 Michael L. Schraeder |
Portrait Photography in Apartment I have been acquiring the right equipment within the past two years to shoot portraits in my own apartment. Do I need a special license to shoot portraits of people? Like headshots?
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Erin Tyler |
In short... Nope. :) Long answer... there are things you will need to have once you get the ball rolling. First, you'll need to talk to your County Clerk's office and find out what sort of business things you need (tax ID, etc.) and whether your city permits that type of business in a residential area (and all that stuff). Another thing to think about is insurance... 1) for your equipment, and 2) in case someone trips on a chord and hurts themself, etc. But to actually take portraits (the fun part!), you don't need anything but a camera and whatever equipment you like.
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Mark Feldstein |
Greetings, Erin. THAT was an excellent answer to Mike's question. Very well put. And congratulations on being one of the few photographers here who is aware of liability insurance and the issues we hate to think about. Now, if I may briefly supplement your response: I hate to put a damper on your plans, Mike, and what you're proposing is done all the time, but the liability issues that Erin mentioned, among others, and the legal issues of running a business from a residential apartment, are truly problematic these days. As soon as you apply for a business license, the city will likely have the building inspector, fire department, etc., stopping by to determine whether your "facility" is suitable for the business you intend to use it for, including ingress, egress, handicapped access, fire sprinkler, handicap rails in the restroom, ad infinitum. Your license fees really buy quite a lot in terms of public protection from you, as a guy just trying to turn a profit. As soon as you'd run an ad in the paper, you'd likely get a call or visit from some city person about licensing or permits. That seems to be more common in major metropolitan areas like San Francisco, L.A., or Chicago. Remember, too, that you don't need to file for a fictitious business name if you're doing business under your own name like Michael Smith Photography. That helps keep you off the bureacratic radar scopes. BUT, if you're, say, just charging expenses, or not charging at all and you're just having some "acquaintances" stopping by for a beer or coffee and a portrait... then you're NOT engaging in a business of commercial enterprise and you don't need a license. Get the picture? Here's a suggestion, though: Either shoot portraits on location - in a park, for example - or find a photographer with a studio who would be willing to rent you space on a daily or hourly basis. Whaddya think? Take it light. Mark
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Erin Tyler |
LOL, thanks Mark. :)
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Mark Feldstein |
Truly a pleasure Erin. BTW, I like your work too. ;>) Mark
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Samuel Smith |
briefly?
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Mark Feldstein |
Well, articulately, anyway. M/
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Mark Feldstein |
Besides, as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis once said: "Brevity takes longer." M.
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Samuel Smith |
i am actually sitting here thinking I should find a way to remove that remark.and look over and an email,uh oh. i'm just glad you knew I meant no harm? ok,and knew what you were talking about. erin,good answer. i guess we'll see you on the flip side. sam
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Mark Feldstein |
Negative perspiration Sam. [No sweat]. Yep I understood and thought it was pretty funny too. Mark
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Jeanne M. Brown |
The advise from Mark is accurate. Once you apply for the biz lic., your landlord will get a notice from the state or city about taxes and they may not be happy. I had that very experience. Shoot on location or at the client's home. Home owners may also be concerned about your insurance in case you injure yourself while visiting too. Jeanne
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Samuel Smith |
thearapy,spelling and whatever,ain't working.i should've married woody allen.ahhhh?
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marisa basso |
Mark, great response! The last thing you said in your response is exactly what I am doing! You title the name of your business with your name, so that the town/state knows it is a small business. You don't have to get a tax id technically until you have made over 4500.00. Until than your tax id can be your social security number and just set up a checking account in the name of your business. You can also at alot of places get discounts just by saying you use your social sec. number as a tax id. Most importantly..... liability coverage is so important! More so I think when you have a business out of your home! Like Mark said, shoot outside of your home. My business is established at my residence, but I never shoot in my home. I purely do locations work. I tell clients to choose special locations of there choice, or I will choose a location. This takes all liability off of me, accept for the photographs! If anyone wants nudes, they can be done at a location, but I usually notify authorities and request permission so as to not have a problem with indecent exposure, or I take nudes in a friends studio that I rent out, or in the persons home itself. Always have them sign consent and get proof of age before doing nudes. These days you need to cover yourself in every aspect! I have found that there are many ways of having a business without having to spend alot of money on studio equipment. I choose natural lighting instead of studio lighting, and find people prefer natural settings to studio settings. Of course weather affects outdoor settings, but you can work around it. Good luck!
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