The 25 Best Photography Side Hustles To Make Extra Cash In 2024

Want to make money with your photography skills? Check out these in-demand side hustles!

Whether you're a professional photographer or just someone with skills, there is no shortage of money-making side hustles to choose from!

All you need are your skills and a bit of free time, and you can turn your passion for photography into some serious extra money.

If you're unsure where to start, don't worry. We will walk you through all the best side hustles for photographers you can start right now!

25 Photography Side Hustles To Make Extra Cash In 2024

There are tons of side hustles geared toward photographers in 2024, but only some have the same range of photography skills.

To ensure you can find the best options, we've rounded up a wide variety of jobs and projects for every photography skill set!

So, if you're ready to start earning some extra money, here are the best photography side hustles in 2024.

25. Selling Stock Photos

Stock photography is a big business, and new and unique photos are always needed for a wide range of things.

These photos can be of virtually anything, from a flower in a wine glass to a mime juggling limes while wearing a tuxedo.

Chances are, if you've been taking photos for a long time, you already have some that could be sold to a stock photography site!

That said, not all stock photography sites offer the same deals, so you'll want to shop around to see who pays the most, plus royalties.

This is a very competitive side hustle, but it can be a good option to earn some extra passive income!

24. Starting A Photography Blog

Starting a blog as a side hustle is easy, cost-effective, and has the potential to bring in some pretty solid income.

Bonus points if you use your blog to promote another side hustle so you can double your earnings!

Photography blogs can be used to show off your skills to potential clients, and you can make money from advertisements.

Another way to make money from blogging is through affiliate marketing, where you promote a product and earn a commission on sales.

Some affiliate programs offer anywhere from a 20% to 70% commission, depending on the product, making this side hustle very lucrative!

Plus, with Friday's Blog Website Builder, putting together your own blog has literally never been easier.

23. Teaching Photography

If you're particularly knowledgeable in your field, you can consider teaching others online or in person.

Professionals and amateurs alike are always looking to improve and are willing to pay to learn new tips and tricks.

This side hustle can be as involved as you like, and if you're really dedicated, you could even host your own masterclass.

Alternatively, you could partner with local businesses to host classes or offer private lessons online!

While there are better options for those just starting, if you're an experienced photographer, it can be a great side hustle.

22. Selling Prints

Selling prints, like selling stock photos, can be a solid photography business and can earn you quite a bit of money.

People are always looking for high-quality photos, and if you have the means, you could be the one to sell them.

If you want to sell prints, there are many options, including sites like Etsy, where you can open your own shop for people to buy from.

You can also sell prints through your blog or website, allowing customers to purchase them directly from you.

Make sure to check out the best artist websites to inspire you before getting started so you can create prints that customers will love!

21. Publishing An E-Book

Photography books have been around for a long time, and they are still incredibly popular with a lot of people.

If you specialize in a specific category, such as street photography, fashion photography, or landscapes, you can easily create your own book.

E-books, in particular, are easier to publish than their paper counterparts, and you can earn quite a bit from their sales.

Like selling prints, you can also sell your books through your own website and start making money without the middleman.

Once you're published, everything else is passive income you can rake while you move on to other side hustles!

20. Promote On Instagram

Professional photographers can make a ton of money on Instagram, and it makes putting yourself out there really easy.

Currently, the highest-earning photographer on Instagram, Paul Nicklen, makes roughly $23,000 per sponsored post.

If you earn enough of a following to start getting sponsors, you can be looking at some serious income from social media platforms.

However, because Instagram is so popular, there is a ton of competition, so you'll want to make yourself stand out from the crowd.

That said, you can work at it while keeping your day job and working on other side hustles for even more money!

19. Start A YouTube Channel

YouTube is another photography side hustle you can use to earn some passive income, and there is a lot you can do on it.

There are plenty of YouTubers focused on travel photography and documenting their adventures, but you can also use it to give lessons.

From how to use a decent camera to touching up photos using basic editing software, there are many options to choose from.

Best of all, once you reach 1,000 subscribers, you can monetize your videos and earn money every time someone watches.

Although you'd need hundreds of thousands of subscribers to make this a full-time job, for a side hustle, it's perfect.

