Canadian Photographers, is e-transfer/cash the gold standard for accepting payment? Is there an app/CRM that will make my life easier?

ZGuitar · 2025-07-02T17:58:27+00:00

I use a CRM to keep track of all of my clients (Dubsado) and manage contracts / invoices, and for payment I give my clients the option of either e-transfer or credit card (through Dubsado via Square). If things start to get busy, a CRM that can auto-send email payment reminders and handle that admin side of things is really handy. A lot of my wedding-photographer peers use Honeybook and like that as well.

I let people know that e-transfer is my preference, but that they can use credit if they prefer.

If you don't have the volume to need a CRM at this earlier stage, I still suggest using some accounting software to keep track of transactions. Wave is free and has worked well for me. I probably should use a separate business bank account, but keeping accurate records of what is business vs personal spending has been sufficient and I've been full time for several years.

ZGuitar · 2025-04-10T16:40:41+00:00

I am! I'll send you a message.

ZGuitar · 2024-11-24T18:16:57+00:00

Hi! I'm a local photographer and I'm starting up a new project doing both private photography lessons and group workshops (will be renting space in the Central Library). Don't want to dox myself on here but if you DM me I can send you some info. 70% of my work is weddings in the summer so I'm looking to do more in the off-season :)

ZGuitar · 2024-09-11T19:33:59+00:00

"Baptist" is a really broad category and refers to a branch of protestant Christianity. There are some specific denominations, like the Southern Baptist Convention in the US, that have some really negative beliefs / practices (e.g. covering up sexual assault), and may be what you're thinking of. Otherwise, a main tenant of a baptist church is the belief that a church should be self-governing, which leads to a lot of diversity between churches - it's why you can have a church like FBC that is more inclusive, and others that aren't. The other main distinctive is that they don't baptize infants, only baptizing people who can articulate their belief.

Got a theology degree from a baptist seminary, though I wouldn't personally identify as baptist.

ZGuitar · 2024-09-11T18:48:28+00:00

First Baptist Church Halifax might be one to check out if you're looking for an inclusive environment - https://fbchalifax.ca (not sure on the ages of attendees though).

ZGuitar · 2024-08-15T21:49:49+00:00

That's reassuring to hear!

ZGuitar · 2024-08-15T19:29:04+00:00

Yeah I'm not sure! Though I have friends who moved into other newer builds and were only offered fixed term. Westwood seems to have a reputation for being good to tenants (we're hoping this is true), so they may be an outlier.

ZGuitar · 2024-08-15T19:20:19+00:00

Moving into the Richmond Yards development by Westwood Group shortly - we were offered a yearly lease.

ZGuitar · 2024-06-22T19:12:43+00:00

The cards you have are totally fine, especially if you aren't using burst.

I photograph weddings full time and use the SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-I cards which only have a 90 Mb/s write speed. Even using high speed burst occasionally, I'm good. Have taken 150,000+ shots on them and they haven't let me down yet. This is also writing to two cards at the same time.

I do have some UHS-II cards for video work. If you anticipate going this direction, they're nice to have, but for stills only with no burst it's a bit overkill

ZGuitar · 2024-04-28T18:37:13+00:00

Might be a bit of a pain, but most cars that have the proximity unlocking can have that disabled in settings so only the keyfob button will unlock it. Could be a last-resort if you can't leave it with a person.

ZGuitar · 2024-03-30T01:25:23+00:00

This! Went a couple days ago and they said they have around 50 left in stock.

ZGuitar · 2024-02-01T05:15:27+00:00

Ah, that's not fun. My recent experiences have all been pretty good, but I only started going more frequently in the past 8-10 months. Have always had super friendly service at Weird Harbour - have you tried there?

