In a field with so many competitors, dominants spread out their wings just to soar.
What am i saying in essence?
Armed with photography skills, you need to learn how to make money as a photographer.
And to make money, you need to try out different channels and master all.
This article is here to show you the different mediums to make money with your photography skills. Embrace them with open arms and smile to the bank.
Don’t forget to give us some credit when the bucks start rolling in.
Ways to Make Money as a Photographer
We will xray 20 ways accomplished photographers made their cash. Stay with us!
#1 Teach Photography Online
If you are a newbie, this is your chance to leave a mark.
Since many great contacts come through trust, teaching photography online is one way to earn that trust. It doesn’t just give you bucks, it also establishes you as a professional who can be entrusted with multi-million dollar jobs.
For the money, check out this stat.
Udemy’s top 10 tutors earn around $17 million in one year. On Skillshare, there are tutors making over $30K a year. But, as a beginner in online tutoring, expect to earn between $100 and $1000 from your first lesson.
This medium is one of the easiest ways to make money as a photographer. Embrace it!
#2 Sell Photographs on Stock Websites
This is another easy way to make money as a photographer with less stress.
All you will do is to upload a collection of great images to stock websites. If people like what they see, you earn money. It is that simple!
Remember to capture authentic and trendy images. Shutterstock is a great place to start making money as a photographer.
#3 Blogging
With an attractive blog that catches readers fancy, you can make a lot of money as a photographer through advertising.
You may also feature photography tutorials, direct advertising, and lots more.
Just post quality content on photography tutorials, equipment reviews, and some lifestyle and you are good to go.
#4 Enter Photo Contests
Another easy way to make money with photography is to enter photo contests. Some of them have a substantial prize. Check out these photography contests.
International Photography Awards – $2,500 to $10,000.
National Geographic Photo Contest – up to $2,500.
The Format Picks monthly art contest – $500
#5 Art Shows and Craft Fairs
Art shows is a great way to sell photo prints. You meet potential clients in a craft fair where your prints will be exhibited.
This is another great way to make money as a photographer. But first, you have to spend money setting up your booth.
#6 Assist Other Photographers
Assisting a photographer is one of the best ways to gain experience and make money fast. The assisting job is easier to get. All you need to do is contact your local photographers and ask if they need an assistant. If he is a renowned photographer, your CV just got a boost.
#7 Go for Wedding Photography
The wedding niche has great potential for photographers to make money. Not only are the financial benefits high, but you get to be a part of people’s happiest days.
#8 Open a Youtube Channel
One of the things to make money from a Youtube channel is to start photo product reviews. Review equipment like Cameras, lenses, flashes for money. Shoot short videos and you may be on your way to the movie industry.
Read Also: Monthly Salary of YouTubers with Over One Million Subscribers
#9 Freelance Jobs
Looking for photography or photo editing gigs? Freelancing platforms are a good place to find your first customers. Some of the most popular freelancer platforms include Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.
#10 Earn with travel photography
Making money while traveling is probably a dream of many photo enthusiasts.
Many travel photographers make money through selling them in online stores, developing video gigs, selling city guides, and affiliate marketing.
#11 Take pictures for small business/Portrait
Businesses nowadays need an outstanding online presence. One of the ways to achieve this is through great visuals. You can be that go-to guy who takes the pictures and edits it for them.
Working on a percentage level is the easiest route to making money over time in photography.
You may also learn to draw portraits. This type of photography is quite lucrative.
#12 Try Real Estate Photography
Another great way to make money taking photographs is to offer your services to an interior designer or real estate agent.
Network and identify potential clients! Meetup.com, Facebook groups, or conferences are great platforms to find local real estate events. In addition, create a social media page targeted just for real estate photography.
#13 Sell Photo Books
This is another way to earn as a photographer. Create and sell photo books as a gift card. Use a service like Blurb. With them, you can sell on Amazon, Ingram, and other mediums. Or, convert them to e-books.
Some photo book ideas are weddings, pets, travel, family, memoir etc.
Catalogues that wedding planners use is an example.
#14 Offer Editing Services
Some photographers know how to shoot beautiful images but cannot edit. Offer them that service. You can even sell editing tutorials to them.
Another growing market is photo retouching. Essentially, you repair old and damaged photos. While you won’t get paid to take photographs, you will make money from editing.
#15 Expand to Videography
This is a good idea for photographers who cover events like weddings, anniversaries. Expand to videography and make a lot of cash.
You don’t have to be a pro, just take up a contract and hire a good videographer to do the job.
While you may not earn directly from this, however, it is a great marketing tool. It has the ability to boost your business.
For example, when you download an image form Pixabay, you’ll get a link to the name of the author to follow them on Instargram or give a donation.
While many may not give a donation, a large chunk will follow. With this, you will grow your fan base and offer your paid services like editing on your social media handles.
#16 Monetize your Instagram Account
The home of visuals is Instagram. Make your profile another portfolio. Make it attractive and scout for new customers through it. Advertize your old works as well. It can land you affiliate marketing gigs.
Once you have enough followers, think about monetizing your account by advertising or any other means.
This method has a high earning potential to make money taking photographs.
#17 Take advantage of your Neighborhood
Also find opportunties to make money as a photographer offline in your neighbourhood.
Here are some ideas:
- Teach photography classes
- Organize Workshops for photographers
- Organize a photo exhibition
#18 Try Freelance Photojournalism
As a freelance photojournalist, you will work for travel magazines, local newspapers, media outliets(offline and online) , and even photo agencies.
This offers exposure and opportunities to earn as a photographer. It is another way to make money taking photographs for agencies.
#19 Sell Photoproducts
Think beyond the art of photography, think business. You can print amazing images on clothes, t-shirts, souveneirs and sell them.
Some places you can sell photo products are Facebook, Etsy, Fine Art America, Instaproof, Sellfy, etc.
#20 Do Photo Shoots
If you don’t have a studio, offer your clients amazing outdoor environments, or rent a studio for a few hours.
You will be needed for occasions and a full shoot session earns you a handful as a photographer.
You may consider becoming a paparazzi for celebrities. But, this depends on your location and connection.
This is a great way to make money taking photographs.
Conclusion
If you follow these ways to earn and make money as a photographer, we can guarantee a substantial income at the end of the period. Try them out today and smile at the bank. The Wealth Circle wishes you well in your career!
