Charge what you're worth with these robust pricing tips and strategies. 20+ page FREE GUIDE.

GET YOUR COPY

Two Loves Studio

Food Photography Courses & Tips for Food Photographers

Selling Photos: 1 Simple Way to Passively Make $2,000+

Business
Pin

Are you like one of the many photographers who dreams of making money from selling photos? Even better, selling photos and passively making money?

Whilst making money whilst you sleep is a pretty cool thing, for photographers just knowing that someone wants to part with their hard earned cash in return for an image you poured your heart into is even cooler.

Every year I make a certain amount of money from selling photos by doing nothing and not spending a cent. It’s true.

So what’s the trick?

 

The 1 Simple Way I Passively Made Over $2,000 Selling Photos

Simple. I watermark my images.

The beauty of the Internet and visual search engines like Pinterest is that you can share your work with anyone in the world.

You just never know who is going to end up seeing and liking your work.

A humble watermark is what has connected me with a passive source of income and connections from around the globe.

I am regularly contacted by magazines, online publications, and creative agencies all over the world, seeking to license my images. They simply see my watermark, Google me, find my website and shoot me an email with their proposal.

1 Simple Way To Passive Make $2,000+ by Selling Your Photography | Want to make money by selling your photography by doing nothing? There is just one simple thing I do that sees me passively make over $2,000 a year. Click to get the easiest tip you'll ever read.
1 Simple Way To Passive Make $2,000+ by Selling Your Photography | Want to make money by selling your photography by doing nothing? There is just one simple thing I do that sees me passively make over $2,000 a year. Click to get the easiest tip you'll ever read.

 

Almost every time, they have referenced finding me through my watermark and a quick google search.

You don’t know where your images will end up on the internet.

Linkbacks from Pinterest and other sites could be going to a website that makes no reference of your work whatsoever

Art directors are very busy people and they will simply move on if they can’t find a source to contact for a license.

1 Simple Way To Passive Make $2,000+ by Selling Your Photography | Want to make money by selling your photography by doing nothing? There is just one simple thing I do that sees me passively make over $2,000 a year. Click to get the easiest tip you'll ever read.

 

A Watermark Allows For Instant Recognition

Sure you can sell photos or license photos through stock agencies, but 100% of the selling fee goes directly into my pocket.

No commissions payable.

I just see it as a why the heck would I not watermark? This is one of the main reasons I have continued to watermark my images from this and my portfolio blog.

There are occasions when I get requests to use the images for free or where they are requesting use of an image I am contractually unable to license, (with competing third parties clauses in client agreements).

So this figure doesn’t accurately reflect the number of requested I do actually receive for selling photos.

If they like your work enough, you have a connection to follow up with and potentially land a new brief in the future.

1 Simple Way To Passive Make $2,000+ by Selling Your Photography | Want to make money by selling your photography by doing nothing? There is just one simple thing I do that sees me passively make over $2,000 a year. Click to get the easiest tip you'll ever read.

 

Do People Recognise An Image As Yours? Sadly, No.

I’ve even been approached by agencies hoping the unwatermarked image they wanted to license was mine.

Many times the image that has a similar flare to mine, but aren’t photos I’ve taken. I have never once yet been able to cite the photographer for those unknown images.

Whilst it’s not a full-time income, that’s a new tilt-shift lens right there that will improve your photography game just by selling photos and doing nothing!

I don’t know about you, but sign me up for that!

1 Simple Way To Passive Make $2,000+ by Selling Your Photography | Want to make money by selling your photography by doing nothing? There is just one simple thing I do that sees me passively make over $2,000 a year. Click to get the easiest tip you'll ever read.

 

What Makes a Good Watermark?

But watermarks are so tacky I hear you saying!

Well, they can be, but I have seen them coming back over the last year and I really think that watermarking if done right is only a good thing.

I think the key is adding to the overall image and not distracting so you can grab the interest of those agencies looking to license you image.

My graphic designer who created my logo, Emma Hands, made me a PNG version that I could add to web res images.

