Regional photo agency for local clients

Local and state tourism bodies, councils, regional media, agencies, universities and businesses that want local images with clear licensing.

A commission on each licence or usage fee, plus sometimes a share of custom commissions you arrange for your photographers.

• Selling and relationship building
• Negotiating fees and usage terms
• Organising and keywording image archives
• Basic contract understanding

• Written agreements on who owns copyright and how usage fees are shared
• Releases for people and private property, and cultural sensitivity around Indigenous content
• Check with your local council whether a home-based business needs approval
• Get an ABN and check when GST registration is required
• Consider professional indemnity insurance in case a buyer disputes image rights
• Income can be uneven, since large licences arrive irregularly

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your website, image archive tools, contracts, insurance and how you promote your photographers to local buyers. Working from home keeps premises costs out of the picture.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on how many photographers you represent and the licences you secure. Plan for at least about 15 hours a week. Large licences arrive irregularly, so income can be uneven.

Check written agreements on copyright ownership and how usage fees are shared. Also check releases for people and private property, cultural sensitivity around Indigenous content, ABN and GST registration, professional indemnity insurance, and whether your council requires approval for a home-based business.