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How to Start a Videography Business

What it takes to legally start a videography business in the US — licensing, structure, EIN, taxes, insurance, and your first customers. The steps are the same everywhere; the forms and fees depend on your state, so pick yours below for the exact links.

Typical startup cost
$5,000–$25,000
Licensing
usually local only
Best structure
LLC for most
First customers
referrals + local search

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  1. Check the licensing for videography work

    No license for the work itself; FAA Part 107 is required for commercial drone footage. Deliverable licensing and usage rights should be spelled out in every contract. This is the part that varies most by state — some require a state license or registration before you can advertise, others leave it to the city or county. Confirm both your state board and your local government before you take a job.

  2. Decide what the business needs to open

    Video production for weddings, events, brands, and social content. The setup areas that usually matter for a videography business: Business registration + sales tax, Production contracts and licensing terms, Camera, audio, lighting, editing rig, Package and day-rate pricing, Reel and portfolio. Typical cost to get operational: $5,000–$25,000.

  3. Pick a structure — sole proprietor or LLC

    You can start as a sole proprietor with no filing, or form an LLC (usually $50–$300 depending on your state) for liability protection. For hands-on trade work where something can go wrong on a customer's property, most owners choose the LLC.

    LLC filing fee and steps by state ↗

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  4. Get a free EIN from the IRS

    An Employer Identification Number is free and takes a few minutes online. You need it to open a business bank account and to hire.

    IRS — Apply for an EIN ↗

  5. Register for state taxes and get insurance

    Register with your state's tax agency if you'll collect sales tax, then line up general liability insurance — most contracts and license boards require proof of coverage.

  6. What videography businesses charge

    Wedding films $2,500–$7,000, event coverage $1,200–$3,000, brand/social content $1,500–$5,000 per shoot or a monthly content retainer ($2,000–$8,000). Licensing and usage rights priced into every contract. Event work is seasonal; branded and social content is year-round and growing. A sharp 60–90 second reel and fast turnaround (days, not months) are what win the repeat clients.

  7. Get your first videography customers

    A sharp reel, Instagram/TikTok, and outreach to marketing agencies and event planners. Retainer relationships with brands and agencies beat one-off event work. A strong reel and fast turnaround win repeat clients.

    Getting customers for a videography business ↗

  8. The mistake most first-year videography owners make

    Chasing one-off event work instead of retainers. Weddings are lumpy and seasonal; a brand or agency on a monthly content retainer is predictable income that lets you turn down the jobs you don't want.

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Frequently asked

How do I start a videography business?

Check the licenses for videography work in your state, pick a structure (sole proprietor or LLC), get a free EIN from the IRS, register for state taxes, open a business bank account, get general liability insurance, then set up a Google Business Profile and line up your first jobs. The order and the exact forms depend on your state.

Do I need a license to start a videography business?

No license for the work itself; FAA Part 107 is required for commercial drone footage. Deliverable licensing and usage rights should be spelled out in every contract.

How much does it cost to start a videography business?

Plan for $5,000–$25,000 to get operational, plus $50–$300 if you form an LLC (varies by state). An EIN is free, and general liability insurance runs a few hundred dollars a year for most solo operators.

What should I charge for videography?

Wedding films $2,500–$7,000, event coverage $1,200–$3,000, brand/social content $1,500–$5,000 per shoot or a monthly content retainer ($2,000–$8,000). Licensing and usage rights priced into every contract.

How much do videography businesses make?

It depends on your rates, your utilization, and your area. See the income and pricing breakdown for a videography business for typical owner take-home and what to charge.

How much does a videography business license cost?

It depends on your state and exactly which license applies — a state professional license commonly runs $50–$300 plus any exam or renewal fee, and a local city/county business license is often another $25–$100. That's separate from the $50–$300 LLC filing fee if you form one. Use the License Finder tool with your state for the exact fee for videography work.

How much does videography business insurance cost?

General liability insurance for a solo videography operator typically runs $300–$800 a year, more with commercial auto coverage or a higher liability limit. Most contracts, landlords, and license boards require proof of coverage before you can start.

Where do the first videography customers come from?

A sharp reel, Instagram/TikTok, and outreach to marketing agencies and event planners.

Official sources

Fees and timelines are commonly-cited figures last reviewed September 2026 and can change — always confirm on the official site. This is educational information, not legal or tax advice.

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AI-generated guidance is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or investment advice. Disclosures · Trust center