Do you REALLY need an LLC? Real Talk For Photographers + Creators

You're trying to learn how to start a photography business - And there is a LOT to figure out. In this video we'll cover the basic paperwork & setup of starting a photography business or a creative studio, covering the most common questions when you're learning how to start a business for the first time:
Do you need to incorporate?
Should you register your photography business as an LLC?
How do you do accounting?
Handle taxes?
Photography Contracts?
Bank accounts?
DBA's & Sole Proprietorships?
Want more info & a roadmap with all the templates +for training you need for building a booked solid photo biz? Checkout our marketing membership here:
PHOTOGRAPHY BIZ MEMBERSHIP
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FREE MARKETING TEMPLATES
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And for anyone wondering...
📸 My camera gear:
Panasonic S1- amzn.to/39SczqO
Sigma Art 35mm 1.4 L mount - amzn.to/3i1SGAc
Panasonic Lumix 24-105 f4 L mount - amzn.to/3grgQ6U
YONGNUO YN-560 IV Flash - amzn.to/2DAsZI4
🖥 Computer Editing Setup = 2019 27" imac upgraded with 40gb of ram: amzn.to/3i3Vk8I
Prior to upgrading computers, I was using a 2015 15" macbook pro with 16gb of ram - So you don't NEED the fancy new computer at all... It just speeds up my editing workflow as I'm not waiting so long for previews to load.
💻 Renewed 2015 macbook pro is about $1200 on amazon: amzn.to/3kaotB1
I'd recommend going with at least 16gb of ram and 512gb of storage.
#learnphotography #photographytechniques #photographytutorial #editing #photography #photographyfundamentals #photographylighting #lightingtutorial #photographybasics

[@dymone4894]

Others have already said it, but I'll say it also. This was exactly what I needed today. Way too much "thought", "planning" and "research" literally left me no closer to getting this business started over the past 6 months. After watching this I registered by business and bought my domain, (actually I bought 2). Now to handle the banking side and begin creating my website. Thank you! I'm 3 steps closer to turning my dreams into reality.

[@ItzzUnity]

i Agree! This video helped alot!

[@EL_FRITAS]

@dymone4894 how is it going so far?

[@priscillamoon_]

This is exactly what I needed ~ "Action beats complexity!" ~ Thank you Ryan! :)

[@SignatureEdits]

YEEEEESS! So good Priscilla!

[@BergyBowsmith]

Great video , my only thing i could critique. Is that i do own another business and am starting a photography business. There is a vast benefit to LLC, and if you can take 4 hours of your time you can file for a LLC for about $150 USD give or take a hundred depending on the state. When you refer to insurance covering you in emergency instances. Theres one very complex thing here . With a LLC they are suing the business they can only sue for the assets the business owns. Without an LLC if you did get into a major lawsuit they are suing you as an individual and all your assets ( house, car, personal income, personal savings) so in this instance a LLC would certainly be more beneficial.

[@HooahArmyMan]

This is the best video on starting out that I have ever seen.

[@SignatureEdits]

woah! thanks :) glad it helped u!

[@Hakeo]

I was a victim of analysis paralysis Today, as I'm typing this, I'm getting ready to go get a flash gear from my brother to start my food photography portfolio I'll be reaching out to friends who are chefs to also build upon my portfolio outside of what I'll be doing at home. The goal is to have something to show once I start reaching out to small businesses.

[@shannonmaire]

This calmed the "starting scaries" for me. It can be difficult to get practical advice without getting too ahead of ourselves.

[@Zaynsayal35]

Honestly, Never had seen a better to-the-very-point video on the entire platform ever. Kudos to you my friend. You have surely done a very great job 👍🏼

[@SignatureEdits]

I appreciate that! Thanks so much

[@bracyelias]

You’re a genius when it comes to breaking down these concepts. Thanks bro🙏

[@TerriJones-dq6jq]

Super helpful! The best advice all around...I've gone the over-planning start to a business, and I appreciated hearing the bare bones to launch. "Action beats complexity ever single time."

[@trentausten]

This is hands down one of the most helpful videos I have ever watched.

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad you got some value out of it Trent! Really appreciate the comment :)

[@ronaldoadam8239]

Thank you for this video! You literally described what I have been doing for the longest time, which is wasting time sorting out all the technicalities instead of actually shooting and making money.

[@jim4530]

Excellent video. Thank you

[@shuhnellx]

Thank you so much for explaining all of this as simple as possible. 😊

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheAverageGuy740]

Thanks Ryan! Your video was really helpful, so glad I found your video!! Keep up the good work!

[@SignatureEdits]

super glad to hear that!

