We all have a favourite way of taking pictures, favourite subjects and environments that make us love photography. But still there’s a lot of us who have to make a living out of this, and have to find the best way to monetize our skills.
Having said that - what would you consider (or is objectively) the most profitable niche in photography?
I worked as a media photojournalist for local businesses and non-profits through PR firms. Their clients need event coverage, CEO portraits, teams and event photos, story pic for newsletters, and even food. 15 years ago a PR firm started me on the “low end” at $55 an hour. I was at $75 an hour when I retired.
I’ve shot fundraising events, parades, golf outings (great food), covers and inside stories for a big Catholic diocese monthly magazine, was an ambulance company’s photog for 3 years, shot art, schools, ground breakings, a wind turbine farm dedication with a big power company, and even a governor’s news conferences.
That last one bought 15 enlargements of the governor with the power co.'s executives which was a huge profit for me.
I was just a struggling, 30-something mom in college when I started out with one stock lens and a crash course in photography 101. I attended a few weekend photography workshops to learn basic lighting and Photoshop, and joined a camera club.
Network, network, network, and go above and beyond what they ask for. I never had a website because I was kept so busy.