Photography
 

I have been looking at a lot of snake photos, particularly hognose, lately and there is some breathtaking photos, real works of art. I remember 10-20 years ago people would show snakes in dirty cages and expect others to buy those snakes.
Now, for these really beautiful photos, the background is immaculate and the pictures appear taken by a pro. Whether buyer or seller, showing off a gorgeous snake in a well taken photo can really enhance the sale, the seller shows the animal in a beautiful setting, the buyer sees an animal he/she would be proud to have.
I'm think that either the hiring of a photographer or the purchase of some really good camera equipment would both be deductible as business expenses, it just depends on the time you have and your artistic eye, but I certainly think it is worthwhile. Of course, the basics come first- good stock, good husbandry, and honest dealing, but showing off what you have spent time and effort producing is certainly worthwhile.

Also, putting the effort into really learning photography would be well worth while too. A huge difference in the way your pictures will turn out could hinge around an understanding of the concept of "depth of field". Which is really tied closely with learning how to effectively use supplemental lighting.

With these digital cameras now available, that has made the "arm and leg" costs of developing film obsolete, PRACTICING is really a no brainer. It really doesn't cost you anything to take as many shots as you want just to figure out what changes you need to make to get what you want out of a photo. It's just like anything else that you want to master. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, and more PRACTICE is the key.

And yes, expenditures that you make in the pursuit of running your business are deductible expenses. That also includes expenditures like paid memberships and paid advertising on notable websites on the internet. :hehe:

EXACTLY!!!!
:D:D:D

He's right. The cost of hiring someone isn't worth it particularly if you think you'll want to keep having the photos done. Far more worth it is practicing to be able to do it on your own. You don't even need expensive equipment. Some cheap lights, a backdrop and your phone are enough to get you started.

When you hire a photographer for business purposes, that cost can be deductible as a business expense.
If you have checked out some of Webslave's photos, you will see not only skills attained through practice, but he also has an eye for photos, an innate skill, which I would never be able to get.

Of course even a lot of practice is better than the off center dirty cage unlit unfortunate sales photos one sees sometimes when a photographer doesn't even start with cleanliness and good light, but there are some real Michaelangelos out there too with stunningly beautiful photos.

That's definitely true.