How can you create multiple streams of revenue with photography?

I worked for Getty Images for 5 years. It’s not so easy to get your work into a stock collection. And even then Stock photography is about volume. It is more rare to make a lot of money on a few images. Stock agencies have vetting systems, editors that help decide what their collections and clients would benefit from image / choice wise. Each photo is often sold for way less than you might think and then the photographer gets only a small percentage depending on their contract and how in demand their work might be. Some photographer can do well with large collections of their work or a style that is popular with clients but even the best I have seen pull their images and sell directly when they aren’t making enough sales.

My primary revenue stream is from studio branding and on location marketing photography, however having local landscapes and landmarks in art available for purchase as prints or licensing has topped up my income by about 10%. I do it directly, not through a stock site as I target local clients only. This additional stream has also provided marketing opportunities for my own business, as local galleries have exhibited my collections.

Stock sites require you to use a professional grade camera so check site requirements before you start. They also have a strict quality control process that includes things like noise from high ISO shots. Stock photography is unlikely to make you rich as the royalties are usually small.Search to see what the sites are looking for before you start. Top tip; Upload singly or in small batches. If one image fails QC then they all do.

It is important to remember that you need to have at least one proven and consistent revenue stream BEFORE you start diversifying. Otherwise you will get burnt out from trying to do too many things at once. Selling through stock photography platforms is becoming less lucrative every year, especially with the rise of AI created images. Other service based revenue streams to consider are teaching, sub-contracting, retouching, leading tours, education. Some product based revenue streams can include direct print or product sales (like mugs, phone cases), represented product/print sales from a 3rd party marketer, digital products (like screensavers). And of course, you can increase your own sales through affiliates and joint ventures.

Online stock photography has succumbed to economics 101 in which supply is completely overwhelming demand. Images that would have licensed for 1500 USD 15 years ago can be found for 15 dollars today. The key to financial success in ANY creative field is to rise well above commodity status. This can be done with a unique style or by achieving an excellence that few are able or willing to attain. You cannot escape economics 101. I picked a niche and became good at it. I think that is the way to go.

You make Presets and sell them and also make your aesthetic pictures into Frames for sale using any of the social media platforms.

To handle web design maintenance requests effectively: Establish a clear request submission process. Prioritize requests based on impact and urgency. Allocate resources and plan a timeline. Execute changes with thorough testing. Communicate progress transparently. Document all requests and outcomes. Continuously monitor and improve the website.

If you're considering launching your own line of products, leveraging print-on-demand services offers a relatively streamlined method. Here's why: Minimal Upfront Investment: With print-on-demand, there's no need to buy bulk inventory. Flexibility in Design: You can regularly update or modify your designs based on trends or feedback. Scalability: As your brand grows, these platforms can scale with you, ensuring you meet the increasing demands of your customers. Logistical Ease: These services often handle the brunt of the operational process – from printing to shipping. This allows you to focus on design, marketing, and other crucial business aspects. Sure, there are downsides, but don't let them deter you. Dive in, learn, and adapt!

Some things to keep in mind: Small arts and crafts shows are better for selling cards, calendars, and such. Art fairs are better for matted prints, canvas prints, and framed prints. Online you can sell almost anything with your photographs on them, but you won't get rich.

Teaching photography face to face is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done… period! Everyone has a camera these days but not everyone can use it well and many blame the tool for their dissatisfaction. The satisfaction from seeing people learning even the most basic rules of composition, use of available light and positioning subjects is overwhelming! That moment when they realise what it is they are trying to achieve and then achieving it.. wow! Offering services at community houses, places of work and the likes are great places to begin perhaps.

There is a school of thought that you need the latest, greatest gear to be good. Remember that some of the most iconic images, pictures that have prompted change in the world, were taken with kit that is now considered obsolete by many. Showing people how to get the best out of what they have is a real joy. (And one in the eye for the "kit snobs!)

