Top 20 Profitable Photography Business Ideas

If you have some creative photography skills, you might start your photography venture. Photography has become a hobby for people. Now smartphones have great camera features, and everyone can take good pictures.

Besides this, you can't drop your idea of starting the photography business. You have to work hard to set yourself apart from the group of the dilettante shooters. With an effective plan, you can make millions per month through photography business.

I crafted a list of top 20 profitable photography business ideas. Some of them you can start at your home and some you can run through an office/shop. This list includes the startup cost and operating type along with a successful business example.

The startup cost is estimated on a low budget basis with minimum accessories requirements, excluding branding and marketing costs.

 

1. Social Media Photography

Visual content appeals more to social media users. Every business on social media posts pictures of their services, products, and events. They get it done by professional photographers. You could be the one who provides social media photography services to those businesses.

Startup costs: 30,000Rs. for camera and accessories.

Home Based: Can be started from home.

Operate Online: Yes

Example Business: Scott Ramsey https://www.scottramsey.co.uk/social-media-photographer

 

2. Family/Portrait Photography

A family/portrait photography business provides high-quality photography services for individuals, groups, or families. This type of photography businesses play vital roles in the communities they are located in.

Startup costs: 30,000Rs. for camera and accessories.

Home Based: Can be started from home.

Operate Online: Yes

Example: Prime Design Solutions https://www.primedesignsolutions.com/services/portrait-product-event-photography/

 

3. Event Photography (Weddings, Concerts, Party Photography)

There seems to be an ever-expanding number of photography businesses out there, particularly the wedding photography business. Your business could be the next in this ever-expanding list.

Startup costs: 60,000Rs. for camera and accessories.

Home Based: No

Operate Online: Can be started from home

Example: Event Praphia https://www.eventgraphia.com/

 

4. Fashion Photography

Fashion photography is the most desirable field of photographers. Fashion photographers get a more recognizable status.

Startup costs: 60,000Rs. for camera and accessories.

Home Based: No

Operate Online: Yes.

Example: M-PicsPro https://www.m-picspro.com/fashion-photography-services.html

 

5. Corporate Photography

Corporate photography includes photography for a corporate event, inhouse photoshoot, marketing photoshoot, and product photography, etc.

Startup costs: Up to 1.2lac for camera, accessories, and setup.

Home Based: No

Operate Online: Yes.

Example: Digital Studio Mumbai http://www.digitalstudio.in/corporate-photographer-mumbai.htm

 

6. Landscape Photography

Landscape photography business provides full freedom in setting prices for your work. It could be a challenging, but acutely rewarding business opportunity.

Startup costs: 50,000Rs for camera and equipment.

Home Based: No.

Operate Online: Yes.

Example: Film District https://www.filmdistrictdubai.com/landscape-photography

 

7. School Photography

School photography includes photography of school events, festivals, seminars, etc. But the hard part of starting school photography is approaching schools.

Startup costs: 50,000Rs for camera and equipment.

Home Based: Can be started from home.

Operate Online: Yes.

Example: TeJees Studio https://tejeesstudio.com/school-photography-india/

 

8. Wildlife photography

An individual wildlife photographer can earn by selling photos on a stock website, for commercial ads, for exhibitions, and in many more ways. Before starting wildlife photography, you have to be aware of the danger from wildlife.

Startup costs: Upto 1.5lac for camera and equipment.

Home Based: No

Operate Online: Yes.

Example: Rathika Ramasamy https://www.rathikaramasamy.com/

 

9. Photojournalism

Photojournalism is another great way to earn money by selling pictures for editorials, magazines, newspapers, news websites, etc. Many online magazines pay photographers for their creative and unique work.

Startup costs: 50,000 for camera and equipment.

Home Based: No.

Operate Online: Yes.

 

10. Real Estate Photography

The main purpose of Real Estate Photography is to sell properties. Realtor always looks for a new Real Estate photographer whose captivating photography can sell a thousand dollar property.

Startup costs: Upto 2lac for drone camera, DSLR camera, and equipment.

Home Based: No.

Operate Online: Yes.

Example: Estate Photo Video https://estatephotovideo.com/

 

11. Pet Photography

Pet photography is a fusion of animal love and the technical skill of photography. But you do not have to be an animal lover to start this business.

Startup costs: 30,000Rs. for camera and equipment.

Home Based: No.

Operate Online: Yes.

Example: The Pet Photographer http://www.thepetphotographer.com/book_a_portrait_session.html

 

12. Product Photography

It could be a highly profitable niche for you. You can enter the industry by shooting photos of household products and showcase them on your portfolio.

Startup costs: 50,000Rs for Camera and Equipment.

Home Based: Can be started from home.

Operate Online: Yes.

Example: Product Photography https://www.productphotography.com/

 

13. Print Photography

With the increasing digitalization, many of the photographers don't know to print photographs. You can use this opportunity as a great business idea by providing printing photography services.

Startup costs: Upto 1.5 lac for camera and equipment.

Home Based: Can be started from home.

Operate Online: Yes.

Example: Zoomin https://www.zoomin.com

 

14. Sports Photography

As the name shows sports photography is a broad photography term. Sports photography mainly includes the documenting of an athletic event. The event could be a major game or a small tournament.

Startup costs: Upto 2lac for motion camera and DSLR.

Home Based: No.

Operate Online: Yes.

Example: Camara Canada http://sportsphotographyservices.com/

 

15. Aerial/Drone Photography

As a photographer, you need to be updated with the latest technology. Drones are changing the perspective of photography by producing good shots. But you will need a drone flying license to start a Drone photography business.

Startup costs: Upto 1lac for Camera and equipment.

Home Based: No.

Operate Online: Yes.

Example: Drone Base https://dronebase.com/industries

 

16. Food Photography

Most of the starting food photography business earn money by shooting at their local restaurants. If you are a foodie, then you would be in a good profession.

Startup costs: 50,000Rs for Camera and Accessories.

Home Based: No.

Operate Online: Yes.

Example: Unique Capture https://uniquecapture.com/food-photography-service/

 

17. Travel Photography

As a travel photographer, you will need to travel extensively to deliver the landscapes, hotel rooms, and recreational shots that your clients are looking for.

Startup costs: 30,000Rs for Camera and Accessories.

Home Based: No.

Operate Online: Yes.

Example: Icsi India http://www.icsiindia.in/sectors/travel-photography-services.html

 

18. Street Photography

Street photography is about capturing candid photos of public places. The essence of street photography is not capturing street photos. It is about capturing real life.

Startup costs: 30,000Rs for Camera and Accessories.

Home Based: No.

Operate Online: Yes.

 

19. Stock Image photography

If you do not want the hassle of finding clients and shooting specific niche photos, then you can start selling your photos on stock photography websites or can start your own stock photography website.

Startup costs: 30,000Rs for Camera and Accessories.

Home Based: No.

Operate Online: Yes.

Example: iStock https://www.istockphoto.com/

 

20. Underwater photography

To start underwater photography you must have a high skill-seton account of the submerged setting of the subjects to be photographed. The beauty of underwater photography makes it a risky, challenging, and lucrative task.

Startup costs: Upto 2lacs for the camera, and equipment.

Home Based: No.

Operate Online: Yes.

Example: Stella Del Curto http://www.stellastyles.com/underwater-photography-services/

Enjoyed this article? Stay informed by joining our newsletter!

Comments

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Related Articles
About Author

Blogger, SEO Marketer with experience of 4+ years in growing businesses online.