You’ve been in love with the idea of food photography since a while now, and have in your box, a fair number of food photographs and not to forget, you’re darn good at it. So your mind’s surely ticking to find out ways to make money with your food photographs and your skill. True, there is competition out there, but here a few ways you could consider, to cash in on food photography. Read on to know…
1. Commission Photography
The most straight-forward of all the ways to make money with food photography is this one – get hired to click drool-worthy photographs of food stuff and get paid for it! If you’re just starting out a more ‘easy-to-come-by’ option would be projects which are client direct, wherein you work directly with a client. Your clients could be restaurants, magazines, e-commerce (food delivery websites), start up food firms, high end supermarkets. The other option in commissioned photography, is to work with an agency, which has a growing client base in the food domain. One of these agencies could be PR firms which manage publicity of food & beverage manufacturers and restaurants. Some publishing, media and food corporations hire food photographers on a full or part time basis.
2. Sell Food Photographs Online or at Art Fairs
Local art fairs attract a crowd with appreciation for all kinds of art. Food photography prints may find buyers at an art fair. Signing up on e-commerce sites (like artOreal!) is also a great way to give that exposure to your food photographs. Most e-commerce sites have innovative ways to bring ‘traffic’ to their sites, so there’s a higher chance of your food photographs to get viewed this way. Also, when your trying to sell your food photographs online, you reach a wider audience.
3. Teaching
If you believe you have the knack of imparting knowledge effectively, enjoy teaching and have a good know how about food photography, teaching may be one way to earn with food photography. Get in touch with photography schools in your city, show them samples of your work, maybe, along with a creative resume and you might land yourself a part-time job.
4. Workshops
Many photographers learn best in a workshop or small class setting — direct access to the instructor and input of other students can make all the difference. Take a session of few hours on the weekends. An ideal setting would include a food photographer and a food stylist at a studio with a large kitchen, good lighting, and plenty of props. With this option, you have the liberty to set your own curriculum, timings and fee. However, pull together an event like this, surely may be a time taking process.
Selling Through Stock Agencies
To earn an extra income, stock photography is an option you can consider. This works when you have a large number of photographs to put out there. Yes, there is a lot of competition and the agency will take a cut from the sale, but this ones worth a try and good for some side income.
Most photographers advise you to be active on social media, share your work with the world through online platforms, to increase your visibility and to create a ‘portfolio’. Until you find a way to earn, that suits you the best, keep clicking and enjoy the process!
