Photography & Video Side Hustles
49 episodes cover photographers, videographers, and visual content creators who built income from their cameras — wedding photographers, stock photo sellers, YouTube creators, real estate photographers, and more. Equipment matters less than specialization, as these stories repeatedly show.
- First $1,000: Michigan Accountant Moonlights as Engagement Photographer
Michigan accountant earns first $1,000 as engagement photographer. How she built her photography side hustle. Side Hustle School Ep. 3320.
- London Photographer Rents Camera Gear 1,100 Times
London photographer rents camera gear 1,100 times on peer-to-peer platform. Receptionist's weekend side hustle. Side Hustle School Ep. 3273.
- Weekend Workshop: The Global Photography Pivot
How to launch a nomadic photography business in 2025. Learn key steps, activities, and actionable strategies for a global side hustle. Side Hustle School.
- TBT: Helping Aspiring Film Professionals Get Hired
Film crew job placement service helping aspiring professionals get hired and gain union credentials. Side Hustle School Ep. 3190.
- Q&A: “Can I make money as a film location scout?”
Can you turn local city exploration into income as a film location scout? Learn how to pitch and price this creative service. Side Hustle School Ep. 3108.
- First $1,000: Pop-Up Cosplay Salon Takes Con-Goers by Surprise
Pop-up cosplay salon near comic cons: Seattle hairstylist charges for wig rescues and hair touch-ups. Side Hustle School Ep. 3047.
- First $1,000: London Underground Photo Safaris
London photographer creates urban photo safaris combining hidden gems with photography lessons for tourists. Side Hustle School Ep. 2963.
- Q&A: “Is it wise to offer a money-back guarantee?”
Money-back guarantees for service businesses: build trust without exposing yourself to risk. Side Hustle School Ep. 2926.
- Q&A: “Should I record my videos in portrait or landscape mode?”
Portrait or landscape? Record once and use everywhere? Best practices for video formats across platforms. Side Hustle School Ep. 2895.
- Failure Friday: Stock Photo Platform Lowers Commissions
Landscape photographer's Shutterstock income tanked after commission cuts—why depending on one platform is risky. Side Hustle School Ep. 2862.
- Q&A: “How can I find gigs as a video editor?”
Finding video editing gigs for small businesses: equipment essentials and client acquisition strategies. Side Hustle School Ep. 2703.
- Q&A: “Using Pinterest to build my wedding photography biz…”
How a Charleston wedding photographer uses Pinterest to attract clients and book more gigs. Strategies for pins that convert. Side Hustle School Ep. 2691.
- First $1,000: Newborn Photography Earns Up to $10,000 Each Time!
Newborn photography side hustle: how Abigail in the southeast earned her first $1,000 with creatively staged portraits. Side Hustle School Ep. 2648.
- First $1,000: Instagram Reels Editor Makes Videos Look Better
Instagram Reels editor builds profitable video editing business with short-form content. First $1,000 milestone. Side Hustle School Ep. 2641.
- First $1,000: Vintage Camera Seller Captures Captive Market
Vintage camera seller builds restoration business capturing first $1,000. Photography passion meets restoration skills. Side Hustle School Ep. 2578.
- Q&A: “My ADHD makes side hustling hard…”
ADHD and side hustling: strategies for neurodivergent entrepreneurs to manage focus and productivity. Side Hustle School Ep. 2528.
- First $1,000: Video Editor Upgrades from Low-Paying Clients
Video editor in Columbus earns first $1,000 by moving from low-paying Fiverr gigs to higher-value clients. Side Hustle School Ep. 2508.
- Q&A: “Get paid to take photos with Snappr…”
Getting paid as a photographer on Snappr, the app that matches photographers with clients for portrait sessions. Side Hustle School Ep. 2416.
- First $1,000: Smartphone Photography Instructor Snaps Up Profit
Smartphone photography instructor in Austin built his first $1,000 teaching mobile photography. Side Hustle School Ep. 2368.
- Q&A: “Going from weddings to corporate photography…”
Transitioning wedding photography to corporate events and product work. How to expand your services and maintain income. Side Hustle School Ep. 2334.
- First $1,000: Baltimore Photographer Starts Drone Instruction
Baltimore photographer launches drone instruction business and hits $1,000. Teaching aerial photography to students. Side Hustle School Ep. 2326.
- First $1,000: Michigan Accountant Moonlights as Engagement Photographer
Accountant in Michigan earns first $1,000 as an engagement photographer. How she built her photography business from scratch. Side Hustle School Ep. 2263.
- First $1,000: “I get paid to take stock photos for licensing…”
How Scott in Alberta earns $5,000/month licensing stock photos for royalties. Side Hustle School Ep. 2221.
- TBT: “I’ve matched my previous salary with 15 hours a week…”
Film editor in LA earns his previous salary coaching other creators—3 hours per day. Where is he now? Side Hustle School Ep. 2175.
