How to make money as a photographer
How to make money as a photographer
How to make money as a photographer, In the art of photography, the lens through which you see the world can be the key to bringing home profits. Whether you're a seasoned shutterbug or just learning your way around a camera, the potential to turn your favorite hobby into a lucrative money-maker is within your reach.
We guide you through 19 unique options to create a niche and earn money as a photographer. Whether your skills lie in portraiture, landscape, events or any other specialty, there are opportunities for you to capitalize on it.
So, grab your camera, adjust your aperture and get ready to click your profit spot.
Take a shot at creating a professional photography website with Wix.
19 Ways to Make Money as a Photographer
- Take pictures of small businesses
- Teach a photography class
- Sell prints of your work
- Open a print-on-demand shop
- Sell your photos on stock websites
- Create a photography blog
- Conduct photography tours and workshops
- Become a social media maven
- Sell photos to magazines
- Portrait shoot
- Event shoots
- Enter photo contests
- Get a gig as an assistant photographer
- Edit or retouch other people's photos
- Shoot fancy cars or motorcycles
- Master aerial photography with a drone
- Help showcase houses for sale
- Offer Time Lapse Photography
- Become a food photographer
01. Take pictures of small businesses
One thing (almost) everyone needs after starting a business? They all need a business website, and websites stand out from the competition when they're filled with beautiful photos of hair salons, plumbers, yoga instructors, you name it—they all need photos showing off their offerings or staff members. Are you from this place?
Start locally. Explore your neighborhood or city and talk informally with business owners about what you do and how you can help attract more clients with professional-quality photos. Bring a tablet or laptop to show off your online portfolio, as people will want to see examples of your work.
Don't neglect online searches either. Not only should you search for clients online, but you should position yourself to be searched by your clients. Understanding local SEO is important to becoming an established presence in local online searches. A good starting place is to use relevant keywords throughout your website (such as “business photographer in [city]”) and make sure your name, address and phone number (NAP) are clearly listed on your contact page. You should also claim your Google Business Profile.
What's in a name? Try the Photography Business Name Generator for instant inspiration.
Product photography for a small business
02. Teach a photography class
How to make money as a photographer, If you've been a photographer for a fair amount of time, you've undoubtedly acquired many valuable tips and tricks that less experienced photographers would love to hear. You can turn this knowledge into a business idea and share your expertise with others.
You can give private lessons at a local community center, public park, or your own studio space (if you have one). If you prefer to go virtual, you can create an online course and teach people around the world about your favorite photography tips. You can use Wix Booking to schedule one-on-one appointments, group sessions, classes and workshops and accept secure payments and offer online memberships.
03. Sell prints of your work
Selling prints is a fantastic—and classic—way to turn a passion for photography into a profit.
To start, build a collection of images that best resonate with your intended target audience.When you build that catalog, focus on your strongest, most high-resolution work.
Next, decide on the type of print you want to offer, such as canvas prints, framed prints, or posters. Make sure the format complements your style of photography (for example, fitting a wide landscape vista perfectly into a horizontal print format). Partner with a reliable printing service to maintain top quality, and invest in proper packaging for protection and presentation.
Setting up an online store is important here; You can create your own e-commerce website or use an online marketplace like Etsy to sell your work. Be sure to include high-resolution images and detailed descriptions of each print. Additionally, you can sell your work at local art shows or exhibitions in your area.
Start Selling—Launch your online store today with Wix.
04. Open a print-on-demand shop
Would some of your photos look really good on a t-shirt, travel mug or iPhone case? If so, there's a fairly easy way to launch another ecommerce opportunity. And, after all, it's a business that runs itself.
Print on Demand (POD) allows you to open an online store without the hassle of inventory management. You should first find a reliable POD provider - like Printful, which integrates with Wix. From there, it's just a matter of uploading your image to the platform and choosing which products to print on, from canvas totes to fridge magnets and more. Your POD partner will handle all fulfillment and shipping for you, taking a percentage of the sale.
Launch your print-on-demand business with Wix.
05. Sell your photos on stock websites
How to make money as a photographer, If you have a large portfolio, you can try selling your work on stock photo websites like iStock, Shutterstock and BigStock as a passive income idea. Commission per download depends on platform, license type and many other factors. In most cases, these commissions are relatively low, so you can't replace a full-time income with your earnings, but it can be a fun sideshow. Phototorial estimates that royalty-free sales can generate anywhere between $0.10 and $99.50, while extended licenses can fetch up to $500.
If you want to make the most money, you need to focus on ultra-high quality images and regularly upload new content to the platform.
Stock sites require you to first sign up and have your work approved by the platform. Be sure to read the guidelines carefully, as some platforms prohibit you from submitting the same image to competitors. Once you're registered, you'll need to optimize your listings with relevant keywords that answer the most likely queries someone would use to find a photo like yours.
06. Create a photography blog
Are you full of expert opinions, shareable tips and industry insights? Start a photography blog. Blogging will help establish you as an expert in the field and is a smart SEO strategy for photographers. It can be used to generate a profit.
