10 Best Lucrative Photography Side Hustle Ideas In 2024

Last Updated June 29, 2024 by Davina Kelly

Are you looking for photography side hustles to make money on the side?

In this digital era, photography has now evolved from a hobby to a potential source of income.

This presents an opportunity to leverage your passion for visual storytelling to make extra money.

In this post, you are going to learn exciting photography side hustle ideas that will help you transform your passion into profit.

You can choose one idea or combine them to increase your earning potential. 

After reading this post you will have many ideas for income streams for photographers. 

This post is all about photography side hustles.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we will receive a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

Best Photography Side Hustle Ideas:

1. Sell Prints

One of the most popular ways to monetise your photography skills is to sell prints. As a photographer you will have many beautiful prints in your portfolio, so why not upload them and make money?

You can do this by selling them through an online store. All you have to do is upload your prints and the platform will take care of the rest. They will process the orders, print them and send them out. This is the easiest way to sell your prints and it is also a great way to make passive income. 

Etsy is a great place to sell your prints. It is one of the most popular online marketplaces and digital art is one of their best-selling items. Getting started is pretty easy and it doesn’t cost much. You can list your first print for as little as $0.20. Read here to learn more about how to open an Etsy shop.

Another way to sell your prints is to print them yourself and sell them locally. For example, you can sell them in shops, local galleries or at craft fairs. This option requires a little more work than selling through an online store, but it is worth it. 

Pros: This is an easy way to sell your photography and make passive income.

Cons: There aren’t any cons.

2. Start a Blog

Starting a blog is a great way to share your experiences, insights and expertise. As a photographer, you will have extensive knowledge about your craft so why not share it to help others?

You can create content to share tips on becoming a photographer or give reviews on professional photography gear. If you focus on a sub niche that you are knowledgeable about you will become known as an expert in that field. For example, your blog could be about how to become a travel photographer. 

Once you start creating content and are getting consistent traffic you can monetise your blog. You can generate income through sponsored content, placing ads and affiliate marketing and you can even sell your prints directly on your blog. The earning potential is $500 – $10,000 per month.

If you’re ready to start your blog I recommend this affordable eBook The Treasure Map To Blogging Success. It will teach you how to set up your blog the right way and give you a profitable road map to make money blogging.

Pros: This is a lucrative side hustle and a good way to share your knowledge to help others. 

Cons: Building traffic and monetising your blog can take a while. 

3. Sell Your Stock Photos

Selling stock photos is a great way to make money from work you may have done for free in the past while building your portfolio. Stock photos are in high demand these days, people use them in their blogs, websites and on social media. 

You can sell them on stock photo websites under a royalty-free license and make money whenever someone purchases or licenses your work. Read here to learn more about how to sell stock photos. 

Here are some of the best sites to sell your photos online.

• Deposit photos (I use this site all of the time)
• iStock
• Shutterstock
• Adobe Stock

Pros: You can make passive income from work you initially did for free.

Cons: There aren’t any cons.

4. Create a Course

As I mentioned earlier, photography is in high demand and this has created an increase in people wanting to learn how to become a professional photographer. Why not share your photography knowledge by creating a course to teach people? 

You don’t need to be a professional teacher to create a course. You were once a beginner so this makes you the perfect candidate to teach others. This photography side hustle is challenging because you will need to ensure that your course is educational, engaging and easy to understand for beginners. But it is also very rewarding.

The best way to create a course is by showing people how you do things and explaining why. You can do this by creating digestible videos organised into chapters that can be consumed at the student’s own pace. 

You can sell your course on platforms like Teachable and Kajabi. Or you can make them available on websites like SkillShare or Udemy which already have large communities. 

The great thing about courses is that once you put in all the hard work upfront you can continuously sell it and make passive income. 

Pros: This is a rewarding photography side hustle idea that can also make passive income. 

Cons: There aren’t any cons. 

5. Event Photography

Another classic photography side hustle is becoming an event photographer. This is a great way to showcase your skills and capture unforgettable moments in people’s lives. 

You can be a photographer at events like weddings, parties, corporate events and award ceremonies. If there is a particular event that you enjoy photographing like weddings, for example, you can niche down and start a wedding photography side hustle. By doing this you will be seen as an expert in that field and it will allow you to charge your clients a premium price. 

Being an event photographer will require you to be flexible and adapt to situations. For example, transferring from wide open areas to indoor spaces. Also being personable will help because you can give directions and help people feel comfortable when posing for photos.

Before you get started you will need to build a portfolio and create an online presence. You can do this by uploading your work on your website or sharing it on social media. 

Pros: You can be a part of special moments in people’s lives.

Cons: It can take a while to build your client base. 

6. Host Workshops

Hosting workshops for beginners or people who want to improve their skills is another way to monetise your photography skills. You can teach the basics of photography or advanced editing or help people with the business side of things like pricing or marketing. 

You can host these workshops online via Zoom or Google Meets, do them in person or offer both options for flexibility. Sharing your knowledge to help others is a fulfilling photography side hustle.

Pros: It is a great way to help others and make money.

Cons: There aren’t any cons.

7. Do Photoshoots

Offering personalised photoshoot sessions is another photography side hustle that can make good money. You can offer different types of photo shoots like maternity, family portraits, newborn photo shoots or headshots. There will always be a demand for professional photographers to capture personal moments and stories so you will have plenty of opportunities. 

