How To Make Money In Photography

Lines (Where is your photography taking you?), Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, France, 2019

Recently, a friend asked me how much money I made with my photography–I think he might have been thinking of ways he could add some income to the family ledger.

My answer to him: not much. Very little, in fact. If I am very lucky, in one year, maybe enough to buy a new lens, or a new ink set for the printer. Other years, not even that.

Why? Well, I suppose because it is not really a priority for me… and I am lucky in that I don’t have to make money with my photography since I have [just enough] income from other, much more reliable, sources.

But you are not me.

What if you really, really want to bring in some warm, wadable, cash whilst exercising your personal photographic prowess? How exactly could that be done?

Let’s Start With The Basic Rules o’ The Game

Rule #1:

#1 – As long as your photography skills are at least a tiny bit above average, then the most important ingredient for success, by far, is… having creative business skills. (Which I don’t.)

If you truly have the creativity to think up a unique business model, and you have the persistence to pursue it, it is–perhaps–possible to make a little pocket change. (Possible example of this Rule: Ken Rockwell)

But then there is Rule #2:

#2 – Be careful what you wish for. If you are after the money, the client (or what sells on the market) will quickly dictate what you do with your camera–not you, not your vision, not your wonderfully unique and creative hairy eyeball.

You might actually find yourself wishing you could follow your own vision instead of simply doing what others want. (Example of this Rule: Any wedding photographer)

Yes, there are those who have carved out their niche and can actually photograph what they want and they manage to make a living. Some even get slightly rich. But the latter type of photographer is far and few between. Sort of like a pro cyclist versus the rest of us who ride our bicycles in the local Gumby Masters Criterium. 

Ways To Make Money in Photography

So, how might you make money in photography? Maybe this list will get the rusty gears in your cranium moving down the line toward something that could work for you.

Let me count the myriad ways… (Scroll to the very end for the bestest, mostest, and most truthful answer of all, if a bit tongue in jowl.)

–Fine art photography–sell huge, framed gallery prints for thousands a copy

–Fashion photography–charge a fortune by the hour

–Documentary photography for a magazine or newspaper–get paid by the job, or by the image

–Photograph local events and sell images to the local paper

–Sell prints, large or small

–Sell or license digital files

–Sell your pictures to stock agencies like Getty Images, iStock, Adobe Stock and Shutterstock

–Shoot weddings

–Be an assistant wedding photographer

–Shoot portraits

–Shoot (not literally, of course) dogs, cats, horses, lizards, and other beloved mascots

–Sell your images on mugs, towels, T-shirts, bandanas

–Develop a successful photography blog and accept ads on your site

–Lead photography tours of your area

–Lead photography workshops

–Teach a photography class

–Work as a photography teacher at the local high school or college

–Shoot events–running races, triathlons, birthday parties, cricket games, equestrian events, a convention, whatever

–Edit and retouch the photos of others

–Edit and retouch damaged historical, or old family photographs

–Win a photo competition

–License your images to people for websites or commercial uses

–Sell online through sites like Etsy, 500px, Crestock, Snapped4u, Blue Melon, PhotoShelter, etc. 

–Sell individual photo books with your photos of local landmarks and cultural sites

–Print and/or develop photographs for those still using analog equipment

–Photograph the processes in a science lab for documentary purposes

–Sell your pictures to a hotel chain for use in decorating their rooms (abstracts, flowers, local landmarks, maybe?)

–Be a cruise ship photographer–photograph events and the passengers

–Start a YouTube video channel and do photography videos–perhaps a channel with ads, or without ads simply to direct customers to you and your website

–Take photos of products–for catalogues, for online sales, for websites, for eBay customers, etc.

–Work in a camera shop

–Take some time for self-examination–how are you unique as a photographer and what special photography niche might you fill?

Finally (drum roll, please), what is the absolute BEST way to make money in photography?

Easy. Sell your gear!