Hi, I'm a photography student living in NYC. I would like to know how to start a freelance business. Do i need any legal state authorization? Could i advertise easily without having any problems?

All Answers To Questions

It is easy to become a freelance Photographer, but extremely hard to find any work. You can advertise easily, but in NYC you're one of tens of thousands freelance photographers. You have to be out there finding clients. You might want a back up plan.

Many people have the misinformed idea that a "freelance" photography business is an easy, cheap way to be "in business" without all the effort and requirements of a "real" business. However that is not the case. Along with the marketing and advertising you are going to have to do, when you do accept some type of paying job from a client, you are every bit as much a business person as a photographer with a storefront. That means you need to have contracts and you need insurance to protect you in any liability issue. Many venues will not even let you in the door as a "professional photographer" if you cannot show proof of liability insurance. Then, when you get paid, what about taxes? Keep at it for long without declaring the money on your taxes, and sooner or later the NY state tax people are going to want to talk with you. To get a tax ID number, you need a business license. So in reality, being a freelance photographer does not truly free you up from business concerns. You don't pay storefront rent, but that is about the only difference. Get in touch with your local S.C.O.R.E. office to begin the process of getting going with a small business. steve