It might be challenging, but if you are up for it, you can make money with your camera. Making some money with your photo skills might seem like an impossible dream, but it doesn't have to be an unrealistic aspiration. Here are some strategies for making money with your camera.
Web Photos and Your Portfolio
As an amateur photographer, you'll need to put together a portfolio. One of the easiest ways to do this is to submit your photos to content websites such as Associated Content. In doing this, you can put your images into a gallery and then drive Internet traffic to your gallery page. This can get your photos viewed and also make you a few dollars in the process.
From there you can begin to post your photos for sale on photo sites such as iStockPhoto and Fotolia. These photo sites are great because business professionals, students, and writers purchase images from these sites to use in books, projects, and presentations. As the photographer, you would receive payment every time someone downloads a photo.
Once you have established some solid pieces, you can build your own website and create a portfolio of your best work. Your website can then be used to land other jobs in popular or even niche markets.
Photo Contests
There are photo contests all over the Internet that offer prizes and exposure. Check out the links below for websites that have photo competitions. Enter these contests regularly. This might lead to further opportunities.
Professional Jobs
Building your Internet presence--and your portfolio--will help you gain experience and confidence. The next step is to market yourself as a professional photographer. You will need business cards, a website and a portfolio to show potential customers. Offer to shoot a friend's wedding for free and use some of those pictures in a wedding portfolio. You could also market yourself as a band photographer or an event photographer.
The sky is the limit when it comes to making money with your camera and you will have a new challenge around every corner!
