Photographer

Photography is a visual art that involves using a camera to capture a moment in time. There are endless possibilities for what you can photograph—from people and events to landscapes, wildlife, and even the stars.

There are numerous ways to earn money as a photographer. As just a couple of examples, you could work as an employee for a media company, start your own photography business shooting weddings or portraits, sell prints of your work, or sell digital downloads of your photos on stock photo sites.

You don’t need a degree to make money as a photographer. However, you do need technical skills to produce professional-quality images, including knowledge of aspects like lighting, image composition, and photo editing. You also need a camera and other photography equipment.

Most people who get into photography do so because of their passion for the art form. Some types of photography are more lucrative and in greater demand than others.

Anybody can become a professional photographer. However, there are a few steps you’ll need to take to establish a good reputation.

Photography training and education

While you don’t necessarily need a photography degree to be a photographer, you do need to have a solid understanding of photography techniques and principles. You can get this foundational knowledge from photography workshops, online courses, training programs, or self-education from free resources online.

Decent photography equipment

Photographers hold varying opinions on the importance of gear. Most agree, however, that you need a basic photographer’s tool kit, consisting of a decent camera, kit and zoom lenses, SD cards, and a tripod. You’ll also need a computer or laptop and photo editing software to edit your photos.

Online portfolio and website

Regardless of whether you’re a staff photographer or independent/freelance photographer, you need a portfolio of your work to present to potential employers and clients. Digital portfolios are the most common these days. You can easily create a free portfolio website or create a professional business website to host your photos.

Being a photographer isn’t easy. Be prepared to face the following challenges:

• High competition: Lots of people want to be a photographer. You’ll need to spend a lot of time building up a solid portfolio and reputation to succeed.
• Unstable income: Most photographers work independently, meaning no guaranteed earnings. You could earn thousands one month and then nothing the next.
• Dealing with people: Unless you’re photographing nonhuman subjects, you’ll need excellent people skills and communication skills. You may also encounter difficult subjects and clients with unrealistic expectations.
• High startup costs: Photography equipment is expensive. Unless you’re already a hobby photographer with all the tools you need, it might cost you a lot of money to start a photography side hustle or career.
• Time spent not taking photos: You’ll spend more time organizing shoots, communicating with clients, handling payments, and editing photos than actually taking photos.

There are many draws to a career in photography:

• Creative expression: This is a line of work that allows you to get creative and define your own personal style.
• Low barriers to entry: You don’t need any particular credentials or qualifications to be a photographer. Anyone with a camera and photography skills can get into this line of work.
• Earning potential: Some types of photography can be incredibly lucrative, such as wedding and portrait photography.
• Diverse earning options: There are a lot of different ways to earn money from your photos, including some that involve travel and others that allow you to earn a passive income.
• Potential to be your own boss: Many photographers start up their own businesses. Working independently allows full freedom and flexibility over your rates and schedule.

Here’s a look at the current state of the photography industry:

• The number of photography jobs available in the US is expected to grow at about the same rate as the average growth rate across all occupations.
• The market size of the US photography industry is declining, with an average drop of 1.1% per year between 2018 and 2023.
• The top earning photography niche in 2023 was wedding photography.
• Photographers employed by companies (rather than self-employed) earned an average of $19.60 per hour (or $40,760 per year) in 2023.

These photography statistics show that this isn’t exactly a booming industry. However, there is plenty of money to be made in high-demand niches like wedding photography.