Businesses and Expenses

I was planning on making a game development studio, a solo proprietorship to be exact. As such I was also planning to hire other people like artists and coders and the like. These people are not physically associated with the business yet I am purchasing their services. Would the pay I give these people be counted as expenses and thus play an impact on my taxes? I'm a beginner when it comes to both businesses and taxes, so unfortunately I don't know the answer.