1. Stock Photography – This is the most flexible option on the list. You can literally take a picture or video of almost anything and potentially sell it. This is a great area to grow as a photographer. You will get feedback on your work and build a diversified portfolio. The downside is that it doesn’t pay much. Check sites like Shutterstock and Adobe Stock to get started.
2. Mini Sessions – These are usually scheduled around a time when an abundance of people are looking for photos such as Fall or senior pictures. To start, I recommend choosing a fairly small area that makes meeting quick and easy. Schedule 20-minute sessions with 10-minute breaks in between. This works well and has a good flow for a beginner. You might be able to make your first $100 with one 20-minute mini-session.
3. Family Portraits – I did a few free photo sessions before charging. Think of it as education. You will learn a lot in the process. Your subjects/models are helping you learn the flow of everything and you are providing them some beautiful images. Some photographers feel charging a lower rate cheapens the profession. My opinion is that charging a lower rate is quite alright. I can charge more now than when I started for a reason. True photographers will keep growing and getting better for their entire lifetime. You’ve gotta start somewhere and $100 is a nice obtainable goal.
Please let me know how you earned your first $100 as a photographer.
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