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WWMND?
So, after we got here last year, DH replaced my stolen DSLR with a slightly upgraded one for Christmas. I gave myself the present of a photography course with a photographer who's been published in things like National Geographic. I've been practicing since then, and even did a few shoots for friends ( per their request). Now, I have about 4 families that are friends, asking for sessions, particularly in the Cherry Blossoms. Other photographers are charging up to $300 for those sessions, and most of them are booked already.
On base, if you want to have a home business, you need to register with Legal and if you don't, they can " shut you down". So I can't legally take payment with out registering and paying a fee ( that I don't know what it is yet, I don't think it's much). But I feel a little taken advantage of, like my a few sessions were NBD, but now that I have several people coming to me and asking I feel like I should commit one way or the other.
I need to either continue on with photography as a hobby that I love, and do things like this for my friends every now and then. And maybe when I mature further I can buy a full frame camera as opposed to the beginner DSLR I have now, including investing into more classes/ lenses, etc.
Or jump on it, register and take payment. Learn as I go, and pray not to be made fun of for being an amateur photographer with only one class under her belt? When I e-mailed the woman who taught our class, she said she would never do it with a toddler and a new baby on the way because it's so much work and bullish!t with the people on this base.
Tell me, MN. Guide me.
Re: WWMND?
What does your gut say?
You can always try it now and start off slow - don't book too far out. Just make your own schedule and stick to it.
Would H be around so you can focus on the session and not have LO in tow?
I think I would decide based on the cost of registering the company. Would you put proofs online? Are you selling sessions and digital files? Or are you printing?
I would be honest about your abilities with the families you are working with and base your prices in accordance with your experience. People who will make fun of you are not worth your time. Obviously you have some interest, so I say run with it. If you choose that you don't have time when LO#2 comes, then just hold off until you want to resume.
I would maybe just talk to Legal first and see what registering entails, such as cost, length, terms, etc. If it's doable and you feel that it's the best option, then go for it. Also, are there a lot of photographers who do military discounts or free sessions for military? I know at our old base there were tons of photographers that did free sessions, or heavily discounted for military families. So how you would be willing to work around that is something to think about if that would be a big source of your business.
If right now you just have the few people and don't know much about future people, I might just do it for free and have them sign something saying you can use the pictures how you want, so that you could use them for a portfolio or building a website down the road.
What is the policy about doing something and people give you gifts? For example, if you did their photos for free and then they gave you a tip or a gift card or something later? I'm guessing it's still not allowed since you're getting gifts for services provided, but if not that might not make it completely worthless for you. I know if someone was doing a free session for me I would absolutely tip them well or give them a gift card for somewhere at least.