What makes a Great Side Hustle?

What Makes a Great Photography Side Hustle?

And what is a creative income idea?

When I first started exploring side hustles, I made a big mistake: I thought it had to be just another type of photography. Maybe a new niche, a different kind of shoot—just something else to add to my portfolio. But I quickly realized that a great side hustle isn’t just about shooting more. It’s about leveraging the skills you already have to create new, profitable opportunities.

What is a Photography Side Hustle?

A side hustle should be photography-adjacent, meaning it uses your existing skills but doesn’t require you to pick up your camera for every dollar you make. Some of my most successful side projects have had little to do with client shoots and everything to do with monetizing my creativity in new ways.

Here’s what makes a great creative income idea:

1. It Uses Skills You Already Have – You’re a photographer, which means you already have an eye for composition, editing skills, and technical knowledge. Can you turn that into something beyond just photoshoots?
2. It’s Not Just ‘More Shooting’ – If your side hustle depends on you constantly booking new clients, it’s just another service, not a separate income stream.
3. It Can Be Monetized – Passion projects are great, but if the goal is to make extra income, your idea needs a path to monetization.
4. It Works for Your Lifestyle – The best side hustles fit into your life without completely taking over. If your extra work makes you feel drained rather than energized, it might not be the right fit.
5. It Has Passive Earning Potential – A strong creative income idea should allow you to make money while you focus on other projects or even while you sleep.

Side Hustles I’ve Explored

I’ve tried a LOT of things over the years—some successful, some not so much. Here are a few that worked for me:

• Limited Edition Prints – Selling my work online and at markets has been a solid income source.
• Digital Mockups for Photographers – I create and sell unique room mockups so other photographers can showcase their prints professionally.
• Stock Photography – While not my biggest earner, licensing photos brings in passive income.
• Presets & Photoshop Actions – Many photographers are willing to pay for editing shortcuts that match my style.
• Podcasting & Content Creation – While my podcast is mainly a marketing tool, there are plenty of ways to monetize it.
• Branded Merchandise – Think art prints on T-shirts, mugs, and phone cases. Print-on-demand services make it easy to sell without holding inventory.

Finding Your Perfect Creative Income Idea

If you’re not sure where to start, ask yourself:

• What parts of photography do I love the most?
• What problems do other photographers or creatives have that I can solve?
• Can I create something once and sell it multiple times?
• Do I want my creative income idea to be purely online, or am I open to selling in person?
• How much time can I realistically dedicate to this?

The best side hustle is one that fits into your life without overwhelming you. It should excite you, challenge you, and—most importantly—make money in a way that works for you.

Another key consideration? Scalability. Some side hustles—like selling digital products—are infinitely scalable because you create them once and sell them forever. Others—like offering a new photography service—require your time and effort for every sale. Think about which model works best for your long-term goals.

Next Steps: Testing Your Idea

Once you have an idea, test it out! Start small:

• Set up an online store with just a few products.
• Offer a limited batch of prints or mockups to gauge demand.
• Create a small collection of presets and offer them at an introductory price.
• Run a mini campaign on Instagram or TikTok and see how your audience responds.

A creative income idea is an experiment. You don’t have to get it perfect the first time—you just have to start.

Resources to Help You Brainstorm

• Turning a Hobby Into a Business (Entrepreneur)
• How to Monetize Your Photography Skills (CreativeLive)

Got an idea brewing? Join my mailing list for more insights into building a profitable creative income idea. [Insert link here]

Did you miss the first post in my side hustle series? Check it out here