The Essential Licenses for Professional Videographers

Jamie Perez • November 29, 2024

Becoming a professional videographer is an exciting journey, but it's essential to research all the legal and regulatory aspects to ensure you are operating successfully and lawfully. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the licenses and permits you may need to become a professional videographer.

1. Business License:

Before you start offering videography services as a business, you'll likely need to obtain a business license or permit. The specific requirements can vary by location, so check with your local government or municipality to understand what's needed to operate legally in your area.

2. Sales Tax Permit:

If you plan to sell your videography services and products directly to clients, you may need a sales tax permit or resale certificate. This allows you to collect and remit sales tax to the appropriate tax authority. The rules and regulations regarding sales tax can vary widely, so consult your state or regional tax department for guidance.

3. Filming Permits:

Depending on the locations where you intend to film, you may need filming permits or location permits. Public spaces, parks, and certain private properties may require permission for commercial use. Always obtain the necessary permits to avoid legal issues during shoots.

4. Drone License (if applicable):

If you plan to use drones for aerial videography, you may need a drone pilot's license or remote pilot certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States.

5. Music Licensing:

If you intend to use copyrighted music in your videos, you must secure the appropriate licenses or permissions to avoid copyright infringement. Licensing music for commercial use typically involves obtaining synchronization (sync) licenses from the copyright holders or using royalty-free music from platforms like Epidemic Sound, Storyblocks or Artlist.

6. Talent Release Forms:

When working with individuals who appear in your videos, it's a good practice to have talent release forms. These legal documents grant you permission to use their likeness, image, or voice in your videos. This helps protect you from potential legal issues down the line.

7. Equipment and Vehicle Permits (if applicable):

Some regions may require special permits for specific equipment or vehicles used in your videography work. This can include oversized equipment, specialized vehicles, or even parking permits for commercial vehicles.

8. Insurance:

While not a license, professional liability insurance and equipment insurance are essential for videographers. Insurance coverage can protect you in case of accidents, equipment damage, or legal disputes related to your work.

9. Business Registrations (Optional):

Depending on your business structure and goals, you may consider registering your videography business as a legal entity, such as an LLC (Limited Liability Company) or corporation. This can provide certain legal and financial benefits, but it's not always a requirement to operate as a professional videographer.

These rules may vary by state. Make sure you do research on what the local expectations and requirements are to start your videography biz!

Camera Lens

Here's Why Nonprofits Should Be Sharing Donor Stories

By Jamie Perez • May 29, 2025
Most of the time when nonprofit organizations are sharing stories, we are hearing from staff members, the founder and clients. All of these are perfectly fine stories to tell... but what about sharing the donor stories? When a nonprofit has regular donors, there's probably a story behind WHY they believe in your cause so much. There's a heartfelt element to why out of all the nonprofits they could donate to -- why do they choose YOURS to give to time and time again? They most likely relate to your mission. They believe what you believe about a problem that needs to be addressed and they wanted to be part of the solution. Maybe they went through a traumatic situation that your organization is helping people solve. Get to know your donors. Be curious. They're just as much a part of your organization as your staff and clientele. By sharing their stories, they not only feel more involved in an organization they already care so deeply about, but it also could be a great way to attract MORE donors who can relate to their story. Donors give because of stories -- their gifts don't come from coercion; they come from emotion, a desire to connect. It opens up a relationship and this is how wallets open and lives are transformed. People want to know they belong to something and that they're making a difference. It feels good for anyone to know they're needed, wanted and appreciated. Show them the impact of their gift through storytelling. Don't just focus on them when you need something from them. Engage them. Make them part of the organization's journey. To help get you started, here are a couple questions that could ignite some great soundbites when interviewing your donors: What happened in your life that makes you so compelled to support our cause? Why is this need so important to address? With these questions, you're not only asking them to address the need that your organization is addressing, but you're still focusing on THEIR story. By bringing them along this journey and asking these questions, it helps remind them why they give monetary gifts to you. And their story and their reasons could encourage others to do the same. BE CURIOUS. THESE ARE THE TYPES OF STORIES THAT ARE NEVER TOLD BECAUSE WE NEVER ASK . By being curious, sharing THEIR story, you're showing them you not only care about them helping your cause, but you care about them as people. And who doesn't like to share their story with someone who is truly interested?
Owner of Beyond Words Jamie Perez interviews woman on camera in studio setting

3 Tips for Ethical Storytelling

By Jamie Perez • April 30, 2025
Owner of Beyond Words Jamie Perez interviews woman on camera in studio setting
A person is holding a video camera on a tripod.

Three Mistakes Organizations Make When Creating Video

By Jamie Perez • April 28, 2025
We see this time and time again... organizations wanting to tell an emotive story through video and then being disappointed that the final product wasn't as heart-tugging as they'd hoped. This mainly happens for three reasons: 1. Controlling the narrative. There are too many cooks in the kitchen. Organizations want to include everyone in the conversation and then there's too many opinions on what should be included in the video, who should be included, what should be shown, etc. This convolutes the message and becomes a jamboree of information and takes away from the natural flow of what the true story should be. 2. Trying to fit everything into one video. Organizations often don't think about what it truly means to tell a story. It's not talking about all the facts and features of the organizations, the different types of programs, showing the building, etc. We don't need to know everything about you. We KNOW you're doing incredible work, but we can read the facts and figures through the caption or text on your website. What we want to see and feel is the stories and emotions that accompany what you do. Which brings us to the next point... 3. Focusing on the features rather than the people. While it's great to inform people of the logistics of your organization -- those things are often not unique and they don't really retain people's attention. What does accomplish these two things, however, is gripping people by the heartstrings by focusing on one or two people's stories to show the audience the impact you make. It's not about telling me all the generalities of your organization. We really need to hyperfocus on ONE story that embodies the difference you make in people's lives. Remember what a story truly is. It has characters, it follows a journey, it presents a problem, a solution, has layers, and evokes emotion. If your videos are mostly just a summary of what you do as an organization, then you haven't really told a story. You've told me WHAT your organization does. The true heartfelt stories are always found in the WHY.
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