A Business Question........

[DegasGoneDigital]

I have a two part question:

I take pictures at My Daughter's cheer competitions for the team.

I sell these pictures to the parents. I was thinking of getting a smugmug account to handle the ordering of prints so I won't run Myself to death.

These competitions are hosted by different companies ( i.e. Cheersport, Spirit Unlimited, etc..) they have their name and logo and other sponsors on the backdrop behind the floor where they are performing.

The events have their owne Photographer or a contract photography company taking and selling prints from the competition.


1) Can I post these pictures for sale on Smugmug with the sponsors names visible in the photo without their ( the event host and sponsors ) permission?


2) I don't have a business licens, should I get a LLC or sole- proprietor?


I just don't want to get Myself in a bind doing this....

Thank you for any help............

[PhotosGuy]

1. Guessing here, but if you're the "Official Team Photographer", I'd be inclined to just go ahead & be prepared to apologize?
2. Check with the County. You may not need a business lisc. Here we can use a d/b/a (Doing Business As).

[MJPhotos24]

well...personally as a sponsor I pay for my logo to be there so people will see it, so you posting pics with that logo in it so even more people will see it (forever captured in a photo) then as a sponsor I couldnt give two craps.

we have a DBA here as well...

[DegasGoneDigital]

Thank you Photosguy and MJPhotos24 for replying...........

I'm not sure what DBA means, but I will look it up........Thanks again

[Gary_Evans]

I'm not sure what DBA means, but I will look it up........

The answer is already in this thread ;)

Speaking as someone who is the officially appointed photographer at events I know that event organisers are not overly keen on "unofficial" photographs being offered for sale, for reasons including: they cannot guarantee the image quality, they do not recieve some of the images for use for their own marketing purposes, they may not be recieving commission on print sales, they do not know who to refer parents to who if needs be and so on.

On a more personal note - I shoot events for a living, I dont go and file papers in part-timers offices if you catch my drift :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[cowpix]

On a more personal note - I shoot events for a living, I dont go and file papers in part-timers offices if you catch my drift :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Words I wish more would live by! ;)

[PhotoAttorney]

If they don't stop you from taking photos at the event and it's not a condition of entry, then you legally may sell them for editorial (non-commercial) purposes.

Business licenses are different than operating as an LLC vs. a sole proprietorship. The first has to do with controlling business activities in your county/state. The second has to do with taxes, financial structures, and protection of your personal assets.

Best,
Carolyn