How to Make Money Selling Nature Photography As a Nature Photographer

Photo Owned By Ben Blennethasset on Unsplash

Nature photography is not only a rewarding artistic pursuit, but also a way to earn money online selling stock nature photos on microsoft photography platforms.

Many legal platforms such as Shutterstock, Fototopic, etc will allow you to sell your stock photos, whether you are shooting wildlife, landscapes, or macro shots. 

But in this article, you will learn 6 outlines: 

• How to make money as a nature photographer

• Where can I sell my stock nature photos?

• Which site can I sell photos on?

• What type of photos people look to buy stocks online

• Why people want to buy nature photos
Is it hard to make money as a photographer

• 3 Successful Tips for Selling Your photos 

• How to Promote Your Work.

1. How to Make Money As A Nature Photographer 

1. Find your nature niche 

2. Get your quality digital camera (1.6 megapixel) or high quality smartphone camera. 

3. Go out somewhere to take shots from nature that your competitive photographers may not have that type or overlook it.

4. Develop your photography skills so that you can make money selling street/nature stock photos to indirect/direct clients that they can't resist.

5. Place beautiful nature photos on your own website or some microstock photography sites if you can't afford to own your photo domain name. Decide how much you charge per photo each. 

6. Then send it to Instagram, Facebook and YouTube to let them know about your sales on nature photos.

7. You need to have a laptop so you can edit photos to make it look so professional. You need to have a payment solution so that you can earn dollars online from clients.

8. You need to establish your own photography copyright to stop photography pilferers from stealing your photos. 

9. Make sure that your photographs are high quality, e.g. good lighting, good composition, no dark photos and no snapshots. 

10. Analyze what people look for or study google trending what people want to buy before you can take a shot and upload stocks on photo sites to sell download photos to them.

2. Where Can I Sell My Stock Nature Photos?

To sell photos online on platforms is here:

Shutterstock: one of the biggest and oldest stock photography platforms where you can upload your own stock photos and earn a commission each time someone downloads them. 

Adobe Stock: Is a great marketplace where creatives and designers can buy high-quality images from photographers for their blog posts or ebook cover. That gives you the opportunity to walk in as a photographer.

Alamy: Is a well-known platform where you can enjoy better-payment royalties from your stock photos, compared to other stock sites. 

Istockphoto: Is one of most well-established platforms, owned by Getty Images, which offers to sell nature stock photos to a large audience for you. 

Etsy: Is a typical handmade-goods platform where many photographers can make money using it to sell the prints of their images. 

500px: Is a specific site where they can help you to sell both prints and licenses for commercial use. 

3. Which Site Can I Sell Photos?

You decide which site you can sell photos to earn money as a photographer. Or you can sell photos to all sites mentioned to you early above. Choose which one fits you. 

4. What type of photos people look to buy stocks online

There are types of photos people want to buy. But remember it is important to know what kind of images are in demand when it comes to stock photography. 

Here are some popular themes you can apply as a photographer to make money per photo online:

1. Landscape Shots: What people buy are breathtaking sceneries such as mountains, beaches, forests, and deserts. 

2. Adventure and Outdoor Activities: People will buy images of hiking, camping, climbing, or kayaking because they love it.

3. Macro Photography: People like Close-ups of plants, flowers, or insects and they want to buy it online— maybe it is an ideal for editorial or design projects.

4. Wildlife Photography: Animals in their natural habitats are always in demand, especially rare or unique species.

5. Environmental Conservation: Photos that show the effects of climate change, conservation efforts, or sustainable living. And people want to buy it. 

5. Why people want to buy nature photos

1. Because something unique appeals to them.

2. Because they want to use something distinct and original for their homes or offices.

3. Because they want to experience the world through the lens of a skilled artist who brings a unique perspective to them.

4. Because they are collectors or decorators.

5. Because they want to use beautiful images to decorate their homes or offices that reflect their personal taste or the aesthetic of a particular room.

6. Because they might want a custom print that suits their exact specifications (size, framing and material).

7. Because they want something unique, high-quality and meaningful that connects them to nature. 

Note: Whether it’s for personal enjoyment, environmental causes, or decor purposes, purchasing nature photos directly from photographers often brings greater satisfaction and value than buying generic or mass-produced options. 

6. Is it hard to make money as a nature photographer? 

No. You can make money as a nature photographer if you are good at photography skills. You can monetize your photography skills from the comfort of your home by finding a narrow niche and selling it to buyers somewhere in the world. 

Some people in this part of the world love beautiful nature pictures and they will appreciate it if you show your wonderful beautiful nature stock photos to them on your website or some microstock photography sites of your choice. 

7. 3 Successful Tips for Selling Your Photos:

If you want to stand out from your photography competitors, you have to learn these successful tips: 

1. Focus On Quality: Ensure that your images should be clear, well-composed and high-resolution and then it will simply stand out. Never over edit or use filters that obscure the natural beauty.

2. Research Keywords: When you upload your photos, make sure that you use the right tags and keywords because people will search for it in the Google box. Think about what they are looking for ( e.g. "autumn forest,” "mountain sunrise,” "snowy owl"). It is important. 

3. Offer a Variety: Niche images can be valuable, but it can also be smart to offer a variety of shots because potential buyers have more options to choose from.

8. Promote Your Work

When you are ready to list your photos on your own website or stock sites, remember don't forget to promote your photography in the following here:

• Social Media: Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook are platforms you can use to show off your nature photography. And use relevant hashtags to hook buyers. 

• Personal Website/Blog: You can use your own personal website or blog to create a portfolio website to showcase your work and offer print sales directly to your audience. 

Final Thoughts 

I know it is not easy, but you can make money as a nature photographer, depending on your effort, your time and strategy. What is important is the key to consistency. Because consistency pays a price.