7 Photography Business Ideas to Expand Your Freelance Earnings
As a freelance photographer, you know the thrill of capturing a perfect moment and the satisfaction of seeing your work come to life. But let’s face it, freelance life can sometimes be unpredictable, especially if you specialize in a seasonal niche like weddings.
So, if you’re looking to diversify your income and create a more stable flow of work, this guide is for you. We’re going to go over a few different avenues you can take to expand your freelance work and keep your revenue coming in year-round while also creating new opportunities to push yourself creatively.
1. Product Photography:
The popularity of e-commerce has created an ever-climbing demand for high-quality product photography. Whether it’s showcasing handcrafted jewelry on an Etsy store or capturing the sleek design of a new piece of tech for a brand website, product photography requires meticulous attention to detail and lighting. Honing your product photography skills can open doors to collaborations with local businesses, online retailers, and even individual artisans looking to elevate their online presence.
This niche is particularly well-suited for photographers with a small studio setup or those who can utilize natural light effectively. Invest in a lightbox or learn creative ways to diffuse harsh sunlight, and brush up on your product styling techniques.
Remember, product photos are often the first impression potential customers have of an item, so ensure yours are clear, compelling, and are shot to showcase the product’s best features. Who knows, some brands may even let you keep what you shoot!
2. Live Music and Event Photography:
If you thrive in vibrant environments and enjoy capturing raw emotions, consider exploring live music and event photography. This niche offers a unique blend of technical skill and creative expression. Be prepared to work in low-light conditions and capture fast-paced action, all while remaining discreet and respectful of the performers and audience.
Building relationships with local music venues, event organizers, and even individual artists can be a great way to secure gigs. Showcase a strong portfolio featuring diverse live music and event photography to attract potential clients. This niche can be particularly rewarding for those who love the energy of live performances and capturing the essence of a special occasion.
Let’s also not forget that the music industry spends heavily on almost every aspect of touring and live performances. From purchasing the highest-quality gear to putting on elaborate gigs and festivals, this is an environment where clients are ready to spend.
If you decide you want to ingratiate yourself into your local music scene, you can also expand into other aspects of photography, like promo shots, studio stills, and album covers that will elevate your profile further to musicians in your area. Before you know it, you may find yourself taking shots of your favorite artist at a nearby festival as you grow your reputation.
3. Real Estate Photography:
The real estate market is constantly buzzing, and high-quality photos are crucial for capturing the attention of potential buyers. If you have an eye for detail and enjoy capturing the ambiance of a space, consider venturing into real estate photography.
Realtors are found in almost every corner of the United States, and successful ones invest in their visual content. For example, New Jersey realtor Joshua Baris (@njlux on Instagram) is an agent that showcases some of the finest homes in his state. To close the big sale, he works with local photographers and videographers to create compelling, unique content that makes the homebuying experience personal for his high-spending clients.
Breaking into the real estate photography niche requires a solid understanding of lighting and composition, as well as the ability to showcase a property’s best features. From spacious living areas to inviting outdoor spaces, make the most of natural light wherever possible, and learn to spot unique features in a home’s interior or exterior that could draw the buyer’s eye and add value to your realtor client’s portfolio.
Many real estate agents rely heavily on their photographers to showcase their listings, creating a steady demand for this service. Network with local real estate agents and agencies, and develop a portfolio specifically showcasing your real estate photography skills. Consider offering different packages, such as dusk and daytime shoots, virtual tours, or drone photography if you have the necessary licenses.
The best part? You don’t necessarily need to start building a portfolio on your own. Start by taking photos of your home, and ask friends and family members if you can do the same for their properties. You can use this as a work sample to start drawing in real clients who are ready to hire you for actual listings.
4. Local Business Photography:
From restaurants showcasing their mouthwatering dishes to local clothing boutiques capturing their latest collection, businesses of all sizes require high-quality visuals for their marketing efforts. Local business photography allows you to tap into a diverse range of clients and flex your creative muscles across different genres.
This niche allows you to be creative with storytelling through your lens. Collaborate with local businesses to understand their specific needs and tailor your services accordingly. Whether it’s capturing headshots for a professional website, photographing products for social media marketing, or documenting a team meeting for internal communication purposes, local business photography offers numerous opportunities to showcase your versatility.
Business owners also often know many other local entrepreneurs in your local area. Whether from networking or purchasing one another’s products and services, they can be your best source for word-of-mouth referrals to help you keep your name frequently mentioned when other businesses are looking to hire a photographer.
5. Contract Photographer for a Marketing Agency:
There are over 89 thousand marketing and advertising agencies in the U.S. While some may have in-house creative teams that provide photography and videography, many do not. Instead, they rely on local freelancers to provide this service on an as-needed basis for their clients.
Marketing agencies often require the services of photographers for various projects, from creating engaging content for social media campaigns to capturing product shots for advertising materials. Working as a contract photographer for a marketing agency can provide consistent work and expose you to diverse projects and creative teams.
Building relationships with local marketing agencies can be key to securing this type of work. Highlight your versatility and showcase a portfolio that demonstrates your ability to adapt to different shooting styles and client briefs. This option offers valuable experience and allows you to collaborate with seasoned marketing professionals on projects that can enhance your portfolio.
Marketing agencies are used to pitching potential clients. Cold-emailing or cold-messaging them on social can be an effective way to cut through the noise and reach these professionals directly so that you can start discussing potential collaboration opportunities.
6. All-Purpose Drone Photography:
The use of drone photography has soared in popularity, and with good reason. Drones can add a new perspective and can capture stunning aerial shots, adding a new dimension to your photography services. If you’re up for the challenge and are willing to obtain the necessary licenses and permits, drone photography can be a lucrative way to expand your business.
This niche requires technical expertise in operating drones safely and legally, alongside an understanding of drone photography regulations. Once you have mastered the technical aspects, you can offer your services for real estate photography, event coverage, landscape photography, and even aerial inspections for various industries. Be sure to research local drone regulations and insurance options before venturing into this niche.
7. Freelance Photo and Video Editing:
While many photographers are skilled at capturing stunning visuals, not everyone enjoys the intricacies of post-production. If you have a knack for editing photos and videos and possess a keen eye for detail, consider offering freelance photo and video editing services alongside your photography. Who knows? Maybe even some of your local competitors might hire you to edit their own work if it means they can save time and effort doing so themselves!
8. Social Media and Influencer Photography:
Social media influencers rarely take their own pictures and videos. If they do, they’re definitely looking to delegate that to someone else as their platform grows. If you enjoy collaborating with individuals and capturing content that resonates with their audience, consider offering your services as a social media and influencer photographer.
Understanding the specific aesthetic and target audience of each influencer you collaborate with is crucial. Be prepared to work in various locations and adapt your shooting style to match the influencer’s brand and content strategy. Building relationships with local influencers through networking events or social media platforms can be an effective method for breaking into this niche.
Showcase Your Freelance Photography and Find Better Work with Funnel
Remember, expanding your freelance photography business requires not just honing your technical skills but also actively marketing yourself and building strong client relationships. By diversifying your skillset and exploring these exciting photography business ideas, you can create a sustainable and rewarding freelance career that allows you to turn your passion into a thriving business.
At Funnel, we’re committed to empowering creative freelancers like you to find steady, reliable, and portfolio-worthy work. When you’re listed with us, you’ll join a community of other photographers, videographers, and designers like yourself that are seeking the best opportunities available.
To start showcasing your work with us, create an account today.