You caught another one!

[lovemyphoto]

Hey,

My name is Laura, and although I don't currently have my own business, I am looking into getting my own name in the photography world. I thought this forum might help me learn the ins and outs of the small business world and learn what all is entailed. Besides, the business and economical lingo just spins me in circles, so hopefully I'll get straightened out in that department, too!

Any (nice) suggestions for a confused newbie?

[Dan Furman]

Welcome, Laura.

I guess the first thing I would suggest is having a nice display of your pictures - a photoblog or flikr account/etc. Do you have anything like that setup?

[Spider]

Welcome aboard, Laura. I look forward to seeing some of your pictures.

[Patrysha]

In addition to information you gather from this forum, I would also suggest ILP forum which is specific to photographers...especially the higher end black and white, glamour, maternity/newborn/family type stuff, though they did have a wedding section that was quite active when I was there a few years ago. I lurked there on behalf of one of my very first marketing clients (a photographer just making the transition from hobbyist to pro) back in 2003.

[Harold Mansfield]

Welcome to the forum Laura,
Getting started is actually easier than you think.

[vangogh]

Welcome to the forum Laura. Lots of ways you can make a name for yourself in the Photography world. We'll do our best to help you find some of those ways and if we ever speak too much lingo, just ask what something means and someone will give you an answer.

Nice to have you here and thanks for joining the community.

[lovemyphoto]

Hey, thanks for the warm welcome!!!

I don't have a website at the moment. I need to get a portfolio put together and get that going. The biggest thing keeping me from making a website is I don't know what to "call myself." I don't know the requirements for creating a business name, and internet sources just spin me in circles instead of giving me clear information. I've heard using my name doesn't require a business license. But if I wanted to create a business name without using my name, do I need a business license or not? What do I need?

[lovemyphoto]

I really wish there was just a step by step list on how to start a small business lol. Wait.... is there one?

[Harold Mansfield]

You can call yourself anything that you want. Just make sure that it isn't an existing company the does the same thing. A trademark or copyright infringement, but most importantly...see if the domain is available as a .com.
Just start posting questions in the forum. You will get plenty of help.

[Spider]

In Houston, we have a government office called "Houston One-Stop" that provides a package of documents for any particular business of all the local city, state and national government requirements. Check and see if there is a "One-Stop" office in your city.

Best place to start inquiring would be the Clerk (County Clerk, City Clerk) at your local courthouse.

Another good place for all sorts of questions of this nature is your local librarian at your public library. Those folk are a fountain of information. And it is all accurate, official and local to your jurisdiction.

Public Librarians are a "best kept secret" of the business world.