Start A Photography Business In Dubai

Photography Business In Dubai

With Dubai’s dynamic business ecosystem experiencing enormous growth, many companies and people are looking for the right photographers to capture their memorable moments or work. This fact indicates that the demand for Photography Business in Dubai is increasing.  For passionate photographers, Dubai offers an exciting business landscape with numerous opportunities. Dubai has several job opportunities for photographers, from wedding photography to event photography. Therefore, you should Setup your Photography Business in Dubai as soon as possible.  If you have ever dreamed of combining your photography skills with your business passion, you have visited the right place. Here, you will get an in-depth guide on How to Start a Photography Business in Dubai.  Furthermore, we will also provide some essential information to start your Photography Business in Dubai. 

Rules to start a photography business in Dubai

There are a few rules that you must follow to Start a Photography Business in Dubai. Adhering to this set of rules is essential to start your photography business in this city without any complications. The following is the list of rules to start this business in the Emirates:  

•  The National Media Council serves as a regulatory authority via which photography businesses in Dubai must apply for permits and licenses to perform outdoor photography, like aerial applications.
• For the application process, the photographers must find the duration, location, and list of photographers for the shoot.
• You can begin a photography business or work as a freelance photographer. If you choose freelance photography, you can check out Dubai Media City or Fujairah Creative City. These areas allow photographers to work as freelancers.
• You must submit your passport and visa copies, business plan, and bank reference letter for your photography business to the relevant authority.

Prerequisite for Starting a Photography Business in Dubai

Apart from the rules mentioned in the previous section, there are also some prerequisites that you must meet to start a photography business in Dubai. Below is the list of prerequisites for starting this business in this Emirate:  

• You must have some necessary documents for initiation, including copies of your passport and visa, a comprehensive business plan, and an official reference letter from your bank.
• You have to also comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Starting a photography business or going on a freelance photographic journey are viable options. 
• You must get a professional services license from the Department of Economic Development (DED). 

Meeting these requirements or rules is crucial to start your photography business in Dubai. If you are sure that you are meeting these requirements, you can move forward to the next section.

The Process to Open a Photography Business In Dubai

The process of starting a photography business in Dubai has numerous essential steps that you must follow carefully. A single mistake in this process can lead to significant problems. Therefore, you must follow the following steps effectively:  

1. Choose a legal structure.

First, you must choose a reliable legal structure for your Photography Business in Dubai. In the business-friendly environment of this emirate, you can choose from several legal structures for your photography business, like Sole Proprietorship, LLCs, and much more. Remember, choosing your legal structure carefully is essential because it defines your business’ jurisdiction, type of trade license, and business activities.   

2. Select a business jurisdiction.

The next step is to decide on a reliable jurisdiction for your photography business. You should decide whether to start your photography business on the mainland or in free zones. Remember, both business jurisdictions have their pros and cons.  Free zones offer several benefits, like tax incentives and 100% foreign owners. However, you may require a branch office for local trade. In contrast, the mainland offers the advantage of trading within the UAE without opening a branch office. Therefore, you should choose a business jurisdiction as per your business requirements.    

3. Select your business activities.

After selecting your business jurisdiction, you must identify the business activities, like photography and videography, that you want to conduct in your  Photography Business in Dubai. Although you are expected to specify your business activities, you cannot apply for a specific film production, video production, post-production, or even a videography license. However, this business is similar to these businesses.  

4. Reserve your company name. 

Once you have decided which business activities you will conduct in your business, you should move forward to choosing a reliable business name for your Photography Business in Dubai. Choosing a name for your photography business is a complex process. The UAE’s Registry office oversees this function and sets several strict rules.  When choosing a business name for your photography business, you should avoid any offensive or blasphemous language, nor refer to Allah or Islam. If you want to use your name, you should use the full form rather than the abbreviated version. Remember, you must submit three potential names for availability checks. 

5. Rent office space

After choosing your name, you should rent or purchase an office space for your business. While selecting a suitable location for your photography business in Dubai, you should consider the type of photography you will perform and the target market you want to reach.   6. Apply for the initial approvals. Applying for an initial approval is essential for a trade license to Start a Photography Business in Dubai.  Your governing authority must initially grant initial approvals for your business to operate in Dubai. This step involves submitting required documents, like your passport, business plan, visa, and more, to the governing authority for getting approval.   

7. Apply for the trade license.

Lastly, you should apply for the trade license by submitting the application with the relevant documents to the governing authority. Upon approval and payment, you should open a corporate bank account. After opening the bank account, you can start the operation of your business.   

How can Flyingcolour help you?   

Starting a Photography Business in Dubai can be a profitable decision for people with a passion for photography. Flyingcolour Business Setup can help you to convert your hobby into a profitable venture. In addition, our experts can guide you through the whole journey to start this business in this city.  To learn more about the Starting a Photography Business in Dubai, book a free consultation with one of the Flyingcolour team advisors, Simply call  +97144542366 or send WhatsApp messages to +971554413566. you can also drop an email to info(at)flyingcolour(dot)com. *Please note that this article was published on 21/03/2024 by the federal policies and updates at the time of writing. For the latest info please talk to our consultant.