As students, we’re looking for ways to become more financially independent from anyone, especially closer to a midterm, when you want to pay someone to do a research paper. Many take part-time jobs, night shifts after classes, or even skip them for the sake of money-making.
However, there is an amazing opportunity to earn your own cash without sacrificing your time, taste, or classes. You can make money by photographing. Now let’s see why exactly a college student should consider this option among others.
Why Photography is the Best Available Option?
This is the least energy- and health-consuming thing one can do, comparatively to the position of a waiter or shop assistant, and people will pay you more. You don’t have to stand 5-7 hours every working day, deal with an angry customer, lift the weight, or write your classmate’s assignments for a penny. Plus, you won’t have to ask your parents for any money or permission. So how can you make it in the industry?
Where Should You Start?
Step zero is buying (or leasing) a decent camera with lenses and learning how to operate it so you can snap the picture you imagine. Even though many cameras can work in an automatic mood, it is important for you to understand how you can navigate it manually, so you aren’t dependent on the flash or high ISO. Btw, if you just asked “What is ISO?”, you definitely should take a photography class. The Internet is full of free online classes and instructors who are eager to share their tips and tricks that will be handy as you start shooting. Where do you go when you’ve learned how to take good pictures?
How to make money with photography?
1. Decide what is your thing.
There are many product photographers who just can’t into portraiture and way more landscape enthusiasts who aren’t into event shooting. We recommend you to try everything for yourself to decide what drives your creativity best. Comfortable with unknown people? Try event photography. Love nature? Then definitely go into landscapes. Have an eye for details? Maybe macro is what you need. It’s not that you should get stuck in one single direction but become a pro in something you enjoy the most.
2. Study what was done before you.
The first 10k of your photos are crap, they say, but you can squeeze this number to 2-3k if you study great photographers and their approaches. Henri Cartier-Bresson, Diane Arbus, Mario Testino, Anna Leibovitz – so many names that can teach you a lot through their works. If you study photography, you definitely should write a research paper on either.
3. Make a Portfolio.
Collect the best shots you have so far, so when the time comes, you can brag a bit about what you can. Include color and a few black and white ones. Got none so far? Ask your friends to be your models for portraiture and feel free to experiment with the objects.
4. Advertise yourself.
Post an ad on your Facebook page, on your community page, other social channels for others to know what you do. Do it during the festivity season, like Christmas, Halloween, Easter or any other – this is the time the families long for some new cute pics with their kiddos.
✋ Warning
5. Create accounts on the stock photography databases.
This is the easiest way to make quite a few bucks by just uploading your works. Shutterstock, Pixabay, Adobe Stock – you have options galore. Make sure to follow their guidelines and check the updates on what to shoot in every month.
6. Submit photo contests.
Submitting your works for various competitions can bring you a cash prize or expose your skills to a wider audience.
Photography is a great way to earn your money with pleasure and an artistic approach. Once you learn how to operate your camera and learn basic composition, you can start taking pictures for a fee and stop worrying when you google “help me write my research paper” because you need to ask your parents to give you some money for it. The best part? You’ll enjoy the process.