I don’t use my watermark in Lightroom, as the placement is limited. Instead, I add it to images that make it onto my blog in Photoshop.

I find that carefully putting thought into how the watermark is placed, doesn’t have to ruin the flow of an image. But that takes a little additional work.

You don’t have to go as far that if you don’t have the time.

 

Watermarking on Instagram

A few creatives have left comments about why don’t I watermark my images on Instagram? And it’s a valid question for sure.

Instagram has felt like a place where regramming and tagging for credit have been more of a focus than Pinterest. Tagging helps to put us in touch with others of similar interests.

In the past, when we were seeing crazy growth on Instagram, I wasn’t seeing my images being shared.

So it didn’t enter my head as being ‘the internet’ even though it is. (I know, a little sheepish of me). As social media and things evolve, I think it’s good to keep an open mind about ways to grow and improve.

As Instagram is the hottest thing right now, maybe that’s where more art directors are hanging out looking for photographers?

I do know for a fact though, that when they are creating concepts, they are on Pinterest. It’s much easier to search and do that on your Desktop. So Pinterest is still well in the game.

I’d love to hear from you if you watermark on IG and if it’s been successful for you!?

 

Reader Interactions

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Karene'

    That’s amazing Rachel! I never thought of watermarks in that way. I’ve thought of them as ways to protect your images and as ways to send people to your website, but not that one might sell your images like that. I’ve been in between watermarks, so I’ve left them off recently. Definitely time to bring them back!

    Reply

    • Thanks for sharing your thoughts Karene. I just thought I would offer a different perspective as I know people have strong opinions about watermarks. I can’t imagine putting my work out there without it. Mostly I want people to instantly know it is mind, so interested to know what people think makes a good watermark. Do you have any thoughts on what makes a good watermark?

    • This is such a great argument for watermarking! Your watermark is also how I noticed you on Pinterest and started following your site, btw. The funny thing is, my background is design and I’ve created many logos and watermarks but I don’t have one on my own photos! It’s probably time.

      And what makes a good watermark? A simple, recognizable image that complements your style as a photographer. Nothing too ornate. When I design these, I zoom in and out quite a bit to make sure it’s recognizable at any size.

      Thanks for the post!

    • Nikki! I am pumped to hear you say that. Makes me feel like I know what I am talking about.
      I totally agree, there was a phase of ornate watermarks going around and I think they killed it for everyone. That is a fantastic point. So now we know who to get to to get a watermark done!

    • versicherungen youtube

      After talking to you I had to check out the photos. Simply stunning. The photos are beautiful. Your work just gets better and better. I hope you can talk Jessie into doing one of these sessions.

  2. Hi Rachel, This is an interesting topic and I have always watermarked my images after I found them stolen and published in many sites. How cool it would be to be contacted by Art directors for publishing….. .
    Lovely article.

    Reply

    • Hey Shibani! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I just wanted to offer a different perspective and conversation around them. I know that people will steal images if they want, but for me it is like leaving the house without clothes on. I can’t let my work go out there without watermarking. If you have any thoughts on what you think makes a good watermark, I’d love to hear them!

    • Definitely! It’s a good point that you can claim an image with a watermark in it too. Many times I have had to approach people, and been able to prove it’s mine via the watermark. Your photos are so lovely, I bet you will get work from your images. Be active on Pinterest and it will happen.

  3. Oh no. Now I’m questioning my stance again. I’m a yo-yo on watermarks. Aesthetically I don’t really like them but I used to do them on all of my blog pics. It took ages placing them ‘just so’. I even wrote this post about it > https://thirtysummers.com/2015/09/28/to-watermark-or-not-to-watermark-that-is-the-question/

    Then I got talking to some of my Instagrammer mates with massive followings and some top Aussie photographers who all said – we never bother. And I stopped. Can you detect I’m a little indecisive. Haha I think if you are in a tight niche they can be helpful as promo. Such as you are in Rach. As a ‘defence’ against theft I wouldn’t bother though. They really do take a while to get in the right place and can detract from a photo in the wrong spot. At least in my opinion.

