Flat lay of camera, coffee, calculator, and paper labeled Accurate Pricing Strategy — representing financial clarity for photographers.
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Photography Pricing Strategy: Build Confident,…
Venus Michael June 25, 2025

You're not alone if you’re struggling with your photography pricing strategy. Too many photographers guess their rates, then wonder why they’re...

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Look, I get it. You didn’t become a photographer to stress about spreadsheets, taxes, or whether there’s enough in the bank to pay your second shooter this weekend. You became a photographer to create—to do work that lights you up. But if you’re constantly asking yourself, “Where did all my money go?”—it’s time to flip the script. That’s why I teach photographers to use the Profit First method, customized just for our industry. And yes, I use 10 bank accounts to do it. Not because I’m extra (okay, maybe a little), but because this system creates clarity, consistency, and cash flow. Let’s make it simple. ⸻ 🍬 Think of Your Money Like a Bag of Candy Every time a client pays you, it’s like getting a big, shiny bag of candy (aka: cash). And instead of dumping it all into one jar and hoping you don’t eat it too fast, you divide it up into 10 jars—on purpose. Here’s what those jars look like: ⸻ 🏦 The 10 Essential Bank Accounts for Photographers 💸 1. Income Account This is the master inbox. Every payment from clients lands here first. You never spend from it. Twice a month, you transfer money from this account into the others based on your percentages. Think of it like a candy-sorting station. ⸻ 🤑 2. Profit Your reward. Even if it’s 1% to start, you always pay yourself profit first. This builds a habit of abundance and long-term sustainability. 👩‍💼 3. Owner’s Pay Your personal paycheck. Rent, groceries, date nights, dog food—it all comes from here. If you’re working full-time in your business, this is non-negotiable. 🧾 4. Taxes Your sleep-easy account. You’re not sweating tax season anymore because you’ve been setting aside 15–20% all year long. 🧰 5. Operating Expenses (OpEx) This covers your business bills—gear, editing software, gallery hosting, CRM tools, training, subscriptions, team help. If it costs money to run your business, it comes from here. 📣 6. Marketing Most photographers under-spend on visibility. You can’t grow what people can’t find. This account is specifically for your brand-building and lead generation: SEO, styled shoots, Facebook ads, emails, etc. 💵 7. Sales Tax If you live in a state that collects sales tax, this account is a must. You’re just holding that money until it’s due—it’s not yours to spend. Keep it separate. 🚀 8. Business Growth Dreaming of adding an associate, opening a new studio, or rebranding? This is your slow-burn growth jar. Fund future expansion here—without touching OpEx or Profit. 📷 9. Equipment Lenses break. Cameras age. And you know you want that new Sigma. This account makes sure you’re never blindsided by repair costs or underprepared for upgrades. 💧 10. Drip Account Photography is a seasonal rollercoaster. This account smooths the ride. Big month? Hold some income here and “drip” it into Owner’s Pay or OpEx during slower months. Consistency = calm. ⸻ 🪜 How It Works (in Baby Steps) Step 1: Open 10 Bank Accounts Yes, really. It sounds wild, but it works. This isn’t about being “extra”—it’s about creating clarity. When your money has a job, it stops disappearing on you. Step 2: Every Time You Get Paid, Split It Start with these baseline percentages (and adjust as your business grows): • Profit: 5% • Owner’s Pay: 50% • Taxes: 15% • Operating Expenses (OpEx): 19% • Marketing: 3% • Business Growth: 2% • Equipment: 1% • Sales Tax: Varies (only if you collect sales tax) • Drip Account: Use as needed for income smoothing • Income Account: Just a temporary holding zone for sorting Real-Life Example Let’s say you get paid $1,000 for a client session. Here’s how that breaks down: • $50 → Profit • $500 → Owner’s Pay • $150 → Taxes • $190 → Operating Expenses • $30 → Marketing • $20 → Business Growth • $10 → Equipment • Sales Tax? That goes into its own account too (amount depends on your state) • Anything leftover for drip income? Allocate that intentionally to cover slow months Now instead of one big, messy jar of money… you have a clean, purpose-driven plan. Every dollar has a job. Every jar has a boundary. And you have breathing room. ⸻ 💡 Why This Works • No more financial guesswork • Built-in savings for growth, gear, and slow seasons • Confidence at tax time • Clear boundaries around spending • And yes… consistent, guilt-free paychecks ⸻ 📍 Ready to Build a Profitable Photography Business You Actually Love? You don’t need a degree in accounting. You need a system that makes sense for your industry. I help photographers set up these 10 accounts and build a cash flow strategy that’s tailored to their real life—not some generic business textbook. 👉 Book your complimentary consult call at one21accountability.com Let’s take the chaos out of your cash flow and put peace (and profit) back in your business.
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Photographer’s Guide to Profit First…
Venus Michael May 15, 2025

Profit First for Photographers: The 10 Bank Accounts Every Photographer Needs to Stay Profitable and Sane Look, I get it....

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Luxurious photography setup featuring high-end photo albums, framed prints, and a vintage camera on a polished table. Deep navy blue and gold fabrics drape elegantly, symbolizing premium customer experience and tailored services, with a modern, branded aesthetic.
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The Hidden Keys to a…
Venus Michael December 24, 2024

If you’re serious about scaling your photography business to $10 million, here’s a lesson you need to learn fast: your...

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An abstract design symbolizing marketing and networking for luxury photography, featuring interconnected nodes, flowing lines, and subtle photography icons. The composition uses deep blue, gold, and white tones to evoke professionalism, connectivity, and elegance.
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Marketing and Networking for Photography…
Venus Michael December 17, 2024

If you’re serious about scaling your photography business to $10 million in revenue, it’s not just about being behind the...

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An abstract design representing luxury photography, featuring fluid shapes in deep navy blue, gold, and white. The composition includes camera lenses and flashes subtly integrated into the flowing metallic textures, evoking sophistication, exclusivity, and high-end artistry.
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The Secret to Attract High…
Venus Michael December 10, 2024

If you want to reach the $10 million revenue mark as a photographer, here’s one truth you need to understand:...

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Thriving photography studio as a business machine with camera gear, team collaboration, and revenue streams like prints and workshops
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How Top Photographers Go Beyond…
Venus Michael December 3, 2024

If you’re aiming to break the $10 million revenue barrier in your photography business, you’ve got to think bigger than...

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Here is the revised minimalist image featuring a professional camera lens with a clean, blurred background to emphasize precision and focus.
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Niche Mastery and Brand Positioning
Venus Michael November 26, 2024

When you're chasing the $10 million revenue mark in photography, the game changes. It’s no longer about just taking beautiful...

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fan of 100 dollar bills
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Profit First and Fair Compensation.
Venus Michael November 5, 2024

Are You Paying Yourself Enough? 5 Profit First Strategies to Ensure Fair Compensation As a small business owner, you dedicate...

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Profit First Strategies to Minimize…
Venus Michael November 2, 2024

Tax Season Prep: 5 Profit First Strategies to Minimize Stress and Maximize Savings As Q4 approaches, many business owners feel...

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