Whether you are an experienced professional or a newbie in photography, you can start making money as a side hustle or full-time through photography. How? You can start selling prints, offering photography services, creating educational content, and more.
In this guide, we'll explore some of the creative ways and niches you can use to earn money from photography.
How to Make Money as a Photographer
Get your camera ready and explore a few ways you can utilize your photography skill and knowledge to make money as a photographer:
1. Selling Photo Prints
A common strategy adopted by professional photographers to make money in photography is by selling photo prints.
Start by picking your best, high-resolution images that appeal to your target audience. Next, choose from the available print types (canvas, framed, or posters).
Make sure that the print mode you chose matches your photography style and will look appealing when printed.
We would advise you to collaborate or partner with a printing service to ensure the best of quality when it comes to prints and packaging.
Building an online portfolio or a photography website is very important. Website builders such as Pixpa offer e-commerce capabilities that allow photographers to put up their work on sale.
Here's how to start an online store in 2024.
2. Photography Tours and Workshops
As a photographer, sharing your skills and local knowledge is one of the best ways to make money.
You can offer tours and workshops focused on photography, allowing participants to learn new skills and take amazing photos in unique places.
Choose the type of photography you want to focus on. What interests you? Is it wedding photography? Food photography? Travel Photography? Etc.
For instance, when it comes to travel photography, you can work with travel agencies, tourism boards, or your own network to promote these experiences.
You can take people whose interests lie in taking pictures of scenic areas and teach them the different ways to capture these locations.
The idea is to offer hands-on guidance and special access to make these experiences worth more. This way, you can charge a good price for your expertise.
Design your workshops for different photography levels, from beginners to pros. This makes sure everyone finds something they like. By doing this, you can make a good income from your photography skills.
Photography tours and workshops let you share your love for photography and make a lot of money. This is a great way to use your skills and make more money as a photographer.
3. Photography Contests and Competitions
Entering photography contests and competitions is a great way to show off your skills and make money.
You might not always win, but even placing can help. It can get you noticed, boost your reputation, and open doors to more work, like commissions or speaking gigs.
Look for contests that fit your style and read the rules well to up your chances. Winners of these contests are featured in some of the best magazines, boosting their reputation and credibility.
There are various perks to entering photography competitions. See, it's not all about revenue. You can earn prizes such as photography gear or even workshops.
Boosting your visibility is a major benefit here, which in turn makes you an eligible candidate for top photography jobs in the field you're focused on.
Here are the best 15 photography contests you should be applying for.
4. Offer Photography Services
Photography is a great way for photographers to make money. You can offer your skills to small businesses for their websites and marketing.
Portrait photography, like headshots or family portraits, can also bring in steady cash. And event photography for weddings, parties, or corporate events is always in demand.
Let's explore some of the common photography services:
5. Photographing Small Businesses
Small businesses need professional images for their online and promotional materials. You can make good money by offering your photography to them. Show off your best work, network with clients, and consider offering deals to attract more customers.
Look into local businesses in your area and have an honest conversation regarding what you can bring to the table, your expertise, and your knowledge.
Show them your online portfolio and explain the various projects you've previously undertaken and how it has helped businesses scale their promotional and marketing efforts.
Portrait Photography
Portrait photography, like taking headshots or family portraits, is a steady way to earn. People pay for quality images that capture life's big moments. Improve your portrait skills, market well, and offer packages to draw in clients.
Here's a helpful guide to get you started with portrait photography.
Event Photography
Events like weddings, parties, and corporate events are great for photographers. They need professional photos for memories.
As an event photographer, you must build a good portfolio of your event work, connect with clients, and offer discounts for booking more events.
When it comes to event photography, the amount you can charge to new clients depends on factors such as your reputation, experience, season, and more.
Check out our beginner's guide to event photography.
Drone Photography
Drone photography has had a major emergence and is an in-demand skill that every experienced photographer needs to possess.
Drones nowadays come with high-quality cameras that'll help you take stunning pictures at great angles. The real estate, events, and travel industry normally employs people skilled in drone photography to capture aerial shots.
Also, landscape photographers commonly use drones to click photos of locations that are difficult to venture into.
Here's everything you need to know about drone photography.
5. Creating Educational Content
If you are well versed in the field of photography, think about sharing your knowledge to make money.
You can teach photography classes in person at places like community centres or your studio. You can also make online photography courses and workshops that people all over the world can buy.
Choose topics you're really good at, like camera skills, editing photos through software such as Lightroom presets, or certain types of photography like real estate photography, wedding photography, and so on.
Online courses and photography workshops are a great way to share your photography skills with more people.
Make your content fun and interactive, like videos, ebooks, or workshops. Sell them on sites like Udemy or your own website. This way, you can teach photography and make money while helping others learn.
6. Monetizing Your Social Media
As a photographer, using your online presence can help you earn more money. Start by growing a big social media following on sites like Instagram.
Here, you can showcase photos from your online portfolios and interact with your fans to build a community. Once you have a dedicated group of followers, look into affiliate marketing.
Collaborate and work with brands that fit your style and earn money from sales via commissions. You can also find companies that want to show their products to your followers.