    Reply

    • Well I guess that is a good thing Saxon? I am going to take it as one. I know that people have a lot of strong opinions on watermarks, and most people seem to tell me that they think mine works? I do spend time putting them carefully onto each image. It’s like leaving the house without perfume, you feel naked. I don’t want my images to be naked so I watermark them. Maybe I have a problem? Just thought I’d offer a different opinion, but I do get your points and apprehension. Maybe it is the niche I am in? Would be interested to know if this works for any other niches? Thanks for offering your perspective!

  4. I’ve never been into watermarks because I feel that if someone is going to “steal” my work then they have whats coming to them and I don’t want to have find out their email and ask them not to use my images because thats a pain and a lack minds, but I love this perspective on it! I have always loved your watermark and the way you do it adds to the image. You do it really well babe. xx

    Reply

    • Absolutely Jo! I know what where they is a will there is a way, and people are going to steal if they want to steal. I just look at it like ensuring people know who I am and get more eyeballs onto my work for what it is. I do like my watermark. Not sure what it is about it. Clean I guess?

    • Yes Marisa, I have this one made for me by a graphic designer. Detract sure is a key point. I personally try to look through a watermark to be encapsulated by the image itself and I think if anyone has good work then they are able to see what a good watermark from a design perspective would be.

  6. Wow, what a great idea! I never would have thought about it in this way. Something I’ll have to think about! Thank you for all your awesome posts!!! xO Steph

    Reply

  7. I get why people don’t really like watermarks but I’m starting to feel like it’s a necessity if you can do it the “right” way. I’ve recently started watermarking pretty much all my photos I put on line. I decided to do this mainly because I know a couple of woman on IG that also run styling businesses and have the habit of posting up other peoples photos and not mentioning that they aren’t their images (although they don’t claim them as their own either either hmmmmm – I get a little cross at them both when I see this)

    I like quite simple fonts and have been messing around with different styles to see what works with the majority of my images. I think I’ve just settled on a style which is really really really simple, I fade it out a little and even change it’s colour to suit the image.

    I think as I grow with my photography hobby I might like to read more about how to process/manage the payments/sales side of things. Sounds like in this day and age it’s a good thing to know about and I know that through my IG account I’ve recently been getting asked more about what i’d like to do with my photography and had a few business/earning options for the future thrown out there to think about.

    Thanks for a great article.

    Reply

    • Hey Tash! You are very welcome. I don’t think anyone has a soft spot for watermarks, but just like relationships there are good ones and bad ones. I am sorry to hear that someone is taking your work. There needs to be a lot of education for being a good digital citizen these days.
      Yes, changing the colour to suit the image is a good idea. I have a black png file and a white png file and I mix them up depending on the image. You have some nice images in your IG feed – keep creating.

  8. Thanks so much for this post. Though I haven’t received any passive income from my watermark as yet, I always watermark photos I put on the internet. I have also found photographers that I like from their watermark, so you’re right on the money there!

    Reply

  9. Siobhan Wolton

    I love your posts and advice. Thanks so much! I wouldn’t have put watermarks on my pics but now I’m going to create one for the very reason you mentioned. Great tip, thanks again. X @siobhan_wolton

    Reply

  10. Pam M - Grand Inspirations Photo

    You’re touting watermarking photos so that others can find you, and even mention in the comments “I can’t imagine putting my work out there without it. Mostly I want people to instantly know it is mine”, yet as I was scrolling through your instagram feed I noticed those photos are not watermarked. What is the reasoning behind that?

    I watermark 95% of what I put out in cyberspace, whether it’s social media or website. I have yet to come up with a business watermark that I love. Maybe it’s the long business name,? Since I tend to post more to social media (especially instagram) on the fly I generally just do a simple text watermark with my name, not the business name. It works for now but I need to really sit down, decide what direction I am going with branding & get that designed.

