How to make money as a photographer, part 1

I’m a photographer, how do I make money from this?

Ah the million-dollar question! The best answer is usually “sell all your gear!” but suspect that’s not too helpful here. 

It’s a difficult topic, unfortunately due to the way the world works models have a much higher capacity for earnings than photographers (forget the top celeb and fashion photographers for a moment, we’re talking average hobby and semi pro) however, that doesn’t mean that you can’t make a steady income from your camera, this article I’m going to give you some guidance and what’s worked for me.

Firstly let’s talk about the traditional ways to make a decent living wage,  Weddings, baby shots, family portraits, school photography, corporate, residential and estate agents, drone stuff for surveys – the list goes on and on.  This is relatively easy, however it’s dull and I know a lot of people have a day job and are just looking to supplement their income.

Cards on the table, photography has not made me rich, not at all, not by anyone’s definition of the word. However, I do make a fair supplemental income from photography (all registered and taxed!) over a year.  Your routes to this are:

1.     Getting paid to shoot models

2.     Having a site like Patreon where people pay for your content

3.     Tuition and Workshops

4.     Other addons like presets etc

We’ll take each in turn.

Getting paid to shoot models

This is objectively the hardest thing to achieve, with this sector of the market there are a lot of models and a lot of photographers paying to shoot them. Now admittedly this has gotten harder for models since Covid, with many more realising they can make a lot more money self-shooting content for their platforms sitting at home than travelling 4 hours to Grimsby for a custard shoot with Gary the GWC but there is still a thriving market.

Why would a model pay you? That’s the first question you need to ask yourself honestly and objectively. There are only really a few reasons

1.     They want your images on their pages – this is the least likely although models do on occasion reach out to me to update their content with “pro” shots, as it just provides a more polished view.  I’m not reaching out to models asking for payment in the same way models do, well not 1:1. I’ll come to that below.

2.     You have something they want – this is the easiest, you just need to find what that thing is! It could be (in my case) a large social media following which is great promo for them.  It could be access to great locations, a lot of Urbex photographers do very well in this space.  It could be access to amazing outfits, or indeed a combo. It could be (increasingly) that you can shoot decent, flattering, social media friendly videos.

“I have some period ballgowns and access to a Scottish castle for the day” is way more likely to get a response than “can I shoot you in your underwear in my flat” – I mean see the difference?

3.     They are new or a non-model and want some Images to start a portfolio – this has always been a good go to and really is an extension of the old “boudoir shoot day” where Hilda pops in, gets her hair and makeup done and rolls around a bit on a carpet!

So, this is the question, why would they shoot with you. Just “some nice photos” isn’t enough anymore. Don’t forget there are some fantastically skilled photographers both paying models and shooting TF with models and giving them images.  Realistically 2 is your route here, what do you have that people want? If you can’t think of something, then you need to go find something.  I see photographers crying all the time not even about paid but TF too, why won’t models TF with me, to be honest the same above all apply too!

How to approach models for payment

Now Shh, this is a secret.  There’re four steps to being a photographer, 4 phases, think of it as the evolution of the photographer.  Phase 1, you’re new, you need a portfolio, you pay models and build your skills. Phase 2, you’ve been doing this a little while, you have some respect, some solid images and some models will happily TF with you, but you may still pay models now and again for specific reasons.  Phase 3, you are experienced, you work exclusively TF and Phase 4, you reach the final boss level, and you do the odd TF and the rest is models paying you.

I was sitting in phase 3 for probably 2/3 years.  I was moderately successful but still was surprised I wasn’t being approached to be paid.  Once I realised that was never going to happen things became clearer.  I bit the bullet, booked a studio and advertised “come shoot with me here, this place, this date, cost is £X and you’ll get Y photos and Z videos”.  Surprisingly I filled the slots in a day or so.  If memory recalls, I had a drop out and filled the space with a TF but I artificially created that demand for my services.  By advertising myself as wanting to be paid, people assumed I did that all the time and were happy to pay, from that point on it’s just setting a rate and an agreed working practice.

To that end I have never approached a model and asked to be paid, I just advertise when I’m free (with a studio or not) and if I’m looking for TF or paid.  It helps I don’t shoot a lot, so demand is always there in a way.  That’s it really, you just need to decide when you’re ready to be paid and be confident you can deliver.  As above you need to set expectations, so have your offering clear and set out.   My shoots with models (this is no secret) are £385 currently.  Typically, that’s two hours and I promise 10 edits and 2 videos which for me is pretty simple with my workflow. I don’t over promise and under deliver.  I offer the chance to choose their own images (but make sure I label DRAFT across everything) and turn things around usually within max 10 days.  Don’t get a reputation for being slow and always make sure your communication is on point with any delays.

They also get promo across social media, collab (if appropriate) and story posts etc, so it’s a decent boost for newer models but also, you’d be surprised who’s paid me for the same reasons.

You must switch your brain from the casual hobbyist to, oh, people are paying me, I need to be professional (you know what I mean, it’s a different mindset that’s all).

I’m not saying just throw an add up and adopt a build it and they will come mentality, you still need to be offering something people want, be strong at your game, be able to turn around a quality product etc.   Think of an angle here, maybe try a video day, that’s the bit that’s on you but feel free to reach out to me to sanity check ideas.

What should you charge?

Quick answer, what you feel you are worth AND what you can get away with, the two may be slightly different!  I’ve charged more than £400 on occasion and I’ve also charged a lot less. For me it’s about profit. How much profit do you want to make from the day.  I look at my outgoings (travel, studio booking) and then it’s just how many slots I plan to sell, with the profit I want to make gives me the price per slot.  I know other photographers have a slightly lower starting cost then charge extra for anything over 4-6 edits for example. These are all fine and is down to you.  If I’m travelling to a model, it will be less if I’m using her location, if it’s her place or she’s booked somewhere it will be less as I don’t have that outgoing.   I always offer group deals, grab a mate, I’ll shoot you both across 3 hours and charge you slightly less.  These are all just marketing techniques and things to consider when you are putting yourself out there.

Don’t over sell yourself but don’t under sell yourself either.

More to come in part 2!