Turn your love for photography into money
Andrew Stuckey • May 15, 2020
Allowing you to create a physical image of a certain time or memory, photography is a fantastic hobby to get into.
Whether you're a smartphone snapper or a dedicated SLR user, the ability to take truly exceptional photographs is an art that will always come in handy, so if you're even just a little bit tempted to kick start your photography hobby, now's the time to do so!
But that's not all. As well as being a handy life skill, once you've nailed the basics of amateur photography, you could soon find yourself making a handy buck or two from your snaps – provided you know where to look, that is…
Selling online
One of the easiest ways to make money from your snaps is by utilising one of the many stock photography sites available online.
The way these sites work is simple. In short, stock photography sites act as a shop window for your photos, and if someone wants to buy one, you get a share of the price. The majority are free to sign up for (be sure to check out iStock, Fotolia and Dreamstime) although each will have their own separate rules and guidelines for users to follow – so be sure to read through the terms and conditions before signing up.
Stock photography top tips:
- If you're the type of photographer who takes a lot of pictures of people, be sure to ask anyone in your snaps to sign a model release form before you upload your images to the site. Doing so may help you avoid any sticky copyright issues later down the line.
- Although it's tempting to upload your pictures onto several stock photography sites, you may actually be able to earn an extra quid or two by sticking with just the one. This is because several sites have what's called an exclusivity programme – meaning you get extra cash by staying loyal.
- Don't be disheartened if some of your images get rejected by the sites – there are many potential reasons for this. Rather than thinking your snaps aren't good enough, bear in mind that each site will deal with thousands of uploads every day, and duplicate images or professional shots may be prioritised ahead of yours.
- Be sure to mix up your style. Not only will this allow you to judge what works and what doesn’t, it'll also help you to develop your skills as a photographer, which is always a plus!
Go it alone
It's easy to see why so many amateur photographers go down the route of selling their images on stock photography sites – but what about those who would rather sell their work for hundreds at a time, as opposed to a royalty rate of around 15% per download?
For these people, the internet can be their best friend.
Nowadays, establishing a presence online can be done in just a matter of months – provided you're willing to give it everything you've got! From awesome portfolio sites such as Squarespace and Viewbook to social media sites such as Instagram (a real must for any budding photography ace) and Facebook, if you put the time and effort in to establishing a steady audience for your particular brand of photography, selling your snaps online can be a great way to make some serious cash.
In it to win it
As well as creating an online portfolio or selling your snaps on stock photography websites, if you're in the market to make a steady quid or two from your photography hobby, you may want to consider entering some competitions.
Available both on and offline, competitions offer budding photographers a great platform to showcase their work, while also offering a prize as an incentive to enter. Prizes can range from cash rewards to physical objects – most notably photography equipment – which is great news for anyone looking to earn a little extra now and again.
Here at 118 118 Money, we're dedicated to helping you get the most of your everyday hobbies and activities – and our blog is jam-packed with handy hints and top tips to help you do just that. So if ever you find yourself in need of a little extra boost – you know where to find us!