Major props to all the accountants out there because I am waaaay too selfish to work around the clock doing math and paperwork for other people…but I’ve got a similar situation. See…October and November are tax season for photographers.
I start booking for the fall in June. JUNE. I don’t even want to think about orange leaves or bulky sweaters in June and yet I’ve got people calling me wanting to set up their fall family photo sessions. Yep. October and November are tax season for photographers.
I can’t remember the last Christmas card I sent out. There were waaay too many bloopers in those final years of actually putting in all the work – I’m ‘fondly’ recalling the year I neglected to change the prepopulated names on the sample card and our kids’ names were listed as Julio, Theresa and Jamie 😳 – so I just don’t do it anymore. I can’t even accurately recall the date of our last set of family photos that I would use to actually put on a card, eeeek. October and November are tax season for photographers.
I have a friend who books me every year to do her family’s photos. She usually does a mini session but, this year, elected to do a full session. Her family is BEAUTIFUL – they deserve a full session. Anyway. She texted me a few days ago and told me she’s already ordered her Christmas card. I can’t even comprehend that level of organization. I’m days behind on editing – I can’t count on one hand the number of sessions I have pending. And I’ve got an entire month of “fall photo” sessions to go before I can put this season to bed. October and November are tax season for photographers.
Last year? I didn’t even do fall photos. Not officially, anyway. I was looking down the barrel of our first homeschool year (pre-Covid, I might add) and couldn’t comprehend tackling that PLUS “tax season” (aka fall mini sessions). So I just didn’t do them…except that I did…because I had longtime, much-loved clients giving me puppy dog eyes at the very idea that I wouldn’t do their photos. Who can say no to puppy dog eyes??! This year I didn’t even consider not doing them and was booked within hours of posting the time slots. Next year’s fall mini session dates are already blocked out on the calendar – I’ve given in. October and November are tax season for photographers.
But just look at what I get to call my job. #allthehearteyes
Liz Viernes Photography is based in Silver Spring, Maryland, and specializes in maternity, fresh 48, posed and lifestyle newborns and first year milestone portraits.
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