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DPChallenge Forums >> Business of Photography >> Law and rights to work in your country
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 06/05/2009 09:50:52 AM · #1
Hi,

I'm from Iceland i'm compairing the laws and rights to work as a photogrpaher to other countries.

In Iceland there are some restrictions.
e.g. you need education to call your self a photographer and you can't open a studio... and so on.

How is it in your country?

Thanks in advance
Sigurdur J. Eggertsson
06/05/2009 09:53:38 AM · #2
Heh! In USA, anyone can do anything they put their minds to. Most working pro photographers are taught through mentorship or self taught and anyone can open a studio. As long as they have some business sense, even really bad photographers can make a buck.
06/05/2009 10:27:39 AM · #3
In Germany I needed about $20.00 to get my Gewebeschein (kinda like a business licence / tax number, and not sure I got the spelling right) As of about 4 years ago they put photographers in as artists so you don't need any offical training or schooling. I don't have a studio yet but am working on it slowly. But that's all I need to open one. Oh, and I am a US citizen in Germany working with the US Military over here and paying US taxes. So it's pretty easy.
 06/05/2009 02:35:39 PM · #4
Anyone in Denmark, Norway, Sweeden, Finnland, France, Spain, Portugal or UK that can tell me how it is there?

USA - Land of the free! - I knew it was like that there.

Nice to know how it is in Germany.

I'm part of a group that is trying to get things changed there in Iceland.
It's very strange not being able to use the word photographer about a person that takes photographs... unless he has educated him self...

Message edited by author 2009-06-05 14:37:46.
 06/05/2009 04:26:00 PM · #5
It would really help me if anyone can tell me about how it is in there country.
 06/05/2009 04:39:42 PM · #6
There was another forum with just a couple of responses with links to info on photography rights by Country: Country based photographers rights advice section It just has links for US, UK, Canada, Australia - but maybe this will help give you a start.
 06/05/2009 05:47:19 PM · #7
Originally posted by moriadelacroix:
There was another forum with just a couple of responses with links to info on photography rights by Country: Country based photographers rights advice section It just has links for US, UK, Canada, Australia - but maybe this will help give you a start.


Thanks!

After a quick browse through the links are more on your right to take photographs.

I'm looking for if there any restrictions in other countries to start a buissness as a professional photographer.
If you need to have some education or permission from the goverment.
06/07/2009 11:48:01 AM · #8
Anyone?
 06/07/2009 12:09:15 PM · #9
In Canada there are no restrictions on the term photographer.
What do they insist you use, "picture taker", "person who held the camera" or "shutter presser"?
It just seems absurd.
 06/07/2009 12:30:55 PM · #10
might try asking Gary and Nasti...they work all over I believe. (i.e europe)
06/07/2009 12:37:54 PM · #11
In the Great State (Actually a Commonwealth) of Pennsylvania, it costs you nothing but the time to file the paperwork to open a small "professional" business.

Now, if you want to call it something other than "Joe Smith Photography' (Assuming of course that you're Joe Smith), then you must apply for and PAY for, a fictitious name.

Hence, it cost me $70 USD to call myself by my the name of the street where I live.....Whisky Spring Studios....

Sad part is.....here in Pennsylvania, you don't need any education or qualification to call yourself an expert, and open a business, in many fields where you should have to have some training if you do the job right.

Which means that I can hire myself out as a professional wedding photographer with my sales tax license though I have zero training and experience.

So.....there are many automobile, computer, and a host of other specialized operation & repair facilities with ZERO qualifications whatsoever.

Caveat emptor!
 06/07/2009 01:06:13 PM · #12
Originally posted by idnic:
Heh! even really bad photographers can make a buck.


That be me. I made a couple of'em
 06/07/2009 01:26:13 PM · #13
Originally posted by JCDean:
In Canada there are no restrictions on the term photographer.
What do they insist you use, "picture taker", "person who held the camera" or "shutter presser"?
It just seems absurd.


You can use
amature photographer (áhugaljósmyndari)
Author
Artist

What is more stupid is:
1) Ljósmyndari -> Photographer
2) Atvinnuljósmyndar -> Professional Photographer

The law says that Ljósmyndari is the reserved one.
But Atvinnuljósmyndari is not

But you can't open your own studio and adverties your bissness.
So even if you can call your self a photographer then you can't do any real work.

So what i'm doing is to get information on how the laws regarding photograpy is in other countries around Iceland and use it to get things changed here.

Message edited by author 2009-06-07 13:27:46.
 06/07/2009 01:41:36 PM · #14
Cool, I don't think there should be ANY barrier to entry in creative fields. Things like doctors, accountants and engineers are a totally different matter.
What is the worst that would result from bad photo session?
Just like in the US, Canada requires a DBA (doing business as) filed to use anything other than your name and profession when naming your business.
 06/07/2009 04:28:35 PM · #15
Not aware of any legal restrictions to setting yourself up as a photographer, regardless of qualifications - or lack of. You might want to send a PM to Simms asking his advice, as he is a UK semi-pro, and a helpful fellow, too.
 06/07/2009 08:04:07 PM · #16
Originally posted by SaraR:
Not aware of any legal restrictions to setting yourself up as a photographer, regardless of qualifications - or lack of. You might want to send a PM to Simms asking his advice, as he is a UK semi-pro, and a helpful fellow, too.

Yes, but he's NUTS!!! LOL!!!

Mark's Pro Profile

Message edited by author 2009-06-07 20:05:35.
 06/08/2009 09:47:57 AM · #17
Originally posted by SaraR:
Not aware of any legal restrictions to setting yourself up as a photographer, regardless of qualifications - or lack of. You might want to send a PM to Simms asking his advice, as he is a UK semi-pro, and a helpful fellow, too.


lol, 42k estimated turnover this year makes me semi-pro???!?! Granted - only about 50% is profit but still.. ya cheeky mare!

But no, no restrictions - if you can buy a camera you can set yourself up as a photographer. Its handy to have officially recognised qualifications and letters after your name, but not essential.

and no - not nuts - just a master of self-promotion.

Message edited by author 2009-06-08 10:04:49.
 06/11/2009 10:59:39 AM · #18
Wow, siggi! Long time no see.
 06/12/2009 01:02:41 PM · #19
Originally posted by citymars:
Wow, siggi! Long time no see.

yes, its been a while.

Thanks simms for your input.

I'll probably go dig around for information on how the law in Germany was changed.
Any links to information about that are welcome.
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