The Best Ways to Start a Photography Side Hustle

Have you ever considered turning your picture-taking hobby into a photography side hustle?

As you probably already know – photography is an acquired skill. It takes time and practice to learn how to use light and composition to create interesting and visually appealing images.

And while many people catch the photography bug and are perfectly OK just doing it as a hobby, some want to turn their skills into a money-making venture.

So if you are taking amazing pictures and want to consider starting a photography side hustle for some extra money, then this guide is for you!

How to Become a Good Photographer

In order to even consider starting a photography side hustle, you need to become proficient at it. After all, no one is going to pay you to take a picture they could can take themselves, right?

So how do you actually become a good photographer?

Well, it take lots of time and practice. But there are some things that you can do to help yourself along the way that will propel you from being a hobbyist to a soon-to-be pro.

1. Invest in your education. Find classes in basic photography and become skilled at using your camera and learning how to compose a shot. Once you’ve got the basics down, go to photography workshops and learn from others whose work you admire. You’ll learn first hand their tips and tricks, and will eventually nail your own style.
2. Experiment with different styles. There are many different styles of photography such as: fine art, minimalist, nature, golden hour (sunsets), surrealistic, and more. Find your aesthetic and become a master of it.
3. Invest in quality equipment. You don’t have to own the most expensive camera on the market, but you will need a camera that helps you take quality photos. The most popular brands tend to be Canon, Sony, or Nikon, though there are others that take quality photos at a lower price. The best values can be found in camera kits, like this Nikon Z30 mirrorless model with accessories and two lenses. Do your research; ask fellow photographers about their recommendations; see if you can rent the equipment you’re considering; then purchase something that suits your needs and you know you’ll enjoy using. If you want to be taken seriously as a photographer you really need to have quality equipment. Do your research and invest in a good camera body and lenses that will help you best capture the images that you want.
4. Find your community. Check out local galleries or join a photography club. You can also look for a meetup group or attend workshops. The idea is to find other photography buffs and get to know them better, as this is a great way to network and learn from others. And it’s fun!

Settle on a Niche

Once you honed your skills and figured out what style of photography ignites your passion, it’s important to figure out the niche you want to pursue. Ask yourself if you want to work with people? Or do you enjoy traveling and shooting beautiful sunsets or popular landmarks?

Here are some popular and profitable photography genres to try so you can ultimately decide on a niche for your photography side hustle:

1. Weddings – These are always in high demand and can be high-paying.
2. Proposal & Engagement events – photographers are often needed to record these exciting and emotional occasions.
3. Couple Sessions – Can be bundled with wedding photography but also standalone.
4. Gender Reveal & Maternity – these are hugely popular at the moment.
5. Family Photos – In-demand throughout the year – especially during holidays.
6. Newborn & Baby Milestone – Will require patience, skill and care but can pay well.
7. Senior & Graduation Portraits – Seasonal, but very popular.
8. Brand & Product Photography – In demand with the rise of e-commerce and social media marketing.
9. Food Photography – Sought after by restaurants, chefs, bloggers, and associated brands.
10. Fashion Photography – This can range from editorial to catalog and involves collaboration with models, stylists and designers.
11. Real Estate & Architecture – Can include drone work and is in demand with competitive housing markets and new buildings.
12. Headshots & Personal Branding – These are popular with professionals, influencers, and entrepreneurs.
13. Travel & Landscape – Probably the most competitive, but can be profitable with selling prints, stock photos, or obtaining brand sponsorships.
14. Fine Art Photography – Competitive but creative, fine art photos can be sold as prints or through galleries.
15. Street Photography – These are candid shots taken from real life happenings in the moment.
16. Documentaries or Photojournalism – Look for publications or grants requiring photographers, and highlight your storytelling abilities using photos.
17. Pet Photography – People love their furry friends and will pay $$$ for creative and unique images of their pets.

While you may excel at several of these niches, try to limit your area of expertise to one or two at the most.

What You’ll Need for Your Photography Side Hustle

As with most new businesses, you will need to invest a bit of money before you can truly start earning money. The photography business is no different, though the major expense will likely be your equipment and/or education.

Still, if you’re at the point where you want to turn your hobby into a business, you’ve probably already invested in some quality equipment so that should help keep the start-up costs low!

Here are the very basics you’ll need to get started:

1) A Camera: Again, this is probably the most important and costly item on this list. You just want to make sure your equipment takes quality pictures and videos, and you have what you need to do the job correctly.

