of Photography
From Black Star Rising, the storied New York agency founded in 1935, a comprehensive series of articles by professional photographers on every aspect of making a living from your photographs.

Business Resources from ASMP
Great collection of resources on topics like workflow, best practices, trademark/copyright and software from the American Society of Media Photographers. Also includes tutorials, educational videos, pricing guides, business and legal FAQs.


Blogs and Commentary

Photo Business Forum
“Occasional musings and news about the Business of Being a Photographer.” One of the leading blogs covering the business side of photography, with provocative commentary by John Harrington, author of Best Business Practices for Photographers, 2nd Edition.

Common Cents
“Common Cents is an unapologetic, opinionated, and often sarcastic advocate for independent photographers. It will educate, agitate and inform.” Information, opinion and business advice for freelancers.

Ellen Boughn Blog
Wisdom from Ellen Boughn, stock photo consultant, including posts about the stock photo business, appraisals and valuations, litigation issues and industry insight.

Photopreneur
“Photopreneur exists to identify the new opportunities that these changes are churning up for professionals, hobbyists and for camera-owners who want to earn from their photography…. At Photopreneur, we try to spot those openings and talk to the people who have created them, the photographers who are using them and the buyers who are taking advantage of them. And we try to help other photographers make the most of them too.”

Strictly Business
Blog maintained by The American Society of Media Photographers “to encourage the development of critical skills and to foster new ideas.” Multiple authors represent a broad range of expertise in the profession, including long-time freelancers and staff photographers, educators, consultants and authors.