I have a photography sudio in my home and I was wondering if I needed to be bonded and or insured for liability? Does being bonded make much difference.
Can you explain how to get bonded or do I really need this for my Photography Studio. I also do weddings and model portfolios.

Thanks,
Frank:confused:

Unless some specific customer requires it, I don't believe I have ever heard of a photographer being bonded, You will want if you are doing it in the home to talk to your house insurance agent and get business liablity insurance and business equpment insurance added to your home policy.

** also you will want to be sure your property allows business license for a photography studio. ( make sure the zoning is OK for the busienss, if not you will have to apply to get a varience to the zoning)

I have written as agent and underwriter many bonds, never have I known a governmental entity or customer require a surety bond or even what is commonly called a "third party" dishonesty bond - you may need, though I doubt it, a bond for a federal job you might land --- let's say the US Govt wants you to photograph the graduation ceremonies for the US Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, etc. or whatever else might need photographing and you enter into a contract to perform such services, then perhaps you don't show, the job has to be rebid according to specs issued by the Govt and that rebidding process is costly, etc and so on or the Govt has to now secure the services of another photographer promptly at a higher price - all of this is probably unhead of and probably way out but you see where I am going. Another example would be that you take deposits or advances on photo work you are to perform and then do not perform. I suppose somewhere in the US is some State, some county school system, or some City or city school system that might have experienced a loss of advances/deposits and then a law is passed that states all photographers taking advances/deposit on work to be performed in the future, have to post a bond with the govt entitly, never have I run into any govt requiring a bond of a photographer BUT you might want to ck with your State, City and county to verify this. I would highly suggest liability insurance as you will be exposed to liability exposures routinely as a part of your business.