Passive income as a photographer? Is it possible?

Looking for ways to make a bit of extra money with your photography? Whether you're just starting out or already have some experience, there are a few easy ways to turn your work into income. Here are three simple methods that photographers use to earn on the side—some take a bit of time to set up, but they can add up over time.

Stock photography 

Sign up for a stock photo website like Adobe Stock or Shutterstock. You can upload images of pretty much anything, tag them properly with meaningful hashtags and a description, and if you get lucky, people will buy them! This method takes time, since uploading and tagging images will take a while- but it doesn’t require much skill or expertise, so its great for beginners. 

Selling prints

If you already have a website, you can add a page advertising your prints! Whether you plan to dropship or send bespoke prints through the mail, this is a good way for skilled photographers to generate some extra income. It doesn’t take as much time to set up as stock photography, but your photos have to be good enough that someone might want to buy and display them. 

Affiliate links

If you have an established online presence as a photographer, you might benefit from advertising your affiliate links! Any time you shoot with a new piece of gear, try out a new film stock, or visit a new studio or shop, drop an affiliate link for your audience. That way, if they choose to use the same product or service, you get a slice of the profit. 

It can be challenging to set up lucrative passive income streams as a photographer, but every little bit helps when you’re pursuing a creative career. Good luck, and happy shooting!

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