Do you like taking pictures? While traveling, socializing with friends, and taking pictures of interesting things in the neighborhood can be fun to see the world through the camera lens. Did you know that there are ways to get paid to take pictures? And not all of them involve starting a photography business.
Some companies may want your photo for a variety of reasons. In addition, individuals may want your photo. And many may be willing to pay.
Check out the many ways you can get rewarded for taking pictures and see which one is right for you. With time and effort, you may be able to earn enough money to replace your current job.
Photography continues to fascinate me to this day, and it’s even more fascinating once I know that I can get paid for it. And so is the camera.
However, with the evolution of photography and the release of sophisticated cameras almost every week, there is a need for superior quality photography.
16 Ways to Get paid to take Pictures
These 16 ways to take pictures and make money are for professionals and hobbyists. In some cases, a smartphone will suffice. Others may need a sophisticated camera. Although, you can try these.
1. Instaprints
Instaprints has several unique marketing tools to increase sales and exposure. You can also sell it on Facebook, retail stores, or license art on the walls of TV shows. The Instaprints mobile app allows customers to see how their images will appear on the wall before making a purchase.
Most features come with a free account, but premium members have access to additional options such as building their own website and sending promotional emails.
2. Photojournalist
A photojournalist is usually a full-time employee of a newspaper or magazine. They accompany reporters and correspondents at various events to take useful photos for the press. This is a very prestigious profession.
In fact, news agencies such as The Associated Press have won dozens of Pulitzer Prizes for photographs taken by journalists.
This is the highest praise in many cases, a photojournalist can also be a reporter. That’s a good way to get paid to take pictures.
3. Sale of Stock Photos
Selling stock photos is easy. If you’re creative and can take great pictures with a simple camera or smartphone, you don’t need a sophisticated camera. Shutterstock.com, 123RF, and many other websites allow you to create your own free account and upload photos for sale, there you can make money online. Please read the terms and conditions of these websites.
Some of them charge a membership fee. Others receive a power of attorney directly from the money you earn by selling your photos.
4. Event photographer
Everyone likes to leave memories of various events. And they do so by holding printed matter and digital photographs. If you have a high-quality camera and the equipment you need, work as an event photographer. There are two ways to do this. One is freelance and the other is a full-time collaboration with an event management company.
In general, freelance photographers are in high demand for festivals, wedding seasons, and other popular festivals and events. And it has an evergreen trending business that will make always the best ways to get paid to take pictures.
5. Medical Photographer
Medical Photographer is a great profession that can actually open the door to you in the fields of medicine and healthcare. Suppose if someone wants to Start a Physical Therapy Business there requires medical photos. So you can sell them and get paid to take pictures.
However, surgery and taking pictures of human organs are not suitable for weak types of peoples, so they require a very strong mind and the ability to deal with trauma. Medical photographers make a lot of money because many of us have to take pictures that can be surprising money to get paid to take pictures.
6. Take Pictures for Family and Friends
Do you like taking pictures of people? Then you can make money by starting a small photography business. You may be able to take pictures for your family and friends.
Start by offering a service at a very discounted price. Or you can take pictures for free to build a portfolio of websites that lead to paid gigs.
Disseminate information about your photography business on social media accounts such as Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. Share your work so that people can see your amazing photography skills.
Please select a place to take a picture. You can set up a small studio in the spare bedroom of your home. Alternatively, you can choose to take a picture at the client’s home. Outdoor venues such as parks are another option, with the advantage of having access to natural light.
Experiment with different poses and facial expressions. And don’t be afraid to take lots of pictures while practicing.
When I took a picture of my family member’s senior, I had not much experience in taking pictures. I took more than 200 photos to get 20 photos of usable quality.
But it was worth it. We took some great pictures, and I didn’t have to pay the photographer to take her picture.
Now there are people who ask me to take pictures of my children. It’s true that practice is perfect in the photography business.
As you continue to hone your skills, you can take professional-grade photos and learn how to make money in the process.
7. Aerial Photographer
Many of us may have taken pictures when the aircraft took off and landed. But did you know that thousands of women and men around the world are paid to take pictures from aircraft? They are known as aerial photographers.
