How to Make Money as a Photographer: A Practical Guide

Photography is not only a form of art and creative expression; it’s also a lucrative business if you know how to market your skills and find the right clients. Whether you’re just starting out or have been working behind the lens for years, there are endless opportunities to turn your passion for photography into profit.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into actionable strategies to help you make money as a photographer, from traditional methods to creative income streams.

My background includes owning and operating a photography business located in Western Wisconsin, for well over a decade. I have a rustic studio that is well over 100 years old, with wood aromas, original flooring and beams, and way too many props– it is one of a kind!

I now empower photographers to reach their full potential by helping them grow their business and achieve financial freedom, so they can focus on their creative passion without the stress of money management.

1. Specialize in a Niche

One of the most effective ways to make money as a photographer is by specializing in a particular niche.  When you focus on a specific type of photography, it’s easier to position yourself as an expert and attract clients who need those specific services. For example, a pediatric cardiologist makes a lot more money than a general family practice doctor. They say the riches are in the niches.

Popular Photography Niches:

• Weddings & Events: Weddings, birthdays, corporate events, and more. People are always willing to invest in capturing life’s most important moments.

• Portraits: Family, individual, and senior portraits are always in demand. I never realized how easy senior sessions are compared to toddler sessions! How about 1-year sessions as a niche, I have photographed many smash cake sessions for those adorable one-year-olds.

• Maternity & Newborn: Capturing a growing belly and then that squishy brand-new baby is one of my favorite things to photograph. I worked as a labor and delivery nurse and I absolutely LOVE babies, so it made sense for me to specialize in newborns.

• Branding & Headshots: Brands, other photographers, and businesses need images of themselves for their business.

• Product Photography: Brands and businesses need high-quality images of their products for marketing materials and websites. Salons, cafes or coffee shops, and boutiques are a few places I can think of.

• Real Estate Photography: Realtors need beautiful, professional photos to sell homes.

• Food Photography: Restaurants and food brands rely on eye-catching food photography for their marketing and menus.

• Pet photography– Pet photography is becoming increasingly popular, whether it includes the pets’ humans or not. Offering this service near the end of a pet’s life can be especially meaningful, giving owners lasting portraits and memories of their beloved companion after they’ve passed.

By becoming known for a specific style or niche, you can charge higher rates and build a steady clientele.

Each specialty has its pros and cons, so make sure you do your research.

2. Offer Photography Packages

Packaging your services into different price tiers or bundles can make it easier for clients to choose the right package for their needs while increasing your overall income. You can even do an “ala cart” type of pricing or add-ons as well.

Example Photography Packages:

• Basic Package: Includes a limited number of photos and coverage time (e.g., a 30-minute portrait session with 10 edited images).

• Mid-Tier Package: Offers more time, additional photos, and/or extra prints or an album (e.g., an hour-long event shoot with 20 edited photos and a print package).

• Premium Package: All-inclusive, with full coverage and additional perks (e.g., full-day wedding coverage, unlimited photos, drone shots, and a custom photo book).

I’d give these sessions unique, on-brand names to stand out. I offer two different senior session options for my clients. The first is a 90-minute single session with 2 outfit changes and 2 locations. The second option is a double session, which includes everything in the single session but spread across two different dates, allowing clients to capture different seasons here in Wisconsin. It’s perfect for those who want both fall and winter, or summer and fall photos.

You can also create ‘grow with me’ packages by bundling different sessions. For example, you could offer:

• Maternity and Newborn

• Maternity, Newborn, and 1 Year

• Maternity, 3m, Sitter, 9m, and 1 Year

• Newborn and 1 Year

• Newborn, 3m, 6m, 9m, and 1 Year

The more sessions they book, the bigger the price break they receive. You could have clients pay half upfront and the remaining balance at a later date.

Always ensure you take a non-refundable booking deposit when they book. Offering packages with increasing value lets clients choose what fits their budget while giving you opportunities to upsell premium services.

3. Sell Digital Products

Photographers can expand their income streams by selling digital products. This is a great way to create passive income because you create the product once and can sell it over and over again.

