Paying Attention

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While working as a photographers’ representative for over three decades, Tony Luna said, in his 2006 book “How to Grow as a Photographer” (Allworth Press), that while he was showing portfolios to creative directors, art directors, photo buyers and various other editors, none of these people ever asked about a photographer’s university degree or college diploma. All that mattered was whether or not the photographer could produce good work on time and on budget.

This led Luna to point out: “Paying your tuition is not the same as paying your dues.”

 

Dressing for the part

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Let’s say you’re at a conference. Some people are wearing business formal, others are in business casual, some are dressed in jeans and t-shirt, and a few are in beachwear. Which people do you notice?

Certainly, the folks in beachwear will stand out but probably for all the wrong reasons. People dressed in jeans and t-shirt will always look sloppy next to those in business attire. Business casual never looks out-of-place and is always appreciated. Business formal, which might seem overdoing it, is always admired and respected.
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Just Saying

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Nothing to do with photography or business practices, and way off-topic but:

1) For the upcoming G8 and G20 Summits in Canada this June, the federal government states that security screening will be performed by “competent authorities”.  What? As opposed to the usual incompetent authorities?

2) Canadian phone company Bell has increased its interest rate to 42.58%. This not only proves that Bell is in the business of gouging consumers but also that it leads the Canadian corporate race to becoming a loan shark. (The Canadian legal definition of loan sharking is 60% interest.) Credit card companies and banks are probably wondering how Bell gets away with this.
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Defining Expectations

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How do you define the term “professional photographer”? The common answer is that a professional photographer is someone who gets paid to take pictures.

Of course that’s wrong.

There are many people who get paid for taking photos and they’re nowhere near professional, either in the quality of their work or the quality of their business, assuming they even have a business. Also, a good photographer is not necessarily a professional photographer.
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HST tax and the photographer

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For professional photographers in British Columbia and Ontario: the new Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) starts on July 1, 2010, but the effects of this new tax start two months earlier on May 1st.

Starting in May, you must charge HST on any photography that will be delivered/completed on or after July 1st. If you complete a project and deliver the photographs before July 1st but invoice the customer after July 1st, then you must charge HST. Generally, the HST is applicable to any amount that becomes due on or after July 1st. But to no one’s surprise, there are several exceptions and special situations. Federal government information is here.

For clients who currently pay GST and PST, there will be no change in the total amount of tax they pay. For clients who now pay only GST, they will have to pay more tax. These latter (commercial) clients should be able to get the tax rebated to them.

The new HST will benefit registered photographers since it’ll be easier for them to claim tax credits for the provincial sales tax they pay on business purchases. But for consumers, the HST will do nothing but increase the amount of sales tax they pay.

 

Please check the date of this article because it contains information that may become out of date. Tax regulations, sales tax rules, copyright laws and privacy laws can change from time to time. Always check with proper government sources for up-to-date information.

 

The science of buying photography

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We’ve all heard the phrase “path of least resistance”. In nature, (and that includes us humans), when given the choice, the path of least resistance will always be chosen first. The path of least resistance is the path that leads to a destination that’s good enough.

This path can vary from person to person, depending on the situation at hand. For example:

For a cup of coffee, one person might walk to the next-door 7-Eleven store. It’s quick, the coffee is cheap, it’s good enough for right now.

Another person who wants something more flavourful and made-to-order, “good enough” means they may have no choice but to go several blocks for an expensive Starbucks coffee. More resistance involved but they deserve that coffee.

For someone who needs even more, they might drive a distance to a fancy hotel café which serves coffee in a fashionable location. Much higher resistance but being seen in that expensive restaurant will enhance this person’s reputation.

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How to mess up a simple photo op

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It never ceases to amaze me how some companies, even very large corporations, can bungle a simple photo op and totally sabotage its media coverage. This always ends with a “what were they thinking?”

Yesterday, Husky Energy barred the media from its annual general meeting in Calgary (updated story here). This story was picked up around the world in both news and business publications. What should’ve been a routine business story with a routine photo of its CEO, turned into the loud negative headline: “Husky Energy bars reporters from annual meeting”.

Of course, there were photos of Husky personnel blocking the doorway to the meeting and security escorting photographers off the property. The security guard picture was also picked up around the world.

Great PR move, folks!
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