I am creating a Facebook page for my photography... and I eventually want it to evolve into a small business.?

[Steve P]

Here are some links that will point you in the right direction, or at least allow you to get your head around what a "photography business" truly entails. The sad truth is that the great majority of new photography businesses fail, ....quickly and miserably. Simply enjoying taking photos, and even if you are very good at it, in no way means you are prepared to run a SUCCESSFUL business. Anyone can START at least a semblance of a business, but making a PROFIT consistently, staying in business, and staying out of legal trouble are very, very different things.

Calling yourself some kind of "photography business" on Facebook is as far from what a REAL business is as a kid selling lemonade on the sidewalk is from a restauranteur.

Please give serious study and thought to the following links. You would do yourself a huge favor by purchasing and studying the books listed before making the mistakes that thousands of other newcomers to the business world make.

On your name question:
http://www.nynphotoschool.com/articles/b...raphy.html

http://www.free-business-plans.com/artic...-name.html

It is always a good idea to get in contact with a local chapter of SCORE, which is a resource partner of the US Small Business Administration that offers free counseling and resources to people interested in starting or growing a small business. A good way to get the information and advice you need about such things as a business license, tax liability, accounting, business structure, insurance needs, etc.
http://www.score.org/


On MARKETING, which is a major aspect of a successful business:
http://www.cjlewis.com/starting-a-photog...sines.html

Here is the very first book you should invest in. Yes, it is an INVESTMENT. Far better to spend $30 now to avoid huge mistakes that could cost you your livelihood and / or possibly land you in a lawsuit:
http://www.amazon.com/VisionMongers-Maki...ionmongers

Many people don't even realize what their cost of doing business actually is. This will help you to see where your money is going and why you cannot simply pick a number out of the air to charge clients:

https://nppa.org/calculator

Here are various items that can be of use, most importantly the section where you can obtain CONTRACTS and RELEASES:
http://www.behindtheshutter.com/btsstore/

On a more indepth level of legal and specific aspects of a photography business:
http://www.amazon.com/Photographers-Surv...169&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1435454...PDKIKX0DER

http://www.amazon.com/Fast-Track-Photogr...882&sr=1-1

Good luck.... you ARE going to need it.

steve