Travelling is all about getting new experiences and seeing new places, which is especially valuable for amateur and professional photographers.

You never know where that perfect shot is waiting for you. Many people out there are dreaming about this. 

But does it actually worse? Can it help you pay the bills? Let's be clear: you're not laying in a hammock sipping coconut juice when money simply appears at your doorstep. You must put in a lot of effort if you want to succeed as a traveling photographer. Naturally, achieving your easy-life dreams may take some time, but your efforts will eventually pay off.

Here are a bunch of things that you might need, rather than a camera, a ticket, and a stunning travel photography website. First and foremost, you define your niche according to your skills. 

Even the foremost professional photographer has to discover what they're good at, additionally to producing fascinating photos. Leverage that other skill, surpass it, and you may earn an income which will support your photo-nomad lifestyle. What do you thrive at? Find your core value, and we'll tell you how to make the most money as a travel photographer:

Are you good at teaching?

Patience, knowledge, enthusiasm, the flexibility to inspire, and a love of learning are all crucial traits for you when it comes to teaching. And of course, you have to know photography from A to Z! Here are two great ways to earn money from teaching photography:

1. Online course

Use a big online course platform (like Udemy, for example), or go solo and begin your own Youtube channel.

Start by finding a specific aspect of photography, with which your vast experience would be most beneficial to potential students. For example: starting a marriage photography business, photographing landscapes at nighttime, fashion photo shoot basics… Any topic you are feeling confident about. Do you remember when you were starting as a photographer: which courses would you like to sign up for? 

Here is your chance to start by making a plan, filming the course, and promoting it on your own, but luckily it's a one-time effort. You'd get a great source of passive income if you can plan and launch the course before take-off would make a great passive income. Keep in mind that you can always add new lessons about travel photography there!

2. Host photography workshops and tours

Do you feel excited when discovering a new secret photography spot? Do your surroundings make you fall in love and you can't help yourself from sharing your love with the world? Take your teaching efforts offline and go for it! Organizing photography workshops or tours might be just right for you.

If you are a traveler who stays in a place quite long - it will work for you! Keep in mind that there might be tourists who would be glad to go back home with a bunch of stunning photos. Besides, today's tourists are looking for new and unique ways to experience popular locations – your photography workshop might just be the answer.

Another idea is to offer specialized photography excursions to photography lovers. Tours may be associated with a particular neighborhood in the city, a well-known local event, or a holiday... Finding where your target audience is and using the appropriate inducement to draw them in is the trick in this situation.

I'm an outgoing individual

Do you easily become the center of any party? An extrovert who connects with the new friends just like with the old ones? You probably already know that being outspoken may enhance both your personality and your income because there are lots of freelance photography gigs out there for you to apply for. 

1. Boost your social media connections

If Facebook and Instagram are exploding with likes and hearts, then it's time to meet your calling. Working together with online influencers is a common strategy for promoting photography. If you have a sizable number of devoted fans, there's a good chance you'll receive free goodies from other businesses, whether it's a new camera or a smartphone. 

The secret? To understand how to create testimonials that will be advantageous for the company and captivating enough for your readers. You don't want to promote an overly optimistic product or want your followers to select "Hide." This calls on you to be an excellent content creator, self-marketer, and negotiator—possibly even more so than a skilled photographer. 

2. Go for barter and offer your photography services locally

You don't want to promote other brands, are you? Then, rule yourself! Get free hotel stays, trips, restaurants, or any other experiences by using your photographic skills. Simply offer your service to the business, and if they require expert photography for their website or brochures, they might be happy to accept the deal. Saving money on hotels and transfers is the same as making money, and in some circumstances, the deal might even win you some extra money. If you know how to approach individuals, this might end up being your main source of income!

Are you a natural storyteller?

Knowing how to use words well will help you succeed in the world and earn the money.

1. Writing and blogging

Likely, you have previously considered this. Why not combine your passions for writing, photography, and travel into one gorgeous photography blog if you feel this calling inside you? Topic suggestions can include gear evaluations, photo editing guides, exotic locations, practical advice for photographers, and more. You can start using affiliate relationships and advertising once you have a lot of followers. 

Even though the market is saturated, and it won't pay all of your monthly costs, it will help you establish yourself as an expert in your industry and eventually give you a partial but needed income. If you are good with the keyboard just as you are with the camera, you can consider working as a freelance writer for other travel and photography outlets.

2. Publication in magazines about travel photography

If you can share your tale with the entire globe, why stop with just your internet audience? Many travel photography magazines accept submissions for editorial consideration.

The first step would be to subscribe to their online versions (you won't have a physical address as a travel photographer, right?) to get a sense of what they usually publish. Before you give it your all, make sure you're familiar with the submission requirements. Choose magazines that pay, and never give up the rights to your photos - they should always be acclaimed by you. 

After gaining some traction, you can begin throwing articles (and even touristic forums) on your own, offering complete stories. This process is time-consuming, but it has a high chance of success and a lot of exposure.

Getting noticed among the ocean of online photographers can also help you get published. Share your best work on Instagram with the right hashtags and major photography outlets (like 500px or Your Shot on NatGeo); then you're on your way to getting noticed.

Nothing is beyond my ability to sell

As a travel photographer, you must have some breathtaking images that would captivate viewers all over the internet. So, how do you reach out to the masses beyond the limits of your website? 

1. Sell your photographs

Numerous online publications, news networks, website owners, and marketers are looking for some good images to complement their texts. They find them on photo stock websites. Examine the largest stock websites or smaller niche ones - experiment to see which platform works best for you.

2. Sell your artwork

Organizing or participating in thematic gallery exhibitions is one way to sell prints. Consider topics about specific people or places that may be of interest to your audience (locally or globally), and connect with relevant galleries. You might also self-publish and sell a photo e-book on your website.

Insider hint: control the price to be cost-effective so that you can sell more with appropriate advertising strategies. A photo book is a one-time investment with the potential to generate a pleasant additional income. 

You can also submit your work to print-on-demand websites; they will handle all aspects of the sale; all you need to do is provide unique images.