18. Photojournalism

If you're looking to put your photography services to good use without making it your full-time job, freelance photojournalism might be for you.

Plus, there are a ton of tools for freelancers that can make gigs like this easier than ever to pull off!

With this side hustle, you can work with local newspapers and magazines to cover local events and stories.

If you're established enough, you could even start working with more major news sites to capture breaking news in your area.

As far as freelance gigs go, photojournalism can be one of the most rewarding, especially for those interested in current events!

17. Photography Contests

Online publications often host photography contests that can offer both exposure and a wide array of prizes, including cash.

What's great about contests is that you can enter numerous ones at once, and even if you don't win, people will still see your work.

Moreover, your work will have a chance of being published and could potentially land you more clients as you gain traction.

If you like to shoot photos, photo contests can be one of the best ways to put yourself out there and begin making money!

Even if you're not an established professional, contests can be worth looking into, especially if you're after exposure. 

16. Drone Photography

If you're a photographer and have a drone, people will be willing to pay for your services for a variety of different photos.

Unlike traditional photography, drone photography is relatively new, which makes it harder to find people skilled in it.

However, if you have these skills, you can use them for a variety of side hustles, including photojournalism and real estate.

Filmmakers also often need aerial photography, so if you can establish some connections, this can be a solid way of making money!

Starting your own photography side hustle is really easy if you can use both a DSLR and a drone to take some stunning photos.

15. Fiverr & Upwork

Another great way to make money using your photography skills is by taking jobs on Fiverr and Upwork.

Both of these sites allow people to scout for talent, and some offer serious money for skilled individuals like photographers.

There is no shortage of small and large jobs for those with photography skills, and you can even set your own hours and work when you want.

All you need to do to get the ball rolling is create an account and set up a portfolio of your work so you can start applying for projects.

If you're not sure which site is best for you, check out this Upwork and Fiverr comparison to learn more about them.

These sites can be one of the best resources if you want a consistent photography side hustle from which you can make money.

14. Start A Photography Booth

If you live in a city and are looking for a photography side hustle, setting up your own booth at festivals and markets is something to consider.

Many people love having their pictures taken, especially when they're out and having a good time and want to remember the moment.

While setting up a booth can cost some money, at large events, you can stand to make a killing if you get a lot of customers.

This is especially true at events where people are dressed up, such as a comic convention or Halloween festival!

You can even make more money if you offer photo editing to make yourself stand out from other photographers.

13. Design Albums

Many people like having albums to look back on when it comes to special events, but not everyone has the skills to create one.

This is where you can come in; if you have design and editing skills, it can be a great photography side hustle.

From baby books to wedding albums, there are almost no limits to what you can do, especially once you establish yourself.

There is no shortage of potential clients when it comes to designing albums and photo books, and you can advertise your services on your website and social media.

With the right marketing materials, album design can be a great side hustle for anyone with photography and design knowledge.

12. Start Your Own Studio

Having your own photo studio doesn't have to be a full-time job; in fact, it gives you the ability to pick your clients and set your own hours.

Portrait photography is in high demand, and not everyone has the skills for it, even if they know the technical process.

If you have an eye for this type of photography, starting your own studio could be the perfect way of supplementing your income.

All you'll need is the right photography gear, such as lighting and backdrops, and you can begin your photography side hustle.

Plus, if your studio takes off, you can always turn your side hustle into a successful photography career!

11. Start A Podcast

Podcasting is one of the best freelance jobs for beginners, and it is hot right now on numerous platforms.

Whether you want to cover the basics of photography, the latest gear, or news in the photography world, a photography podcast is the perfect outlet.

Best of all, like websites and Instagram posts, podcasts can attract sponsors and affiliates, enabling you to earn even more money.

It's also relatively easy to publish a podcast on iTunes and Spotify, though you can also upload to YouTube and your own website!

As a photography side hustle, podcasting can take a bit to start bringing in money, but if you have the passion, you can go far!

10. Birth Photography

Birth photography isn't for everyone, but for that reason, it can help you stand out from other photographers.

This photography side hustle is about capturing the miracle of birth and the moment's intimacy.

That said, this type of gig takes a very particular set of skills, and you certainly can't be squeamish and need to know how to frame things artfully.