[@tianamodel]

Thank you so much. I loved this video and it supported me on a day where I was overwhelmed by questions of if I'm doing anything right. There is so much confusing info online and it can be very overwhelming, even for someone established in their photography career. Thanks for simplifying it for us.

[@lancelotstaub2416]

Hey Ryan, thanks for the info and motivation. I’ve been shooting for 10 years working for others and it’s now time to hit it hard on my own. My first tangible step is gather my portfolio. Thanks again! ✌🏼🤙🏼

[@SignatureEdits]

Right on my friend! Go crush it 🔥🔥

[@digi4155]

I recently got into drone videos and photography. I was thinking about maybe starting a business shooting weddings, realty and portraits. I had no idea where to start. This video answered every question i had! Thanks dude!

[@sunsettaye4820]

I needed this more than you know. Thank you so much🙏

[@SignatureEdits]

You are so welcome! :)

[@StefanJamesTV]

Awesome video, I’m in the website world but you’re “don’t complexify” message is what I needed to hear. Much love!

[@nickmccoy9772]

Thank you for making this video. I really needed to hear this! There are so many rabbit holes you can fall down when trying to start a creative business ( gear, pricing, education, contracts, etc), that it's easy to get lost! There are also so many people trying to "help you succeed" by selling you their product ( presets, courses, LUTS, etc), that you can bankrupt yourself before you even start making money. The process can be overwhelming, and take the fun out of trying to create something. Thank you for the wake-up call. I can't wait to get back out and enjoy taking photos again! Thanks for pulling me out of the rabbit hole.

[@SignatureEdits]

So good Nick! You are right on the money. The more complex we make something, the less effective / enjoyable / successful we tend to become! Go get em my friend :) Oh and btw, IF you are up for it I'd love to have a chat and ask a couple questions for some content I'm working on - Send me a msg from the contact link @ signatureedits.com!

[@linzzz519]

I’m very much in that bogged down place! This was so helpful! Thank you!

[@CufNs1]

1,000th like here! I Gotta say this definitely helped a lot and I will be watching more videos to help me out in the future, Thank you Ryan!

[@whitneyphelps4650]

This makes a lot of sense. But what if you are married and your husband makes 6 figures. Two questions: 1. Should I get an LLC to protect the assets we have attained? And 2. When I am taxed at the end of the year (with a sole proprietorship or LLC) am I taxed for my business at the tax bracket that my business brought in, or the tax bracket that we make together as a couple? Would that effect which route I would want to take?

[@SuperDeemee]

That is such a good question!!! I'm here for the answer 🙏🏾🙏🏾🤞🏾

[@Thundr4x]

That was valuable video

[@DerekVanderArk]

This is a freaking masterclass. More helpful than any other video I've seen out there regarding LLC. Perfect path forward. I'm book marking this video, because I know I'll need to come back to it in a couple months.

[@cheriemendez4292]

Thank you so much for this - wow! SO TRUE!!!

[@joncothranphotography9375]

Great advice Ryan! Thanks so much!

[@doodledidit]

Great video! Thank you so much. This is exactly what I have needed. Especially on the mind set stuff.

[@SignatureEdits]

You're so welcome! Really glad to hear that Katie

[@AJGlam13]

You are the best photography pal, thanks dude! ♥️♥️♥️

[@AnnieJ651]

This is very helpful. Thank you

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad it was helpful!

[@svetlanagrobman3476]

Great presentation!

[@SignatureEdits]

Thank you kindly!

[@allietsai]

Thanks for making this so simple Ryan! Quick questions: am i supposed to be charging sales tax on top of my session fee? 2) I have PayPal and people pay both through “family and friends” and “goods and services”. Does that matter for taxes? I didn’t realize i needed to file for sole proprietor so will do it today

[@nerdynautilus5373]

Dude, wow, this is brilliant!

[@SignatureEdits]

Thanks my friend!

[@aaronwaite4230]

Ryan, I really appreciate the inspiration and motivation. I thought starting a photography business would be a lot harder and more intricate. I love your step-by-step approach though simplicity. I need to set up my sole proprietorship and get a contract sent to my first client that I have lined up.

[@OrganicMama1]

Wow you literally read every thought in my mind for the past 2 years 😂 and no I still haven’t started my business

[@DannyGoes_]

This was a tremendous help. Thank you, Ryan!

[@hanyangxie4730]

This is so helpful, thank you!

[@toritor831]

Order my business cards and go out on the town and talk to people in my specific target audience

[@kurtcichowski]

Great video! Absolutely eye opening.

[@AizadaErkinbekova-g9d]

So happy I found this video :))) Thank you! so much useful information and I have seen so many videos about nothing :(

[@airavearentertainment9186]

You and this channel are awesome!

[@SignatureEdits]

I appreciate that! Thanks so much for the kind words!

