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The general idea has always been that to make money from photography, you either have to be working for someone or be your own boss and create images solely for you and your clients whilst getting paid for your services. But there are so many ways that a photographer can make money with the skills that he has and the equipment that he has purchased without actually taking pictures. Here’s a few;
- Rental Services: Purchasing Photography equipment is quite expensive and recuperating that cost sometimes can take longer than expected but an additional way to make back what you’ve invested in purchasing cameras and lights and stands is by renting out to those who need them but can’t purchase theirs. Right off the bat, it is important to note that renting your gear is risky business but if you’re certain you want to walk the path, then creating a lease document and having those who rent them send those documents is one way to protect yourself. Also, insuring our gear against damage is another way to ensure you don’t totally lose out should any unfortunate fortune befall your investments.
- Sales of Presets and Courses: Whilst this takes a bit of time and is dependent on you being an icon in the industry, selling personal courses that teach your unique style of photography is a sure way to ensure that when you aren’t actively working, they are assets that are out there working for you. Intellectual Assets like colour grading presets, LUTS, Retouching Actions and Courses as well as photography courses are a sure way to earn money over a long period of time without actually picking up your camera.
- Freelance Retouching Services; There is an entire market for freelance retouchers and if you have some free time on your hands, that could/is a good way to make extra money to supplement your actual photography career. Platforms like Fiverr and UpWork are places to reach the broader variety of clients who might need your services but also, advertising on your existing social media platform is enough to attract those around you and others who might be in need of your retouching prowess.
- Teach Photography; Don’t mistake this for photography courses, there’s a lot that in person courses will convey that a recording cannot. The opportunity for attendees to ask questions and seek clarification rather than jump from one video to the next in hopes of obtaining clarity. Paid personal classes are a sure way to make extra cash whilst sharing knowledge and improving the general photography industry in your region. You can also record these classes and upload later hence killing two birds with one stone.
These are a couple of ways that your knowledge and understanding of photography and its related fields can benefit you indirectly. What ways do you think you can make money through photography without actually picking up the camera, leave a comment, I’d like to know.
