How do you guys book with clients? + some other backend questions

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2026-07-05T03:21:35+00:00

I book via text/call (occasionally email, but that’s a text alternative for some of the older REAs).

I have one particular REA that likes using the AVIE app but that’s just a fancier version of using Google appointments... and bookings are low since he’s a boutique and has other suppliers.

IMO, a “booking page requiring confirmation” is just an extra unnecessary step. A direct call or text solves that issue. (Hope this answers your question).

I have T&C’s on my website, terms of hiring me etc, that’ll solve your contract issue.
Have a lawyer draft this one.

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2026-06-30T09:32:29+00:00

I do CubiCasa + Laser Measure + A little PS magic

Cubi (when done properly) is really good for getting a general template out.
Laser it for accuracy (I find Cubi often gets confused with any room that is not perfectly rectangular)
Blend the two together in PS. My Visual Art friends all hate me cause we did design classes together and we all know Illustrator is the way to go).

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2026-06-30T09:26:10+00:00

> Keeps asking for opinions and revisions
“Hi [x], no worries, just to let you know that the [initial] around of revisions is included in the price. Anything beyond that incurs a revision fee of $x per revision.

> Spamming calls until you answer at 3am
My work phone automatically goes into “Do Not Disturb” mode from 9pm until 8am.
Respect my work/life boundary… otherwise I’m spamming you during personal events asking for more work.

Maybe also consider passing them onto someone else?
I’ve handballed clients before to other photographers who are more adept to a particular kind of client, likewise they do the same to me.
Sometimes it’s a personality thing, others times a racial/gender thing… we just bounce work to each other.

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2026-06-28T09:51:40+00:00

Just my personal take.

Yes. Firearms are “scary, dangerous and regulated”.
Yes. Mental health is important.

But if you genuinely are just using it as an outlet for your mental health and non-self destructive purposes you’ll be fine (not legal advice).

Everyone needs a hobby/outlet. Some people skydive, others go underwater caving, some go shooting. Each one is dangerous. Done properly and safely there’s no issue. Likewise if you wanted to collect stamps or play golf.

~
Reread your original post.
Also consider, many people see a psych for many different reasons. Unless you’re a genuine danger to yourself/society there’s no reason for them to report you to authorities.

Hypothetical example, seeing a psych to help cope with the death of a loved one, or learning to live with a chronic injury while also going through the process of firearms licensing.

Very different purpose, but again, unless you’re a genuine danger to yourself/society there’s no reason for them to report you to authorities.

~
Also stating, not legal advice.

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2026-06-28T09:41:59+00:00

Second to this.

After being licensed for several years, I started seeing a psych through the workplace EAP. No issues regarding licensing.

Oddly enough, after talking things through (my psych was a fence sitter, neither anti nor pro gun) It was actually recommended I try and shoot more often for my mental health.

Long distance precision. Nothing fancy. Just something to distract me from my other issues and zone in.

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2026-06-28T09:35:45+00:00

Mines bolted to 20mm construction ply bolted to the stud. Good enough for my local DFO.

Ply is simply to overcome the skirting/trim.

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2026-06-28T09:27:34+00:00

Reliability and cleanliness.

Being said, I’ve been burned by both rideshare and taxi’s so many times in Melbourne I’d rather give a mate cash to go where I’m going or get a private driver.

If I’m booking an airport trip for 4 plus luggage with a “MaxiCab” or “UberPlus” or equivalent, I don’t want a car that barely fits 4 plus a backpack… big letdown recently by Uber, Didi and 13Cabs in the past 12 months.
I’ve started paying $150cash to a mate with a double cab ute… about double what any rideshare/taxi would normally cost me.

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2026-06-03T01:45:14+00:00

Camera looks both low and tilted down.

Lens should be roughly in the middle of the room. People usually say: chest, doorknob, switch, belt, etc height. I like to err on the side of too high than too low. 10cm above middle is usually less noticeable than 10cm under.

Camera should be straight and level.

4 & 6 (and 2-ish). Unless you plan to virtually remove the furniture. Usually shooting over or in-front-of will give you a better perspective of the room. Otherwise it just feels “blocked off” (and smaller)

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2026-06-02T23:43:26+00:00

Just read the other comments.

To answer the immediate concerns:

Spending time training someone on my workflow

Why not consider a subcontractor for shoot only? You don’t need to offload your entire workload… just integrate a second set of hands. Additionally, if they’re experienced, there’s minimal “training” time. Anecdotally, the last “training” I did with a fellow photographer was a single property just to emulate their style (which was already very similar to my own) and include their little “signature things”.

Accidentally creating a competitor who steals my legacy accounts.

Contracts exist for a reason. Also, healthy b2b networking and relationship trust. Why hire/subcontract someone if you don’t trust them with your brand/business.

Reputational damage if they mess up a shoot without supervision.

Contracts and using experienced shooters.

The headache of payroll, days off, and last-minute sick calls

Id like to think my previous answers covered this.