Affiliate marketing is a great way for photographers to make money online. By working with brands and sharing their products with your followers, you can get paid for any sales.
While choosing a company, make sure it matches your brand, target audience, and the content you post.
7. Sell Stock Photography
If you have a lot of high-quality images, think about selling them on sites like Shutterstock, iStock, Unsplash, and BigStock. These sites let you make money every time someone downloads or uses your photos.
To make more money, create a wide range of images that match what people are searching for and what's currently popular. Keep adding new photos, and use the right keywords to help people find your work.
Through these platforms, you can sell images and earn from $30 to $3000 a year through commissions and royalties.
To make $500 a month selling stock photos, you'll need to upload about 6,000 high-quality images with the right keywords. This can take up to three to five years.
Many photographers give up in the first six months because they don't see enough money or struggle to make content that sells. Success in this field requires hard work, creativity, and knowing what the market wants.
8. Freelancing and Contract Work
Freelancing and contract work can be a great way for photographers to make money. It's important to know what kind of photography you want to do. Look for jobs in that area, like shooting for businesses, events, or magazines.
Building a strong network is key. This helps you meet potential clients, other photographers, and people in the industry. This can lead to more work and referrals.
Look for freelance photography jobs on online boards and platforms. This way, you can find jobs that fit your skills and interests.
Buying refurbished camera gear can save you money and still give you top-notch equipment. For new photographers, getting the right gear is important. Make sure you have lenses, lighting, and camera filters. This will help you do your best work on any job.
It's important to be active in your local photography scene. Use social media, like Instagram, to highlight your photos and meet potential clients. Join photography groups or go to events to network with like-minded individuals and learn about new trends.
9. Creating and Selling Photography Products
As a photographer, there's more to making money than just selling single photo prints. Explore the world of photography products to earn more.l;;o0
Use print-on-demand services to offer items like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and home decor with your photos. These products can boost your business's earnings.
Print-on-demand platforms simplify selling various photography-based items without inventory worries.
Upload your photos, pick products, and let the platform handle printing and shipping. This way, you can display your photography on many items, meeting various customer tastes and interests.
Another way to make money is to create and sell photography books or zines. These items can highlight your best work or teach others.
Publish a collection of your top images or a guide for new photographers. Sell these through your own site or on Amazon, expanding your income sources.
Key Takeaways
Explore 19 unique ways to make money as a photographer
Understand the potential commission earnings from stock photo websites
Learn how to offer photography services for small businesses, portraits, and events
Discover strategies to generate income through photography tours, workshops, and social media collaborations
Uncover tips on starting a photography business and expanding globally
Conclusion
To make money as a photographer, it's key to have different ways to earn. This guide has shown you many ways to turn your love for photography into a profitable job.
By using several ways to make money, you can create a stable and fulfilling photography business.
Success in how to make money as a photographer needs hard work, creativity, and a flexible mindset.
With the right effort and commitment, you can make your making money with a photography hobby pay off.
There are many photography income streams, and trying different things can help you fully use your photography skills.
You can earn by selling photo prints, offering photography services, or making educational content. There are many chances for those who think outside the box and work hard.
By having various ways to earn and keep up with new trends, you can do well in professional photography for a long time.
FAQ
How can I sell photo prints to make money as a photographer?
To sell photo prints, start by picking your best, high-quality images. Choose the print types that fit your style, like canvas or posters. Work with a reliable printing service for quality. Set up an online store on your website or Etsy.
Use social media and art shows to promote your prints.
What photography services can I offer to earn income?
Offer photography services to small businesses or for portraits and events. Show off your work in a portfolio. Network and offer package deals to attract clients.
How can I create educational content to make money as a photographer?
Create educational content to share your knowledge. Teach in-person or online classes. Focus on your specialties, like camera techniques or post-processing.
This can help you become a photography expert and earn more.
How can I monetize my online presence as a photographer?
Grow your social media following on platforms like Instagram. Once you have a loyal community, look into affiliate marketing and sponsorships. This can help you earn money from your online presence.
How can I make money by selling stock photography?
Sell your photos on stock websites like Shutterstock. Focus on creating diverse images that meet popular search queries. Upload new content often and use relevant keywords to be found by buyers.
What other ways can I make money as a photographer?
Consider entering contests, freelancing, and creating photography products. Diversifying your income streams is key to making money as a photographer.
How can I find freelance photography jobs and build a professional network?
Look for freelance opportunities in your specialization. Build a strong network by connecting with clients and peers. Networking can lead to more job opportunities.
How can I make money by entering photography contests and competitions?
Entering contests can earn you money and exposure. Winning can lead to more opportunities like commissions or sponsorships. Research contests that fit your style and follow the rules to increase your chances.
What photography-related products can I create and sell to make money?
Create products like t-shirts or home decor with your photos. Use print-on-demand services for ease. You can also publish books or zines. Sell these products through your own store or on Amazon.
How can I offer photography tours and workshops to make money?
Offer tours and workshops to share your expertise. Partner with travel agencies or tourism boards to promote them. Tailor the content to your specialties, like landscape photography. Providing exclusive experiences can command high prices.