25 Creative Ways Photographers Can Make More Money
(Beyond Client Sessions)
Photographers are inherently creative problem-solvers, and there are so many ways to use those skills to generate income beyond just photo sessions.
1. Education & Mentorship
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Teach Photography Courses (in-person or online)
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Host Workshops or Photo Walks (local or travel-based)
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Offer 1:1 Mentoring for Beginners (posing, editing, business)
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Sell Digital Guides or eBooks (manual mode, editing, pricing,
posing, etc.)
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Create a Photography Challenge or Subscription Group
(paid FB group or Patreon)
2. Digital Products
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Client-Ready Editing Services or Outsourcing Support (Culling, basic editing, or retouching for busy photographers)
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Templates (Canva templates, client guides, pricing sheets)
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Stock Photography (sell through Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, or your own site)
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Printable Art (landscape photos, affirmations, seasonal prints)
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Mockup Packs (create styled scene mockups for other creatives to use)
3. Service Expansion
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Mini Sessions (themed or seasonal)
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Personal Brand Photography
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Content Creation Packages (for influencers or small biz owners)
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Real Estate Photography or Airbnb Shoots
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Behind-the-Scenes Content Creation (Offer BTS reels, branded content, or social media clips for other photographers, creatives, or small businesses)
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Second Shooting or Associate Work
4. Niche Experiences
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Destination Sessions (charge travel fees or bundle travel + shoot)
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Glow-Up or Confidence Sessions (empowerment, self-love focus)
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Storytelling Sessions (pairing words + images for deeper impact)
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Heirloom Story Films (combining photo + video clips + voiceovers)
5. Website & Branding Services
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Offer Website Setup or Template Customization (Wix, Squarespace)
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Branding Consultations (photographers helping small businesses show up online)
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DIY Branding or Marketing Kits (social media templates, flatlays)
6. Affiliate & Passive Income
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Affiliate Marketing (promote camera gear,software, print labs)
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Sponsored Content or Brand Collaborations (if you’ve grown a niche audience)
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YouTube Monetization (gear reviews, tutorials, BTS)
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Podcasts or Substack-style Paid Newsletters
7. Product Sales
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Sell Fine Art Prints (open or limited edition)
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Photo Books or Albums (especially themed collections—like wildflowers or local spots)
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Prints on Demand (POD sites like Society6, Redbubble)
Bonus Thought: Use What You Already Know
If you’re great at something like styling, set design, floral design, or writing—combine that with photography. For example:
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Offer prop-styled shoots for other photographers
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Sell styled flatlays for product photography
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Create custom blog content packages for small business owners
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If you're already a photographer, then you are a creative entrepreneur—whether you realize it yet or not. The skills you use behind the lens—problem-solving, storytelling, seeing beauty in the mundane—are exactly what make you uniquely equipped to thrive in so many other areas. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Your creativity is your greatest asset.
