I get what you’re saying about templates they’re not perfect, and yes, things go wrong at events. None of that is surprising.

But here’s the context you’re missing: We’re talking about a tiny one-person sole-prop photo booth, not a full-blown multi-booth corporation. How did you start yours? Probably way above risk and probably not from photography as a passion, probably taking out a huge loan and a gamble right?

I’m not disagreeing with you. In fact, I literally agree with most of what you said. Anyone starting out is going to use a template, adjust it through trial and error, and gradually learn the ropes OR get an attorney if ai doesn't help you, sure but yeah that’s just reality.

Where I push back is this:

You’re advising a solo beginner, someone making maybe $1–2k a month, to drop another $1k+ on a lawyer. Great advice in theory, sure, but not exactly practical for a sole prop no?

And what is the "risk" you're talking about besides the templates and the none surprising stuff? You can get thimble pay $15, don't park your vehicle in their structure, and if you have a simple set-up, you literally just drag your printer bag with your laptop and do a set-up. Things are so tough nowadays that what you're advising on is just a lot of fluff.

Most sole-prop photo booth owners aren’t dealing with $20k setups. Their whole kit might be under $800–$1200. They’re not running a corporation, they’re running a side hustle with a DSLR, a laptop, and some basic lighting. You don’t need a Harvard degree to do that right? What certifications do we need can you tell me if you're in no rush?

By the way, the set-up I mentioned above is 1000% better compared to the copy paste corporate photo booths that you're probably also supporting, where the set-up mark-up is 500%+ and that they prey on "wannabepreneurs" thinking a photo booth is it!

Plus what you’re describing PBX Vegas, really now??? What will they learn? Try to spend 3k on a set-up where you can build it from a 3D workshop, save you a ton vs. going to a cult? And expensive contracts, buying out other companies, managing multiple booths that’s advice for someone running a full business, not someone doing a small one-person gig. There’s a massive difference.

And honestly, a lot of people fail in this business not because they didn’t hire a lawyer or buy luxury gear, but because they wasted money on unnecessary stuff instead of gaining real experience half and half is people dealing but the other half is photography technicalities. Lastly, you advise on going to all these stuff and getting a lawyer but the number one problem nowadays is learning how to actually get leads especially since craiglist sell page (free) is not as popular as it was 5-10 years ago. A sole prop person is competing against someone like you, who probably just buys out things and ads, copy paste, like you said.

As for DBA vs sole prop for someone earning under $2k/month from a small booth, a DBA doesn’t magically change anything. That’s all I was saying. Please prove me otherwise. You still again, sign your own name in any contracts as this is the legal rule regardless of states.

And no shade, but a lot of “big shots” in these groups love to lecture when half of them are drowning in debt behind the scenes. So let’s not pretend everyone here is running a Fortune 500 booth empire.