For people passionate about photography, the dream of turning that passion into a lucrative side hustle or even a full-fledged career has never been more attainable. Affordable, high-end camera equipment and the rise of the internet have been two major catalysts making it easier to earn money as a photographer. However, don’t be fooled. You still have to put in the hard work!
In this article, we’ll share various ways we make extra money as photographers that you can start doing today. From selling prints online and starting a blog/YouTube channel to shooting freelance photography and creating online courses, the list of ways to make extra money is endless.
Moreover, whether you’re a hobbyist looking to start earning money from your photos or a professional already running your own photography business, we aim to help you monetize your skills effectively. With that in mind, keep reading if you are ready to discover how to start generating consistent income as a photographer today!
Check out the video above by Joris Hermans to learn seven photography side hustle ideas that can generate from $100 to $1,000 (or more!) per month.
Table of Contents
- How to Make Extra Money: Sell Prints Online
- How to Make Extra Money: Start a Blog or YouTube Channel
- How to Make Extra Money: Do Freelance Work
- How to Make Extra Money: Create an Online Photography Course
- Final Thoughts on Earning Money as a Photographer
How to Make Extra Money: Sell Prints Online
Photo by 13_Phunkod via Shutterstock
If you already have a large catalog of high-quality images on your computer, an easy way to make extra money from them is to start selling prints online. More people than ever before are buying prints online to decorate their homes and offices, so make sure you get in on the fun!
The best way to sell prints online is to create your own photography website and install an online store. Thanks to tools like WordPress, Squarespace, and Shopify, it’s incredibly easy to build a website. Alternatively, you can sell your prints on platforms like Pinterest, Etsy, and even Instagram.
You Need Quality Prints to Sell
The key is to partner with a printing company that works just as hard to create prints as you do to create the original image. As you can see in the video above, Shiny Prints certainly fits the bill…
I’ve gotten numerous prints from Shiny Prints over the years, and in each case, I’ve been blown away by the quality of the print. As their name indicates, Shiny Prints specializes in metal prints, and as such, they have a level of expertise and craftsmanship with metal that’s a cut above everyone else.
I personally love metal for landscape photos. There’s something about the sleek presentation of metal that makes a landscape photo really pop. However, metal is an excellent substrate for many other types of photography, from portraiture to architecture to wildlife and many others in between. I mean, just look at the image above – it’s full of gorgeous metal prints from Shiny Prints with subjects of all kinds. Not bad, right?!
Of course, the quality of the metal Shiny Prints uses is just one part of the equation…
Instead, the incredible skill level of its artisans is what sets Shiny Prints apart from the crowd. These folks are experts at what they do, and it shows! As I describe in my video above, the color, contrast, and sharpness of my Shiny Prints image were off the charts. And the metal it was printed on was impressive, too, from the smooth edges to the mounting hardware to the attention to detail in its packaging for shipment.
In other words, the Shiny Prints team is primed and ready to help you take the next step in making extra money as a photographer. The question is, what are you waiting for?!
How to Make Extra Money: Start a Blog or YouTube Channel
Photo by amenic181 via Shutterstock
Once you have a website for selling prints, why not take it a step further and start a blog? Blogs are a great way to bring people to your website, teach people about your niche, and market your photos. You can also make extra money from a blog through brand partnerships, affiliate marketing, and ads.
Do you prefer creating videos instead of writing? Starting a YouTube Channel is also a fantastic way to make extra money. The more people watch your videos, the more passive photography income you earn. Furthermore, if you have a strong social media following, you can earn a lot of money by becoming a social media influencer on Instagram, TikTok, etc.
How to Make Extra Money: Do Freelance Work
Photo by Dragana Gordic via Shutterstock
We are in the golden age of the gig economy, and there is tons of work out there if you know where to look. Currently, the websites providing the most freelance photography opportunities are Upwork and Fiverr. They usually have many regional job opportunities and 100% remote projects posted.
While it can be difficult to land that first job, it becomes much easier once you have a few gigs under your belt. Wedding photography is one of the most widespread freelance photography jobs because it pays well and there is consistent demand. Another reason we love freelance work is that it gives you the flexibility to set your schedule and pay rate.
How to Make Extra Money: Create an Online Photography Course
Photo by monster_code via Shutterstock
Suppose you have a lot of experience in a specific genre of photography (landscapes, travel, portraits, etc.). In that case, creating an online course is an amazing way to make extra money and generate passive photography income. It takes a lot of upfront work, but then you can sit back and watch the money flow in!
If you have a website that generates a decent amount of traffic, we recommend selling your online courses there because you will retain 100% of the money. Otherwise, you can publish them on well-known platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, Teachable, etc., for a small commission.
Final Thoughts on Earning Money as a Photographer
Photo by Denys Kurbatov via Shutterstock
As you can see, there are so many new ways to make extra money as a photographer than there used to be. And while I wouldn’t quit your day job right away, we know plenty of people who turned their photography side hustle into a full-time job over the years. So, what are you waiting for? The time for you to start making extra money as a photographer is long overdue!
Lastly, as a bonus, here is a list of a few more ways to make extra money as a photographer in 2024:
- Selling stock photography
- Rent your photography gear
- Create and sell Lightroom presets
- Affiliate marketing
- Social media
- Email marketing
- Sell the gear you aren’t using anymore
Heads up: Clicking on our affiliate links and exploring our sponsored content helps us at no extra cost to you, and we only recommend gear we’re absolutely crazy about!
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Hero Photo by BAZA Production via Shutterstock
