For the past few months, I’ve been trying to get my photography side hustle off the ground. My initial assumption was simple: people are always looking for photographers, so if I start with very affordable rates, clients will follow.
I did all the necessary setup and busywork early on: insurance, a new camera, PPA membership, and the other basics that make things feel official.
What I didn’t expect was how difficult it would be to land paid clients. I’ve done a few TFP shoots, which were useful for practice and portfolio building, but so far I haven’t earned a single dollar from photography.
What I’ve Tried So Far#
- Posting in local Facebook groups
- Running Google Ads
- Running Facebook Ads
- Basic SEO work on my site
Despite all of this, traction has been minimal, especially when it comes to converting interest into paid shoots.
What I’m Focusing On Next#
- SEO first. I don’t want to keep paying for ads without a clearer return, so organic traffic feels like the right long-term investment.
- Facebook groups, but less frequently. Posting once a week feels more sustainable and less time consuming.
- In-person networking. This is outside my comfort zone and not something I enjoy, but building real relationships seems necessary if I want this to grow.
This process has been more humbling than expected, but it’s also forcing me to think more deliberately about how I want to build this business instead of assuming it will just happen.