How to Make Money with Photography Online [7 Brilliant Ways]
Perhaps photography started as your passion or hobby, but why wouldn’t you want to make money doing something you love? If you’re tired of feeling as though everyone else is passing you by and wish to experience life as a professional photographer, now is the time to get started!
Photography, as a professional field is more needed and accessible than ever. What many photographers don’t realize is that it is possible to make a living as a professional photographer. Often, the thought that everyone has before going full time in their hobby is, why do some people make it big and others don’t?
The thing is, successful people, do things that others don’t. Even if you’ve only had a few paid shoots or gigs and don’t know where to start, we hope our tips can help you.
How to Make Money with Photography Online
Tell Everyone You Know
Admit that you have a (side) business as a photographer. You’ll be surprised how many times the need for a professional photographer comes up (weddings, baby showers, prom, small business owners, etc.) and you want to be the first person that comes to their mind.
Develop a Business Plan
It will help you decide where or if you advertise, what packages you will offer, what industries or types of photography to target, what kind of work you will shoot, and how much to charge/any packages you will offer.
Search Photographs by Others
Look for photographers with more business than you. Start looking locally. Search their images on Berify and pay attention to the sites and industries where their work has been showcased. Approach those same types of websites, magazines, business, or events and offer your services.
Make a Website
Whether you only use social media such as Instagram or try and use photo sharing sites like Zenfolio or SmugMug, having your images online is vital. People will want to see your portfolio of work.
Start Part-Time
Don’t count on a full-time income when you are just starting as a paid photographer. Start small, working on weekends or after work, and build your business.
If You Have No Clients, Offer Free Shoots
If nothing else works and you really want to get started, provide an individual or local business a free shoot as long as they credit your name as the creator or refer you to others.
Think Commercially
You may love a particular style of photography which doesn’t sell. Research other successful photographer’s work who are doing what you want to do learn from their strengths and pay attention to trends in the industry.
Obstacles You May Come Across on Your Photography Business
Many times, those who aren’t successful have self-imposed challenges in their way.
Often these problems include:
- They buy equipment they can’t afford.
- Of the equipment they buy, they don’t learn how to use it properly.
- They don’t worry enough about the internet (building up a following, having a website, posting a blog, etc.).
- They forget that photography is about customer service, communicating well, and helping people feel comfortable.
- Another obstacle is when the photography they do share is online without permission, and they receive no payment.
To combat this, visit Berify and upload/search your favorite digital images. This will give you complete results for anyone who has used your pictures without their permission. Part of being a photographer with a lucrative career is making sure that your work isn’t stolen online against your exclusive copyright.
Protect yourself from stolen images and video. If you do find your work is being used without your consent, you can contact the person using it and ask them to remove it or give you creator’s credit!
Click Here to Monitor You Photography Work with Berify