Photography

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A place to politely discuss the tools, technique and culture of photography.

This is not a good place to simply share cool photos/videos or promote your own work and projects, but rather a place to discuss photography as an art and post things that would be of interest to other photographers.

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Photography write offs (alien.top)

submitted 11 months ago by malb414@alien.top to c/photography@viewfinder.pro

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Hi, so I shoot sporting events mainly MLS games. However, I am not being paid for it. It’s more of a get you foot in the door type thing

So if I travel let’s say 6-7 hours and spend the night at an hotel. Can I write those things off?

I do other paid photography events like weddings etc.

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[–] LongWindedInNJ@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

It all depends if you’re set up as a business or not. Your last sentence regarding shooting weddings is kind of vague.

You would need to talk to an accountant to get any real advice, but I would imagine they would first ask how you’re currently conducting your photography.

Whether you sell your MLS pictures or not, if you were a legitimate business you could absolutely deduct certain expenses related to that. Working photographers shoot personal work all the time and if it’s in support of their business then there is a path for a write-off (in some capacity.)

Pro-tip: just because you aren’t selling these MLS pictures now, doesn’t mean you can’t sell them later.

[–] MasterofMystery@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

This is correct. If you’re doing business as a photographer, just put your allowable and documented MLS photography expenses on your Schedule C (assuming a flow-through LLC or Sole Proprietorship business structure) just like you do with your wedding photo expenses and income.

You don’t have to be turning a profit to deduct business expenses.

You do have to be trying to make a profit in the business.

You do not have to be any good at the job you’re doing.

You don’t have to be any good at running a business.

You do have to follow the law.

You do not have to follow the laws people on Reddit made up in their heads.