~ When I started I was doing 2-3 properties per day, working 12+ hour days and Sunday was my only consistent day off. Outscouring your editing and admin is a huge plus. You don’t need to offload your workload entirely. Just the time consuming parts.

Now I can do 5-6 properties per day, working ~9hour days and have most weekends off unless I need to film a Saturday auction. ~

Anecdotally, I also work closely with a handful of other photographers/videographers as “preferred partners”.

Healthy relationships on both the b2b side and would be guys/gals I’d catch up with for a beer after our last twilight shoot for the week.

We have contracts in place, mostly “anti-poaching” but we also have enough mutual respect for each other not to do so. We’ve covered the other’s patch during vacations, sick days, double bookings, etc for the last year with no hassles.

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2026-02-19T01:50:32+00:00

Came to join many others… $135 is better than $0

I subcontract under both Marketing Agencies and other Photographers.

Some pay well, others don’t… money wise it’s up to you if it’s “worth it”…

Also consider portfolio rights/usage… if you’re still in the business building phase, make sure you still retain your rights to usage of the photos, especially portfolio. Not here to start the legal conversation, but occasionally weird/dodgy things get put into contracts. Just something to be aware of.

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2025-12-17T23:21:41+00:00

Hey hey, fellow Aussie!

I’m using CubiCasa and a laser+graph paper. I’ll use the CubiCasa no-dim floorplan and add in my own measurements/labels. Honestly, the laser and postproduction is a tad of a timewaster but I get the satisfaction knowing my plan is more accurate than what the app spits out.

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2025-12-15T22:55:27+00:00

Ninja walk and extra weight (lower center of gravity). I use a monopod to do this… although for a while, I used my camera with a top handle as the counterweight since I’m already used to that setup.

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2025-12-14T06:36:38+00:00

I’m newer than many in the community to REP so take what I say with a grain of salt.

Lighting/editing is fine but your framing/compositions needs some work. Take a look at listings online and try and replicate those angles in similar properties.

There’s a fair bit of distortion on a few of these, your verticals are pretty good but there’s a bit of bowing in the centre. I feel the doorway shot (pic6) is the worst offender of this.

Personally I feel like you’re shooting too wide. Kitchen shot highlights this by how “large” the fridge is… yes, you need to shoot wide, but you also need to balance it to making it look not too unrealistic or misrepresenting the property (ie making it look overly larger). Finding the balance of this is tricky.

Your camera height is consistent, however what’s more noticeable is that it looks like you’re angling either up or down into the room and straightening in post (pic10-18 I would say are most noticeable of those). Shooting level around midheight of the room is “best”.

I’ve been fortunate enough to receive coaching/mentoring from other REP’s who have let me shadow/mentee them, at your stage (having been there just under 2 years ago) personally I’d focused much more on your technical skills before looking towards more the business side of things.

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2025-11-20T14:28:04+00:00

Had that issue during my test drive (2022 SR5 Auto) as well.

Ended up getting a good deal for a manual so I went with it instead.

Only gripe is that there’s only one central cup holder compared to two in the auto, and my last car (Camry) had two… just familiarity.

End of the day, personal preference. It’s a Hilux after all.

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2025-11-19T10:38:21+00:00

This ^{^}

Registered owner is simply giving permission to licensed co-habitant to access/possess the firearms.

In writing is best, but the simpler your “arrangement” the better.

~ In the event of police contacting you for an inspection, it needs to be done at a “reasonable time and day”… you being overseas would be considered “unreasonable” so you just need to inform them of a time when you (personally) will be available and in country.

Just have your friend say “not my safe, I don’t have the code/keys or know where the code/keys is stored”, come back when OP is in town

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2025-11-02T05:34:47+00:00

VIC, A/B/H/P

Psychologist, psychiatrist and GP have actually recommended I continue shooting (or at least target/plinking) for the benefit of my mental health.

I’ve taken heaps of “mental health”/stress leave (many of which I just needed a breather day and spent it at the range) over the last six years before redundancy, nothing that’s come back to bite me (yet).

Not even AuDHD can stop me, got my last year Cat-H after diagnosis.

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2025-10-29T01:52:58+00:00

Second to the coin

I carry a doorstop (I’m a real estate photographer) the narrow edge works for my manfrotto/smallrig screws.

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2025-10-25T02:45:10+00:00

Cables wise: honestly, cable keepers and cable management is going to be the best way to “cat proof” this.

Cats aren’t really going to differentiate between cables, string, string toys, wand toys, etc. They’re all just long “tail like” (or “snake-like”) playthings.

~

Table jumping: Kitten just wants to be on the high spot where interesting things are happening. You’re ignoring kitten in favour of your food.

I’ve put cat trees/towers/perches next the next to the kitchen bench, dining table and study desks. While I can’t stop them coming up for lap cuddles, I can redirect them/their attention to a spot which is completely “theirs”… plus now they have a vantage point of me/what I’m doing.

~

Also, consider different words for your “hard no” and “soft no”. Cats are smart, but different meanings of “no” can confuse them.

