Mercury vs Relay vs Chase: Best Business Bank Account for Photographers & Videographers
As a photographer or videographer, mixing personal and business funds is a common mistake that can erase your LLC's protection. A dedicated business bank account helps keep your client payments, gear expenses, and tax savings separate. This guide compares Mercury, Relay, and Chase to help you choose the best fit for your wedding, event, or content creation business.
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The quick answer
For photographers and videographers running mostly online, Mercury stands out with no fees, a clean app, and easy integrations for online payments. Relay works best if you want to set aside money for taxes, new gear (like that new Canon R5 or cinema lens), or future studio rent using its "envelope" budgeting. Chase Business Complete Banking is your choice if you get cash payments for print sales or smaller gigs and need to deposit them in person. All three can be opened online quickly, getting you ready to accept your first client deposit.
Side-by-side breakdown
Mercury: No monthly fees. No minimum balance needed. Your funds are FDIC insured. Handles ACH payments for platforms like Stripe or HoneyBook and wire transfers for larger client deposits. Offers virtual cards, perfect for managing editing software subscriptions (Adobe Creative Cloud, Capture One), cloud storage (SmugMug, Pixieset Pro), or website hosting. Great for photo and video businesses that handle all client payments digitally and operate fully online. No cash deposits, so it's not ideal if you frequently get paid in cash for prints or smaller shoots.
Relay: Zero monthly fees. Get up to 20 separate checking accounts and 50 virtual debit cards. This is powerful for photographers and videographers who want to use the "profit-first" method: setting aside funds for taxes (say, 25% of every wedding deposit), a "gear upgrade" fund for that new mirrorless camera, or a separate "marketing budget" account. Excellent for businesses with second shooters or assistants needing individual spending cards for on-location expenses. Integrates well with QuickBooks for easy accounting of income from photo shoots and video projects.
Chase Business Complete Banking: Has a $15 monthly fee, which is waived if you keep an average daily balance of $2,000 (enough to cover a new prime lens) or have qualifying activity. Includes over 100 free transactions per month. This is the top choice if you frequently receive cash payments, perhaps for mini-sessions, print sales at local markets, or tips from event clients. You can easily deposit cash at any Chase branch or ATM. Integrates with Zelle, useful for quick transfers to contractors or local vendors.
When to choose Mercury
Choose Mercury if your photography or videography business is fully digital. This includes wedding photographers booking clients online, content creators selling digital presets, or real estate videographers receiving all payments via ACH or platforms like Stripe. Its clean online interface is perfect for managing payments for your Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, cloud storage for client galleries, or website hosting for your portfolio. The virtual cards help keep these recurring software costs separate and trackable. If you're building a scalable brand and plan to grow fast, Mercury's venture tools might be useful down the line.
When to choose Relay
Choose Relay if you want to actively manage your cash flow, a smart move for any photography or videography business. You can easily set aside a percentage of every client payment – say, 25% for federal and state taxes, 10% for a "gear fund" towards that expensive new drone or lighting kit, and 5% for marketing. Relay's system makes this "profit-first" budgeting simple. It's also ideal if you work with second shooters, video editors, or assistants. You can give them separate debit cards with specific spending limits for shoot-day expenses or travel, keeping your main funds secure.
When to choose Chase
Choose Chase if your photography or videography business regularly handles physical cash. This might be from selling prints at a local art fair, receiving cash tips at events, or accepting cash payments for small portrait sessions. With Chase, you can easily deposit these funds at one of their many branches or ATMs. Unlike Mercury or Relay, you won't need a separate service to convert cash to digital funds. The $15 monthly fee is easy to avoid if you maintain an average balance of $2,000, which many photographers keep on hand for emergencies or upcoming equipment purchases.
The verdict
For digital-first photographers and videographers (like those managing all bookings and payments online), Mercury is likely your best bet. If managing your cash flow by setting aside funds for taxes, gear, or marketing is a priority, or if you manage a small team of second shooters, Relay is a strong choice. For those who frequently receive cash payments for prints, local gigs, or tips, Chase offers the best solution for cash deposits. Pick your bank today. Every client payment or gear purchase made from a personal account weakens your business's protection.
How to get started
1. Pick the bank that best fits how your photography or videography business gets paid and manages money. 2. Apply online. You'll need your EIN, any LLC or business registration documents, and your personal ID. 3. Make a small first deposit. You can transfer funds from your personal account to get started. 4. Update all your client contracts, invoicing software (like HoneyBook or ShootProof), and website payment links to show your new business bank details. 5. Set aside money for taxes from every client payment – many photographers aim for 25-30% of their revenue. This prevents nasty surprises when tax season hits.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS
Mercury
Best online business bank — no fees, strong integrations
Relay
Built for profit-first budgeting with multiple accounts
Chase
Best for businesses needing branch access and cash deposits
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need a business bank account if I am a sole proprietor?
Legally no, but practically yes. Even as a sole proprietor with no liability protection, a separate business account makes bookkeeping, tax preparation, and expense tracking dramatically simpler. When you form an LLC, a separate account becomes essential for maintaining your liability protection.
Can I open a business bank account without an LLC?
Yes. Most banks will open a business bank account for a sole proprietor using your Social Security Number and a DBA (Doing Business As) registration. However, forming an LLC first and using your EIN is cleaner and protects you better.
How much should I keep in my business account?
At minimum: enough to cover two months of operating expenses. Additionally, set aside 25-30% of gross revenue in a separate tax savings account from day one. Many business owners are blindsided by their first quarterly estimated tax payment — this prevents that.
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