As an alternative, you can advertise your content, paying each time a visitor clicks on an ad from your blog. Additionally, you can place referral or affiliate links in your posts, where you'll earn a commission every time a visitor clicks and makes a purchase.
For example, if you recommend a flash diffuser on Amazon and you're an Amazon affiliate, any reader who buys through your link will earn you some money. If you have a large enough following, you may be offered payment for a featured post or a dedicated product review from a photography brand.
Whichever option you choose to go with, you need to build strong, steady traffic if you want to make enough money from this venture. This means you need to publish high-quality content frequently and regularly.
Start a blog in a few clicks with Wix.
Photography blog
07. Conduct photography tours and workshops
Do you know your hometown, local landmarks, and historically-significant places like the back of your hand? You can consider becoming a tour guide. But, not just any tour guide: photography tour guide. Vacationers and even locals are always looking for authentic experiences. You can offer to lead them through a maze in your city (or any other specific location) and teach them how to take the best photos.
Connect with travel agencies, join travel photographer and tourist groups on social media and make sure your website is completely up to date. Like Netherlands-based landscape photographer (and Wix user) Albert Dross, entice your readers with a full description of the photo tour in a professional but casual manner and add a few images to show what they'll see. Dross notes what to expect at the upcoming Tuscany workshop: "Morning sunrises, morning fog, cats (yes, there are lots of them) and great food!"
08. Become a social media maven
Like the rest of us, you probably started small on social media with a few likes from your friends and comments from your mom under every post. Since then, you've learned how to use social media like a pro and now have a large collection of followers eager to see your every post. This may not sound obvious, but it is something you can gain from an online business idea.
Collaborating with brands and influencers is a popular practice in social media marketing. With enough of a following, you can start getting offers to promote products, review new gear, or even attend major industry events. Since you don't want your social profiles to look like a vacation catalog, don't jump on every single offer. Make sure your posts benefit the company you work with, but are also of genuine interest and relevance to your community.
09. Sell photos to magazines
Between print and online formats, there are more magazines in the world than can be counted. There is a magazine for every hobby, profession or topic you can think of and no magazine is complete without pictures. This could be a potential money making opportunity for you.
As a photographer, your work can range from covering events to taking portraits for an interview to documenting a breaking news story. Working for magazines requires you to build a network and make a name for yourself in the industry. It is highly recommended to start small and target local and regional publications first before reaching out to big brands.
10. Portrait shoot
Back in the day, portrait photographers needed a studio. Fortunately, you can now succeed without one. Many clients prefer (or even prefer) outdoor or on-location portrait sessions, so you'll find countless backdrop opportunities around your local area. As a real-life example, captured by Casey, a Wix user has perfected this space by offering beautiful maternity, newborn, family and senior portrait photography around her lovely Snohomish, Washington home.
A pro tip: don't limit yourself to portraits of people. Many pet owners would love a portrait of their beloved fur baby and pay for the eyes of a professional photographer.
11. Event shoots
This is one of the most tried and true ways to make money as a photographer. Weddings, bar mitzvahs, birthdays, corporate parties—if there's a reason to celebrate, there's a reason to photograph.
Event photography can be physically demanding and tiring, but there is good money to be made. The amount you can charge depends on your reputation and experience level, the scale of the event, the season and the location.
When quoting your clients, it's crucial that you consider the pre- and post-production work hours they'll spend on the package—especially for weddings, where you may need to process thousands of photos after the event. As an event photographer, you need a solid website. Your online portfolio should be robust, optimized for local search and ideally feature testimonials from happy customers. Word of mouth is also very valuable in securing new clients. If you have no experience here, try shadowing a seasoned photographer as a second shooter to build your portfolio.
Make your website shine with professionally designed portfolio templates from Wix.
12. Enter photo contests
A photo contest may not necessarily offer cash prizes; Some contests may offer gift cards, new gear, or even exposure to the winner. However, using your photography skills for some rewards is still a viable option.
Do a simple Google search for "best photography contest [current year]" to see what options are available, when the deadline is, and what prizes are on the table. Some publications award multiple winners with tiered prizes that can range from a new Apple Watch to thousands of dollars.
If you want to make a living as a photographer, you shouldn't rely on this option, but even if you don't win, entering a contest is a great way to make more connections in the industry and get your work and website out there. There are external websites featured. This is good for your exposure, your SEO and your reputation in the industry.
13. Get a gig as an assistant photographer
How to make money as a photographer, Not booked on a specific date? There are other photographers, and they may need your help. As with actors, taking on a supporting role can be a very rewarding (and profitable) option. For starters, you'll make some decent money without having to deal with all the sales, marketing, and other hassles of being a prime contractor. If you're assisting with something like a wedding, this means avoiding all the post-processing required for the image. If you're helping because you don't have enough experience to hack it, it's a great side business idea to build your online portfolio and network with other professionals.
To get more such offers, you need to be active in local photography circles, join photographer clubs in your area, register for professional associations and don't neglect photo groups on Facebook and other social media platforms.
