Originally Posted by Jordan
Keep in mind I am not a pro photographer. This is just myperspective with a buisness enterprise in general:
On equipment none, equipment does the work it doesn't get the job. Equipment is a need to do the work. If the work is there and you have to get a piece of equipment and it will pay for itself, then look at acquiring it. If you need specialty equipment look at renting. In my trade if I have to rent a tool for three months, I should have bought it. But thats a dollar thing, rent vs purchase vs how much you use it. But keep the overhead down.
A new adventure, I would put what I could afford in marketing and not take out any kind of loan. There are way to many ways to advertise that are free. Again, debt is overhead. You have no overhead now and that is to your advantage. If you finance equipment, you borrow money to advertise, you rent a studio its all overhead and if you don't get enough work you are feeding the overhead monster instead of making money with what little you do.
To sum up, stay away from debt if at all possible. Debt is a partner you take on that you have to feed and clothe and it produces nothing.
I am speaking just from a buisnessmans standpoint here, but I think this applies in all types of buisness. Especialy trades and services. Socialize, you would be supprised how many other photographers might be interested in someone coming and helping them out occasionaly. A little labor with someone else can go along way in spreadinggood will and building reputation.Friends and good associates push you their extra work, if they know you do good work. Of course if you do bad work even your friendsmay notrecommend you. This kind of pr will take you farther than most other types of advertising.
Thats my two cents
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