Do you need a license to start a photography business?

I have the same question, and of the State agencies I've talked to so far the answer has been "I don't think so."

You definately need one for the county(s) you'll be operating in and depending on the city, you may need one for them too. In Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, the business license is known as a Business Tax Reciept or BTR for short.