Clients looking for this type of photographer are willing to pay big bucks to have this moment captured, so the earning potential is enormous.

9. Brand Partnership

There is no shortage of small business ideas, and many of them will need the help of a photographer to stay relevant.

Product photography is another niche in high demand, especially given the rise of online marketplaces.

Because of this, partnering with brands to photograph their products and services can be a great photography side hustle.

For this gig, you can look for brands online or in your local area that could benefit from your skills.

Creating a portfolio of your work is recommended, especially if you're cold pitching to a business you'd like to work with.

Bonus points if you have a website that showcases all the different types of work you can do!

8. Family Photography

Family photography is huge, especially around the holidays when everyone wants to have the best Christmas cards!

However, this type of photography can also include back-to-school photos, family milestones, and birthdays.

Marketing yourself as a family photographer can be a fantastic side hustle, especially once you make a name for yourself locally.

Not only is your target audience huge, but many are willing to pay big money for fantastic photos and will likely come back.

Like starting your own studio, this side hustle has the potential to turn into a successful photography business if you stick with it!

7. Food Photography

When people think of food photography, they usually picture Instagram posts with a ton of filters.

However, food photography is important, especially at restaurants that want to advertise and make themselves look good.

Photographing food is very different from portrait photography, but it can be a great side hustle if you have the skills.

This is very true if you live in a city with a lot of different restaurants you can reach out to and start working with!

If you're looking for a successful photography side hustle and love the culinary arts, this gig is definitely worth considering.

6. Sports Photography

Sports is a huge industry, and at every level, skilled photographers are needed to take photos during games.

Even if you're not working for the NFL or MBA, local teams and even children's leagues can be worth reaching out to.

Moreover, sports teams often want photo prints of current players, so even if you're not on the field, you can make money.

If you have digital photography skills and a knack for capturing action, this photography side hustle is perfect for you!

5. Real Estate Photography

Real Estate photography is another major hustle whether you're working for the best architectural websites or a local agent.

Big real estate business names often hire professional photographers to make their locations look good.

You'll also want to have knowledge of photo editing, especially lighting tweaks, to really make features in your work pop.

With this side hustle, there is no shortage of work available, so long as you're able to put yourself out there.

4. Photo Editing

Photo editing is a whole other beast; not every photographer has the skills to make photos look like a million bucks.

However, you can advertise your services to make other photographers' photos look good if you're an expert editor.

In fact, photo editing is one of the best Fiverr gigs you can use to make money right now.

You'll need high-quality photo editing software and the ability to utilize it like a pro to attract clients willing to pay good money.

That said, with the right skills, retouching services and editing can be incredibly lucrative as a steady side hustle!

3. Pet Photography

People love their pets, and many are willing to pay quite a bit to have them photographed professionally.

Pet photography requires a love of animals and the knowledge of how to capture their personalities in a high-quality way.

If this sounds like you, consider advertising your services locally because there is sure to be no shortage of pet lovers!

Of course, if you have your own studio, you can also have pet parents come to you if you're not about on-location shoots.

2. Engagement Photography

Engagement photography is one of the largest markets in the world, and you can bet people will spend a lot on these photos.

That said, while the client base is huge, so is the number of other photographers looking to cash in.

You'll need to set yourself apart with creative photos that capture the romance and uniqueness of your subjects.

If you're able to make a name for yourself as an engagement photographer, you could earn thousands with this side hustle!

1. Wedding Photography

Of course, wedding photography is the biggest side hustle of them all, and it is the one that stands to make you the most money.

Like people looking to start a flower business, because weddings always need flowers, so to do they need photographers!

Every couple wants to remember their big day with high-quality photos, and they will pay big money if you have the skills.

If you have a knack for event photography and know how to edit and retouch photos to make them perfect, this is the side hustle for you.

Gain enough exposure, and you can even have people lining up for a chance to book you for their big days!

Summary

As a photographer, there is no shortage of side hustles you can use to start making money if you have the skills.

Whether you're an amateur working your way up or an established pro looking for some extra income, you have options.

By reaching out to potential clients and advertising your services online, you can easily kickstart a successful photography business!