This option is ideal if you have your own studio or have the budget to rent a professional studio. If you don’t have access to a studio you can offer location photoshoots. For example, you can work with people in the comfort of their homes or outdoors.

To get started you need to build your portfolio, create an online presence and spread the word about your services.

Pros: This is a flexible way to make money with your photography skills.

Cons: It can take a while to build your client base. 

8. Become a Commercial Photographer

Businesses need professional-looking images to help with their branding and promoting their products. You can use your photography skills to help them. This presents a great opportunity to blend your artistic creativity with business acumen. 

As a commercial photographer, you will have the chance to collaborate with businesses, brands and agencies to create captivating visual content that helps them achieve their marketing goals. 

Whether it’s product photography, corporate headshots or branding imagery your role is to bring their vision to life through compelling visuals. 

To get started you can reach out to any businesses or brands you want to work with directly. You can send them an email pitch with some examples of your work and include any ideas you have to help them improve. 

Pros: It is a chance to fuel your passion and contribute to your professional growth.

Cons: There aren’t any cons. 

9. Edit Photos

If you are skilled at editing photos you can offer this service as a side hustle. Taking the photos is half of the battle, editing it is what brings the photos to life and gives it a feeling. 

Editing photos is time-consuming so many photographers are willing to outsource it. You can collaborate with them and enhance the visual appeal of their images. You can charge by the hour or by the number of images you have to edit.

To get started I recommend building your portfolio and utilising social media. For example, you can tag other photographers so that they can see your work. 

Pros: This is another way to express your creativity and make money.

Cons: It can take a while to land a client.  

10. Be a Freelance Photographer

Becoming a freelance photographer is a great way to find the best photography side jobs. As a freelance photographer, you will have the autonomy to choose which projects you want to work on, set your rates and build a diverse portfolio. 

Offering your services as a freelancer will allow you to work on a variety of projects. You can go from working on documenting events to creating captivating visuals for marketing campaigns. 

This will require you to adapt to your client’s needs, but it will also give you a chance to collaborate with a diverse range of individuals and businesses which can contribute to your professional growth.

To be a successful freelance photographer you need to build a strong online presence, network and deliver high-quality work that will showcase your unique artistic vision. 

You can find jobs on websites like Flexjobs, Fiverr, Upwork and The Creative Loft. Some of these platforms will be competitive so I recommend asking your clients to leave a review because it will boost your rating and help you to stand out. 

Pros: This is a flexible way to make money and gain exposure to different businesses. 

Cons: There aren’t any cons.

How To Start a Photography Side Hustle:

Choose a Niche

The first step when starting your photography side hustle is to choose a niche that aligns with your interests and skills. Whether it’s portraits, events, food, travel or product photography, specialising in a particular area will help you stand out and attract a specific audience. 

Create a Portfolio

The next step is to put together a portfolio that highlights your best and most diverse work. Potential clients will want to see your range and capabilities, so curate a collection that reflects your skills and unique style. Ensure that your portfolio is easily accessible both online and in print for networking opportunities.  

Create an Online Presence

As with many businesses, it is important to establish an online presence. This is crucial for attracting clients in a digital age. You can do this by creating a website or utilising your social media platforms to showcase your portfolio. This will allow you to engage with your audience, share behind the scenes content, and build a community around your photography brand. 

Invest In Equipment

You don’t necessarily need the latest and most expensive gear to get started, but investing in quality equipment is essential. Having a reliable camera, lenses and basic accessories will ensure that your work meets professional standards. As your side hustle grows and you make more money, you can consider expanding your equipment based on your specific niche and client demands. 

Put Yourself Out There

The final step in starting your photography side hustle is to put yourself out there. I know it can seem daunting but it is necessary if you want to be successful.

You can do this by networking within your community and online. Also, attend local events, join photography groups, utilise word of mouth and collaborate with other creatives. Read here to learn more about how to get started. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Photography a Good Side Hustle?

In short yes it is. Your earning potential will vary depending on the type of side hustle you choose, but if you are passionate about photography it will allow you to pursue your creative interests and make money. 

Just like any side hustle to have success it will require dedication, perseverance, and the willingness to improve and adapt to change and client preferences. With the right approach, photography can not only be a fulfilling creative outlet but also a lucrative source of income. 

Which Photography Is Most Profitable? 

As a photographer, it is important to have range, but choosing a niche will make it easier to build a brand and get more clients. I recommend choosing a niche that aligns with your passion and interests and not basing it solely on which niche makes the most money. If you are good at your craft the money will come eventually. 

But to answer the question here is a list of the most profitable photography niches.

• Portrait photography
• Real estate photography
• Wedding photography
• Family and newborn photoshoots
• Fashion photography

Final Thoughts

Starting a photography side hustle requires dedication, creativity, and a strategic approach. By creating a portfolio, building a strong online presence, investing in quality equipment and marketing your services you will set yourself up for success. 

When choosing which photography side hustle you want to pursue ensure you choose one that aligns with your personal interests and passions. It is also important to consider the time and energy you have available to commit before you get started so that you can manage your time efficiently. 

Have you found these photography side hustle ideas helpful? Which one will you try?

This post was all about photography side hustles.

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