Freelance Photography Income, Types & How To Start

Making money through your passion for photography can be a rewarding experience.

But the reality is that most photographers struggle to find a way to monetize their interest in photography and visual art. 

Becoming a successful freelance photographer can be difficult without following a fool-proof game plan.

You might struggle to land clients or end up getting hired on unfavorable terms if you don’t know what you’re looking for in a gig. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at freelance photography gigs and how you can start earning money working as a professional photographer by the hour. 

An Overview of Freelance Photography: A Primer 

Working as a freelance photographer allows you to choose potential clients that you want to work for so you’re not restricted to working with just one company. 

Some of the most common gigs for freelance professional photographers are weddings, family photoshoots, and product photography.

They may also cover events as a supporting member of a photography team. 

You can work according to your schedule and availability.

This allows you to freelance as a side hustle or convert it into a full-time photography business if it is suitable. 

That said, in some situations, finding clients might be a struggle, and there may be long intervals where you’re without work, unless you’re working continuously as an independent contractor with some steady clients. 

How Much Can Freelance Photography Earn You?

Most freelancers work for an hourly rate, while some work for a fixed rate per project.

‍According to Indeed, the average hourly pay for photographers in the USA is around $39.50. 

Newcomers often get around $19, while seasoned veterans in a specific photography niche can charge as much as $80 per hour for freelance photography. 

Some freelancers also charge per project, where details such as the duration, difficulty, and photography equipment needed influence the final rate they charge. 

A simple one-day shoot can earn photographers anywhere from a few hundred dollars up to a thousand or more if they have adequate experience in professional photography. 

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Freelance Photography Business?

Photography is among the most expensive hobbies one can have. You’ll need to think about investing in a decent camera to practice your craft.

You could look for options on the second-hand market, but a good, new camera could cost you anywhere between $500-$1000. 

In most cases, you’ll get a kit lens with the camera body, but some projects might need specialized lenses.

You can minimize the costs by renting them out for the day of the shoot. 

Taking all these factors into account, the average cost of starting a photography business can soar over $1000 if you need to register your business and start marketing it to find clients. 

Where Can You Find Freelance Photography Gigs? 

Finding freelance photography jobs is a pretty serious challenge you’ll face on your journey.

There are two main ways you can find new clients. 

Where to Independently Find Freelance Photography Gigs

Marketing yourself, through contacts or references from your past work, is a good place to start.

In this case, you’ll need a good network of contacts or spend money on advertising to attract new clients. 

There are ways you can market yourself for free as well, such as through Facebook Groups or photography platforms that people frequently visit. 

That said, it might be difficult to find consistent work using your contacts and references.

In such cases, it will be beneficial to have an array of openings that you can apply for. 

Gig Economy Companies That Offer Freelance Photography Work

Browsing through job listings can help freelance photographers find jobs much more effectively.

There areseveral paying gigs online that you can apply for by showcasing your photography portfolio. 

Here are some of the best platforms for freelancers that you can find freelance jobs on: 

• Behance: Created by Adobe as an online photography portfolio for visual artists, Behance also features a job section that allows you to find work. 
• Fiverr: Fiverr is a great place for you to build a freelance business where you can direct potential clients to your work by building a landing page with your offerings. 
• Upwork: Upwork is a platform highly frequented by freelancers from all fields. It features thousands of job posts for which you can bid your rates and compete with other freelancers. 
• Stock Photography Sites: Companies like iStock, Shuttersock, Alamy, and Getty Images are some of the most popular stock photo companies where you can start selling photos online that highlight your photography skills.  

Why You Should Consider Freelance Photography As a Side Hustle 

A freelance photography career comes with a bunch of unique perks.

Here are some of the reasons why you should consider being a professional freelance photographer: 

• Work on a Personal Schedule: You can choose the gigs you want to work, which allows you to work on your own schedule and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Negotiate Better Pay: As a freelancer, you can negotiate rates that are favorable to you, which can be per hour or project, instead of being on a fixed salary. 
• Specific Niche: Most freelancers specialize in a specific niche of photography, such as concerts, wildlife, or portrait photography. This allows them to choose gigs that are best suited to their interests. 

Problems With Freelance Photography 

Like with every profession, there are downsides if you want to be a freelance photographer, even if you’re passionate about it.

Below are some of the problems that people usually run into: 

• Criticism: You’ll have to face a ton of criticism from tough clients if their tastes don’t match yours, especially when you’re still starting out in freelancing. 
• Payment Problems: Some clients might want to evade paying altogether, and it is extra stressful to have to handle them yourself. 
• Passion Killer: Your passion for photography might be lost if you’re just doing product or wedding photography just because they’re the only freelance gigs that pay.   

Frequently Asked Questions

What Skills Do Freelance Photographers Need?

Excellent time management, communication, and problem solving skills are some of the essential skills a freelance photographer must have.

Is it Easy to Become a Freelance Photographer?

Becoming a freelance photographer may not be easy for everyone. It’s a long journey, from building your portfolio to finding clients that pay you.

A lot of things can come up, so the learning curve varies from one person to another.