Best Business Practices for Photographers, Third Edition, 3rd Edition

Chapter 21

Working with Reps, Assistants, Employees, and Contractors: The Pitfalls and Benefits

During the early years of my business, it was just me. Not only was I a sole proprietor in the IRS’s eyes, I was the sole worker. I was my own IT department, accounting department, new business department, shipping department, and—oh, right, creative department. It got to the point where I could not be in two places at once—creating photographs and sending invoices, planning a shoot and sending estimates. It really became too much. When I began considering bringing on some help, I kept thinking, “Ten dollars times eight hours, times five days a week, times fifty-two weeks a year equals how much?!” I didn’t see that I had that amount of “extra” revenue ...