Becoming a freelance photographer is a great way to build a career in visual media. You get to choose what you work on, be the creative lead you’ve always wanted to be, and take as much time as you need refining your snapping skills. 

However, one question may be in your mind right now: would now be a good time to try it out? After all, sometimes the market might not be quite right, and even though you’re passionate and willing to learn, that will make your freelancing journey all the harder. 

We’ve put together a checklist for starting your own photography business before now, and if you’re interested in striking up a career of your own, we highly recommend checking that out. 

But before you fully take the plunge and decide that photography is for you, it’s a good idea to survey the current freelance scene and see what’s going on. Here are some points to ponder. 

Companies are Interested in Outsourcing

Outsourcing to a freelancer helps their budget go further. You could be that freelancer! And research shows that visuals can nearly double the amount of views content gets; they’re powerful tools in the current business landscape. 

It’s Easier Than Ever to Create a Fully Functioning Website

By yourself as well! That can cut down on the costs of hiring a webmaster to put it all together. You can set up a site via an easy to use builder and customise it in any way you see fit. 

You can even accept payment via your website, if you work with a streamlined payment api that lets you design your own gateway. It’ll fit in with the rest of your site and won’t be too complicated to integrate; that makes it a lot easier for a client to pick a photography package. 

You’re also likely to make a bit more money this way, as advertising/selling photography via other market platforms can come with rather hefty fees. 

Picking a Niche is Usually Best

When you do, not only can you focus all of your time and attention on that niche, but you get used to the way it moves. Once you’ve become experienced in that one area, you can start to branch out. 

Whether that means you’re a real estate photographer or you specialize in wedding photography, get used to the way things work before trying something else. Move too fast and you’re likely to burn yourself out, or your portfolio may not stand out as much as you’d like it to. 

And as we said above, there’s a stronger need for visual content in 2025 than there ever has been. That makes now a great time to pick your niche and go for it! 

If you want to become a freelance photographer, the current market trends could mean you’re in for some success. Always be cautious in your approach; make progress slowly but steadily, and consistently reinvest in your own skills, equipment, and offerings. 

Ready to start a photography business? Check out this post and download a free checklist!