Hello everyone,

I'm Michael A. Buccilli, sharing my story of resilience, passion, and dreams. Photography has been my lifeline and a beacon of hope amidst personal storms. Since discovering my passion at 14, I've faced life's many curves, from caregiving to health challenges. Today, I'm poised to transform this passion into a sustainable business, but I need your help. Your support is not just funding; it's a vote of confidence in my dreams.

Professional Photography Needs

Equipment:

1. 2 in 1 laptop/tablet 16” – average cost of $1,900.00. My current laptop is going on 8 years old. It runs on Windows 10 and can’t run Windows 11. The motherboard is only capable of accepting a maximum of 12 GB of RAM. Editing on my current laptop is very frustrating as it takes sometimes an hour or more to refine one image.
2. DSLR camera body and lens. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – average cost is $3,300.00. My current DSLR died three months ago. The current camera is a Canon EOS Rebel T-6 kit camera that I bought when I was attending ‘The Art Institute of Pittsburgh’ for photography. I used my financial aid to purchase it. I want to purchase the upgrade camera because, as stated my current camera died. It has more camera settings to help with attaining the best image capture and as also stated, records 4k video, where my current camera did not.
3. Mini photo studio. Replica Surfaces Mini Studio – current cost is $998.00. The studio is bundled with three sides and three surfaces which are interchangeable. The studio is a stand with a side and surface. I don’t have room for a photography studio, so the mini studio will enable me to capture professional product and food images for stock photography and attract restaurants looking to enhance their websites and online menus.
4. A basic full-size studio backdrop setup – average cost of $150.00. The basic backdrop consists of a resizable frame and a black, and grey backdrop. I will need these backdrops to use in my portraiture photography.

Business Essentials:
1. Business cellphone, I want to purchase the Galaxy S24 Ultra - $1,600.00.
2. All-in-1 printer (print, scan, copy, fax). I want to purchase the Epson EcoTank ET-4850 All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer Wireless Print Copy Scan Fax Ethernet – Black. T cost averages $500. I want to purchase this brand and style of printer because it is recommended by several professional photographers and the photography school I attended. tank-style printers are more cost-effective than cartridge printers. I need to be able to print out documents, and I need to be able to print photos; should I want to sell at fairs or a mall table. I also need to be able to scan a large number of photos that I don’t have the RAW files or the negatives of photos taken years ago with the film cameras I have had over the years.
3. Business formation documents and legal fees – averages about $500. I need to make sure that I form the company into the correct type of business. There are court filing fees and business tax forms to file with the IRS, such as the W-4, etc.
4. Photography client contracts – averages about $800. I need legal contracts to sign with each person or business entity that I do photographic work for. Each genre of photographic work requires a different contract.
5. Business Management Computer Software. Quickbooks Pro - $68 a month, keeps track of the business finances, keeps track of tax information. CRM software (Honeybook) - $33 a month. This software helps business owners and entrepreneurs run their businesses. All contracts are stored in the software. Personal and business calendar to plan out my weeks. keep track of different photoshoots and the contact with the clients, share the proof sheets, contracts, and all other contacts. Printify Premium - $29 a month, this is a Print-on-demand software system. I will be able to have my photographs and images placed on various merchandise without having to hold inventory: coffee mugs, posters, Framed wall art, Puzzles (and much more).

The artistic side of photography:
1. Video, and graphic design editing software. Adobe Creative Cloud all apps. - $89 a month. This software will allow me to refine my work to make it the best that it can be. I need to be able to Vectorize some images for various uses. It will allow me to better design my social media marketing campaigns with more ease. The software will allow me to create and refine videos for my photography. Canva Pro design software - $119 a year. It will enhance my social media marketing and design capabilities.

Supplies and Maintenance:
1. I need 2 SD cards for the camera (1 terabyte each) - $284. When I am on a shoot, whether it be a portrait, a landscape, or street photography, I need to be able to capture every desired angle, and creative angle and not have to worry about running out of SD storage on the camera. When I can start traveling, I will need more SD cards as the camera that I want to purchase captures video in 4k resolution and that requires much more data storage capabilities. I need a tripod gimble setup – averages $350. A gimble setup will allow me to capture aviation, and sports images and video capture more fluidly without major shakiness. Most lenses of today on all cameras have image and optical stabilization, but when needing to ‘pan’ across the skyline it is difficult for me to keep from moving the subject’s path. Lithium-ion batteries for camera (3) – an average of $250. I need to make sure that I am prepared with enough battery power to keep the camera going for all-day photography outings no matter the length of time. I need a wireless shutter release and timer – an average of $125. This device will help me to be more precise when capturing video and action shots. I need a photographer's backpack – averages $200. it holds the camera, two lenses, and supplies. It comes with back and waist support straps. Holds up to a 17” laptop.

Transportation and Mobility:
1. I don’t need to buy a new car right now; my brother has a 2007 van, and since I live with him, he will allow me to use it whenever I need to. I will, however, need to have work done on it so that I can have reliable transportation for both personal and business needs. Tune-up - $250.00, Muffler system – average about $600.00, depending on what is wrong with it. Headlight assembly (1) – about $100.00.

Health, Wellbeing, and Family Commitment:
1. I have been on Social Security since 2006. I can’t work a full or part-time job. I need to be able to work around my doctor’s appointments and testing appointments. I can do this by working for myself. I want the photography business to do well enough so that I can exit Social Security and make an income. Eight years ago, I moved to this apartment with my mom and youngest brother to take care of our mom full-time. Mom had developed Dementia and other neurological conditions. I had to painfully watch as she slowly drifted away from life, reality, and us, her boys. Mom passed away last year, on July 27, 2023. My brother hasn’t worked for the same amount of time. He can’t work, he has major spinal issues. He suffers from diabetes. He takes Insulin and other meds. The resulting issues are Diabetic Retinopathy and Neuropathy. This is another reason that I need to have work done on my brother’s van. When he has the veins in his eyes burst, he cannot drive. My brother not being able to work, and currently fighting to get on SSI, with no income now, is making it difficult to make ends meet with my small monthly disability payments.

Your contribution, large or small, will not just pave the way for a brighter future but also empower me to capture and share the world's beauty through my lens. Each donation helps me support my family and take a step closer to a life of creative fulfillment and independence. I promise to keep you updated, sharing the highs and lows of this journey.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for considering my campaign. Sharing my story with others increases our chance for success, and it is easy to do.

My deepest gratitude,

Michael A. Buccilli