[@SpAnKyOoO]

2:37 I LITERALLY DIED LAUGHING WHEN HE FINISHED DRAWING THE FACE 💀

[@alvinsun2970]

Appreciate the knowledge brother. Thank you.

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad to help Alvin! Thanks for the watch :)

[@katyaandrievskaia2528]

I love you and your channel Ryan!

[@DavidChiriboga]

Great vid! Love how you laid out some truth 👌🏼

[@1904Rob]

Great video, appreciate all the info. Currently in the process of getting authorization from property manager to be a legitimate home based business for real estate photography before i file with the city. Have been debating if I should file under an LLC but this was extremely helpful thank you.

[@vincenthollidayphotography]

Thank you for this great information

[@Brohansifat]

THIS is what I needed.

[@SignatureEdits]

YES! Glad it was helpful

[@wokinprogress4671]

very informative! thanks dude!

[@pppictures2600]

nice

[@brickhousemonkey]

Very helpful. Thank you 😊

[@simongarcia5547]

I was debating establishing my LLC this year, just to establish credit for future opportunities that may require capitol.. but seems like a DBA will work until i get my cash up, ill just carry some insurance. Thanks for the info

[@alexisboat]

thanks for this!

[@cristianrodriguez1162]

Hi - thanks for the video and all the info ! Question - You recommend to start with Sole Proprietorship, right? Now, is there a way to become LLC from Sole Proprietorship when the time comes? (I know you said we don’t need to know all the details, so just a Yes or No would do for me - or as much info you think would be helpful, I’ll take whatever 😊)

[@SignatureEdits]

Great question! Yes, when the time comes, all you do is register an LLC, and that would be it!

[@katyaandrievskaia2528]

Thanks!

[@SignatureEdits]

Wow thanks so much Katya! Really appreciate the super thanks :) You made my day

[@cornelltheshooter]

Great Content. I have been stressing about the start up process and even started doing research which made it even more stressful and you dumbed it down. Quick question Do I need to worry about at EiN number when I’m first staring up?

[@RideOrDie717]

Zed lol it’s just Z but nice I’m about to be a car photographer and or real estate photographer

[@photobizmethod]

LOVE Profit first! It's my bible LOL

[@simongarcia5547]

subbed

[@armando.visuals]

what is the best company to insure camera gear in the US?

[@SignatureEdits]

I have some friends who use PPA I believe, but since I don't have experience with this I can only say do some research, read the reviews and decide :) In the US you're lucky to have several great and affordable options!

[@dushyantbhatt9345]

Whats required for registration as a vendor with ad agency any idea ?

[@SignatureEdits]

Different agencies will have different requirements :) Worth asking them, but for the most part, its more about a business license and or liability insurance requirements! neither of which need an llc

[@jojoeffekt]

Sup People

[@SignatureEdits]

Sup Johanna ;)

[@jojoeffekt]

@@SignatureEdits The usual daily life haha. Really enjoyed the Stream🤘🏼

[@SignatureEdits]

@@jojoeffekt Glad to hear it!

[@qlitlj4404]

Fast Forward 10 minutes to the point...

[@Sur_Reel]

Great information but honestly half the time would’ve been cut off if you didn’t try writing the same thing you just said….

[@TheShootist365]

Thee EXACT video I needed. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

[@Thundr4x]

How do I invoice though?

[@catalystJJ]

This is what i did. Sole prop + liability insurance. Easy. Lol

[@roamsalty]

who did you get your insurance from if you dont mind me asking?

[@oleeejek]

Thanks for this video! The best I've seen on this topic and now I have a much better idea of ​​where to start.

[@brandongodbey6463]

At first I couldn’t get over the slow writing and wanted him to just get on with the video, but he answered so many questions, alleviated so many concerns, and I feel more knowledgeable walking away from it.

[@michiheart]

I am looking for a business name, was flower power bacon photos taken?

[@SignatureEdits]

You know what Michi - Might still be available! HURRY

[@EarthenSalt]

I feel like I owe you money after watching this! Great stuff my man.

[@tundrusphoto4312]

Since when can you set up a "LLC" in Canada?

[@SignatureEdits]

Great catch! In Canada we don't have an LLC - Setting up a "Corporation" is the closest thing. But not really the point of the video :)

[@Laurasusana]

Thank you so much for this. This is exactly what I needed!

[@christinemclaughlin8644]

What if you have a lot of personal assets, do you feel they could be at risk by not setting up an LLC?

[@SignatureEdits]

Not legal advice, but personally I would run this risk vs reward scenario. If you have liability insurance for your photo biz already, then the likelihood of damages in addition to your insurance limits is pretty low… so if it were me I still prob wouldnt