Turn Travel Photos into Cash: Your epic travel adventures have given you amazing photos just waiting to be seen. But beyond collecting likes on Instagram, did you know your pics could actually make you money?
With stock photos, contests, prints, freelancing and more, there are countless ways to profit from your travel photography. Follow these tips to start earning from your images:
Sell Travel Stock Photos | Turn Travel Photos into Cash
Stock sites like Shutterstock, iStock and Adobe Stock let you sell travel photos to be used commercially. Earn 25-75% in royalties each time your image is licensed. Tips:
- Capture high-quality, well-composed shots. Images should be at least 3000 x 2000 pixels, 300 DPI, with good lighting and focus.
- Shoot a variety of themes – landscapes, cityscapes, people, culture, activities, transit, architecture and more. Variety sells.
- Focus on trending travel hot spots and capture unique angles. But remember licensing laws if photographing iconic sites like the Eiffel Tower at night.
- Include vertical and horizontal compositions, giving designers options.
- Be thorough with keywords so clients can easily find your images.
- Upload batches of images frequently for continuous passive income.
Must read: How Travel Influencers Earn Money By Affiliate Marketing?
Enter Photo Contests | Turn Travel Photos into Cash
Photo contests offer prizes like cash, trips, gear, publication in magazines and more. Some contests to consider:
- National Geographic Your Shot – $2500 prizes monthly, world exposure
- USA Today Weekend Pics – $500 weekly prizes
- World Nomad’s Wanderers in Residence – $5000 grant and publication
- iPhone Photography Awards – Cash prizes and features
- ViewBug Monthly Photo Contests – Cash and gear prizes
- LPOTY Nature and Travel Photographer of the Year – $13,000 top prize
Tips:
- Carefully review contest themes, categories and rules to tailor your entries.
- Submit only your very best shots that align with categories.
- Maximize chances by entering multiple photos.
Print and Sell Your Work | Turn Travel Photos into Cash
Turn your top travel images intopassive income streams:
- Sell prints via your own online shop, stores like Fine Art America or at local galleries and craft fairs. Sites like SmugMug make launching a photography store easy.
- License images to major outlets like travel companies, tourism boards, hotels and cruise lines for prints.
- Create and sell calendars, postcards, greeting cards, albums, framed prints and photo books featuring your work.
Tips:
- Offer limited edition signed prints for collectors.
- Only print images with excellent composition, lighting and clarity.
- Add text with inspirational travel quotes or location info.
Become a Travel Photographer & Turn Travel Photos into Cash
Pitch your skills as a professional travel photographer to magazines, tourism boards and travel brands. Average day rates run $300-$1000 based on experience. Ways to find clients:
- Contact editors directly with relevant, high-quality sample shots showing your ability to match their style.
- List yourself on sites like PhotoShelter, which connects pro photographers with clients.
- Search media outlet websites for their photography submission guidelines.
- Reach out to hotels, tour companies and tourism boards about projects that align with your aesthetic.
- Partner with influencers going on press trips or travelling for content creation.
Tips:
- Build a compelling professional portfolio website showcasing your published work and past clients.
- Familiarize yourself with specifics like image use rights and model releases.
- Consider specializing in an area like food, wildlife or family travel photography.
- Develop skills in related areas like video production. Offer photographs with short video clips.
Must read: 5 Legit Ways to Make Money From Airbnb Without A Property
Teach Photography Workshops & Turn Travel Photos into Cash
Share your expertise by leading photography tours, workshops or lessons for beginner and amateur photographers. Ideas include:
- Partner with tour operators in destinations and lead half day or full day lessons focused on skills like travel photography basics, composition, lighting, editing. Teach camera settings, shooting modes, using natural light, dealing with bad weather and more.
- Offer small group lessons locally or online on specific themes – travel portrait photography, smartphone travel photography, night photography while traveling.
- Create a series of online video tutorials or an eCourse on travel photography skills and composition. Sell access on your site or platforms like Thinkific.
Tips:
- Get certified to teach photography, even if just online courses, to establish credibility.
- Promote workshops and lessons across your social media channels.
- Consider free intro workshops to get attention and attract new students.
License Your Work
Did you get incredible festival or landmark shots? Licensors connect photographers with major brands needing images:
- Alamy – Earn up to 50% royalties when your accepted images get licensed.
- ImagesBazaar – Exclusive and non-exclusive licenses available. Earn up to 60% royalties.
- 500px Prime – Invite-only platform with 60/40 revenue share.
- EyeEm – Earn from 30% commission on licensed images.
Tips:
- Check each site’s image submission guidelines and license options. Non-exclusive deals allow simultaneous submissions.
- Provide as much descriptive, keyworded metadata as possible so clients can easily access your portfolio.
- Upload new collections of complementary images together.
Follow these tips to finally earn from your travel photography passion. With perseverance, business savvy and fantastic images showcasing the beauty of the world, you can Turn Travel Photos into Cash. Soon those epic travel shots can be generating cash to fund even more adventures. Just don’t forget to take a few non-commercial shots for the scrapbook too!