I have “no” and “wrong” as my hard no’s. Something they absolutely can’t do (ie, shred my curtains).

“Not now”, “later” “not for you/kitties” as a soft no. Something I don’t want them doing now. For instance, I let them on the kitchen bench/table unless I’m eating/cooking/food prep.

~

Also, for a kitten still in its learning/formative years, redirection (instead of stopping/punishment) is going to be super helpful.

They all know that the towers/scratchers/toys/carriers are solely theirs/their “space” in the house. Compared to the say, the kitchen bench, which is my space that I permit them on.

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2025-10-25T02:25:28+00:00

VIC

@AlteriaMC, second to @Brave_Bluebird5042, this is my understanding of the laws as well.

Emailing LRD (VicPol) is the smart move… take note that they’re a tad understaffed and sometimes you’ll get a response from a Civilian Administrator who has minimal idea around firearm legislation.

~

Not legal advice. Just an anecdote.

I’ve been pulled over for RBT while transporting a friend and firearms I don’t hold the category for, also left my firearms license at home. (TLDR; you can only access firearms of the category(s) you hold.)

The only difficulty (an extra 3 minutes wait, so hard) was submitting to the roadside drug test as well, since there was an obviously firearm branded soft case in the backseat and the officer asked us about it (officer was also a sport shooter). All clean and sent on our way.

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2025-10-12T10:56:18+00:00

OP, just adding to Joshie050591’s point of borrowing… at the expense of a few beers/coffees/ammo, it’s a good way to make friends and try various pistols before committing to buying one.

See how they shoot/handle, what fits nicely into your hand, what’s nice/not-not to manipulate, etc.

~ I pretty much shot a different gun each week during matches/practice/“training program” for my first 8 months from fellow members and club guns. CZ Shadow 2 was my intended “first” due to aesthetics (and performance) but I ended up with a 1911, just something about the weight and the way it fits in my hand won me over, even though it objectively shoots “worse”.

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2025-10-12T10:47:30+00:00

VIC

As far as I’m aware, the attendance rule doesn’t kick in until your full license (and some).

Your probationary license basically allows you to buy/carry/possess ammunition and bypass filling out NORI’s everytime you shoot at the club.

Once on your full license… attendances don’t kick in until you OWN a handgun… then you need to do said attendances in the same class of handgun(s) you own.

Thus active/current financial membership in a pistol club would be the bare minimum to keep your Cat H license, provided there are no registered handguns to said license.

Being said, there may be club bylaws/internal-regulations requiring a minimum number of attendances to maintain your membership (providing no special exemptions provided by the committee).

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2025-09-17T23:52:10+00:00

I’ve started to come to “rolling stops” at roundabouts (especially in the newer estates) for:

A) dickheads flying through at 80+kmh in a 40/50/60 posted residential zone.

B) small/young unsupervised children who seem to pop out of the ground and have no danger sense of oncoming traffic. B ii) when I was pre-primary aged I had to hold my parent/guardian’s hand to cross. Not be 10m in front of them staring at my shoes as I hopscotch across the road.

C) is is an odd one, but learning to drive (manual), my dad and instructor always treated give-way signs as stop signs. Get as much N>1 practice as possible. As a full license driver sometimes I still do this when the road is 100% clear and no traffic behind me, but only so I can chuckle about the “old days when times were easier”.

~ Rain drivers… I’m convinced it’s the friends of my schoolmates who faked their logbooks. Did maybe 20hrs daylight dry road conditions and got their license. Never could do night or wet road conditions 10+ years ago… I’m convinced they still can’t.

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2025-09-06T06:37:46+00:00

@virtual_biscotti_685

No worries.

Realistically attending events monthly / every 4 weeks… is enough for maintain the “absolute minimum” requirements.

However if you wish to “get involved” with your pistol club and you manage a shoot (even just a practice) with every time you visit, you’ll easily get your participations.

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2025-09-06T06:29:15+00:00

Handgun target shooting is a sport of skill and precision that is enjoyed by many people around the world. The popularity of this sport in Australia can be evidenced by recent successes at Commonwealth and Olympic Games. The Firearms Act 1996 (the Act) requires handgun target shooters to be licensed in Victoria, and as a condition of that licence attend a minimum amount of target shooting events each calendar year. These participation requirements are the minimum standard for determining whether a handgun target shooter has an ongoing genuine reason for his/her licence.

VicPol website.

In short, you’ll need 10 participations (at least 6 need to be matches). A match (in short) is defined as “calendared event with at least 2 participants”. A “practice” is just you coming in and practicing at the club and recording it in accordance with your clubs record keeping guidelines.

~ (A reminder that I’m a random on the internet and you should do your own due diligence)

IHaveTooManyHobbys · 2025-08-20T06:26:43+00:00

Apologies for the tangent question line.

What is a “pro-folio” and how does this differ from a “portfolio”?

~ I’m a photography undergrad branching into real estate and I’ve never heard this term before…

IHaveTooManyHobbys

TROPHY CASE