Table of Contents
1. Use a website such as Freelancer to find freelance photography jobs.
With this site, you can earn money online by offering the services of your camera on demand.
If you’re just getting started and want to earn $200-$300 per month from your first photography job, you should charge around $10 for a standard digital photo. Once you get your business off the ground and you’re making $600 or more per month, you can start charging $50 to $75 for a photo shoot.
2. Get paid on an hourly basis.
To be taken seriously, you need to charge around $30 – $45 per hour. This means you will need to work about 10 hours per week. The minimum number of hours that most professional photographers work is 20 per week. So, you will need to work at least four hours a day.
3. Be prepared to charge more than the going rate.
The main reason that some photographers are reluctant to charge more is because they don’t want to earn more money. They feel they are doing enough to earn a living. This is understandable, but remember that the only way to earn more money is to become an expert at what you do and to keep charging top rates.
4. Be clear about the terms of your contract.
Most freelance photographers have a contractual arrangement, and this should be clearly spelled out in your agreement. These should include details of how you are to be paid, what you are to do, when you are to deliver work and so on. Make sure that you can deliver the agreed quantity and quality within a specified period of time. If you are working for a magazine or newspaper, they will expect you to produce a certain amount of material each month. Make sure that you understand what the job description is and that you meet the requirements.
5. Set your own prices.
Some photographers set a price they think they can afford. This can cause problems later on when the market is more competitive.
6. Set a daily target.
If you know that you will be able to get five or ten assignments each week, you will be more motivated to work. It also helps to keep a diary of your assignments and sales so you can compare how much you are earning.
7. Have a plan B.
If the first few weeks go badly, don’t give up. It’s often better to take a part-time job to make ends meet until you’ve got more work. This will give you valuable experience and skills. You’ll also be saving money.
8. Don’t work for free.
You have to be prepared to spend a lot of time and effort producing your work. So, don’t accept freebies.
9. Don’t charge too little.
Always check your fee against the going rate. If you are charging less, the client may resent it and you’ll never get paid.
10. Accept that you will never make a fortune.
It’s no use putting yourself under pressure to sell your work quickly. There’s no guarantee you will make any money.
11. Keep your costs down.
For example, buy a new camera. Use the best quality photographic paper and equipment that you can afford.
12. Be selective about your clients.
You will be happier and earn more money if you choose the right kind of clients. This will help to increase your reputation.
13. Don’t forget to reward yourself.
You deserve to treat yourself once in a while.
14. Make great images that people want to buy.
You could do this by getting paid for photography and selling the pictures online. If you are willing to put in the time and effort, you could sell your pictures to magazines and websites for a small fee. You could also work on your own website, with the aim of attracting clients. This means creating a business plan that shows how much money you can earn each month and what you need to do to make it happen. In order to become a professional photographer, you need to study photography, develop your skills and learn a lot about the business of photography.
15. Take great photographs.
This means working out what kind of pictures you want to take and thinking about where you might take them. Then, once you have decided on the location and made sure you have the necessary equipment, set off on your journey to take great photographs.
16. Start your own blog.
If you create a blog, people will be able to see your images for free. Once you have built up a following, you can decide whether to pay for your blog to attract more readers or to give you a regular income.
17. Choose a niche.
If you are photographing people, pets or landscapes, you could choose to specialize in one of these areas.
18. Find a company that offers web hosting services.
By registering your domain name, you can create a website where you can showcase your pictures. The web hosting company will allow you to upload your pictures and other information.
19. Join a community of photographers.
This can be a Facebook group or you could join a photo club or association. This will allow you to share tips and learn new skills and techniques. It will also give you access to a wider audience than you would find through your website alone.