New Name
You may notice that my blog now has a new name. Partly because of my sudden discovery that I owe the IRS $600 and partly because I have been thinking of doing it for a while anyway I’ve been looking at incorporating myself as a photography business. Rather than do the straight up name thing most photographers do I’ve been kicking around some different names in my head. Relevant Images was one of the first ones I thought of but there are already quite a few people out there with that name or similar ones to it. Resonant Images however seems to be pretty available. So I decided to rename the blog and see if I still like it after a week or two. I’ve never been totally happy with the title “Through the Looking Glass” since it’s not terribly original and makes me sound like some kind of literary snob. In truth, I’m much more of a theology snob. 
I settled on Resonant Images because I like the idea of doing photography that has an impact on people. I want it to “resonate” with them and force them to think about the subject matter. I re-watched most of WarPhotographer last night and it once again made me feel like I should be doing something more with my life and my photography. I really do feel increasingly convicted that God has given me a gift and a tool in photography to inform and teach others about events that are taking place in the world. Hopefully this is something that is in my future as a career option and not just as a hobby. For now though, I’ll just stick with trying to pick out a good name.
> Rather than do the straight up name thing most photographers do
> I’ve been kicking around some different names in my head.
Congratulations on the new name! One thing you’ll want to check in to is the need to file a Fictitious Business Statement. That’s one of the big reasons a lot of us stick with our own names in the business title.
I believe you need to apply with the county within 40 days of starting the business, plus (annually?) publish the Fictitious Business Statement in (multiple?) newspapers in the county.
http://www.santacruzpl.org/ref/scbus.shtml
And if you’re looking to use the business with the tax write-offs of equipment, you have to do all the book keeping, as well as showing an attempt at making a profit, otherwise it would only qualify as a “hobby” where I believe equipment would not be deductible.
Also, be sure to get your resale permit set up early to make your bookkeeping easier, with a smaller business sales tax is usually only due annually, and the paperwork is pretty easy. Luckily since we are under the jurisdiction of the county and not a city, we don’t have to get a business license, and I don’t believe the County requires one for photographers.
Of course I need to throw in the legal disclaimer… I am not an accountant, nor do I play one on TV. I’m certainly no tax expert and recommend working with an accountant early on in the process of setting up a business in order to set best practices and avoid headaches later.
I like that name. good thoughts to picking it too!