- Hollywood Video Editor Shoots for the Stars
Hollywood video editor earns $1,500/month renting camera gear via $5 Craigslist ads. Stock footage and podcasts too. Side Hustle School Ep. 1998.
- Failure Friday: “Hundreds of people were shut out of my webinar…”
Boudoir photographer's webinar platform crashed with 400 attendees but only 50 capacity. What went wrong and why it matters. Side Hustle School Ep. 1707.
- GOALLL! Corporate Filmmaker Moonlights as Soccer Ref
Soccer referee side hustle: how a filmmaker earns money from the sidelines without playing the game. Side Hustle School Ep. 1457.
- Attorney Shutters Day Job In Favor Of Photography
Attorney shifts from law to portrait photography, ditching her San Francisco day job for creative work. Side Hustle School Ep. 1396.
- Q&A: Help! People keep stealing and reposting my photos
How photographers can protect their work from being reposted without permission. Strategies to reduce image theft online. Side Hustle School Ep. 1280.
- TBT: The “Craigslist Photographer” Returns With a Report
Wedding photographer earns $47,000 from Craigslist side gig. Civil engineer Oliver shares how his weekend hustle evolved. Side Hustle School Ep. 1251.
- Pinup Photographer Gets Creative with Facetime Sessions
Vintage pinup photographer earns $800/month with FaceTime photo shoots during COVID. Texas-based creative adaptation. Side Hustle School Ep. 1228.
- Mom Photographer Starts Summer Camp for Kids
Mom photographer launches summer camp for kids in The Woodlands, Texas. Teaches creative arts during slow season. Side Hustle School Ep. 1186.
- Divorce Leads Banker To Boudoir Photography Empire
How Tanya Smith earns from boudoir photography coaching after leaving banking. Side Hustle School Ep. 1035.
- 3D Printing Brings Cosplay Into 21st Century
3D printing cosplay costumes: how an engineer customizes superhero suits for the community. Side Hustle School Ep. 977.
- Hand Lettering Artist Upgrades Cheesy Photo Booth Props
Hand lettering artist creates custom Posecards™ for weddings, Fashion Week, NBA games. Side Hustle School Ep. 795.
- Photographer Visits 30 Countries, Leading Tours & Getting Paid
Photographer leads travel tours to 30+ countries while building income through photography and affiliate marketing. Side Hustle School Ep. 741.
- Extreme Makeover: Tinder Photo Edition
Fashion photographer helps Tinder users take better dating profile photos. Professional headshots turn swipes into matches. Side Hustle School Ep. 728.
- UK Sales Manager Calls Shots With Photographic Film Shop
UK sales manager launches analog film shop with $2,500 in sales, serving niche photography community with 180+ film types. Side Hustle School Ep. 647.
- London Photographer Rents Camera Gear 1,100 Times
London photographer rents camera gear 1,100 times on peer-to-peer platform. How he bought his mom a flat with rental income. Side Hustle School Ep. 619.
- Oh Snap! Photography Site Turns Into Passive Income Hustle
Traffic engineer turns photography tutorial site into $500/month passive income through affiliate marketing. Side Hustle School Ep. 544.
- Weekly Recap: “Craigslist Wedding Photographer” Strikes Back
Weekly recap: wedding photography, listener updates, and side hustle strategies—with actionable takeaways. Side Hustle School Ep. 533.
- Hollywood Film Editor Optimizes Life Through Self-Care Side Hustle
Film editor launches work/life balance coaching for Hollywood professionals. Built automated systems to manage 20 hours weekly. Side Hustle School Ep. 501.
- Couple’s Photo Booth Hustle Creates Memories and Cash
Photo booth rental business started by New York couple after attending disappointing wedding event. Paramount Photo Booths. Side Hustle School Ep. 426.
- Australian Uses Online Classified Ads to Sell Wedding Flowers
Wedding florist in Australia books clients through online classified ads using newly-learned floral arranging skills. Side Hustle School Ep. 298.
- Brooklyn Photographer Gets Paid to Throw Confetti at People
How a Brooklyn photographer earns $4,000/month throwing confetti at people and profiling human identity. Side Hustle School Ep. 207.
- Vintage Pinup Photography Turns Graphic Designer Into High-Earner
How Erin earns $47,000+ with vintage pinup photography. Package pricing strategy turned Texas graphic designer full-time. Side Hustle School Ep. 147.
- “Cosplay” Photographer Earns $47,000 from Epic Star Wars Portraits
Texas photographer earns $47,000 specializing in cosplay and Star Wars portraits. Features custom digital lightsaber effects. Side Hustle School Ep. 119.
- Pottery Barn Commissions Art from Independent Photographer
Independent photographer earns a third of her income selling art through Pottery Barn. Passive income from photography. Side Hustle School Ep. 25.
- The Craigslist Wedding Photographer
How a California government employee earns $3,500/month as a wedding photographer via Craigslist. Started with zero experience. Side Hustle School Ep. 9.