Can You Make Money As A Photographer
Take photo. Sell photo. Tips for turning your passion into a paying pastime—or even a career.
If you're looking to learn how to turn your love of photography into a profitable career, we've got the tips you need to get started. While we continue to consume more visual content globally, there's a constant need for photographs that tell stories. In a world where more people are pursuing side hustles through the gig economy, contributing to stock, or dabbling with remote work, earning money through photography has never been more achievable.
We've rounded up some of the best opportunities that photographers should seize to start earning more money through photography. Speaking with several top photographers around the world who are actually being paid for their creative work, these are some top tips you should bookmark to make more money with photography this year.
11 Ways to Make Money with Photography
Tip #1: Contributing to Stock Photography
One of the best benefits of contributing to stock photography websites, like Shutterstock and Offset, is that it's an easy way to start to see what people like and are looking for in your work. All you need is a collection of images that tells the story you want to tell with your photography. Then, you upload them. On Shutterstock, we've made it easy. You can upload using our app or online, with an application process available in twenty-one languages.
"I'm lucky because I have enjoyed a solid passive income from stock photography," Italian photographer Mirko Vitali of View Apart tells us. "My biggest tip to other photographers is to create natural, authentic lifestyle images, as these are evergreen and always in demand."
To ensure your photos are visible to clients, make sure to add metadata and titles. "I've been putting more work into my stock photo work," Kansas City-based photographer Anna Petrow reflects. "That means taking the time to keyword more carefully, create tighter edits for submission, and generally hone in on anything I can to increase the success of my stock sales."
There are a few things you want to keep in mind when you're contributing to stock. The best stock photographers don't just upload everything they shoot. Instead, they curate and shoot work according to current trends.
These articles have several tips on how to actually earn money with your stock photos:
- 11 Ways to Create Stock Photos that (Actually) Sell in a Competitive Market
- 15 of the Most Popular Stock Photos to Create
- Using Shutterstock's Shot LIst to Plan Your Upcoming Photoshoots
Tip #2: Join a Freelance Job Platform
As Hayden Brown, the President and CEO of Upwork, told Fortune, freelance platforms like Upwork are seeing an uptick in freelance workers and opportunities, due in part to the security that comes with having several streams of income. By signing up to a site like Upwork or Freelancer, you can connect with clients looking for photographers. All of these opportunities are paid opportunities that put money directly in photographers' pockets. They'll get a fee based on the transaction, and you'll keep the rest.
Tip #3: Sell Photos to Magazines
Around the world, there are countless magazines that are both digital and print. There are magazine outlets for nearly every hobby or interest, and all you have to do is find the one that suits your body of work. As photographers, we tend to have countless images just sitting collecting dust on hard drives. For photographers, this can be a fantastic opportunity to earn more money through images you already have, similar to contributing to stock.
Our top tip is to start small with local papers and small publications in your area that might be looking for new work. Once you get published, you'll have more to show bigger publications that might be interested in your work.
Here are a few tips on getting published in magazines:
- How to Get Your Photos Published Digitally or In Print
- The Basic Fundamentals of Documentary Photography
Tip #4: Host Workshops
"I'm actually a university teacher in my day job, however, I recently took on teaching photography online," Slovakian photographer Michal Durinik tells us. "My new teaching gig supplements my work on Shutterstock well. I have video courses students can access on Udemy, and many of them have become successful Shutterstock contributors themselves. I was never into making videos before now, but preparing my courses has been a much-needed push in that direction."
When deciding what kind of workshops to host, consider what kind of skills or niche your photography background brings to the table. In this report by PetaPixel, the highest-earning photography niches in 2021 will be:
- Wedding Photography
- Landscape Photography
- Travel Photography
- Food Photography
- Fashion Photography
Consider evaluating this list and adjusting your niche to better adapt to the market's needs. Create a photography workshop that people will pay to learn from. There are several platforms that you can host workshops on, including Thinkific and Skillshare.
Tip #5: Open a Print Shop to Sell Your Photos
"Taking this time to organize my back catalog of images, with the purpose of selling prints, has been valuable," Auckland-based photographer Josh Griggs tells us. "I have sold prints and framed prints for a while now, but mostly only when people inquire if it's possible to get a particular image they like printed. I'm now in the process of setting up a permanent print store with some of my best images so people can see what is on offer all the time—not just if they inquire directly."
"Through selling prints and framed prints, I have found a straightforward form of secondary income. For me, all images I print are already shot, so there are no additional costs on that front. I've also developed a great relationship with a local printing and framing company. It's easy and quick for me to send an order off to them. I am actually looking at ways to automate and increase the efficiency of the system even more, but in its current state, it still works very well."
If you're looking to start an online print shop to make money with your photography online, there are several different platforms you can use. Most Squarespace and Wix templates have a shop that you can embed in your website. You can also sell directly on Shopify, or even upload your prints onto a platform for artists like Etsy.
Next step? Promote your prints directly to customers.
Once you've launched your shop, spread the word. "I have a huge archive of fine art landscape prints, so I've been promoting these images through social media and newsletters in order to gain more print sales," Brooklyn-based photographer Sara Wight explains.
"While it's important to pivot, it's equally important to continue to market the work you typically do. Clients like to see other projects you have going on. However, don't give them cause for concern by not marketing your usual work. It's important that they know you are still doing what they love and hire you for!"
Tip #6: Become a Photography Blogger or Content Creator
In an increasing digital world powered by social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, more and more creators are earning money through marketing their work on social media platforms. If you're personable and like putting yourself out there, blogging and content creation can be a profitable way to earn money with your photography. If you want to earn money through blogging, there's a couple of tips we suggest to get started.
