Regional photo agency for local photographers

Local newspapers and magazines, tourism boards, real estate and hospitality brands, universities, nonprofits and regional designers.

A commission on each license fee, agreed in a written contract with each photographer. Repeat clients and annual licenses can give steadier income than one-off sales.

• Sales and relationship building
• Understanding of licensing and usage rights
• Organizing files and contracts
• Eye for quality photography

• Check whether your city or county requires a business license, and register as a sole proprietor or LLC
• Copyright and releases: make sure each photographer owns what you license and has releases where needed
• Check IRS rules on paying photographers and issuing 1099 forms
• Check your state's rules on sales tax for licensing and digital delivery
• Consider general liability and media liability insurance
• Home office use may need a home occupation permit, so check HOA or lease rules

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your website, contracts, software and how much marketing you do. These are estimates, so check your own costs before you begin.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $2,500, depending on how many photographers you represent and how many local buyers you win. The estimate assumes at least about 15 hours of work per week.

Check whether your city or county requires a business license, and whether to register as a sole proprietor or LLC. Check copyright and releases, IRS 1099 rules, state sales tax on licensing, insurance, and any home occupation permit, HOA or lease rules.