Popular Digital Products:

• Presets and Filters: Create and sell Lightroom presets or photo filters for social media enthusiasts or aspiring photographers.

• Stock Photography: Upload your photos to stock photo websites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or iStock. You earn royalties whenever someone downloads your images.

• Photography E-books or Guides: Share your expertise by writing a guide on how to improve photography skills, editing techniques, or how to start a photography business.

Selling digital products can diversify your income while leveraging the work you’ve already done.

4. Teach Photography

If you have a solid foundation in photography, teaching others can be a great way to make extra income. Many people want to learn photography, either as a hobby or to improve their skills for their own businesses.

Ways to Teach Photography:

• Workshops: Host in-person or virtual workshops where you teach specific photography techniques, such as lighting, composition, or editing. Honestly, just teaching the ABCs of your camera and lens options would be amazing for people just starting out!

• Online Courses: Create an online course that walks students through the basics of photography, camera settings, or even advanced editing techniques.

• One-on-One Mentoring: Offer private coaching for aspiring photographers who want personalized guidance.

Platforms like Teachable, Skillshare, Thinkific, and Udemy make it easy to launch and sell online courses.

5. Start a Photography Blog or YouTube Channel

Starting a blog or YouTube channel about photography can be a long-term strategy to build an audience and monetize through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. As you create content that helps others learn photography or gives behind-the-scenes insights into your work, you can attract a loyal following.

Ways to Monetize a Blog or Channel:

• Ads: Sign up for programs like Google AdSense to display ads on your blog or YouTube channel. You earn revenue based on clicks or views.

• Affiliate Marketing: Promote photography gear, software, or courses using affiliate links, and earn a commission when someone makes a purchase through your link.

• Sponsored Content: As your following grows, brands may pay you to create content featuring their products or services.

Building a blog or YouTube channel takes time, but the payoff can be significant if you consistently provide valuable content.

6. Partner with Local Businesses

Collaborating with local businesses is a great way to boost your income and visibility in your community. Reach out to businesses that could benefit from professional photography and offer your services.

Examples of Collaborations:

• Restaurants and Cafes: Food photography for menus, websites, and social media.

• Real Estate Agents: High-quality property photos for online listings and brochures.

• Local Boutiques: Product photography for e-commerce sites and marketing materials.

• Hotels and Airbnbs: Showcase properties with beautiful, inviting images.

• Universities, colleges, corporations.

Local partnerships can lead to repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.

7. Offer Prints and Albums

Many clients, especially from events like weddings or family photoshoots, want physical prints and albums in addition to digital files. Offering these as add-ons can increase your earnings from each session.

Print and Album Ideas:

• Custom Albums: Create personalized albums for weddings, events, or family photos.

• Wall Art: Offer framed prints or canvases that clients can display in their homes.

• Special Occasion Gifts: Market prints and photo gifts around special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.

By offering these products, you provide additional value to your clients while boosting your bottom line.

8. License Your Photos

Licensing your photography is another way to earn money. Businesses, websites, or even media outlets often need high-quality images and are willing to pay for the rights to use your work.

Ways to License Photos:

• Stock Websites: Upload your photos to stock photo platforms, where businesses pay to license them.

• Direct Licensing: You can also offer direct licensing on your own website, where clients can pay for the right to use your images for their own projects.

Licensing photos can provide a steady stream of passive income over time.

Final Thoughts

Making money as a photographer is not just about having a good eye for photography—it’s about finding ways to monetize your skills creatively and strategically. By specializing in a niche, offering packages, selling digital products, and expanding into teaching or partnerships, you can build a thriving photography business with multiple income streams.

Photography offers limitless possibilities for creativity, and with the right approach, it can also be highly profitable. Start implementing these strategies today to take your photography business to the next level!

If you are looking for more help with pricing your services, increasing your profits, and creating a business budget, I would love to help. Head to www.jesswaynecoaching.com for more information on my 1:1 financial business coaching services. I specialize in helping photographers and creatives with their business finances and strategy.

xoxo

Jess Wayne