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H

EST. 1992

Hi there! Welcome to the Heather Marie Journal. Here you can find my most recent shoots all the way to different highlights throughout my life.

Hi, I'm heather.

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the receipt mistake photographers make every tax season

How to Organize Receipts for Your Photography Business

Mar 25, 2026

Receipts are one of the most common things photographers avoid until tax season arrives. February or March shows up, and suddenly you are searching everywhere. You might be digging through old emails, folders, or even your glove box. Some photographers even end up with a shoebox full of crumpled receipts. Trying to rebuild an entire […]

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tax season is stressful because of this fix it in four steps

How to Organize Your Business Finances for Tax Season (Without the Stress)

Mar 18, 2026

If tax season makes you want to completely avoid looking at your numbers… you’re not alone. For many small business owners, tax season feels overwhelming. But most of the time, taxes don’t feel stressful because they’re complicated. They feel stressful because our finances aren’t organized before we start. When your income, expenses, and documents are […]

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learn helpful audit information from heather marie photography

The 10-Minute Expense Audit for Small Business Owners

Mar 11, 2026

Have you ever looked at your business bank account and thought: “I made good money this year… so why does it still feel tight?” If that thought has ever crossed your mind, you’re not alone. Many small business owners assume they have a revenue problem when profits feel thin. But in many cases, the real […]

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My Portrait System Podcast Episode Is Live: Let’s Talk Photographer Taxes

Mar 4, 2026

I had the absolute honor of joining Nikki Closser on The Portrait System Podcast to talk about something that doesn’t always feel glamorous, but completely changes your business when you understand it: Photographer taxes, bookkeeping, and how portrait photographers can stop feeling behind with their numbers. If you’re building a photography business and feel unsure […]

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How Much Photographers Should Save for Taxes

Feb 25, 2026

One of the most common questions photographers ask is: how much should photographers save for taxes? And honestly, it’s a good question because guessing your way through tax planning is stressful, expensive, and completely avoidable. If you’ve heard numbers like 20%, 25%, or even 30% tossed around, you might be wondering which one actually applies […]

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First Year Filing Taxes as a Photographer

Feb 18, 2026

If this is your first year filing taxes as a photographer, let me start by saying this:Nothing is wrong. You’re not behind. And you didn’t miss some secret memo that everyone else got. In fact, most of the stress photographers feel during their first tax season has nothing to do with doing something “wrong”. It […]

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5 Numbers Photographers Should Track

Feb 11, 2026

If you’ve ever felt busy, booked, and still unsure where your money is actually going, you’re not alone. One of the biggest reasons photographers feel stressed about finances isn’t because they’re bad at business. It’s because they’re not tracking the right numbers. In my latest YouTube video, I walk through the five numbers photographers should […]

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The Difference Between Bookkeeping and Taxes

Feb 4, 2026

If bookkeeping and taxes feel confusing — or like they’re basically the same thing — you’re not alone. Most photographers know they should understand their numbers, but when words like “bookkeeping,” “taxes,” and “deductions” get thrown around, it can feel overwhelming fast. And usually, the only time this confusion really shows up is when tax […]

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How to Start Reconciling Your Photography Business (and Why It Matters)

How to Start Reconciling Your Photography Business (and Why It Matters)

Nov 26, 2025

If you’ve ever looked at your bank account, looked at your bookkeeping, and thought, “Why do these numbers NEVER match?” Welcome to the club. Most photographers struggle with this at some point, and the reason usually comes down to one simple thing: You’re not reconciling your photography business regularly. Reconciling is one of the most […]

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Best Practices for Using PayPal & Venmo in Your Photography Business

Nov 19, 2025

If you’re a photographer using PayPal or Venmo to accept payments, you’re definitely not alone. These platforms are quick, easy, and familiar, but they also come with rules, fees, and tax considerations you don’t want to overlook. Today, we’re breaking down the best practices for using PayPal and Venmo for photographers so you can stay […]

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Photographer, go-getter, and ice cream lover
Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

@heather.marie.leicy

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