14. Edit or retouch other people's photos
From a model who wants to remove stubborn flyaways to a hotelier who needs a fix to make their photos look a little sunnier, many people will pay to have their photos professionally restored. If you are gifted with editing software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom, this presents an open door for you to earn some extra money.
You can easily work from home and at any time of the day (or night), making it a perfect side activity for photographers. You can even market your services directly to other photographers who don't have time to process their own images, such as high-volume commercial photographers.
Before you begin, use your photography website to feature before and after editing samples to demonstrate your capabilities.
15. Shoot fancy cars or motorcycles
We all know that one person whose world revolves around their favorite car or motorcycle. They have numerous snapshots of it on their phones and may even have some professional shots on hand. Why not get yourself into this exciting field?
Car and bike enthusiasts (and manufacturers, at a higher level) are always on the lookout for interesting images that highlight the beauty, performance and uniqueness of their vehicles. Take Wix user Will Pohlman for example. Pohlmann's extensive portfolio showcases a number of high-performance vehicles in motion, parked and even close to interior, engine and wheel detailing.
To excel in automotive photography, you must have a keen eye for detail and understand more specialized shooting techniques such as light painting and intentional blur. You should also know a thing or two about cars. This is a field that offers a mix of artistic expression and technical skills, so you'll want to bring both to the table.
16. Master aerial photography with a drone
Aerial photography is a new niche that has taken off (no pun intended) with the popularity of drones in recent years. If you own a drone and have the skills to fly it, you can turn your aerial camera into a profit tool.
Drones equipped with high-quality cameras enable you to capture breathtaking landscapes, cityscapes and even events from unique angles. Real estate agencies, travel companies, couples getting married, and event planners are among the potential clients who can benefit from adding aerial shots to their collection.
Note that there are regulations for drones established by the FAA for airspace safety. All drone pilots must pass the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST), which you can take online for free. Drones weighing more than 55 pounds, even recreational ones, must be registered with the FAADroneZone. If you fly commercially, you must obtain a Part 107 license from the FAA.
17. Help showcase houses for sale
Real estate photography is a consistently high-demand niche that can be a profitable avenue for you to explore. Whether you're capturing cozy homes or luxury estates, agents are always looking for images that can play an important role in attracting potential buyers.
To succeed here, you should have a knack for capturing interiors and showcasing their various features in a flattering way, even in challenging situations like dim lighting or small, oddly shaped rooms. You should have professional lighting and a reliable wide-angle lens on hand. Understanding high dynamic range (HDR), which is commonly used for this type of photography, is another major plus. Networking with local real estate agents, brokers and property developers can help you quickly establish a steady flow of clients.
18. Offer Time Lapse Photography
Time-lapse photography is a beautiful technique that condenses hours, days or even months into charming short videos or sequences.
Time-lapse videos are fairly popular for things like marketing campaigns, construction documentation, and creative projects. Whether you're growing a tree, renovating a building or capturing time in a busy city, your time lapse skills can find a wide range of creative clients.
This is another method that will require some advanced technical skills, but it can be a really unique option that sets you apart from the crowd. In addition to a decent camera, you'll need a tripod and an intervalometer to measure time
19. Become a food photographer
Who is not mesmerized by the pictures of delicious food? Food photography offers countless unique business ideas for photographers. You can find work locally with restaurants, food trucks, or catering services that need help displaying their menus online, or you can go the commercial route and work with big brands, grocery stores, or food bloggers.
Food styling is an art like shooting, so you'll want to be good at it. Note the Wix user feed image as an example; Dishes should be perfectly plated, free of splatter or spills and expertly framed to show the best bite. All these food portfolios are clearly shown in the figure. Lighting, color correction and post-processing treatments are also key skills you'll need, as it's important to make food look as natural and appetizing as possible.
Getting started is as simple as visiting a few local eateries and asking if they could use some professional food photography. Once you have a portfolio established and word of mouth spreads, more clients will come.
How much money can you earn as a photographer
How to make money as a photographer, As with most self-directed businesses, the amount of money you can earn as a photographer will vary depending on a number of factors, including your skill level, business model, equipment and availability. Below are some general ballparks to give you a realistic idea:
Portrait Photographers: Portrait photographers often charge anywhere from $150 to $370 per hour depending on their skills, location and number of people (eg, senior portraits vs. family portraits).
Wedding Photographers: Wedding photographers command a wide price range from $1,000 to $3,000 per wedding. In big cities or popular wedding destinations, prices can reach significantly higher than that. Keep in mind that add-ons like prints, photo albums or online galleries can also affect your price
Photo Retouchers: Photo retouchers can earn $20 to $150 per hour depending on their skill level and the complexity of the work.
Commercial Photographers: Commercial photographers working on advertising campaigns or product shoots can earn anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 per gig or more.
Real Estate Photographers: Real estate photographers typically charge $150 to $350 per hour. Some prefer to charge per property instead.
Stock Photographer: Income from stock photography varies widely. Successful contributors can earn hundreds to thousands of dollars per month.
Get your photography business off the ground
Finding the right business opportunity as a photographer is like taking the right shot; It clicks all over the place. With a well-designed website and a solid portfolio under your belt, you're bound to be destined for success.
