How to Start a Photography Business In New Jersey

Here are some steps to take in order to start a photography business in the state of New Jersey.  You must do your own thorough research, as laws change regularly.
Here is a website that will help if you want to start a business in New Jersey:  http://www.nj.gov/njbusiness/starting/

1. Register your photography business name.

Find out more about registering a fictitious name here:  http://www.nj.gov/njbusiness/documents/check_list.pdf

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

2. Select your business structure.

Sole-proprietor, LLC, Partnership, Corporation, etc.  Find out more here:  http://www.nj.gov/njbusiness/starting/basics/

3.  Register your photography business.

You can register your new business with the state of New Jersey here:  http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/revenue/gettingregistered.shtml

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. Taxes.

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 information about taxes here:  http://www.nj.gov/njbusiness/tax/ and http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Starting-a-Business .

6.  Get Liability Insurance.

You may want to consider liability insurance to help in case of a photography-related accident.