Here's something that catches California photographers off guard: the state doesn't technically require you to have insurance. But try booking a wedding at a vineyard in Napa or shooting a corporate event in San Francisco without it. You won't get far. Venues want certificates of insurance before you set foot on their property. Clients want proof you're covered before they hand over a deposit. And if you hire an assistant for even one shoot, California labor law kicks in with mandatory workers' comp requirements.
The reality is that insurance for photography businesses in California sits in this weird gray area between optional and essential. Let's break down what you actually need, what the law says, and what you'll need to run a legitimate photography business in the Golden State.
What California Law Actually Requires
If you're a solo photographer with no employees, California doesn't legally mandate that you carry business insurance. You can technically operate without general liability, professional liability, or equipment coverage. But before you celebrate, understand that this doesn't mean you can actually work without it.
The moment you hire anyone—even a part-time assistant or second shooter—workers' compensation insurance becomes legally required. Not recommended. Required. California's workers' comp law is strict: if you have employees, you must have coverage from day one. The penalties for skipping this are brutal, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. Most photography businesses pay around $56 per month for workers' comp, though your actual cost depends on your payroll and claims history.
Beyond workers' comp, you'll need a business license from your local city or county to operate legally. California doesn't issue state-level business licenses for photographers, but nearly every municipality requires one. You can check your specific requirements using the CalGold Business Permit System. If you're selling prints, albums, or any physical products, you'll also need a seller's permit from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to collect sales tax.
What Clients and Venues Actually Require
This is where theory meets reality. Wedding venues, event spaces, corporate clients, and commercial landlords almost universally require proof of insurance before you can work. They want to see a certificate of insurance (COI) showing you carry general liability coverage—typically at least $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.
General liability insurance covers third-party accidents and property damage. If a guest trips over your tripod and breaks their wrist, that's on your general liability policy. If your lighting stand falls and damages a venue's antique mirror, same thing. Without this coverage, you're paying out of pocket for medical bills, property repairs, and potential lawsuits. With California's high cost of living and equally high legal costs, one incident can end your business.
Many contracts also require you to add the client or venue as an "additional insured" on your policy. This means your insurance extends to cover them if someone sues over an incident related to your work. It's a standard request, and most insurers can add it for little or no additional cost, but you need a written contract to do it.
Professional Liability and Equipment Coverage
Professional liability insurance—also called errors and omissions (E&O)—protects you from claims related to the quality or delivery of your work. A bride claims you missed key moments during the ceremony. A corporate client says you delivered headshots late and they lost a marketing opportunity. A couple alleges your editing made them look bad and they want a refund plus damages. These aren't bodily injury claims, so general liability won't help. That's what professional liability is for.
For photographers who offer consulting, editing services, or any work beyond just showing up and clicking the shutter, professional liability is critical. It's especially important in California, where clients are more likely to pursue legal action and have access to plenty of attorneys willing to take their case.
Equipment insurance, often sold as inland marine coverage, protects your cameras, lenses, lighting, and other gear whether you're in your studio, at a shoot, or traveling. If your camera bag gets stolen from your car in Los Angeles or your drone crashes during a coastal shoot in Malibu, inland marine insurance replaces it. Your homeowners or renters policy probably won't cover business equipment, especially not when it's being used commercially, so don't skip this if you're carrying more than a few thousand dollars in gear.
Other Permits and Compliance Issues
Running a photography studio from your home? You might need zoning permits from your city, especially if clients visit your location or you operate in a residential area. Shooting in California state parks or on public property? You'll need location permits from the managing agency. Using drones for aerial photography? You need an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, plus compliance with California's drone laws.
If you operate under a business name that's different from your personal name—like "Golden Hour Photography" instead of "Jane Smith Photography"—you need to file a Fictitious Business Name (FBN) statement with your county clerk. This is sometimes called a DBA ("doing business as"). It's a simple filing, but it's required before you can open a business bank account or enter into contracts under that name.
California also requires you to keep business records for at least four years, including sales receipts, tax filings, and insurance documents. If you're selling products and collecting sales tax, the Department of Tax and Fee Administration may ask to see these records during an audit.
How to Get Started with the Right Coverage
Start by assessing what you actually need. If you're a solo photographer with no employees, you don't need workers' comp. But you almost certainly need general liability if you're working with clients or at venues. If you offer professional services beyond basic photography, add professional liability. If you have expensive equipment, get inland marine coverage.
Many insurance companies offer business owner's policies (BOPs) that bundle general liability and commercial property coverage at a discount. For photographers, this often includes equipment coverage and sometimes professional liability. Shop around and get quotes from insurers that specialize in photography businesses—they understand your risks better than general business insurers.
Once you have coverage, keep digital and physical copies of your certificates of insurance. You'll need to provide them frequently, and having them readily available makes contracting with new clients much smoother. Set calendar reminders for renewal dates so you never let coverage lapse. A gap in coverage, even for a day, can void claims and violate client contracts.
The bottom line is that California photography insurance requirements are less about what the state mandates and more about what you need to actually run a business. Get your local business license, register for a seller's permit if you're selling products, and build an insurance package that lets you say yes to clients, venues, and opportunities without worrying about financial ruin from one accident or mistake.
