How To Start A Photography Business In Alabama

Here are some helpful links when starting a photography business in the state of Alabama.  This page will help you register just about any type of photography business.

Alabama has a web page to help you get started with your business:  http://www.madeinalabama.com/assets/2013/02/2012_Alabama_Answers.pdf

-Select your business structure.

Determine what business structure you wish to have: Sole-proprietor, LLC, Partnership, Corporation, etc.  Most small business owners start out as sole-proprietors.

-Register your photography business name with the state of Alabama.

You may need to register a fictitious name for your business.  http://sos.alabama.gov/government-records/business-entity-records

If you need help choosing a business name: How To Choose A Photography Business Name

 -Register your photography business.

You may be required to register your business with your state.

-Open a Business Checking Account.

You will need to open a separate bank account for your photography business with your new business name.

-Find out about taxes, hire an accountant.

You may want to file your own taxes if you are a small company. As you grow, it will be easier to have an accountant do the work.  Make sure you research the requirements for sales tax.  More information about taxes here: http://revenue.alabama.gov/section-business.cfm and http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Starting-a-Business .

  -Consider Liability Insurance.

You may want to get liability insurance to help protect yourself in case of any photography-related catastrophe.