They don’t take ordinary pictures. Instead, take specific pictures of landscapes, rivers, oceans, and anything else that private or government agencies need to map, examine ocean currents, and much more.
8. Celebrity Photographer
Celebrity photographers are also known as paparazzi. They follow celebrities and take candid and nice pictures that are often purchased in newspapers and other publications. One rare photo of a celebrity can make you thousands of dollars.
From time to time, publications and television channels also hire celebrity photographers. Their job is to attend events that celebrities are likely to attend. They compete with other photographers to get those amazing and memorable photos.
9. Wildlife Photographer
This can be a very dangerous way to get paid for taking pictures. Of course, there are organizations that take every precaution to protect you from wildlife that can suddenly attack you when you point your camera at them.
Wildlife photography is a very professional art and requires a lot of training. Also, working as a wildlife photographer requires a very high level of skill and equipment.
10. Archaeological Photographer
Interested in visiting historic sites and monuments to take pictures? Then the best way to take a picture and make money is to work as an archaeological photographer.
As a rule, archaeologists work as a team with archaeologists and historians. They look at all the details that the relic may have. Your photos are usually displayed in museums and exhibitions.
11. Model Photographer
Model photos are one of the most paid jobs if you find the right employer. That’s because people love to equate with models and buy products from that brand. Classic examples are Marlboro Man and advertising.
Another example is British Airways flight attendant Rosalind Ann Rosemary Humvee, whose face has been advertised for several years. These photos were taken by a model photographer.
12. Technical Photographer
As the term itself suggests, a technical photographer is someone who takes a picture of a machine during the finished product or manufacturing process. This allows companies to ensure that the machines and equipment they provide to their clients are okay.
Such technical photographs can also help improve internal processes and reduce manufacturing costs. Companies that manufacture expensive machines such as aircraft and ships use technical photographers in almost every process.
13. Take a Good looking Photo of Yourself
Authenticity and real people (not airbrush models) are now all the rage in photography and advertising. One of the most unique themes you always have access to is you! By telling a story, showing off your appearance, and being yourself, you can earn loyal followers as an online influencer.
With the influencer market growing to $ 8 billion in 2020, influencers have near-infinite revenue potential.
If you have a significant number of followers, the brand pays for individual posts. But if you’re not a big fish yet, companies like Stylinity will pay you a fee for your selfie shoppable items featuring the brands they work with.
And this isn’t just for fashionistas. Stylinity also works for travel, automobiles, upholstery, books, and electronic brands.
14. Travel Photographer
Travel guidebooks and websites make you want to visit the place. It’s thanks to the vast army of professional travel photographers. Some companies actually send travel photographers to take pictures according to their specifications.
Others hire the best local talent to take pictures that tempt us to visit the place. Travel photography is aimed at people who enjoy visiting different places and have specialized camera skills.
15. Forensic Photographer
Anyone who has seen a crime movie will surely find that a photographer is clicking on a photo at the crime scene. Such photographs help police and law enforcement agencies rebuild crime scenes and find clues that normal vision often misses.
Forensic photographers are generally police officers, and although they have the unpleasant task of visiting crime scenes and taking pictures, they do this special job.
16. Work as a Freelance Photographer
To build your photography business, try promoting your service on Fiverr and other freelance websites. They broadcast your photos to a customer base around the world. It’s great whether you’ve been taking pictures for years or just invading space.
Demand for food images on cooking blogs, product photos from e-commerce stores, and stock photos of lifestyles is strong. Rather than taking an image and expecting it to sell, contracting with a client through Fiverr ensures that someone pays for the photo.
Unlike other photo websites, you can work directly with your clients as a freelancer to set service deadlines and prices.
Sum Up
Today, millions of women and men around the world work as freelance photographers. They are rewarded for taking pictures from various buyers who need pictures of specific places, people, or things.
You can also join the freelance platform and bid on jobs. Create a great portfolio of different photos to display on your profile. If your work is attractive enough, you will continuously find a good taker.