How to Get Started as a Photography Writer
Make money by combining your love of the two arts and sharing your photography knowledge with others
If you’re passionate about both photography and writing, then becoming a photography writer may be the perfect career for you. As a photography writer, you’ll have the opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise with others through articles, blog posts, tutorials, and more.
Being a writer and photographer can open up many doors, including working with popular publications, getting paid to travel and take photos, and even teaching others about photography. If you’re interested in becoming a photography writer, here is a complete guide to getting started.
Find Your Focus
Before you start writing about photography, it’s important to determine your focus. Do you want to write articles about specific photographers or photo techniques? Or would you rather write general tips and advice columns about photography?
Once you’ve determined your focus, narrow down your niche even further. For example, if you want to write about general photography tips, consider what type of photography you’re most passionate about. This could be anything from landscape photography to portrait photography. Once you’ve nailed down your niche, it will be easier to find writing gigs that align with your interests.
Have Some Writing and Photography Experience
It’s also important to have some writing and photography experience before you start pitching to publications. While you don’t need to be a professional writer or photographer, having some samples of your work will help show potential clients that you’re serious about your craft.
The Importance of Having a Photography Background
If you don’t have a photography background, it’s still possible to become a successful writer. However, it will be difficult to break into the field without any experience. This is because most publications want their writers to be knowledgeable about photography. If you don’t have a strong understanding of the subject, it will be difficult to write compelling articles.
You will be advantaged if you have a photography background because you will be able to draw upon your personal experiences when writing. This will make your articles more relatable and enjoyable to read. In addition, having a photography background will give you a strong foundation of technical knowledge that you can share with your readers.
The Importance of Having a Writing Background
While a photography background is helpful, it’s also important to have a strong writing background. This is because your articles will be competing with others for attention. If your articles are poorly written, they’re less likely to be read by potential readers.
To become a successful writer, you need to be able to capture the reader’s attention and hold it until the very end. This can be a challenge if you’re not a skilled writer. However, there are many resources available that can help you improve your writing skills. These include online courses, books on writing, and even grammar checkers. You can be the best photographer in the world, but if you can’t write compelling articles, you’re not going to be writing for National Geographic any time soon!
Create a Writing Portfolio
As a writer, it’s essential to have a strong portfolio. Your portfolio should include samples of your writing, as well as any relevant experience you have. If you don’t have any published writing samples, consider starting a website or blog where you can showcase your work.
You can also create a free portfolio on sites like Contently and Clippings. But having your own website is the best way to promote your writing and photography services, showcase your work, and attract new clients. So, if you don’t already have one, now is the time to build your own website.
Tips on Building a Photography Writer Website:
1. Use a Simple, Clean Design
One thing to keep in mind when designing your website is to keep it simple. Busy or cluttered designs can be overwhelming and turn visitors away. Instead, opt for a clean and minimalist design. This will make your site easy to navigate and help showcase your work in the best light possible.
2. Include an About Page
Be sure to include an About page on your website. This is where you can tell visitors who you are, what you do, and why you’re the best person for the job. Be sure to include a headshot and some information about your writing and photography experience.
3. Showcase Your Work
Your website should be a portfolio of sorts, showcasing your best work. Be sure to include both writing and photography samples so that potential clients can see what you’re capable of.
4. Promote Your Services
On your website, be sure to list the services you offer as a writer and photographer. This will give potential clients an idea of what you can do for them. List your rates as well so that there are no surprises down the road.
5. Include Contact Information
Make sure your website includes your contact information so that potential clients can easily get in touch with you. Include your email address, phone number, and social media links.
Creating a website is a fantastic way to promote your photography writing services and attract new clients. Follow these tips to create a simple, clean, and effective website that will showcase your work in the best light possible.
Find Photography Writing Jobs
There are many different ways to find freelance photography writing jobs. The best way is to network with other photographers and writers. You can also search online job boards that specialize in photography writing gigs. Some of these job boards include Freelancer, Upwork, and Fiverr. Once you find a few potential writing gigs, be sure to read the job descriptions carefully. This will help ensure that you’re a good fit for the position.
Writing for Photography Magazines
If you want to get paid decent money to write about photography, you should look into writing for photography magazines. Magazines offer some of the highest-paying writing gigs. In addition, you’ll most likely get your own byline so it’s a surefire way to get your name out there and build your portfolio.
When writing for magazines, it’s important to keep in mind that each publication has its own specific guidelines. For example, some magazines may want you to submit a query letter before they’ll consider your article, while others may want you to send a completed article.
It’s also important to note that most magazines have strict word limits. This means that you’ll need to be concise and to the point in your writing. If you’re not sure where to start, consider pitching an article idea to a few of your favorite magazines. To do this, simply send a brief email that includes your article idea and a few sentences about why you think it would be a good fit for the publication. If the editors like your idea, they’ll get back to you with further instructions.
Writing for Photography Websites
Another avenue to consider if you want to get paid to write about photography is to pitch to photography websites. Working for online publications is the best option if you’re looking for a more flexible writing gig. There are many photography publications online that accept guest articles and most of them will pay you for your work.
The amount of money you can make, however, will vary depending on the website. For example, some websites may only pay a few dollars per article, while others may pay several hundred dollars. When writing for photography websites, it’s important to keep in mind that each site has its own specific guidelines. Make sure to read these carefully before you submit your article.
Marketing Your Services
Now that you have a website and some writing and photography samples to show potential clients, it’s time to start marketing your services. Here are a few tips on how to market your photography writing services:
1. Social Media
Social media is a great way to promote your services and attract new clients. Facebook is an effective marketing resource all around, Instagram is an excellent way to show off your photos, and LinkedIn gives you the opportunity to connect with others experts in your industry and look for more professional jobs. Create accounts on all the major social media platforms and post regularly. Include links to your website and blog, and include lots of photos and videos.
2. Networking
Another way to find new clients is to network with other photographers and writers. Attend photography and writing events, join relevant online communities, and connect with others in your field. You never know when one of them is going to need a photography writer so make them think of you first!
3. Speaking Engagements
If you’re the type that loves to talk about your field and share insights and advice with people, you might want to consider giving talks or presentations at local events or meetups. This is a good way to show off your expertise and attract new clients.
4. Advertising
If you have the budget for it, advertising is always a powerful avenue to market your services. There are a number of ways to advertise, including online ads, social media ads, and print ads.
5. Publicity
Getting some positive publicity can also help you get the word out. This can include things like getting interviewed by blogs or podcasts, being featured in articles or news stories, or winning awards.
If you love photography and writing, then combining the two can be a great way to make money. By following the tips in this article, you can begin your career as a photography writer and start marketing your services.
Starting small and gradually building your portfolio and client base is the best way to succeed in this field. Network with other photographers and writers, and attend relevant events. And most importantly, don’t forget to have fun! This is an awesome, creative job that will always keep you learning, so take it all in and keep improving as an artist!
Originally published at https://www.jenniferberube.com on June 1, 2022.
