Local news and events photo agency

Local and regional publishers, news sites, councils, businesses, sports clubs and event organisers.

You license images or take assignments on behalf of photographers and keep a commission or agency fee. Retainers with regular clients give steadier income.

• Knowing your local area and its news
• Organising people and last-minute jobs
• Selling and keeping in touch with editors
• Understanding of captions, copyright and licensing

• Written contracts with photographers covering ownership, licensing and payment timing
• Rules on photographing children, private places and events, and any permissions needed
• Data protection duties for images and captions that identify people, check ICO guidance
• Public liability and professional indemnity insurance, and whether photographers hold their own cover
• Local news clients can pay slowly or have small budgets, so check your cash flow
• Status of contributors: check with HMRC whether they are self-employed before you take work on

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on the set-up you choose and what you already have. Your own costs may differ, so list each item before you commit.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around £600 to £3,000, depending on the clients and jobs you win, with a minimum of around 15 hours a week. Local clients can pay slowly, so check your cash flow.

Check written contracts with photographers covering ownership, licensing and payment timing, and the rules on photographing children, private places and events. Also check with HMRC whether contributors are self-employed, ICO guidance on data protection, and insurance cover.