How to Earn Money by Creating Photos

How to Make Money by Selling Your Photos on Products Like T-Shirts and Phone Cases

In the world of photography, there’s an exciting opportunity to not only capture stunning images but also turn them into a profitable business. By selling your photos on products like t-shirts, phone cases, and other merchandise, you can earn money and expand your brand. If you're a photographer looking to monetize your work, here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started.

1. Sell Your Photos on Merchandise

One of the easiest ways to make money from your photos is by selling them on products like t-shirts, phone cases, and mugs. You don't need to handle printing, shipping, or customer service—platforms like Society6 and Printful do all of that for you.

Best Platforms to Use:

Society6: This platform focuses on artistic designs and allows you to sell your photos as prints, posters, t-shirts, and other items.

Printful: You can create your own branded store and sell products like phone cases, clothing, and posters featuring your photos.

What Sells Well on Merchandise:

Stunning Landscapes: People love to decorate their homes with scenic views and beautiful nature shots.

Abstract Photography: Unique and artistic images can make bold statements on products.

Wildlife and Nature Shots: These types of photos are timeless and often do well on prints and merchandise.

Inspirational Quotes: Adding motivational quotes over beautiful backgrounds can make your photos even more appealing.

Marketing Your Products:

Instagram: Create an account to showcase your photos, share your design process, and link directly to your merchandise store.

Pinterest: It’s a powerful visual platform to drive traffic to your online store by pinning your photo products.

Offer Limited Editions: Scarcity often drives demand. Consider offering limited edition prints or designs to create urgency.

Participate in Local Art Fairs: Take part in local art markets to show your work in person and engage with potential customers.

2. Start a Photography Blog or YouTube Channel

If you’re passionate about sharing your knowledge and connecting with others, starting a blog or YouTube channel could turn your photography journey into an income stream.

Blogging About Photography:

A blog can cover a wide range of topics such as:

Photography tips and tutorials

Gear reviews and product comparisons

Post-processing techniques (e.g., using Lightroom or Photoshop)

Business advice for photographers

Monetization Options for Blogs:

Display Ads: Use Google AdSense or Mediavine to earn money through ads.

Affiliate Marketing: Share links to photography gear and earn commissions on any sales.

Sell Your Own Products: Offer Lightroom presets, eBooks, or courses related to photography.

Starting a YouTube Channel:

A YouTube channel can help you connect with your audience through:

Camera and lens reviews

Editing tutorials

Vlogs documenting your photography process

Behind-the-scenes footage of your photoshoots

YouTube can be monetized through:

Ad revenue

Sponsored content

Affiliate links

Selling your own products

3. Offer Freelance Photography Services

If you enjoy working with clients, offering freelance photography services can be a great way to earn money. Freelancing allows you to work on various types of photography assignments, whether it’s for special events or businesses.

Types of Photography Services You Can Offer:

Portrait Photography: Family portraits, professional headshots, and senior photos.

Event Photography: Weddings, corporate events, and parties.

Product Photography: Helping e-commerce stores showcase their products.

Real Estate Photography: Capturing properties for real estate listings.

Food Photography: Working with restaurants or food brands to showcase their dishes.

Where to Find Clients:

Local Facebook Groups: Join community groups to offer your services.

Freelance Platforms: Websites like Fiverr, Upwork, and Thumbtack are great for finding clients.

Networking: Build relationships with event planners, business owners, and other photographers in your area.

Pricing Your Services:

Research local competitors and see what they charge for similar services. Start with lower rates to build your portfolio, but as you gain experience, don't be afraid to increase your prices.

4. Create and Sell Lightroom Presets

If you’ve developed a signature editing style, you can sell your Lightroom presets to other photographers. Lightroom presets allow photographers to easily apply your editing style to their own photos.

Why Sell Presets?

No Inventory: Presets are digital products that require no physical storage.

Recurring Sales: You can sell the same preset multiple times.

Popular Among Beginners: Many photographers are looking for ways to enhance their photos with minimal effort.

Where to Sell Presets:

Etsy

Creative Market

Your Own Website

Gumroad

Tips for Successful Presets:

Create presets for specific photography niches like wedding or landscape photography.

Offer before-and-after examples so buyers can see the effect of your presets.

Provide clear instructions on how to install the presets.

5. Monetize Your Instagram Account

Instagram is a powerful platform for photographers. By building a strong following, you can turn your account into a money-making tool through sponsored posts, product sales, and more.

Instagram Growth Strategies:

Post Consistently: Aim to post 3-5 times a week to keep your followers engaged.

Use Hashtags: Research and use relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience.

Engage with Followers: Respond to comments and engage with your audience regularly.

Collaborate with Other Creators: Working with other influencers can help you grow your audience.

6. Enter Photography Contests

Photography contests are a great way to earn cash prizes, gain exposure, and even get published in reputable magazines. Winning a contest can also help establish you as a professional photographer.

Popular Photography Contests:

Sony World Photography Awards

National Geographic Photo Contest

International Photography Awards

7. License Your Photos Directly to Clients

Instead of relying solely on stock sites, you can license your photos directly to businesses, magazines, bloggers, and advertisers. This often earns you more money per image than stock photography platforms.

How to Find Clients:

Create a Portfolio Website: Show off your best work and make it easy for potential clients to find you.

Cold Emailing: Reach out to businesses, blogs, and marketing agencies who may need original photography.

Network: Connect with other professionals in the creative industry who might need high-quality images.

Getting Started: Your Action Plan

Choose one or two methods that resonate with you.

Build a portfolio of your best work.

Create accounts on relevant platforms.

Start promoting your work consistently.

Analyze and refine your strategy based on what works best for you.

Final Thoughts

The opportunities to make money with photography are vast and varied. Whether you’re selling prints, licensing images, or offering services, there’s no shortage of ways to turn your passion for photography into a profitable career. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your income grow.

Which of these methods are you most excited to try? Have you already monetized your photography in other ways? Let me know in the comments below!