The benefits of a legally registering your photography business

business

The benefits of a legally registering your photography business

If you want to be taken seriously as a photographer, and not just “the chick /dude with the camera,” there’s no better way to legitimize your business than by registering it legally.

There are lots of benefits to having an officially registered photography business, but here are the three things that matter the most.

Obeying the law and paying your taxes

The main purpose of registering your photography business is to ensure you’re obeying the law and paying your taxes. You need to tell your country’s government that you’re making income and operating as a business, which means you’ll need to pay taxes on that.

If you’re running a photography business (whether full or part time) without paying taxes, you risk getting caught. If you're not doing things properly, at some point, that'll catch up with you and come with unpleasant (and expensive) surprises.

The lesson is to just set things up! You only have to do it once, and you’ll be obeying the law, paying your taxes, and you’ll have nothing to stress about!

Plus, as a legal photography business, you’ll be eligible for many tax benefits, which will allow you to write off expenses (like camera gear!) and/or get better tax returns.

Protecting yourself and your business

The other reason to register your business is to protect yourself. Registering your business will separate you as a human from your business. It also allows you to have certain things like liability protection, which can come in very handy, if a legal problem arises.

There’s also photography business insurance you can apply for that can protect you during legal issues, photography equipment failure, or any other unexpected event that could threaten your business.

So again, the peace of mind that comes with being a legitimate business with liability protection and insurance is worth the hassle of registering in the first place!

Clients will take you more seriously

Here’s a little insight on the benefits of registering your photography business other than legalities.

If you believe you’re a photography business that deserves to be officially registered and running smoothly, you’ll attract the kind of clients that want to work with a business like yours. The simple act of becoming an official photography business will drive more business, I can guarantee you!

This is because the energy you put out into the world will attract similar energy. As a professional, when you approach potential clients, you send proposals and invoices. When you send invoices with your business number, you’re operating as a legal business and it completely changes that interaction!

At the end of the day, a positive business mindset will lead to positive business operations.

Just do the damn thing and register your photography business!

I don’t care what anyone else has told you – it’s simply illegal to run a business without properly registering it! Even if you feel like you aren’t ready, registering your photography business will actually give you the confidence to operate as a bonafide business.

My advice is to get your photography business registered and set up before you get too busy. It might feel a little overwhelming at first, but remember that it’s necessary, and you only ever have to do it once!