Photography can be an expensive hobby, but it’s in your power and ability to turn it into a steady source of income.
You might not be into portraits or event photography, or you may simply hate the idea of spending weekends at weddings or packed exhibition openings. There are plenty of ways to make money with photography—the way you love it—whether it’s online or offline.
If you’re looking to learn how to turn your love of photography into a profitable career, here are some tips for you to get started.
WORK WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES
- For restaurants or catering services: Take dish photos for their menu cards, website, and for social media advertising.
- For event/wedding venues: Take photos of the venues, the surroundings for their websites, or brochures.
- Airbnb, hotels, and guest houses: Take photos of the rooms, buildings, and surroundings that can attract potential customers.
- For creative artists: Take beautiful, professional product photos for your clients – product in a white/plain background or something else that your client requests.
START A PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG
If you’re as good with words as you are with the camera, blogging is an excellent option. To stand out among existing photobloggers, choose an exciting concept for your blog, for example:
- Adventure and/or travel photography
- Landscape photography
- Fashion photography
- Taking the best food photos
- Technical tips for photographers
In other words, write about what you love and what you are familiar with. Ways to earn as a photoblogger;
- Running ads on your blog, and getting paid every time a visitor clicks on them.
- Writing reviews about photo products. Even brands will be happy to strike sponsorships with you.
- Offering paid content upgrades in your write-ups. For example, downloadable eBooks, online tutorial, or consultations.
- Affiliate marketing. Placing sponsored links within your content. Every time a reader clicks on them or makes a purchase, you get a percentage of the deal.
- Writing for photography blogs that pay guest contributors.
SELL YOUR PHOTOS ON STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY SITES
There are a variety of stock photo sites you can use to sell your photos. Some of them are Dreamstime, Shutterstock iStockphoto, 500px, Alamy, Photoshelter, EyeEm, and Fotolia.
Focus on niche subject matter, keep current trends in mind, and capture authentic and candid photos.
SELL YOUR IMAGES AS MERCHANDISE OR MEMORABILIA
There are so many things you can use as a medium for retailing your photos. For example:
- Greeting cards and postcards
- Calendars
- Notebooks and journals
- Phone or laptop cases
- T-shirts
- Tea mugs
OFFER PHOTO EDITING OR RESTORATION SERVICES
You could also offer photo retouching or restoration services as part of your online business. There is actually a growing market for repairing old or damaged photos. This service will not only appeal to vintage photo lovers, but it’ll also make you stand out as a niche service provider.
Where to get the gigs: Fiverr, Freelancer, Upwork
Make sure to create a portfolio of ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos, which will help attract potential clients.