Perhaps one of the more controversial positions would be to teach your customers the photography you know. One side will argue that you're revealing too much to the customer, another side will argue that educating your customer will lead to a more understanding customer and hopefully in time, grow with the customer. My take is, if not you, then others will. So show the customer what's behind the curtain, they will appreciate the amount of work, attention to details, care and precision you put into your work, they will understand why you charge and how much value they receive from that amount they pay. And if they decide to leave or hire others in the process, then I would advice you to move on as these customers weren't genuine anyways.

Another possible way to share your knowledge is via YouTube. I have my own YouTube channel where I not only give wildlife photography tips and advice but also share my adventures and disaster??

Teaching can be one of the most rewarding things you do. I have had the pleasure of running the photo program at Parsons School for Design, teaching workshops, and not teaching photography and business one on one. If you would like to teach focus on your area of expertise and deliver the information clearly and concisely. Think about what will help your students succeed. - If you are interested in teaching at a school send your CV and a sample of your work to the Director of the Program. If you are interested in teaching at established workshops put together two or three brief course proposals and cover topics not already taught. If you would like to teach one on one you will need to establish yourself as an expert, then find your audience

I offer retouching services to my clients at the end of the photo session. I am a branding photographer and create custom presets for each client, offering to sell them the preset I create. Additionally, I will let them know if they take photos on their own and are having difficulties matching the preset to the photo, I can retouch their photos for a small fee. This is often successful, as the client has seen my work and already trusts my abilities.

Photography doesn't begin and end at the camera. For every photo you take for a client, some amount of processing is done - from culling, to cropping, exposure and colour corrections, and more detailed retouching beyond that. Photographers who are very busy and prefer to spend their time working face-to-face with clients, shooting, will often outsource some of this editing. From wedding and portrait photographers, to industrial or property photographers, there will always be a market for remote editing services. Covid and remote working has made this even more common. If you are looking for another income stream, networking with other photographers who need support with post-processing can be a great supplemental income.

Great retouchers are hard to find. In addition to the groups mentioned in the description join groups like LA Retouching can be a great revenue stream. Image Makers or NYC Images Makers on Facebook. They are both places that cater to working photographers. - Have a pdf of your work, or a web site/ social media that shows your skills. Let people know if you are comfortable working long distance and what your fee and turn around time is.

I hire editors all the time, and I am often envious because they are Great dapplers in Art where it meets Photography. The only problem is that you are competing on a World stage. And A dollar to you is like twenty dollars in some countries. Its hard to make a living. However, This is where the future will be, so, if you have financial support, or like starving..go for it

Again, put your best hand forward in this specialist field. There are way to many people offering these kind of services without having the knowledge or ability to achieve the outcomes required. There’s so much more involved in the area od digital processing than the sharpening and automatic colour correction tools in photoshop! Many photographers outsource this part of the job and there is heaps of coin to be made if you’re good at it, with the emphasis on “exceptionally bloody brilliant” at it! Editing suites such as photoshop are capable of so much these days but the art is keeping it looking natural. Learn, learn and keep on learning. Have your work scrutinised regularly and take other people’s opinions onboard when applicable.

I never imagined writing about photography but am now an Editor at Large for IRK Magazine a fashion and culture print magazine and website in Paris, and have written two books The Business of Fine Art Photography and The Fashion Image for major publishers with two more books on the way. Writing is a great way to meet people throughout the world. You can build your network and that will offer you more opportunities. - Find your area of expertise and focus on that as you begin to write. - Interviewing people is its own skill. If people are comfortable with you people are willing to share a good story or interesting insights that can be the basis for a great editorial. - Keep your writing concise, it will be appreciated by editors and readers

This largely goes with teaching, if you’re good at teaching, put your lesson plans down on paper and you’re half way there. Only write about subject matter you know about inside and out, there’s already plenty of misinformation out there..

I started out as a writer before picking up photography, so I blogged on my experiences such as starting out as a wedding photographer and transiting from DSLRs to mirrorless cameras. I would say insights on approaches to different genres of photography or practical tips on preparation for assignments would be more useful as there are plenty of tech and gear reviews out there.

