Does anyone know of any sites that could help me with starting my own photography business. It's just somthing I'm thinking about. I need help with finding out what type of equipment I would need and also all the legal stuff that may go along with it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Bitter Jewler left out the simplest type of business to set-up, a Sole Proprietorship.
Another good free business guidance resource beyond the SBA
www.sba.gov is SCORE
www.score.org . California may well have a comparable state agency.
Start with your city and county web sites to discover what their requirements for business licensing are. Then check the state web site to find out how to get set up for collecting sales tax. You might be able to cover all the bases with a visit to the city or county clerks office.
Copyright law is Federal law, so visit
www.copyright.org and read thru their FAQ's.
As mentioned you'll need business liability insurance. Once you start a business a homeowners policy will no longer cover your photography gear against theft or damage. You may need to get the business liability insurance before you can get the busines license. You're in CA after all.
You'll need all the legal paperwork necessary for providing a service to the public, like contracts, model releases (requirements vary by state), property releases (requirements vary by state), invoices, etc.
You'll also need a way to do accounting and producing the accounting documentation the IRS requires you always maintain in case they want to discuss your business expenses and income tax deductions.
As mentioned, running a phototgaphy business is
way more about having business skills than photographic skills.
