Episode 007
If you’ve paid anyone in your business — even once — this episode is for you.
Second shooters.
Editors.
Studio rent.
A VA.
Marketing help.
Attorney fees.
In this episode, we’re talking about W-9s and 1099s — not in a scary or overwhelming way, but in a clear, practical way so you actually understand what matters and why.
Photographers get tripped up on this every single year, not because they’re doing anything wrong, but because no one ever explained it in plain English. So that’s what we’re doing here.
In this episode, we cover:
What actually makes someone a contractor (in real, plain English)
The difference between a W-9 and a 1099 — and why they are not interchangeable
Why you don’t get to just “decide” how someone is paid
The biggest mistake photographers make when paying contractors
Why bookkeeping plays a huge role in staying compliant
How and when payments need to be tracked
Why reporting thresholds keep changing — and what you should focus on instead
What happens if someone won’t give you a W-9
How compliance creates clarity, confidence, and peace of mind
This episode isn’t about being perfect or knowing everything. It’s about understanding the few things that actually impact your business so you can stop scrambling, stop guessing, and feel confident you’re doing this the right way.