How to Make 6 Figures As A Photographer? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a photographer? Good for you! Being a photographer is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.
In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a photographer - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
Starting an online course could help you make six figures as a photographer by leveraging your expertise to teach others specific skills and techniques. By identifying educational gaps in photography and developing engaging video lessons and supplementary materials, you could create a valuable learning resource that attracts a wide student base.
With flexibility around self-paced or cohort-based structures, your course could generate passive income, allowing you to earn money while focusing on other aspects of your photography business. For entrepreneurial photographers who enjoy sharing their knowledge, this approach offers a lucrative opportunity to monetize instructional talents with relatively low startup costs, serving a growing market of lifelong learners seeking convenient and specialized education.
How much you can make: $275 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
2. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
If you're looking to make six figures as a photographer, starting a freelance writing business could be a compelling side hustle or even a full-time venture. With strong writing skills and the ability to meet deadlines, you could write for photography blogs, magazines, and online publications. This not only diversifies your income but also complements your expertise in photography, allowing you to position yourself as an industry thought leader.
Freelance writing offers the flexibility to define your own work schedule, which means you could easily balance it with your photography projects. The entrepreneurial-minded photographer could find this a rewarding way to earn extra money while leveraging your unique perspective and insights into the photography world. With proper communication skills and a self-starter attitude, you could effectively navigate both careers, staying updated with current writing tools and trends to maximize your earning potential.
How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
3. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could significantly supplement your income as a photographer and potentially help you reach six figures. By creating engaging content that showcases your photography skills, techniques, and behind-the-scenes work, you could attract a dedicated audience. This in turn could open the door to multiple revenue streams such as ad revenue, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing.
Beyond direct monetization, your YouTube presence could bolster your personal brand and drive more clients to your photography business. With YouTube's established monetization system and immense popularity, achieving 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours to join the Youtube Partner Program could become a realistic milestone. Embracing this platform, therefore, could not only provide extra income but also elevate your profile in the photography industry.
How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.
4. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a photographer, especially if you have a knack for guiding others through their professional journeys. By offering personalized sessions on resume building, interview prep, and career advancement, you could leverage your industry knowledge and experiences to help clients achieve their goals.
This side business could be especially flexible, allowing you to schedule in-person or virtual meetings around your photography gigs. With the right marketing and a passion for empowering others, you could transform your ability to motivate and inspire into a six-figure income source, all while keeping your main focus on photography.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Wall Street Oasis, the largest online community focused on careers in finance, has over 100 million visitors during its 14-year history and is currently receiving over 2 million visits per month, offering interview courses and mentorship services, in addition to building and investing in a thriving online community.
5. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a lucrative way for you, as a photographer, to supplement your income and work towards making six figures. By choosing a niche within photography, such as tips for beginners, industry trends, or interviews with other professionals, you could attract a dedicated audience interested in your expertise. Basic recording equipment and an affordable hosting platform are all you need to get started on a budget.
Once your podcast gains traction, you could monetize through sponsorships, advertising, or even by offering premium content to loyal listeners. Additionally, promoting your podcast through social media and online communities could enhance your brand visibility and draw more clients to your primary photography business. With dedication and strategic promotion, your podcast could turn into a significant revenue stream, contributing to your goal of making six figures.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
6. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an eCommerce store could be a lucrative way for you to supplement your income as a photographer and achieve six figures. By selling your prints, photo books, or photography equipment online, you could reach a global audience without the significant overhead costs associated with a brick-and-mortar store.
The convenience and efficiency of online shopping mean that consumers are more likely to make purchases from the comfort of their homes, allowing you to tap into a broader market. With the right website and payment processing software in place, you could offer a seamless shopping experience that encourages repeat business and grows your brand.
Additionally, you could diversify your product line by offering exclusive content, such as online photography courses or personalized photo editing services. This could further enhance your revenue streams and build a loyal customer base, ensuring your eCommerce store becomes a thriving extension of your photography business.
How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Southern Elegance Candle Company, founded by D'Shawn Russell, started as a side hustle making around $200 per weekend at a local Farmers Market, but now averages approximately $20,000 per month in sales across their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire.
7. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could significantly supplement your income as a photographer by allowing you to reach a broader audience and establish yourself as an industry expert. With 77% of internet users reading blogs and blogs being rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of online information, you could attract a substantial following and drive traffic to your services.
Moreover, blogging offers a versatile and location-independent platform, enabling you to work at any time and from anywhere. Each month, approximately 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages, presenting an enormous opportunity for exposure. By consistently sharing valuable content and building a mailing list, you could convert readers into clients, generating a steady stream of income that could push your earnings into the six-figure range.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
8. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)
Launching a social media marketing agency could significantly boost your income as a photographer. By leveraging your visual storytelling skills, you could assist businesses and individuals in creating captivating social media content. This could be particularly lucrative, as you have the flexibility to automate many tasks using social media marketing tools, allowing you to manage your agency efficiently without sacrificing your photography work.
To get started, develop a robust social media marketing strategy and build a compelling agency portfolio to attract potential clients. This venture could help you clear utility bills, finance your education, or save for a vacation. Such an entrepreneurial approach not only supplements your income but also potentially evolves into a full-fledged business, propelling you towards a six-figure income.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $4,166,667/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
9. Digital products ($242K/month)
Creating and selling digital products could be a lucrative addition to your photography business, potentially helping you reach six figures. The beauty of digital products lies in their versatility and ease of creation. As a photographer, you could develop products such as presets, tutorials, online courses, or even an exclusive membership site where you share advanced tips and tricks.
These digital offerings not only leverage your existing skills but also require minimal overhead. With no inventory to manage, you can sell these products directly from your website, allowing for a broader audience reach. The endless possibilities of digital products can provide you with multiple income streams, enhancing both your revenue and professional growth.
How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
FilterGrade is an eCommerce platform offering digital assets such as photo filters and video templates; attracting over 450,000 monthly users and generating approximately 30k a month, the founders worked hard to build a valuable marketplace for creators while focusing on digital marketing, partnerships, and content creation.
10. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketing venture could significantly boost your income as a photographer. By promoting photography-related products or services from other companies, you could earn a commission on each sale made through your referral links. This not only supplements your shooting gigs but also leverages your existing audience and marketing skills.
Since you don't need to create or own the products yourself, it's a low-cost way to diversify your income streams. You could sign up for affiliate programs in your niche, receive unique tracking links, and use your photography platform to drive traffic and sales. With minimal upfront investment, this business model offers a practical and accessible avenue to potentially make six figures.
How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
11. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Becoming a social media influencer as a photographer could open a new avenue for making six figures by leveraging your existing skills and audience reach. By establishing credibility in the photography industry and building a significant following on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, or TikTok, you could attract brand partnerships and sponsorship deals. These brands are eager to engage with influencers to connect with their target markets, and your stunning visuals and authentic recommendations could be valuable to them.
Additionally, as you grow your influence, you could monetize your content through various means such as ad revenue, affiliate marketing, and selling exclusive photography tutorials or presets. Choosing a popular niche that aligns with your passion and expertise could make creating relevant and engaging content both fulfilling and profitable. Ultimately, your unique, high-quality photography could set you apart and amplify your success as a social media influencer.
How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)
How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)
How one mother built a profitable frugal motherhood, life, and travel blog from scratch, using Instagram, Pinterest, and paid sponsorships to grow from 0 to 18.5K followers and generate $1,500-$3,000 per month in less than two years.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
