Insurance?

Im taking pictures for my friends currently as i practise with my camera... (just to build up a portfolio steadily)...ive been told whether or not im charging i need insurance??

If i were going to charge for my photos for e.g - regardlesss of how much do i need insurance? even if im at someones yard doing piccies??

This is the way its currently *hopefully* going.... pics for friends with their horses and dog (practise ) but apparanrlty i need insurance?

I cant see that if im not charging but if i were to (not friends)?

thanks

My thought on it are, and they are only thoughts not law.

You should really cover yourself anyway with third party insurance incase of accidents- damage to clients property-claims against you. This is standard proceedure with all businesses large or small, even if your being paid or not

The policy we have for our business covers us for up to £3m which I think is the normally amount for third party insurance.
Bazza

thanks bazza


how do i go about that???

currently only doing pics for friends and NOT charging.... at this rate i wont be for a very long time (no bother as its ahobby lol!).... but still... i dont want any comebacks!

Ask any insurance company, tell them what you want it for and they will point you in the right direction.

Bazza

thanks .....

Also, these threads might be helpful: Photography Insurance

thanks azz

im going to put it on the household insurance.... but also want theft cover - i assume thats within household but need to check it out.


bazza - any reccomendations for insurers with 3rd party??? thats my main concern atm?

thanks

suze
I can't recommend any particular insurance company as mine is based on a large commercial policy. Any high street insurance shop will be able to help. I have my gear insured with Photoguard as an amature photographer, and they may well also cover what you want as a commercial photographer as your aim is the eventually try and make money out of photography.


Here I have to say that very few make any money out of photography and those that do generally I suspect have a degree or similar in the subject. All power to your elbow for thinking along these lines, although I don't want to dampen your spirits you do need to consider what experiece is needed and what type of commercial photography you intend to specialise in.

Most magazines no have a plentiful load of "stock photos" and to get experience you need to find a professional photographer that will allow you to tag on as a second shooter.

Getting a business started is one of the toughest things one can attempt, I should know it took us 7/8 years to get established with a good reputation and a whole trunk full of cash, and that was taking over an existing business and building it up.

If I may, should you be thinking along these lines you should read up on starting a business, there are pitfalls you wouldn't even think about. We found out through the hard way.

By all means start off small ,as you intend, but give some thought to the following, earnings are taxed so take that into account, any legal documents necessary is best to consult a lawyer, backup equipment should the main gear fail, the right kind of equipment for the intended shoot, if your ill have someone to take over your shoot, transportation costs, advertising, accounts, insurance as already mentioned, just to name a few.
Then there is the time spent editing photos,printing, presenting them to clients (proof copies) printing, postage, copyright ownership. You may by now be getting the idea of whats involved.

Bazza

ok thanks - baazza need to send you a pm too - thanks

PM replied and done

Bazza