Do you constantly dream of making a living off your passion for photography? If so, you’re going to love what I have to share!
In this guide, I'll let you in on all my secrets for transforming photography from a hobby into a thriving freelance career.
You are serious about making your dream as a freelance photographer a reality, right? Then, read this article completely as I'll tell you how to become a freelance photographer as a beginner in 2024.
What is Freelance Photography and Is It Right for You?
Unlike photographers hired by studios or companies, freelance photographers take projects and jobs independently. Sounds glamorous, right?
Of course, you get to be your own boss as a freelance photographer. But, before you grab your camera and go solo, ask yourself:
Do you really love photography? It's gotta be a passion.
Are you cool with long hours and constant work? There's a lot more to freelance photography than just taking pics.
Can you handle financial instability? Income fluctuates for freelance photographers.
Are you self-motivated and organized? You'll need to hustle.
Do you have business skills like marketing and accounting? Important stuff.
Are you okay with rejection and criticism? Grow a thick skin.
Do you have a financial cushion? Building a client base takes time in freelance photography.
If you answered yes to most of these, you likely have what it takes personality-wise to make it as a freelancer.
Step-by-Step Guide to How to Become a Freelance Photographer
Once you've decided to take the plunge into freelancing, here is your guide to get started:
1. Develop Your Photography Skills and Expertise
Having raw talent alone is not enough. You must constantly refine your technical skills and keep learning.
Learn Camera Basics Thoroughly
Here are the core skills for freelance photographers to practice in the beginning:
Exposure triangle (aperture, ISO, shutter speed)
Composition techniques like the rule of thirds
Different shooting modes like manual, aperture priority, etc.
Metering modes - spot, matrix, partial, etc.
White balance adjustment
Understanding these basics is vital before venturing into more advanced techniques. Master them thoroughly until controlling them becomes second nature.
Pro Tip for Freelance Photographer: Enter a Photography Contest to prove your expertise. Entering photography contests allows you to get expert feedback from judges and potentially win awards that you can showcase to clients as proof of your skills. This recognition can significantly help you in getting initial clients when starting out.
Style Experiments
Once you have the basics down pat, start developing a style you can call your own as a freelance photographer through deliberate experiments:
Try replicating the post-processing style of photographers you admire. Analyze what settings they might have used.
Test limits of your equipment by extreme over or underexposure, using narrow depths of fields, etc.
Impose creative constraints on yourself like shooting an entire series in black and white or using only natural light. For inspiration, check out this complete guide to black and white photography to elevate your monochrome skills.
Immersing yourself fully in these stylistic challenges pushes the boundaries of your aesthetic.
Specialized Skill Building
Going beyond the fundamentals requires focused study and practice of advanced techniques:
Lighting: Learn to manipulate both natural and artificial light through reflectors, flashes, diffusers, etc. Lighting mastery is what sets the pros apart.
(So, let's learn How to Use Reflectors and Diffusers for Breathtaking Photos)
Post Production: Become an expert in editing software like Lightroom and Photoshop. Learn complex techniques like layer masking, local adjustments, etc.
Business Skills: Understand concepts like marketing, SEO, copywriting, etc. Business acumen is crucial for sustaining yourself as a freelance photographer.
Set aside adequate time each week to learn new specialized skills relevant to your photography niche. Growth demands continuous learning.
2. Invest in Quality Photography Equipment
Professional cameras and lenses are expensive but absolutely worth it. Build your photography kit slowly over time.
Camera Bodies
Carefully research camera models and invest in one that aligns with your niche and budget. Some features to look for in a starter camera:
20+ megapixels resolution
Great low light/high ISO performance
Fast burst speed
Intuitive manual controls
Entry-level DSLR cameras from trusted brands like Canon, Nikon, and Sony offer the best value. Higher-end mirrorless cameras are fantastic too.
Lenses
The lenses you choose have a huge impact on image quality and capabilities. Some types you’ll likely need:
Standard Zoom Lens – Versatile all-purpose lens like a 24-70mm with fixed f/2.8 aperture
Telephoto Zoom Lens – For distant subjects. Useful for sports, wildlife, etc.
