Photography Isn't Free3. Your Gear 5D = $150.00 24-70mm f/2.8 = $20.00 580EXII = $20.00 Total (to start) = $190.00 (FYI: Deposits would be close to $3,000.) 5. So far … … $190.00 + $40.00 = $230.00 just to cover your cost of (basic) equipment and expenses 6. “ But I need to build a portfolio!” 8. “ Oh yeah, we’ll tell everyone about you and promote you!” is not a guarantee. Go concrete. Get it in writing. Justify your ‘promotional expense’. 9. Can’t trade in kind? Offer less services. Don’t decrease quality. Decrease quantity. You need to survive. 10. (How Much You NEED To Earn + Expenses) / # of Projects = The Minimum Amount You Need To Make Per Project To Survive 12. Never EVER, -EVER- give away the rights to your images. Your copyrights are your STRONGEST assets.