Photography
What you need to know if you are starting up a photography business.
Starting a business as a photographer requires some special considerations as well as things that every business needs to take into account, including legal requirements, insurance and taxation.
Even if you start as a freelance or part-time photographer, you will still need to meet all of your tax and legal obligations of a new business.
Photography sectors
The first thing to consider is which sector you want to establish yourself in. For instance:
- wedding or portrait photography
- commercial and advertising photography
- creative or fashion photography
- photojournalism
You will need to consider and set up a charging structure, potentially including a rate card, both for your photography and also the rights usage.
You will also need to consider copyright, which is complex but extremely important. Make sure that you understand:
- how to avoid copyright infringement
- your economic rights from owning copyright
- how to license or buy other people's copyright
As a photographer, you will need equipment and, perhaps, premises - although many freelance photographers work from home. You might consider buying an existing business, going into a partnership or a joint venture with others in your sector, or you may just start from scratch.
You can get advice from professional associations, such as the .