Wide Angle Lens – For landscape or architecture photography to capture more scene
Macro Lens – For extreme close-ups of details like flowers or products
Prime Lens – Fast lens with a large aperture, ideal for portraits and low light shots. 50mm f/1.8 is hugely popular.
Gradually build your lens collection over time as your specialization and needs become clearer. Buying used lenses can save you a lot of money too.
Other Photography Gear
Here is some other equipment that’s handy to have:
Sturdy tripod
External flash
Reflectors and diffusers
Remote triggers
Backdrops (if shooting portraits)
ND filters, polarizers, etc.
Rugged camera bag
Don’t purchase gear randomly. Read product reviews carefully and assess if you truly require a piece of equipment for the photography jobs you want to take on.
3. Define Your Photography Niche
Trying to be a jack of all trades makes it impossible to excel at anyone. Picking a niche is crucial for standing out in a crowded industry.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Niche
Interests – What photography genres excite you the most?
Existing Skills – What are you naturally good at photographing? Build on those strengths.
Personality Traits – Event photography requires extroversion. Landscape photography suits the introverted.
Local Demand - Is there a surplus of photographers serving any particular niche in your city already? How large/profitable is each genre locally?
Growth Potential – Is the niche evergreen or just a passing trend?
Equipment Needs – Some genres require very specialized, expensive gear.
Carefully weigh all these factors before committing to a niche. A mismatch can sabotage your success and satisfaction as a photographer.
Common Photography Niches
Here are some niches worth considering:
Wedding Photography – Fast-paced and energetic. Requires top-notch photography, lighting, and people skills. Lucrative but limited to wedding season.
(Want to move forward with this rewarding niche? This guide on how to become a wedding photographer offers valuable insights to get started.)
Portrait Photography – Can specialize further in family, newborn, senior portrait, or headshot photography. More flexible schedules than event photography.
Product Photography – Involves capturing commercial products for ads, packaging, or web stores. Demand from e-commerce sites and social media influencers.
Real Estate Photography – High demand as home listings require high-quality interior and exterior photography. Fast-paced and formulaic.
(For those interested in outdoor scenery, landscape photography competitions offer opportunities to showcase your skills and gain recognition.)
Once you’ve chosen your niche, start building a stunning portfolio that showcases your
distinctive style within that genre.
4. Create a Stunning Photography Portfolio
Your portfolio is the best marketing tool for demonstrating your photographic abilities. Craft it strategically and aesthetically.
Curation Process
Pick only 15-20 images that represent the pinnacle of your skills. Remember that mediocre work can actually dampen your prospects rather than boost them.
Before adding an image ask yourself:
Is the photographic quality flawless? Focus, exposure, lighting, composition, etc.
Is this among the best examples of my style and niche?
What story does this image tell about me as a photographer?
Maintain a very high standard of images as you build your portfolio. Quality over quantity.
(For detailed guidance on crafting an impressive portfolio, check out our comprehensive guide on how to build your photography portfolio.)
Presentation Format
Categorize images neatly into projects and genres rather than dumping everything randomly:
For event photographers, group portfolio by weddings, corporate functions, parties, etc.
Portrait photographers can split their work into families, high school seniors, professional headshots, etc.
Well-segmented portfolios allow prospective clients to instantly find images relevant to them.
Regular Updates
Reassess and update your portfolio every 3-6 months. Replace outdated work with fresh images that demonstrate the progress in your skills and style.
Doing regular maintenance prevents your portfolio from becoming stale and unrepresentative of your best work.
Pro Tip for Freelance Photographers: Consider specializing in a niche that aligns with your local market demands to increase your chances of success.
5. Build a Professional Photography Website
In this digital era, an online presence is non-negotiable. Your website serves as the home base and storefront for your freelance photography business.
Choosing a Platform
Use photography-centric platforms like:
Squarespace – Extremely user-friendly, has beautiful photography templates
Wix – Drag and drop editor for easy building, great free fonts and images
WordPress – Open source so infinitely flexible if you know how to code
These platforms make creating sleek websites very accessible, even for non-technical users.
Elements of a Strong Photography Website
Striking Homepage - Hero image, engaging headline, and succinct tagline. First impressions matter tremendously.