- Find your niche and an angle that suits your photography style.
- Develop a unique photography style and aesthetic that suits your work.
- Upload consistently and constantly to keep people engaged.
- Learn marketing tricks to promote your work on new platforms like TikTok, and tried-and-true favorites like Instagram.
Here are a few more tips on promoting your work through social media:
- The 50/20/20/10 Rule to Social Media Content Creation
- 10 Tools and Gear to Level Up Your Instagram Game
- 8 Tips on How to Make Money on Instagram
- 7 Creative TikTok Photo Trends for Photographers to Try
Tip #7: Release How-To Guides and Educational Material
"This past year, I set out to drive more exposure and connections," Kansas-based photographer Kim Bear explains. "I created a simple, free, lighting guide to help drive website traffic. I also created a Vintage Modern Prop Guide to inspire others to create a prop capsule that can be mixed and matched to create both timeless and modern still shots." In her thirty-two-page prop guide, she covers everything from where to find props to how to store them, all in one package.
Creating a guide doesn't have to be a complicated process. You can choose to partner with a graphic designer to help you come up with a creative template for your guide, or use an online platform to create a template. Shutterstock Editor or even Google Slides are handy places to start. Once you've decided what material you want to sell, you can embed the PDF on your website using a Shopify plugin or other platform to sell your guide online. Similar to what Kim did, you can also release a tiered version of your guide, with a free version and a pro version that will help earn money while also promoting your guide to a wider audience.
Although this one is similar to the virtual workshops mentioned previously, here the goal is to sell tutorials as a bundle through your website or another platform. "Right now, we are experiencing a new business trend, and that's online video courses," Italian photographer Cristian Negroni of oneinchpunch reflects.
"I've developed a course on microstock in Italy (it's in Italian), and I share a range of skills I've gathered throughout the years, from producing photos and videos to building video strategies. If you are good at something, this is something to explore! Start by promoting yourself online—through Instagram, Facebook, email marketing, etc.—to build an audience."
"If you aren't yet at a point where you can sell a course or monetize your skills, then use this period to learn from others. Join tutorials and online workshops, and learn the skills you've always wanted to have. Once we get back to work, you'll be more prepared to tackle your creative projects."
Tip #9: Sell Your Photography Presets Online
Many commercial stock photographers we've interviewed in the past have personalized Lightroom presets that they use to edit their photos, so why not monetize them? Instagram influencers have been selling custom presets for years, whether it's on their own websites or via marketplaces like Etsy or FilterGrade.
For more tips on creating and selling presets to earn more money through your photography, check out these articles:
- Learn How to Create and Sell Your Own Lightroom Presets
- Learn to Install Your Lightroom Presets in 3 Easy Steps
If that's not enough, check out these FREE Lightroom presets to download and apply to your photography:
- Free Lightroom Presets for Epic Adventure Photography
- Lightroom Presets for Social Media
- Free Lightroom Presets for Better Looking Portraits
- Lightroom Presets for Wedding Photography
Tip #10: Become a Photography Mentor
If you'd like to coach other creatives on a one-on-one basis, mentoring might be another avenue to explore. "As a photographer who concentrates on working in one genre, I have always pursued multiple income streams as a way of weathering the natural lulls in my business," Vancouver-based photographer Darina Kopcok says.
"Building side income through premium stock and e-book sales has become very helpful at this time. I also provide one-on-one online mentorship services. I have seen an increase in these services as photographers have more time on their hands, at the moment.'
"Think about where your skills best fit and where you'd feel most comfortable, and pursue those avenues. For me, it's working more behind-the-scenes shooting stock, writing articles and e-books, and coaching others."
If you're interested in becoming a photography mentor, consider talking to some high schools, universities, and colleges near you that offer photography classes. Chances are, some of these students will be looking for one-on-one opportunities to work with or intern with a professional photographer to help further their career growth.
Tip #11: Photograph More Small Businesses and Local Entrepreneurs
As more and more businesses move to digital platforms and selling their products or services online, there's never been a better time to be a photographer and offer up your services. Yoga instructors, teachers, and small local shops all have something in common. They all need an online platform to fill with beautiful, custom images. This is where your photography comes in, and can be the perfect solution for their content needs.
Take a walk around your neighborhood the old fashioned way and hand out business cards. If shops in your area aren't available in person, go online and look at Google Maps for businesses in your area that may be looking to move to a digital platform.
Before you start contacting businesses, make sure your website and social media are up-to-date, as these will be the first areas that businesses will check before they hire you. Ensure you have work that fits the vibe of the businesses you are trying to shoot photos of. If you're contacting Airbnb and hotels, ensure you have hospitality images in your body of work.
For more tips on curating your website and social media to attract more paid photography work, check out these articles:
- How to Design an E-Commerce Website in 6 Easy Steps
- 11 Tips for Displaying Your Stock Portfolio on Your Photography Website
- Creating a One-of-a-Kind Portfolio: Color Branding for Photographers
- Branding Your Photography Business in Four Simple Steps
For more tips on how to earn money with your photography, check out these articles:
- 13 Expert Tips on Marketing Your Photography Business
- Making Money in Stock Photography: 20 Tips from the Pros
- Beginner's Guide to Earning Money in Stock Photography
- Learn to Make Money with Your Phone Photography
- 13 Ways to Keep Your Photography Business Organized
Top Image by EB Adventure Photography.
Can You Make Money As A Photographer
Source: https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/photographers-make-money-at-home
Posted by: griffinthrealthen.blogspot.com
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