To give you some additional background, I have been interested in photography for a couple of decades, mostly scenic landscape type photos.  I understand these types of photos generally are not what stock photography is all about.  I have done a lot of research on microstock photography and I think I have a good idea on the types of images that make good stock photos.  That being said, I am sure I will make mistakes and learn a lot along the way.

I do not currently have a DSLR or other equipment.  I thought a Nikon D90 would be a good intermediate camera that I would not out grow too quickly.  My last SLR was a Pentax ME Super.  Kids came along and I did very little photography other than family snapshot type photos when they were growing up.  I believe I have a good understanding of the principles of photography (composition, exposure, etc.), but of course there is always a ton to learn.

As far as the business side of things goes, I want to start as a sole proprietor of a business that submits images to the top microstock sites (IS, SS, DT, etc.).  I plan follow the IRS rules, but still get the tax benefits that any small business is entitled to.  I strongly suspect that I will have a loss the first couple of years.

I live in the US and I am planning to hire my children (ages 13 and 14) for my new micostock business.  Some of the work they may do could be modeling, helping set up a shoot, taking photos, keywording, and uploading.

Does anyone have an employment agreement they use for hiring their children?  How much should they be paid?

My 14 year old would like to take photos and submit them to mircostock sites, but as far as I can determine you must be 18 to do this.  If I hire her, wouldn�t I get the copyright to the photos she takes so then I could legally upload her photos?  Is there any verbage I should add to the employment agreement so that I get the copyright ownership?

Thanks,

Mark

Thanks, now I can start a new thread.