📱 Best Platforms
Pixieset, SmugMug, Square
📖 The Hustle
License photos to local businesses — shoot beautiful images of restaurants, hotels, real estate listings, and retail stores, then sell them a commercial use license for $200-$1,000 per shoot with ongoing renewal fees for continued website and social media use. Many businesses let their photography go stale; approach them with a portfolio showing how pro images boost their Google Maps listing and social engagement. After the shoot, deliver via Pixieset with licensing terms embedded.
🚀 First Step
Research 10 local restaurants with poor Google Maps photos, shoot one sample meal at each, and email the owners offering a full shoot package.
🔑 Keys to Success
- Charge a base shoot fee plus an annual licensing renewal — the renewal income from 20 clients paying $300 per year is $6,000 annually
- Start with restaurants and hotels because they need fresh imagery constantly for menus, social media, and booking platforms
- Include the licensing terms in the image metadata and delivery platform so usage rights are unambiguous and renewal dates are tracked
🛠 Tools & Resources: Pixieset, SmugMug, Lightroom, Canva, Square