About Section - Let visitors get to know you on a personal level. Share your photography origin story.
Portfolio Gallery - This is the crown jewel of your site. Showcase only the very best work here.
Services Page - List all the photography services you offer, pricing, and deliverables.
Contact Page - Share phone number, email, social links, contact form, etc to make it easy for visitors to get in touch.
Blog - Publish articles with photography tips, behind-the-scenes stories, etc. Great for SEO too.
Search Engine Optimization
Follow best practices like meta titles, alt tags, site speed optimization, etc. to maximize search traffic to your website.
6. Set Competitive Pricing for Your Photography Services
Pricing your photography services competitively yet profitably is crucial for running a sustainable freelance photography business.
Factors Affecting Pricing
Consider these elements when calculating fees:
Experience – Higher prices are justified as your skill and reputation grows. Newbies often undercharge to attract clients initially.
Operating Expenses – Include gear, software, transportation, and marketing costs when setting rates. Price higher than your costs at a bare minimum.
Session Duration – Half-day shoots can be cheaper than full weddings and events. Price accordingly.
Image Licensing – Charge extra if the client requires unlimited commercial usage rights for the images. Limited licensing should be cheaper.
Travel Costs – Add expenses like fuel, and accommodation if the shoot location requires significant travel. Local sessions can exclude travel premiums.
Setting the right prices for your services is crucial for the success of your freelance photography business. As you consider these factors, it's important to research and understand how much you should charge as a photographer to ensure you're pricing your work competitively while still maintaining profitability.
Pricing Models
Some popular pricing frameworks you can follow:
Hourly Rate – Simplest model. Helps justify longer shoot charges. Ranges from $50-150+ per hour depending on experience.
Half/ Full Day Rate – Common for event photographers. $800+ for 4-6 hours. $1500+ for full 8+ hour event.
Package Deals – Bundles digital image files + products like albums, prints, etc. Popular for portrait sessions. Cheaper than individual a la carte purchases for clients. More profitable for photographers.
à la Carte – Price out every offering like number of edited images delivered online or size-wise print/canvas prices individually. Maximizes customer choice.
Pro Tip for Freelance Photographers: Regularly review and adjust your pricing based on your experience, market rates, and the value you provide to clients.
7. Market Your Freelance Photography Business
You can be the most talented photographer ever, but without marketing, no one would know. Promoting your business is crucial for getting clients and establishing your brand as a freelance photographer.
Leverage Social Media
Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are perfect for showcasing stunning photography. Use relevant hashtags to maximize discoverability in your city. Post content and engage consistently.
Learn more about why social networks are crucial for photographers and which platforms to focus on.
Create a Google Business Profile
Optimize it fully with portfolio images, client reviews, etc. This will help you rank higher in local searches for your photography niche. Easy solution for getting found by nearby leads.
Network Actively
As a freelance photographer, use social media to actively connect with prospective clients and vendors in your target market.
Comment on relevant posts to share your expertise. Write guest blogs and post regularly to extend your reach. Follow up to move conversations offline for deeper networking.
The goal is to actively engage online and off to build relationships that may lead to referrals and job opportunities.
Content Marketing
Start a photography blog sharing useful DIY guides, gear reviews, etc. Position yourself as an authority people can trust for advice. Great for organic search traffic too.
Email Marketing
Collect lead emails via optin forms on site. Send occasional newsletters with tips or behind-the-scenes project insights to foster lasting relationships.
Execute marketing initiatives consistently rather than going all out sporadically. This builds awareness and credibility gradually over time.
Popular Freelance Platforms for Photographers
When going freelance, finding clients is key for us photographers. Luckily, some great online platforms can connect us with potential clients and showcase our snaps. Let me spill the tea on some popular picks:
Freelance Job Platforms
Flexjobs
Though not photo-focused, it offers choice remote and flexible gigs, including shots. Useful for finding part-time work or contracts.
Upwork
Upwork connects freelancers across industries with clients. You can discover a wide range of photo jobs, from product shoots to events.
Fiverr
Fiverr allows you to create custom photo service packages, ideal for attracting clients seeking specific skills.
Niche Photography Platforms
JournalismJobs
It is your go-to platform if photojournalism is your jam.
