How to Make Money with Photography
I get asked all the time how photographers actually make money from their work, and my usual quick answer is that a lot of us end up teaching, which is true, but there's so much more to it than that. In this video, while driving on my commute, I walk through the practical steps I believe really help elevate your photography from hobby level to something people will actually pay for. I cover the fundamentals that made a huge difference for me, from nailing composition to editing like a pro, choosing great subjects, and even the mindset of putting yourself out there. If you're serious about turning your passion into income, these are the things I wish someone had laid out clearly for me years ago.
Step 1: Master Composition – Start with the Rule of Thirds
Composition is probably 90 percent of what makes a photo sellable.
Learn the rule of thirds early; it was a game-changer for me when I finally understood it.
Think of it like learning to drive: master the basics first (gas, signals, wipers) before you can really handle the road.
A lot of people dismiss the rule of thirds, but it's a solid foundation you can build on or break once you know it well.
Step 2: Understand the Exposure Triangle
You need to control your camera in manual mode to get consistent, high-quality results.
Know exactly what ISO, aperture, and shutter speed do and how they interact.
Most of the time my ISO stays fixed, and I balance aperture and shutter speed like a teeter-totter or bongo board to keep proper exposure.
Example: If I move from 1/200 at f/5.6 to 1/400, I open up to around f/2.8–f/3.5 to compensate.
Aperture tip: Smaller number (like f/2.8) means less in focus; think "at f/2.8, two things in focus; at f/5.6, about five and a half." Higher numbers let in less light but increase depth of field.
Step 3: Put Something Interesting in Front of Your Lens
Technical skill means nothing without compelling subjects.
Figure out what excites you most; for me it's travel photography, especially environmental portraits of tribes like the Maasai, Hadzabe, Datoga, and Mursi in places like the Omo Valley.
I have tried many genres over the years, sports, music, street, bands in Seattle, but I settled on what truly interests me about six or seven years ago.
If your photos feel boring, the subject probably is too; niche down to what lights you up.
Step 4: Always Shoot RAW
Shooting RAW gives you far more flexibility and protects your work.
You cannot overwrite the original file; you have to export to JPEG, TIFF, or DNG first.
I once accidentally overwrote my only copies of edited files because I was not shooting RAW—lesson learned.
In low-light situations like shooting Maasai inside a dark school at ISO 6400, I overexposed shots but recovered them completely in post thanks to RAW's dynamic range.
RAW files are 14-bit (4096 colors per pixel) versus JPEG's 8-bit (256 colors); the extra information is worth it, memory is cheap.
Step 5: Learn to Edit Your Photos
In today's digital world, editing is essential for professional results.
Get it right in camera as much as possible, but use the powerful tools available now.
Almost every pro who makes money edits their images.
I do most of my work in Camera Raw (similar to Lightroom) for white balance, exposure, and basic adjustments.
Check out the YouTube channel PiXimperfect for quick, detailed tutorials that explain everything clearly.
Spend time playing with sliders on your RAW files; you'll be amazed what you can achieve.
Step 6: Only Show and Sell Your Best Work
Quality over quantity every time.
Social media is full of billions of photos; people get fatigue, so make yours stand out by posting only the strongest ones.
Posting hundreds dilutes your brand; curate carefully.
Use high-quality printers, never Walmart or cheap options.
I use Digital Silver Imaging for black-and-white prints; they are expensive but archival and stunning.
I recently sold a 40x60 print for close to $1,100, and the print cost over $200, I stand behind the quality.
Test different canvas and print vendors; view large sizes up close and from a distance to ensure they hold up.
Step 7: Talk About Your Work – Open Mouths Get Fed
You have to promote yourself.
My grandmother always said open mouths get fed—share what you do with friends, coworkers, everyone.
Conversations spark opportunities; someone might need portraits, event coverage, or know a realtor who wants staging photos.
I know it's tough for many of us introverted photographers, but stepping out of that comfort zone pays off.
Print samples for friends or potential clients; it's an investment in marketing.
Step 8: Photography Opens Doors to Amazing Experiences
Once the skills come together, the rewards go way beyond money.
Photography has given me a VIP pass to incredible people and places.
I have shot for publications, interviewed racers like Michael Andretti, photographed famous bands that became friends, and now lead photo tours in Tanzania, Bali, and Thailand.
It took time, I'm in my 60s and only now hitting my stride with gallery sales, large prints, and books, but the journey has been worth it.
Keep working at it; selling photography is hard, but finding your niche and persisting can lead to extraordinary opportunities.