Photography is a creative endeavor. It’s not a sector that suffers from economic crises. To top it all off, Dubai’s cutting-edge facilities and gleaming opulent settings make it a magnet for budding photographers. You won’t be let down, either as a freelance photographer in Dubai or an employed one.
You will undoubtedly always have exciting and beautiful locations to capture. However, it might not be easy to profit from such creative endeavors. This article will discuss the steps necessary to turn your photography hobby into a lucrative business in Dubai.
Factors to Consider Before
Before beginning a freelance photography career in Dubai, you should consider the following factors:
Business Venue
You need to pick an excellent location to locate your business before you can launch a successful career as a freelance photographer in Dubai. Dubai Studio City and Dubai Media City are hubs for the city’s thriving media industry. Everything from the latest news and public relations to entertainment and advertising.
People from all walks of life will demand your photography services in these locations. Plenty of other businesses out there focus on photography, so you’ll have some good competition to push you to raise the standard with your offerings.
Get a Grasp of the Market
The art of photography calls for time and effort to master. Photoshoots involve travel to predetermined venues; however, many of the tasks, such as portraits and images for legal documents, can be completed from home. Extensive editing abilities and the means to create a final professional product are prerequisites for success in both fields.
Leverage the Effectiveness of Social Media Marketing
You can do a lot of good for your business using social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. You can advertise your studio’s services in addition to their location, hours, and contact information on these platforms. Potential customers will be able to examine your work samples and decide whether or not they want to work with you. In addition, using these mediums can facilitate more direct communication with your clientele.
Enhance Your Vision
In addition to still photography, you may also want to think about video production services. They are in high demand for special occasions where families come together, like weddings, anniversaries, and birthdays. And some customers may want top-notch live recordings to cherish forever with their loved ones. Adding videography services and meeting consumer needs will help your photography business grow.
Procedure for Starting as a Freelance Photographer in Dubai, UAE
When looking for a free zone to launch a photography business, Dubai Media City and Dubai Studio City are two of the best options. Professional photographers can take advantage of a range of services in the free zones, which also house some of the best media hubs in the region.
While it’s likely that the same license is required for both still photography and videography services, you’ll still need to specify the specific activities you want to carry out. If you fail to comply, you could face trouble with the authorities or be fined.
- Choosing a company name is difficult no matter where in the globe you establish your business. However, there are specific additional considerations to consider while in the Emirates. The UAE adheres to a set of rigid but straightforward naming regulations.
- Although you are required to define your business activities, you do not need to apply for a particular film production, video production, post-production, or photography license.
- The required initial license is a professional services license, which allows you to engage in various photography and videography-related projects.
To get a license, you can do one of two things. It’s up to you whether you want to go through the UAE’s free zones or the Department of Economic Development. The following sets of documents are required in both cases:
- Filled out the application form.
- A photocopy of the owner(s)’ passport(s) is required.
- Two color passport-size photographs.
- Examples of work
- Reference letter from a previous employer (if possible)
Obtain a Permit from the National Media Council
It’s important to know that you need local authorization from the Department of Economic Development (DED) or the National Media Council (NMC) to work in the United Arab Emirates. Taking photographs in public places is restricted in the United Arab Emirates. Therefore, the National Media Council permit is required.
The National Media Council governs any actions about media in the country. Any public photography session requires a unique online application and permit, whether from the air or on the ground.
The following are the criteria that you must meet to receive a photography permit:
- Schedule the beginning and end times for the photo shoot.
- Find the ideal location for the photo shoot.
- Please list all of the photographers and their contact information.
Get Started as a Freelance Photographer in Dubai with ExpressPRO
Being a freelance photographer in Dubai is fascinating because of the city’s rapid development and relative economic stability. We are on the cusp of a new age in photography, thanks to effects like 3D capture, the seamless incorporation of Augmented Reality in real-time, and super-high-resolution digital photography.
Since Dubai is usually on the bleeding edge of new technology, setting up a business puts you smack dab in the heart of this exciting modern frontier, where you’ll have countless options to kill as a freelance photographer.
Like the plethora of other businesses that have sprung up around the UAE, there are many opportunities for freelance photographers in Dubai. Freelance photographers have access to a large pool of potential customers, several professional options, and a wide range of breathtaking locations in the city.
All of the above may be more challenging to accomplish if you are a newcomer to Dubai. To this end, we advise you to retain the services of a reliable Dubai-based company setup consultancy, which will be there for you at every step.
ExpressPRO can assist you with obtaining a license for your photography business. Get in touch with us right away.