TUTORIAL: If I Had to Start Today talk by Zack Arias

Zack Arias [link] is one of those guys I have a lot of time for and for good reasons. Like any good mentor he doesn't sugar coat things, tells you what you don't want to hear but need to and allows you to learn from their mistakes the easy way rather than the hard way.

If you wanted a starting point to thinking about starting up a photography business then contained within this talk there are some great guidelines.

In summary

1. Get an accountant!!! 
2. Know your numbers (figure out the cost of doing business)
3. There is good debt and bad debt avoid bad debt. Bad debt is that lens or body that you don't really need but would like to have etc. 
4. Get a basic, simple website (wordpress template)
5. Find your niche/market (research, research, research) 
6. Find your referral base (find the people that can connect you with people who would buy your work) 
7. Get invovled in your local community (making meaningful relationships) 
8. Hustle (get off xbox, photography forum, internet) shoot new work,  
9. Out source what you need to (focus on the stuff you do well and then outsource the stuff you suck at)

INSPIRATIONAL: Zack Arias' Transform short film

The thing I love about Zack is his forthright honesty, telling the world the way he sees it without the sugar coating. His Transform short film is a perfect example. If you have ever doubted your abilities as a photographer or why you are even still in the game, then let it be known you are not alone and to take heart in that knowledge. A fine meditation on a photographers journey 

You can checkout the full details about the short at Zack's website