It’s great when you’re finally able to start making a living from one of your hobbies, whether on a full-time or part-time basis. I am thankful to say that I have been able to do this with photography, and I see no reason why other people shouldn’t do the same.
If you have no idea where to start with this artform, it’s never too late to enroll in a specialist class. You won’t need to spend loads of money at first – there are so many people who buy kit they don’t know how to use. Go basic with your equipment, and learn the skills from scratch. Practice lots and then think about investing more if you need to. Great photographs can be captured anywhere, with any device.
Once you’re feeling more confident, it might be time to turn your pieces into profit. Here are a few ideas on how you could do this:
Sell stock photography
One avenue that is accessible to many people is the ability to sell photographs to others on the web that need a generic image for their advertisement, article or website. There are a number of websites that you could look at if you are interested, and each of these will have their own criteria about photographic standards and model disclosures. It can be quite rewarding when you start to see your very own shots appearing across the web, but it is even nicer knowing that you’ve made some cash from it.
Snap for sensationalist stories
With citizen journalism being more popular than ever, see if you can make some money by capturing rare images. You’ll need to keep your ears to the ground to hear who’s where and what’s going on, but perseverance can pay off. Despite the potential gains, make sure to stay within the laws of the land, and don’t be a nuisance.
Create an online store
If you’re keen to make a name for yourself within the field of photography, it might be a better idea to create your own website where you sell your images. It’s up to you how you deliver your images – whether as digital files or prints, but I’ll tell you what I do. By doing a limited print run, I create an element of exclusivity – my website says how many are left of each print which seems to help them sell faster!
Put photos on canvas
I sell prints – sometimes with frames – but other people have seen success with canvas prints. People in the UK love putting these in their houses, so it’s a good market to get into if your images are up to scratch. You could also try and sell certain canvasses to local bars and restaurants that match their theme.
Be a local figurehead
Finally, why don’t you try and capture your local area to the best extent? This involves shops, rivers, landmarks – you name it. If you network with cafe owners, they might even let you sell your prints by hanging them on the walls; it benefits them to show an interest in local photography until the time that they are sold.
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