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Photography can be an extremely cyclical market. Therefore, every photographer knows how challenging it can be to keep photography income steady throughout the year, especially when starting a photography business. With that said, you can do it if you are willing to get creative and embrace a little hard work!

In this article, we’ll share four ways to keep photography income flowing into your bank account year-round. We cover topics ranging from building a professional website or photo course to generating passive income and the importance of partnering with a high-quality printing company. 

Regardless of your experience level or the size of your photography business, we promise you’ll walk away from this article full of fresh ideas. So, join us as we dive in and discover how to grow your photography business and make more consistent money along the way!

Check out the video above by Joy Michelle to learn eight ways to make money quickly as a photographer in 2024.

Table of Contents

• Photography Income Tip: Build a Photography Website
• Photography Income Tip: Teach Photography (or Videography)
• Photography Income Tip: Create Passive Income Streams
• Photography Income Tip: Partner With a Printing Company That Delivers Quality Products
• More Ways to Keep Your Photography Income Steady Year-Round
• Recommended Photography Gear

Photography Income Tip: Build a Photography Website

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In today’s day and age, having a website for your photography business is essential. Not only is it a place where you can share your portfolio with potential clients, but thanks to innovative platforms like Shopify, you can also set up an online store directly on your website. 

You can sell digital files, prints, apparel, accessories, and more from your online store. Do you have a specific time of year when work is slower? Try having a sale or running a special promotion on your website during that time to drive sales and boost your photography income. 

If you like to write, running a blog is another great way to make your website more profitable. Whether it’s sharing photography tips or reviewing camera gear, people are always looking for content to help them improve their photography skills. Affiliate marketing, running ads, and charging others for writing guest posts are other ways to earn money from a blog. 

Photography Income Tip: Teach Photography (or Videography)

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If you are knowledgeable about photography and want to share that knowledge with others, teaching photography is an excellent way to keep your photography income steady year-round. While in-person classes are perfect for connecting with local students, don’t be afraid to offer online classes too. They open up a whole new pool of potential students worldwide.

Similarly, have you ever considered holding a photography workshop? They are extremely trendy in the photography industry and ideal for teaching a specific skill (i.e., astrophotography, portrait photography, etc.) or groups of people. Traveling to popular photography destinations like Yosemite National Park or Iceland can make them even more desirable. 

Photographers with video experience are also in luck. Video content is more in demand than ever, and people are willing to pay a lot to learn how to make better videos. Lessons about short-form video and video editing are two of Google's most searched video-related topics. 

Learn More:

• How Do I Make My Photography Business Profitable?
• Photography Business Tips: 4 Things to Do Before a Photo Shoot

Photography Income Tip: Create Passive Income Streams 

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Passive income. Chances are you’ve heard this buzzword thrown around a lot lately, but what exactly is it? It’s income you earn “behind the scenes” when you are not actively putting in time on a project. Another way to look at it is money you earn “automatically” or by putting in minimal effort. 

So, how does it work? Unfortunately, it’s not free money that appears out of nowhere. Creating passive photography income streams takes a lot of time and effort upfront. However, you can sit back and relax once you've set it up. It’s important to note that not all passive income ideas generate the money people hope for, so risk is involved. 

Popular ways photographers earn passive income include selling pre-made online courses, starting a YouTube channel, writing a book, affiliate marketing, email marketing, and stock photography.  

Photography Income Tip: Partner With a Printing Company That Delivers Quality Products

Lastly, working with a printing company that delivers high-quality products is a must. If clients are satisfied with the quality of the prints they purchase from you, they are more likely to be repeat customers throughout the year and recommend you to their friends and family. That means more money for you, cha-ching!

One company we highly recommend is Shiny Prints. They are an avant-garde online printing company focusing on high-end, premium fine art prints. Instead of selling many different types of prints, Shiny Prints exclusively sells beautiful and affordable metal prints. We have purchased many of their metal prints, and their quality never ceases to amaze us.

Furthermore, they offer multiple surface options, mounting options, custom shapes/sizes, and outdoor metal prints. We guarantee that once your customers get their first top-quality print from Shiny Prints, they will want to buy more or larger prints (or both!).

More Ways to Keep Your Photography Income Steady Year-Round

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Of course, those aren’t the only ways to maintain a steady stream of yearly photography income. Check out the list below for more ideas on how to make money as a photographer or videographer.

Start working as a freelance photographer (weddings and events are particularly profitable)

• Expand your product offerings
• Edit another photographer's images
• Become a social media influencer
• Start shooting new types of photography

Recommended Photography Gear

A quick heads-up: If you snag something through our affiliate links or check out our sponsored content, we might earn a commission at no extra cost to you. But fear not, we're all about recommending stuff we're truly stoked about!

Learn More:

• How to Become a Photographer Without a Degree
• Four Beginner Photography Tips to Get You Started Fast