Making Money with Photography — Part 2: The Work That Pays
From Portraits to Corporate Clients—How Photographers Actually Make a Living
Making money as a photographer isn’t a fantasy—but it’s also not what most people think. You’re not going to license a landscape for €5,000. You’re not going to sell a thousand prints in a week. And no, your Instagram isn’t going to explode with high-paying clients.
If you want to turn photography into a real income, you need to treat it like a business. That’s what this series is about.
Let’s be blunt.
Being a photographer before and around the year 2000 was a money-printing machine. You could make a serious income, easily. But the work was hard: film, printing, mailing transparencies, editing with a loupe...
Fast forward to now:
The work is easy. You can shoot and upload 200 images in under a minute. But the money? Much harder to find.
That said, there are still endless opportunities.
And honestly—if you're not making at least €50,000 a year, there’s a problem.
Either with your photography, your business mindset, or how you’re marketing yourself.
In Making Money with Photography, Part 1: The Mindset That Matters, I covered the mindset shifts that separate hobbyists from professionals—the difference between taking photos and selling photos. I also laid the groundwork on agencies, licensing, and the editorial market.
In Part 3, Everything Else (That Might Work) I’ve wrapped up the series (for now) by diving into the other key income streams: workshops, portfolio reviews, books, educational services, and more. It’s a practical look at what photographers can build beyond assignments and stock — and a setup for the next phase, where we’ll break down each of these activities in detail.
If you missed it, you might also want to read:
👉 Why Some Photos Sell and Others Never Will
👉 The 3 Mistakes Killing Your Photography Income
This post continues where we left off. It’s time to talk about the kinds of photography that actually pay the bills. Not someday. Not “if you get lucky.” But today, and predictably—if you approach them right.
Portfolio Reviews & Consultancy
Want to tighten your portfolio or figure out how to approach agencies, editors, or news outlets? I offer one-to-one reviews and tailored advice based on 20+ years in editorial photography.
Learn more and book here → https://www.marcosecchi.com/services
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