📘 1000 Side Hustle Ideas Home ← Local & In-Person Services ← Photography & Event Services
HUSTLE #474 5.8 Photography & Event Services

Graduation and Senior Portrait Minis

💰 Startup Cost $0
⏰ Time/wk weekends
📊 Difficulty ★★☆☆☆
🏆 1st Month $ $400-800
💵 Monthly Range $400-800
⏱ First $ In 1-2 weeks
Nextdoor, Facebook Groups, Instagram
Offer mini portrait sessions for high school and college graduates during graduation season — April through June. Charge $75-125 per 30-minute session at a scenic outdoor spot. Cap and gown photos, casual portraits, and family group shots. This is a short but intense season. Book 4-6 sessions every weekend in May and you can earn $2,000-3,000 in a single month with just your phone or a basic camera.
🚀 First Step
One month before graduation season, post sample graduation-style portraits on Instagram and local parent groups offering 30-minute mini sessions with a graduation season discount.
  • Scout one scenic location with varied backdrops and use it for all sessions — consistency saves time
  • Offer a printed graduation announcement card add-on designed in Canva for an extra $25
  • Collect payment at booking — no-shows kill your weekend earnings during the short season
🛠 Tools & Resources: Nextdoor, Instagram, Facebook Groups, Canva, Lightroom Mobile