The future of making a decent living as a photographer is bleak. By decent living, I mean hitting the median monthly salary (including CPF contributions) of $4563 based on the statistics from 2019.
Browse through job sites, and you will see what I mean. While companies charge clients thousands of dollars or more, the average salary for a photographer falls within the range of $1,800 to $3,000. Those photographers who make it big and work with large agencies are the minority.
So, what does that mean? If the market is saturated and there is no demand for more photographers from large agencies, are photographers doomed to be starving artists?
Yes and no. The most profitable way to succeed in photography is not by working as an employed photographer, but by being an influencer, marketer, salesperson, and business owner. And if you’re not in the right fields (wedding and/or commercial), it’s unlikely that you’ll make a large profit, as clients may not be willing to pay premium prices.
As harsh as it may sound, anyone with a smartphone and a bit of artistic flair can be a photographer. Thus, what differentiates you from other photographers is how much your clients like you and your work, which ultimately determines how much they are willing to pay. Interestingly, the photographers who make the most money are not always the ones who take the most impressive photos.
Personal branding and popularity play a part.
If you are a photographer with a decent portfolio and 100,000 subscribers on YouTube or 200,000 followers on Instagram, potential clients may be more inclined to pay a higher fee for your services. This is particularly true for commercial clients, as your posts about shooting for them provide them with free publicity. It’s like killing two birds with one stone. Additionally, your photos have the potential to go viral and influence others to take action and purchase a product.
However, many high-paying commercial clients still prefer to work with agencies for greater assurance.
If you’re not making as much money as you thought you would as a photographer, what should you do? Should you give up? Or should you work hard to build a following on Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok?
Big clients are unlikely to actively search for photographers on social media. Many successful commercial photographers do not have a large following on social media. Unless you are Bryant or Brandon Woelfel, you will likely need to reach out to brands with an irresistible deal. A good website with a high Google ranking may even bring you more opportunities than having a large following of non-paying clients.
At the end of the day, if you want to succeed, focus on building your own brand instead of working under others and building theirs. Realistically, not everyone will become a celebrity photographer, but the more effort you put in, the greater your chances of success will be.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Many photographers generate income not only by providing photography services, but also by selling their own merchandise, endorsing products, and engaging in affiliate marketing.
The traditional methods of making money as a photographer are no longer effective. Your value as a photographer is determined by your relevance to the market.
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