Episodes

EP 76: A bill has passed in the state of New York that impacts freelancers in a great way! One of the struggles of being a freelancer is collecting timely payments from clients, and this Act aims to hold companies accountable for how they treat their growing freelance laborers. In this episode, I break down my first reaction and what it could mean for future gig workers. https://petapixel.com/2022/06/09/new-ny-law-guarantees-freelancers-contracts-and-timely-pay/ https://millo.co/freelance-isnt-...

EP 75: Congratulations college graduates, it is your time to shine! The road ahead promises many great adventures and obstacles that will both challenge and inspire you as you begin your autonomous lifestyle. One such adventure is the ability to manage your financial goals such as paying down student loan debts, investing for retirement, and living within your means. In this episode, I talk about a few financial targets as you begin your post-college career. Support the show

EP 74: One of the common traps I find freelancers fall into is they price themselves without taking into account the intellectual property they inherently possess. In my opinion, this makes us laborers, not creatives, and it is up to us, not only to fight for these rights upfront but to include that value in our pricing. Cradoc FotoSoftware (www.cradocfotosoftware.com) For any purchases you make, use the code; MD-0620 at checkout for a 10% discount on any of their products. That code allows m...

EP 73: I'm not sure if there is an easy way to reconcile the conundrum of prioritizing both creativity and income. If you ask 100 creatives, you may get 100 different answers. Either way, it is a struggle for most creatives as they want to maintain artistic integrity but also make money. In this episode, I talk about my own struggles in finding harmony between the two highly important ideals. Support the show

EP 72: The longer I've freelanced, the more common I've seen this occurrence among industry colleagues. Their clients, my clients, your clients, have seemingly run into a snag, and payment for your services, low and behold, is going to be put on indefinite pause. In this episode, I talk about these scenarios that so many freelancers find themselves facing. Support the show

EP 71: After working exclusively with DSLRs for the past decade, I've finally accommodated mirrorless camera bodies in my workflow. Even though I may be late to the game on this, I'm providing my first impressions on the features I like and don't like in this new system. Support the show

EP 70: Facing 8.5% inflation rates is no easy pill to swallow. Regardless of how we got here, we have our own choices to make to combat these stealth taxes as best as we can. In this episode, I'll talk about a few proactive measures that can at least put us in a better mental head space as freelancers and entrepreneurs. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/artrepreneurs)

EP 69: We constantly fill out forms that require a Tax ID, whether it's for business, for banking, or for taxes. The question is whether or not there is a better and safer alternative to putting our social security number out there in the world so frequently. In this episode, I'll talk about the benefits of setting up an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for your business. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online Sup...

EP 68: We are continuing our investigation on quarterly estimated payments for 1099 creatives, and in this episode, we break down simple ways to calculate what you owe in taxes, and how to pay. https://www.irs.gov/payments Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/artrepreneurs)

EP 67: Freelancing and full-time employment vary in a number of different ways, and one of the most important differences to note is how you manage your taxes. While employees have taxes withheld, freelancers do not. In this episode, I talk about what quarterly estimates are, who they are for, and when to pay them. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estimated-taxes https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040es.pdf Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/artrepreneurs...

EP 66: The debate between prime lenses and zoom lenses can be both sensible and fickle at the same time. Each photographer has his/her own vision, and not every scenario calls for a universal standard. But it does seem as though each niche has its tendencies, and in this episode, I break down some reasons why wedding photographers prefer the benefits of the prime lenses over zooms. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/artrepreneurs)

EP 65: We've all been told, that it takes money, to make money. And while some facets of that may ring true, it might not be a universal truth, nor might it be a valid self-narrative for any entrepreneur to uphold. In this episode, I'll explain why I think this casual phrase might do more harm than good. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/artrepreneurs)

EP 64: Copyright law is extensive and occasionally difficult to wrap one's head around. There are progressively more and more scenarios that dilute the waters we swim in as creators in a digital sharing era. But a basic grasp on the value of owning the copyright versus selling the copyright can help navigate creatives throughout their career. In this episode, I talk about the very basics of copyright protection. https://www.popphoto.com/news/snoop-dogg-photographer-copyright-controversy/ https:...

EP 63: Identifying potential points of failure can be just as critical to success as developing great work. It's not a matter of if, but when a mistake is made or a piece of gear is broken, and it is up to us as creative professionals to ensure that we can get the job done unequivocally for our clients. In this episode, I'll list 7 areas of contingency planning to practice in your business. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/artrepreneurs)

EP 62: The benefits to owning gear are numerous, but it is not without challenges either. Not every small business owner has the funds to drop down a large lump sum of money to acquire the tools needed to do the jobs. With technology advancements improving at a rapid pace, is leasing a potential option to avoid having our money tied up in obsolete equipment? In this episode, I give my 2 cents on leasing vs buying for professional creatives. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/artre...

EP 61: Conduct is just as important to your branding as your style, your creativity, and your hustle. It is not about what you think your brand should be, but rather how the customer, client, or colleague experiences your brand based on your actions. In this episode, I break down why integrity is so meaningful to your reputation and highlight the mistakes I've made that hurt my own. The Futur (podcast) with Chris Do - feat Marty Neumeier Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/artreprene...

EP 60: Working photographers are not always guaranteed safe haven from accidents, theft, or damage. Some might even say, these possibilities simply come with the territory. In this episode, I talk about how playing solid defense can keep your business and your mental health above water in moments of crisis. Gofundme for Kelley Smiley: https://www.gofundme.com/f/r85ce-help-kelly-get-back-on-her-feet Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/artrepreneurs)

EP 59: Oh the aches and pains of learning on the fly. These hardships are both excruciating reminders of what could have been, as well as the perfect lessons to guide us on our path forward. In this episode, I'll highlight a few blown assignments starting out and how it has provided me with core values thereafter. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/artrepreneurs)

EP 58: With the label of "visual creator" or "visual storyteller" being so broad, it covers a number of sins like photo manipulation and influencing a scene. But when you cross over to photojournalism, the emphasis on truth and trust becomes paramount. In this episode, I react to a recent staging shoot by a photojournalist that has the industry very passionate about where this lies on the moral and ethical scale of journalism. NPPA CODE OF ETHICS Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/a...

"If you know your costs, you have key information that's going to fund many of your decisions going forward; you can build confidence in your pricing, you have more strength in your negotiations, you have more justification, to walk away from clients that don't match your business goals, you will know what your business can afford and what it can't, you'll make smarter investments at the more appropriate time."

"This law should not impact your overall business, unless you're conducting under the table transactions on the reg, which I've already mentioned, is not so legal, the IRS law states that you have to report all income for your business."

💯 💯 💯 "Identify what is important to you, and occasionally prioritize that over what might be urgent to you."