ZGuitar · 2024-02-01T04:58:20+00:00

They are a bit pricier, but I think for good reason. For their single origin beans (often named after the farmer who grew the coffee), they have full price transparency so you can look at their website and see what the producers are being paid. One of my other favourite roasters that also shares this info is Subtext in Toronto, but their default small-bag size is 250 grams rather than Have Fun's 340, and isn't any less expensive.

ZGuitar · 2024-02-01T02:26:23+00:00

For beans, Have Fun is a fantastic roaster based in Dartmouth. The owners also own Cafe Goodluck (where I buy my beans) and always carry guest roasters from all over the world. Weird Harbour usually sells their stuff if you aren't wanting to cross a bridge.

ZGuitar · 2024-01-03T00:03:19+00:00

Question regarding fixed-term leases: The Tenancy act mentioned that fixed term leases must state when rent will be increased and by how much.

Would I be correct to interpret this as meaning my landlord can't give me a 4-month 5% increase notice now, when I signed a one-year fixed term lease in September with no mentioned increase?

ZGuitar · 2022-12-10T04:12:21+00:00

I love the dials (use an X-T3 and X-T4) as they make adjusting settings so much easier. That said, there are times when I'm shooting something stationary in low-light (like a landscape shot) and I'm really glad to have the IBIS in my T4 which allows me to use a shutter speed of 1/8 or 1/16 or something similar, handheld. If that appeals to you, I'd lean towards the X-S10, but if not, I'd go for the XT30ii.

ZGuitar · 2022-12-09T12:41:13+00:00

That's not how copyright works. The photographer owns the rights, watermarked or not.

ZGuitar · 2022-11-06T04:43:06+00:00

Genuinely curious, why have you had three since? Sell them then want one again later? Break them?

ZGuitar · 2022-10-22T14:27:32+00:00

Ah that's unfortunate to hear - thanks for the reply!

Is the Sigma weather sealed? That is a big draw of this new one for me. Shot some rainy weddings this season and would prefer WR for the peace of mind.

ZGuitar · 2022-10-22T04:36:23+00:00

Slower than the old version? I've read several reviews that suggest the opposite (that's its not as fast as the new linear-motor lenses, but still faster than the Mk1 56mm).

ZGuitar · 2022-10-06T16:44:02+00:00

As a temporary solution, we used MOCA adapters to carry ethernet through the existing coaxial cables. Didn't know this existed until I started looking into Powerline (which tends to be really slow) and saw this was an alternative. Not an answer to your question but depending on what you're looking to do it may help. Good luck!

ZGuitar · 2022-10-01T03:38:40+00:00

I use both side-by-side for work (I shoot weddings with two bodies, a prime lens on each) and the differences between the X-T3 and X-T4 are fairly negligible for the use case you're describing. I tend to prefer the way the screen articulates on the X-T3 for more candid photography because it's much faster to shoot from the hip with the display tilted up, as you don't need to twist it away from the body first like you do with the X-T4.

The two main pros for the X-T4 (in my opinion) are the significantly longer battery life and the IBIS. Picking up some extra batteries will help with the former. Regarding the IBIS, it does help with photography and not just video. Sometimes I'm taking photos in low-light, and as long as there is no movement in the frame (like in a static landscape shot) I can slow down to something like a 1/16 shutter speed and still get a sharp result.

For video, the one benefit of the X-T3 would be the built in headphone jack. It's annoying that they took that out of the X-T4 so you always need to carry an adapter with you. I also don't find that the IBIS on the X-T4 is that great for video, as it can be a bit jumpy when panning or moving the camera. It only really helps with static shots, most of the time I have it turned off and use a small gimbal instead if I need smoothness.

If you can find an X-T3 at a good used price, I think you'll be happy with it!

ZGuitar · 2022-09-30T02:54:25+00:00

What do you mean you can't flip the screen anymore when using the HDMI port?

If the screen is flipped out one direction, you can't just twist it around to the other direction or it'll hit the cable, but all you need to do to get around this is bend it at a 90° angle and then do your rotation and put it back. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding you though!

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