Not only does writing and sharing knowledge about photography position you as an expert in the field, it can bring traffic to your platform and expose you to your ideal client. Sharing knowledge allows others to know, like and trust, and these are the foundations of building that relationship. It's a great way to further communicate your range of skills that move beyond the everyday amateur or person with a camera phone.

Wow about the journey or even your own. Others can stand to benefit from another's humble beginnings. I know I have learned from others sometimes, before I fell into the same trap.

Don't forget to partner with Agencies ;) There are communication agencies, marketing agencies, PR agencies, digital agencies, etc. You may want to partner with as many agencies as possible, because they have projects that most of the time can not be executed by their internal team alone.

The ability to find synergies and partner with complementary businesses and organizations is crucial to the success of any media production professional. Without these partnerships, the hope to combine talents to find and produce outstanding results for clients is practically impossible.

Doesn’t hurt to ride the waves of others sometimes. A joint or collaborative stall at a wedding show for instance. Perhaps partner with a printer or album curator if you don’t do these things yourself. Maybe a local venue or catering company! People will often purchase on the recommendation of someone they trust. If they’re decided on the venue and there is already trust, why not ride on it..?

A lot of useful insights, thanks! I would also recommend partnering with agencies. I’m an employer brand photographer & Specialist and from the start I partnered with job marketing agencies who create websites and online campaigns for their customers. I work freelance but am now their go to ‘inhouse’ photographer for many of their customers. I get about 3 to 4 shoots a month out of it. With returning affiliate deals if I involve the agencies in my own customer projects. Same goes for regular marketing agencies, I guess. A bit of agency acquisition at the start and now I hardly do any acquisition. And an extra advantage, my price is added to their total bigger quote/offers to corporate clients … serious customers … serious prices ????

Consider directly reaching out (Instagram DM has been a hit!) to clients, owners of brands, or CEOs who share similar interests or culture to you. For example, as a South Asian woman and business owner, I've had great success in booking other South Asian CEOs, brides, and graduates. In particular, tailoring these shoots to highlight the person's style, personality, and unique heritage and culture will empower your clients, and their following will expand your own reach!

1. Discover ways to increase your photo sales by offering licensing options and printed services, such as framed prints or albums, to your client proofs. 2. Consider submitting personal projects or test shots to photo contests to gain recognition and the chance to win prizes. 3. Enhance your deliverables by including cinemagraphs, videos, or behind-the-scenes footage that your clients can use and share on their social media. It can add value to your work. 4. Add photo consultation and workshop on your services. 5. Create an account to sell your art or photos on platforms like Saatchi Art, Displate, etc.

Renting your kit is an excellent way to add more income. As you invest time into creating your signature look, you will use many tools. Rather than selling these items when you no longer need them, consider renting them out. Renting is not an excuse to chase gear and collect it; but a way to profit from gear you enjoy sharing with your photo community.

Consider a wide range of photographic services. Portraiture, in the studio, at people's homes or offices or on a location related to what the pictures need to say. Architectural and interiors photography for individuals and companies. Art photography I.e simply beautiful pictures. Advertising photography in different classes of business. Project photography tracking the whole life of a project and delivering it in the form of a book.

Diversify your photography income: Stock Photography: Upload your images to platforms like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock, earning royalties on each download. Print Sales: Sell high-quality prints of your best work through your website or platforms like Etsy. For example, offer limited-edition prints of a stunning landscape. Workshops & Classes: Teach photography skills through in-person workshops or online courses. Develop a series of tutorials on advanced editing techniques. Photo Tours: Lead photography tours to exotic destinations. Create a tour package for capturing wildlife or unique cultures. Photo Books: Self-publish photo books featuring your portfolio or a specific theme, such as "The Art of Macro Photography.

Many leaders in the photography industry suggest specializing in one genre. While this is sound advice, I have found success in pivoting when necessary. I am primarily an event/wedding photographer. When COVID hit, my work slowed down dramatically. For that season, I did a lot of food photography as restaurants rushed to get their menus and pictures of their food online. Currently, many real estate photographers are struggling due to the increase in interest rates and less houses on the market. Consider following the advice of our elders, "Don't keep all your eggs in one basket." Pivot when necessary.