How to Start a Photography Business In Missouri

How to Start a Photography Business In Missouri

Here is some helpful information on how to start a photography business in Missouri.
Getting started- The state of Missouri provides a few helpful websites for getting your business started: http://www.sos.mo.gov/business/outreach/starting_steps and http://business.mo.gov/start/index.html

1. Select your business structure.

Sole-proprietor, LLC, Partnership, Corporation, etc.   Many small business owners are sole-proprietors.  Find out more here: http://www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/startBusiness#entity

2. Register your new photography business name with Missouri.

Find out more about registering a fictitious name here: http://www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/startBusiness#fictitious

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

3.  Register your photography business with Missouri.

You can find out more about registering your new business with the state of Missouri here:http://business.mo.gov/register/index.html

4. Open a Business Checking Account.

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

5. Find out about taxes and 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.  Be sure to research sales tax requirements.  More info about taxes here:  http://dor.mo.gov/business/ and http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Starting-a-Business

6. Liability Insurance.

You will possibly want to consider some form of liability insurance to help protect you in case of a photography-related accident.

7. City License.

You may be required to obtain a license to operate your photography business in a particular locale, whether you are a resident, or not.

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