WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE TO Learn 9 WAYS TO MAKE MONEY WITH PHOTOGRAPHY IN 2021, EVEN IF YOU ARE JUST A BEGINNER! If you prefer to read, just follow this article.

So many things have changed during this crazy pandemic… including the way we work and how we need to adapt to the circumstances to make money as a photographer.

When my photoshoots got cancelled or postponed, I found myself in a bad situation. My income was reduced noticeably and I was financially stuck. However, after just a few days I realised that this was actually the perfect opportunity for me to grow and improve my skills even further!

I started a bunch of courses online and with all that new knowledge, I began to expand my income streams and I started to take much more care of the ones I already had set up.

Let me share with you 9 ways you can use right now to make money as a photographer too!

P.S. Watch the full video for in-depth details, I promise you it’s worth it!

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Youtube Channel for weekly videos if you love photography and creativity! :)

1. STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY

Everyone knows about this one but did you know that you actually can make a full salary from it?

It’s not as easy as taking a bunch of pictures you took over the last few years and putting them out there. You will never sell much that way…

Instead, follow the trends religiously! The stock photography websites are very good at sending newsletters detailing exactly the content the companies need right now. Follow those trends and you will sell 100%.

It’s always hard at the beginning, I know. As smaller the gallery, the less money you make. But when you invest time in growing your galleries, you can be generating a fair bit of income while you sleep!

Try macro stock websites if you are a more advanced photographer and try microstock if your level is not too high… yet!

My favourite macro stock websites:

Offset (by Shutterstock)
Getty Images

Microstock websites I know they sell the most:

Shutterstock
Adobe Stock

I have a Full Guide to Stock Photography on my Youtube Channel, feel free to give it a watch if you want to know everything about it and start selling! Links below:

- Part 1: How to Get Started with Stock Photography

- Part 2: Sell More in Stock Photography - Make sure you do this!

- Part 3: How to Keyword Stock Photos to Make Sure You SELL!

PRESETS I USE FOR MY STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY WORK

Featured

Moody Greens by Laura BC

US$18.99

2. CONTENT CREATION FOR BRANDS

My favourite without any doubt! Why? Because the opportunities here are endless!

Even if you think that your photography is not good enough… well, it is!

There are millions of brands out there and many of them need photographers and videographers. Research different businesses on Instagram, be realistic with your photography level and approach those independent brands that you see are in need of better pictures, and you know you can improve. (Be honest with yourself)

This is a great way to make money from home. The brand can send you the products and you can shoot them from the comfort of your home studio. Then, just send the products back.

Check brands in your town on Instagram. Look for location hashtags and businesses you are interested in. Be honest with yourself and contact those you know you can improve. With experience, you will grow without even noticing!

3. ONLINE BUSINESS

I’m guilty of not setting up this one before. I was way too busy with photoshoots for clients and until I found myself in the lockdown, I didn’t realise how important this is!

When you can’t rely on face to face clients, having a passive income becomes a must.

Make a shop online and sell your products! This can be merchandise or even better: Digital products!

Some Digital Products ideas:

Lightroom Presets
Photoshop brushes or actions
LUTS
E-Books (Teach your niche photography, make tutorials…)
Video Courses

The easiest, fastest and most affordable way to start your E-commerce business professionally: Squarespace

After checking a lot of different options, for digital products, Squarespace has the best integrations. I’ve built this whole website with them using the E-commerce plan. Take a look at my shop to have an idea about how it looks. However, this is my own taste, you can customise it in a completely different way. There are a lot of templates to choose from!

For now, I’ve just launched my very own Lightroom Presets so it looks a bit empty, but I’m already working on some E-Books… Do the same and start making money with your skills. It feels great to sell your own knowledge!

Check out Squarespace to see if it matches your needs. So far, I’m very happy with them!

4. BLOG

I’m of the ones that think that Blogs are not dead. It’s true that Youtube gives amazing content to everyone. It’s literally my favourite platform! But I find myself many times just wanting to read as my surroundings don’t allow me to watch a video if I don’t have my headphones on.

I’m sure you guys read too. When you are at work, on your lunch break or on public transport, sometimes it’s just easier to read than watching a whole video.

I started Blogging recently but I’ve wanted to do it for so long! Blogs don’t just increase your SEO ranking on Google, which equals more clients, they can also generate you a stream of money if you monetise them through Google AdSense and Affiliate programs. And of course, selling your own digital products!

Blogging about something you love is also super fun and keeps you creative. Start doing it!

5. SELL PRINTS

I personally never did this before. Now I’m about to get into it!

Time ago it was very hard because every time you had an order, you would have to go somewhere to print it out, organise the delivery and send it over.

Nowadays, you can associate with a printing company your trust and email them the specifications. They will do everything for you! It’s worth trying!

One website that has a lot of good feedback: Darkroom

Wouldn’t you prefer to buy a beautiful photograph from an artist you love than just going to Ikea and getting a canvas everybody has?

6. SELL COURSES

You have to be a bit more of an experienced photographer for this one. If you are a beginner or not that advanced, just stick to E-Books for now.

Record high-quality lessons. If you are a portrait photographer, teach lighting, studio setups, posing… If you are a landscape photographer just go out there and take pictures and record yourself explaining how you do it, which settings you use etc….

No matter your niche, you can build an amazing course that you can sell afterwards on your website!

It may be a lot of effort but once it’s done, you can make money while you sleep!

7. TEACH ONLINE

This is another great way to make money online. Simply offer this service on your website and your social media networks.

You can charge by the hour, use a video conferencing app and connect with people online to give them photography lessons within your niche.

Zoom is great for this!

8. EVENTS

I know that right now there is not much going on. But when we all come out from the lockdown, shoot at events!

It can be in an art exhibition, conferences, music gigs… wherever you prefer. Shooting at big gatherings gives you the opportunity of not just making money but also the chance to network and the opportunity to meet more clients!

I used to take pictures at music events. I didn’t like it because I love dancing and having fun and doing that with such an expensive camera in my hands, literally terrified me!

Doing it, however, gave me the opportunity to meet so many music artists and people from the industry. That allowed me to start doing what I love the most: Shooting creative press shots for international artists!

9. SPEAK OUT LOUD!

Soooo simple and yet so underestimated!

Say to EVERYONE that you are a photographer! You will be surprised about how many people around you just don’t know your skills yet.

I was failing at this one till one day, a friend asked me to start being more confident and to tell everyone that I’m a photographer.

Since I started to mention it more often, I realised the number of people that had no clue about my work! I started to get more bookings straight away. Everyone needs a photographer nowadays for their online business!

Please, please, please adapt to 2021 and apply all of the things I mentioned above! It’s being a terribly hard year for us creatives. Make sure you are not left behind!

If you have any questions or you need any help at all, please feel free to comment below. :)

SOFTWARE I USE TO EDIT ALL MY PICTURES:

• Adobe Photography Bundle: Get the deal here!

• Luminar AI: No subscription AI software. Get it here and use code LAURA at check out!

- CHECK OUT THESE POSTS:

How to get started with Stock Photography and Make Money

How to shoot with models - Get this FREE Model Release Template!

How to get into Photography -All you Need!

If you want to know more, check the Youtube video above and Subscribe to my Youtube channel for weekly videos about Photography, Tutorials and Creative inspiration! I hope to see you there!

CHECK OUT MY TRAVEL AND EDITORIAL COLLECTION LIGHTROOM PRESETS TO EDIT IN JUST ONE CLICK!

Featured