Starting out
BRAND-NEW FOCUS
Buyers’ guide
Here’s our beginner’s guide to making cash from your photography skills
IT’S BEEN AN incredibly challenging year for everyone, but thoughts can hopefully now turn to exciting new chapters. Perhaps during lockdown you were thinking about how you could earn a little extra money from photography, or even go fully professional doing what you love? And it’s a good idea. Yes, there are more photographers out there than ever, but there are also more people wanting
professional-quality images. Almost any web page you visit is an example of this. Those images had to come from somewhere and, if they’re good, they’ve most likely been paid for. So, if you’re considering making the jump, that’s where this guide comes in. We take a look at how you can start selling your photography skills – and showcase some of the services you’ ll need to do it properly.
“YOUCANSELL ANYTHING, FROM LANDSCAPESAND TRAVEL SHOTS, TOGENERIC PORTRAITSAND LIFESTYLE IMAGES”
Inspiration: What to shoot
pets – and commercial fashion jobs. Add in the events sector and there are many opportunities out there to develop your portrait skills. But, of course, there are thousands more niches to explore. Commercial work can also include shooting products and pictures for architectural clients or estate agents, and there are numerous companies and publishers who need travel and landscape photography to illustrate or advertise their wares.
IT MIGHT NOT seem like it, but this is your most important decision. Whether full or part time, having a plan of what your business offers means you can market yourself more clearly, as well as keep your creativity focused – try to follow what you love shooting, as you’ll hopefully be doing a lot more of it! Some of the most popular subjects for professional photography are weddings, social or promotional portraiture – including
Stock: Sell what you’ve shot
HIDDEN TREASURE Potentially, you could be sitting on a fortune in pictures already – get them out there, so future customers can take advantage
something unusual to use as a background. Though you’ll need to jump through some hoops registering, it’s keywords that are most important, so use accurate descriptions. Also, upload multiple compositions and different framings of the same scene. On a smaller scale, if you have a particular interest, try selling prints – whether to a local gallery or at an event, such as a heritage fair.
YOU DON’T NEED to be commissioned to make money from photography, and selling images as stock is great proof of that. So, if you have a back catalogue, get them online with a stock photography company, such as Alamy or Getty Images. You can sell anything, from landscapes and travel shots, to generic portraits and lifestyle. Even textures and abstract images are fair game, as designers are often looking for
IDEAS FOR CASH There’s always
demand for good-quality
photography. All you have to do is find a niche that suits your skills
Issue 89 | Photography News 17
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