The Creative Loft
This platform specializes in linking creative pros like photographers with potential clients and jobs.
Stock Photo Platforms
Getty Images
Getty Images has major prestige, with high-quality curated content. While selective, getting accepted can lead to some sweet royalty checks per pic.
Shutterstock
Its vast library makes it awesome for beginners. Their submission process is a breeze and you can build steady income as your portfolio grows.
Depositphotos
Depositphotos provides a user-friendly interface and competitive rates. It's a solid choice to expand your stock photo reach.
Alternative Platforms
Social Media
Social sites like Instagram and Facebook can showcase your snaps and connect you with possible clients.
Airbnb and Obeo
Airbnb and Obeo need photographers for their rental listings, providing property photo opportunities.
When starting out, having profiles on multiple platforms raises your visibility and prospects. Each platform has strengths and audiences, so diversifying can help you discover the right clients for your style and niche.
Remember to update portfolios regularly and maintain professionalism in interactions. As you build your reputation and clients, you can focus on platforms that best fit your needs.
(For more general strategies, check out this detailed guide on how to get photography clients)
Diversify Your Income as a Freelance Photographer
Relying solely on client shoots creates instability typical of seasonal freelance businesses. Diversify with multiple income channels.
Sell Prints and Merchandise
Offer fine art prints of your best images to clients, fans, and interior decorators looking for wall decor. Limited editions autographed by you can charge premium prices.
Consider print-on-demand apps that produce items only when ordered so you don’t have to hold inventory. This allows creating expansive product lines - phone cases, notebooks, mugs, and t-shirts featuring your photography that generate totally passive income.
Create Online Photography Courses
Share your skills with students globally through pre-recorded online classes and tutorials.
Platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, and Podia make creating and marketing photography courses very seamless.
Structure courses thematically covering specific genres like food photography, newborn sessions, real estate shoots, etc. Or focus courses on techniques like lighting, post-production, etc.
Selling access to specialized knowledge tapped from your photography experience gives you earning potential while you sleep!
License Your Images
Contribute your portfolio images to stock websites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Getty Images, etc. Earn royalties whenever someone buys a license to use your photos commercially.
Focus on submitting lifestyle-themed images as well as local landmarks, and scenery that could appeal to travel and tourism advertisers. Description tagging plays a key role in images showing up in buyer searches.
Building a substantial catalog of images on stock sites over months and years can become quite a consistent passive income generator.
Pro Tip for Freelance Photographers: Consider offering complementary services like photo editing or photography workshops to diversify your income streams.
Overcome Early Stage Challenges in Freelance Photography
Launching a freelance photography career has unique struggles. Being mentally prepared helps overcome them positively.
Imposter Syndrome
Newbie photographers often question if their work is truly good enough compared to long-time pros. Feelings of self-doubt can persist daily.
To boost your confidence, consider entering photography contests, where judges' feedback and potential cash prizes can provide valuable validation and motivation for your work.
Refer to this guide - Best Photography Contests for Beginners - to find suitable opportunities.
Initial Cash Flow Issues
Irregular income is stressful if you lack reserves. Stabilize finances by reducing monthly overhead costs and taking roles with guaranteed pay like photography assistant, retail print consultant, etc. along with freelancing.
Spend time upfront creating adequate online portfolio content before quitting a primary job. This allows instantly showcasing work instead of losing months to creating samples.
Aggressively seek test shoots and minimum budget gigs to quickly build experience and portfolio. Future earning potential depends hugely on the present hustle.
Fear of Rejection
Prepare mentally for refusal and radio silence as you pitch clients extensively, especially in the beginning. Persist through a thick skin rather than taking no’s personally. Not every prospect would be a fit.
See rejections as data pointing you where to improve proposals, website copy, or photographic style to become more compelling. Iterate until you succeed.
With grit and proactiveness, teething troubles faced in the early days can be overcome through experience. Stay determined!
Final Advice
Remember, every great freelance photographer started exactly where you are now. With dedication, continuous learning, and a strong work ethic, you can turn your photography passion into a thriving freelance career.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your camera, start shooting, and take the first step on your freelance photography adventure, NOW!
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