2) A Computer: This will be the next costly item but again, you probably already have one! Your computer will need to have adequate space to run the editing software you’ll need and adequate storage capacity for your edited photos.

3) Editing Software: Most photographers I know use Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Lightroom. Other options include GIMP, Luminar AI, Affinity Photo, and Capture One. Editing your photos helps enhance your images, which can then be sold as prints, digital products like e-books, and other merchandise options like mugs and even wallpaper.

4) A Website or Photography portfolio: Create your own on-line portfolio via a dedicated website or a blog. You can also use services like SmugMug or Flickr, or check out specialty sites that host and have wonderful templates for creatives. Here are some companies to consider: Format, Wix, Fine Art Studio Online, or Squarespace.

5) Business cards: You can also use QR codes or digital business cards, but for olders like myself, I prefer having quality paper cards. You can hand these out to potential clients, art consultants or gallery owners. I have my artist cards printed at Zazzle.com, but you can also use VistaPrint or Moo Cards and they all run specials so you can get them printed pretty inexpensively.

6) A list of services: What kind of photography will you be offering? How will you charge? What areas will you cover? Take your time when making this list, then research your experience and the competition. Set your prices, making sure to count for your costs of equipment, editing time, shooting time, etc. After all – once you’re officially a business, the goal is to make a profit! Then, publish the list on your site and consider putting your prices on there too.

7) A contract: Before you launch your photography side hustle and before you get your first client, you’ll need a good contract for your services. You’ll want to make sure it outlines the details of the job; estimated start date; delivery of goods date; price charged and expected payment date. Contracts help ensure you and your clients meet each others expectations and there aren’t surprises along the way. If additional requests come up that aren’t covered by the original contract, discuss the charges and add this to the contract via a change order or other mutually accepted means.

5-Ways to Start Marketing Yourself as a Photographer

Starting your own photography business is a great way to turn your passion into a profit. But to have a successful photography side hustle, you’ll need to start “putting yourself put there.” This means getting your work seen and networking like crazy. Here are 5 quick ways to start doing this:

1. If you haven’t already established social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Tik-Tok, and/or Threads, pick one or more and sign up. This is a quick-start method and it’s virtually free.
2. Grab a domain (using your name, if possible) and choose a hosting service like Siteground to create a website to show off your work. Siteground has templates you can use or you can purchase one. I happen to like using WordPress and have created my artist site and blog on it myself – it was easy to do! Or like I mentioned above, you can contract with another company like Wix, Theme, or Squarespace or Fine Art Studio Online. Just be sure to have an online presence as once you start getting your portfolio together, you’ll want to show it off to the world!
3. Start writing a blog to showcase your work. As mentioned above, this is easily done using WordPress, and you can include a portfolio on your site. Learn SEO to make sure you get found on Google and other search engines.
4. Change your email signature to include links to your website and/or social media accounts and blog. Let people know what you’re doing and where they can find samples of your work simply by adding your sites to your signature.
5. Network! Once you’ve chosen a niche, find potential partner businesses and let them know about your services. For example, if you want to be a wedding photographer, introduce yourself and your work to local wedding planners, florists, caterers, bridal boutiques, etc. Get involved in a local photography group, and go to meetups and workshops. Also, get friendly with other photographers – you never know if they will need help with an event or want to refer you!

More Money-Making Opps for Your Photography Side Hustle

Here are a few more money-making opportunities you can utilize if you’re trying to earn a little money from your photography side hustle:

1. Stock Photography – Photographers can list their images for people to purchase rights to with companies like iStock or Pexels, and can generate passive income. Check out this article for more info about how to get into this potentially lucrative opportunity.
2. NFT/AI/Experimental Photography – This is a fairly new niche but is growing and requires knowledge of cryptocurrency. It appeals to digital art collectors and other online communities.
3. Online Tutorials or Courses – If you’ve got a particular skill or experiences to share with other photographers, consider creating an on-line course or having a workshop to teach others (i.e.: how to excel at Lightroom or Adobe, taxes or marketing for photographers, shooting weddings, etc.)

Photography Side Hustle – Is It For You?

Turning your hobby into a money-making venture can seem overwhelming – especially if you’re supposed to be retired! But when you’re doing something you love, is it really work?

Starting your own photography side hustle can be a great way to make extra money, especially if you already have the equipment and expertise. Just make sure you have a plan and are well prepared with everything you need before you get started. Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to success!