Professional photographers need talent, patience, and determination to make money. Online stock photography sites, freelance opportunities, local Chamber of Commerce, and creating products are ways to find a market for landscape photography. Contests can also provide money and gear.
Making money as a professional photographer requires talent, patience and determination. However, creative individuals will find the rewards to be well worth it. There are many markets for landscape photography that can help you turn your passion for capturing breathtaking images into a new career.
To earn some extra cash when building your portfolio, start posting your favorite images on some of the many online stock photography sites. These sites offer low-priced image downloads for people to use on their websites or print publications. You won’t make a lot of money from each sale, but images can be sold multiple times. Since the stock photography service handles all the billing and downloading for you, this is a great source of passive income for your photography business.
Newspapers, magazines and websites often have opportunities available for freelance photographers interested in landscape and nature photography. While it’s unlikely you’ll get into National Geographic on your first try, smaller publications can give you a chance to earn extra money while improving your photography skills. Most publications won’t be looking for random images, however. Instead, you’ll want to take pictures that adequately illustrate a specific story.
Contacting your local Chamber of Commerce can be helpful in your search for landscape photography markets. If your images feature important local landmarks, the group can use them on their websites or in newsletters, brochures, promotional calendars and other marketing materials. Since photographers are traditionally paid according to how their images are used, make a contract outlining what rights you plan to sell for each photo.
If you are into entrepreneurship beyond photography, you can create your own products with your images. Calendars, posters, mouse pads, note cards and t-shirts are just some of the items you can create with your favorite landscape photos. Sell them online or through a co-op agreement with a store in your community. While this approach will take more time than other ways to find a market for landscape photography, you will have much greater earning potential.
Contests, while not a traditional landscape photography market, can be a good way to earn money and camera gear. Contest winners often have their work published, which can be a useful addition to your resume as you look for other photography opportunities. Remember that contests are highly competitive; failing to win a particular contest should not be taken as a sign that your career is doomed.
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