$10k Challenge: Make Money Taking Pictures or Playing Music

I haven't talked recently about my quest to raise an additional $10k this year in income -- extra income outside my regular job. The numbers I ran show that making this amount and socking it away year after year can yield quite a sizeable next egg.

But recently I ran into the idea of a nice side-business that can actually earn you a decent amount of extra money: being a free-lance photographer.

Ok, let's side-step the issue of talent and experience for now. Of course, you'll either need to know what you're doing with a camera or learn. But if you do that, you could be in a position to earn some good money on the side. Here's what Career Journal says about it:

Amy Sussman, a free-lance photographer in Brooklyn, N.Y., says some of her jobs pay a flat rate, while others generate income only if her images are sold to a publication. Gerry Waite, owner of All Sports Action Photography in Ventura, Calif., pays his five full-time photographers and 20 or so stringers $10 to $25 an hour, depending on experience. He says his own earnings range from $70,000 to $200,000 a year.

This is a bit more up-scale than what I'm suggesting. I'm thinking you can start a side business taking pictures for graduations, birthday parties and weddings. If you can earn a few hundred dollars a weekend for a few weekends a year, you could make $2,000 to $3,000 in extra money this year. Not bad.

I don't know anyone who does this, but my cousin does something similar -- he runs a DJ business where he plays songs for parties (of all kinds) and weddings. He says he makes around $400 for an evening plus tips (which could be nothing or could be really good if he's doing an "older" group.) It's a great gig, lots of fun, and an excellent way to make some extra income.

Comments

[Chris]

Not a bad idea. Have you heard of this website?

http://www.sxc.hu/home

You can sell photographs through them on the web. I don't know how much you could potentially make from it, but it would certainly be a start!

[Dennis]

It would be interesting to see what side jobs you can do that cost the least amount of time but yields the most profit.

Being a photographer seems time consuming and costly to start. The cameras most professional photographers I've seen use are super expensive (like $1,000+). And following people around all weekend? ... eh...

[Maria]

The photography business seems quite great to make money and one can really make great bucks if done in more professional way. I thing photography of wild animals, celebrities, natural beauties, natural disaster and similar more can bring more earnings.

[Matt]

As a photographer, I'm a little offended by this idea. As if all you have to do to be a photographer is show up somewhere with a camera. No need for years of training and experience. And the above comment is correct, a professional level digital camera will cost over $1500 with lenses, not to mention another $1000 for lighting (low end at that price).

[Ben]

Hmm, I like this part "Ok, let's side-step the issue of talent and experience for now". Well how convenient. Why don't I "side-step the issue of talent and experience" and become CEO if a multi-million dollar corporation or a professional golfer.

[FMF]

Looks like photographers are a bit touchy.

[KND]

I don't think that they are talking about being a professional photographer but more so of someone that does it as a hobby and happens to capture really good pictures which they then sell. I know someone that just likes taking pictures and he has captured some really pretty stuff and he then sells or gives them away. He has now started doing more professional looking pictures but it is still just a hobby.

[i shoot things ;) *pun*]

I'm a photographer too. I don't take offense at this suggestion because I am confident that, like all art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder... it's all subjective. If you can go out and create something yourself, whether it be with a camera or a paintbrush or a sewing machine, etc. go for it. And if you can make money to boot, more power to ya. Just be aware that like any hobby, there are time, effort and equipment costs to consider. Photography is not cheap. And, please, please, please don't pirate other peoples images and call them your own. Go on and do your thing. Peace, :)

[Dave Collins]

I used to photograph weddings - and I can tell you there are a plethora of brides/grooms that fail to plan for a photographer in time to get one for their big day OR fail to budget enough money for a quality photographer. So who do these folks turn to? Typically the hobbyist or relative/friend willing to shoot their event on the cheap (or at the last minute!) Granted, to be a pro photographer, there is some skill involved, but I'd say there is definitely a niche for non-professionals to earn pocket cash in this area.