Digging through my paperwork for my old computer repair business... I found out two things: My Tax ID was never closed. I thought I submitted a request to have it shut down several years ago, but apparently I did not; or it slipped through the cracks. Either way... I still have a valid Tax ID and just filed a sales tax return of 0 (Since I haven't been active in business for a few years) for last year.

As I was mulling over trying to put together a studio name, I found out something else. I had two business names registered at the state level. One for my Computer Business which was closed, and another under "North Wolf Photography".

Shortly before I got the series of contracts in late 2011 I was reaching the end of my rope as my computer repair business was failing and not making any money due to increased competition in the market. I worked a few months as a studio photographer and shot some events as a volunteer for a few non profits and a family reunion and a few other small paid jobs. It would seem that I registered that name because I was planning on going into Freelance photography (of boring things like Weddings and Events... GAH I'm really glad I did NOT have to do that for a living...) to make what I could with the equipment I had to scrape by. Then the IT market opened up, I started getting jobs and offers from real companies for... well a decent pay rate and never looked back.

That is until now. And finding out I have this name registered to me good to 2020 without having to do anything special. And changing the business name from my old computer repair business to the photography one I had set aside was literally three clicks and done. Everything is now under "North Wolf Photography" - and while the name doesn't really reflect the intended purpose of doing costume photography by itself, it does roll off the tounge well enough without sounding really tacky. Believe me, I was beating myself up with an invisible hammer over how bad some of the proposed names I came up with...

Its my beginning. Its all official. I have a name to use for the studio and the means to change it from a hobby to a side business at will without having to fill out any new paperwork. It has some level of protection where the name is locked and registered to me.

In exchange all I need to do for now a minimal tax return every year claiming 0 until I actually start taking money and work on an actual business plan and pricing structure. And get to the point where I feel I have the skill, the energy, and the time to make the leap to Pro or atleast semi-pro.

A door is open. I'll have the option of going through it when I am ready, or close it if I am not. Or stay playing in the shadows which wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing either.

I have a FA for the studio made  northwolfphotography Expect my other flickr to be updated at some point in the future- we will see. Either way, the name is mine. It may not be the fanciest or the most attention grabbing name for a studio out there...

But I liked the name once. At one point it must have said "this is me". Why change it? I have a second chance to go back and answer a "what if" question; and while I have no plans to quit my day job right yet (Though I may be changing workplaces - but I do plan on staying in IT because well... damn. Its good money ^^)

So keep your eyes on that account. Watch it if you enjoy my studio work :3. I will be uploading a few shots from the test shoot at the studio there soon- this weekend. This will also be where most if not all my future fursuit photos taken in a studio environment whether it be at my studio or at a convention will go.