    Reply

    • Hey Pam! The use of emotive language here makes me think this post has potentially upset you? I hope this isn’t the case as this definitely was not my intention. With all of my posts, my intention is to spark conversation and promote individual thinking. You’re right, I do not watermark my IG. Simple reason is that sharing from outside of the platform hasn’t been made easy by the app, but as the app evolves this is definitely something to consider which is why you’re seeing it more and more in individual posts. Interestingly enough, my posts rarely get shared on IG due to the aspect ratio that I post (that is another thing I should consider too). I’d love to see your watermark, can you share a link for the community to get some inspiration?

  11. I happen to be commenting to make you be aware of what a fantastic discovery my cousin’s princess gained browsing yuor web blog. She figured out plenty of details, with the inclusion of how it is like to possess an ideal helping style to make many others quite simply learn some specialized subject matter. You actually did more than visitors’ desires. I appreciate you for presenting those practical, safe, educational and as well as easy tips on your topic to Ethel.

    Reply

  12. Susanne Geert

    Thanks for sharing this really great and simple tip, Rachel??
    I will definitely consider starting to do that too. Imagine someone found my images and couldn’t use them because they didn’t have a source?

    I visited your Instagram (for the 100th time…) and noticed you don’t have watermark there.

    Then I read through and saw Pam’s commment/question above about the same. I am not sure I understand your answer. Would you care to explain because I would like to know. Would a simple solution be to just add watermark in Lightroom when you save images for IG there?

    Also, on your portfolio I can’t see watermark either. Can I ask you why you don’t use watermark there (I am uncertain if I should watermark photos on my own portfolio)? And can I ask where you do you watermark (and why there)?

    Thanks a lot in advance!

    Kind regards
    Susanne

    Reply

    • Hey Susanne! For sure. I think really, things change all the time. Especially with social media. So it’s something to reconsider and something that I will constantly evaluate. Pinterest and IG are used differently. I think Pinterest is much more searchable and is used as an SEO visual tool. Instagram is definitely where it’s at currently, I just find there is a much easier way to track and tag creators of images. But you’re right. Watermarking everything is the best way to go *if* the contents of this post is what you’re after.

      I add my watermarks in PS so I have full control of where they are placed. Currently, I just don’t add them to IG, but doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.

      In terms of my portfolio, It’s something I’ve yo-yoed between. As it markets my professional services, I have to take into account feedback from those in the industry around this.

      My goal with this post is to share what’s worked for me to and to spark conversation. What is right for me at a given time might not be for someone else. So I’m glad you’re thinking about how this could work for you.

  13. Iris Rohde

    Hello there twolovesstudio.com

    But the truth is when you use this formula, it becomes REALITY almost instantly!
    Keep on reading and pay close attention to what I’m about to reveal: You don’t need a product, list, domains, website, experience, or even MONEY to do it!

    This is how SIMPLE it is:
    1. Copy a listing from location A
    2. Paste it in location B & make $20-$80 every single time… You ALWAYS keep the profit!

    ANYONE Can Do This, Even Total Noobs
    Literally anyone can pick this up, implement the same day and see Real Results of this formula working VERY FAST, without
    working hard, spending a ton of Cash!
    You’ll be successful faster than you ever though was even possible.

    Is a brand new arbitrage formula – very few people know about it and even less are actually using it.
    We focus on an overlooked area when it comes to arbitrage – and it’s pretty crazy because EVERYONE wants these services.
    Anyone that does this makes an absolute killing – and there’s no end to how many customers you can have.

    If you’ve ever tried arbitrage, you know how POWERFUL it is…
    Regular evryday people that aren’t marketers have been using it for YEARS to make a steady online income… but if you think that you know the formula we’re revealing inside THIS FORMULA – think again!

    IF YOU’RE INTERESTED, CONTACT ME ==> [email protected]

    Regards, Rohde
    Austria, BURGENLAND, Schlaugenholz, 4902, Dreimuhlenweg 72

    Reply

Unlock Access

To Your Free 7-Day Course

Action-based tips, straight to your inbox.

Yes, show me more