So many people count photography among their hobbies, but what if it was more than that? For many people, photography does go beyond a hobby. It's something that they do to make money whether it's full-time, part-time or maybe just every once in a while.
If you're someone who's considering trying to turn your hobby into a side hustle, you might feel overwhelmed when it comes to knowing where to start. It's fairly easy in many ways to get started as a photographer because of all the digital tools you have available and the online courses and learning materials you can take advantage of. At the same time, because of that, it's also highly competitive.
The following are some things to know as well as some tips and tricks that can help you make money from your photography.
Your Gear
As with any profession, you're going to have some startup costs associated with making money as a photographer, unless you already have everything you need. You will, of course, need a good camera, and this is probably going to be your biggest expense.
Before deciding on a camera, you're going to have to make sure that you do your research. When you're just starting out, you may not need the most expensive camera to get great photos.
You're also going to need to choose a camera back or a high-quality backpack for your camera and other equipment. You have to keep your gear protected so choosing the right bag is important.
You'll also likely need a tripod. Without one it's going to be very difficult to get a steady picture, and that can mean your images turn out blurry.
Beyond that, depending on the type of photography you're interested in doing you may or may not need some other items. These items can include lighting, different lenses, and backdrops.
Editing Software
Editing is an important part of the process of photography, so before you take on any gigs or clients make sure you have editing software. This, as with your camera, is a place where you're going to have to do some research because there are so many options. There are free options all the way up to very expensive premium editing software products.
The decision you make will be based on your budget, but also what type of photography you plan to do and probably your experience level with editing as well.
Decide How You'll Make Money
There are so many ways to make money with photography, and you need to focus primarily on one or two of those options and work hard to become successful in those areas. Some examples of ways you can make money as a photographer include:
- Event photography
- Portrait photography such as doing graduation photos or business photos
- Selling your images online as stock photos
- Doing photography for local businesses
- Real estate photography
- Just offering photo editing
- Social media photography (similar to business photography)
- Making money through Instagram
Create and Build a Portfolio
It's going to be tough to find clients if you don't have a portfolio. You have to show people what you can do. When you're creating and building your portfolio, try to make it as varied as possible. You want potential clients to see how versatile you are. You don't want them to think you can only do one setting or one style.
A lot of photographers will have specific goals in mind when they're building their portfolio. This way, they can ensure they have a wide breadth of representation.
Finding Clients
For most of the avenues you can take to make money with photography, you'll need clients. This should be one of your biggest focuses if you're doing something like an event or portrait photography.
You should get involved with different events and groups in the community. That's a great way to get yourself out there as a photographer. You can also set up social media profiles, and you might even pay to advertise yourself on social media.
When you're in the process of finding clients, it's important to present yourself professionally. Consider setting up a website where potential clients can go and see your portfolio and get a feel for your work.
Finally, once you have a website, it's a good idea to add a blog to it and regularly contributes to your blog. That's how people are going to find you, whether they're looking for someone locally or you're doing another kind of photography.
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