8 Creative Ways to Earn Money From Your Studio

Looking for ways to earn money from your studio? Having a studio gives you a lot of options as a photographer, which enables you to do your work efficiently. But whether you own or rent, maintaining a studio can be a pricey venture.

Luckily, this is something we at Peerspace know all about. As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, we work with studio owners across the globe, helping them list their space and attract potential renters through our platform. Peerspace offers you a secure and easy way to get your listing in front of thousands of people who are interested in renting a studio space. But we’ll talk more about Peerspace ahead, as well as all the other ways you can earn money from your studio.

In fact, there are plenty of ways you can use your studio to earn additional income when it’s not in use for photoshoots. Here’s a list of eight creative ways to earn money from your studio that you may want to try.

1. Rent your studio on Peerspace

If you don’t use your studio space all the time, then renting it out to other photographers is the perfect way to earn money from your studio. Not only does this expand your business, but it also lets you network with other photographers in your area.

Peerspace is an online service that can connect your studio to other photographers and creatives — we make it easy to list your space and start collecting passive income.

To get started, go to our hosting page and follow the prompts. You will be asked to create a listing page dedicated to your studio. Here, you’ll share photos of the studio (the higher the quality the better, which you know all about!), write a description of the space, list features and amenities, and set an hourly rate.

Once your listing gets approved, it will be posted on our website and Peerspace users can find it when they search for studio rentals in your metro.

Need a bit of inspiration? Then start browsing Peerspace studio listings that are already live on our site. You can see how other studio owners describe their spaces and the prices they set. Plus, you can read reviews from past renters to see what they loved about the venue and what they would change. This knowledge can give you quite the competitive edge!

2. Rent out your equipment

Renting out specific equipment may sound intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be, especially if you have equipment insurance. This idea is viable if you’ve accumulated gear over the years that you don’t use much anymore — but also don’t want to get rid of. Plenty of photographers, especially those beginning their careers, need lights and gear for on-location shoots, but they haven’t compiled their own kits yet. By renting out your spare gear, you can help other photographers grow and earn some money for equipment.

Just as a reminder, if you use Peerspace to list your studio, be sure to include the equipment you’re offering in your studio and whether it’s available for an added charge or included with the rental price. It’s a brilliant way to highlight to potential renters that your studio can be their all-in-one creative content space!

Here’s how to set up a photography studio that attracts clients and creatives without fail.

3. Offer classes on lighting and studio photography

A great way to earn money from your studio work is to offer classes on all things studio photography, lighting, and editing. Studio work can seem challenging to new photographers and, on top of that, some may encounter obstacles, including affording the pricey cost of the equipment and maintaining the space.

By offering workshops, you help build up your local photography community, network with other creatives, and turn your own skills into another way to earn money.

4. Produce online tutorials

If you’ve already prepared a curriculum for teaching workshops, then half the work is done toward producing online tutorials. Chances are, you’ve got all the camera and lighting equipment you’ll need for recording high-quality videos as well.

There are several ways to monetize online content, like setting up a YouTube channel to generate ad revenue or distributing your digital classes through one of several websites that specializes in selling video courses. With your skills in camera operation, composition, studio lighting, and editing, there are plenty of videos you could make and ultimately profit from. Making online tutorials will also help promote your brand.

5. Host exhibitions and gallery shows

Let’s say you have extra space in your studio — your building isn’t entirely occupied by your backdrops and equipment. Now, if you’re working out of a home studio, this probably isn’t a viable idea. However, if you have the space, then hosting an exhibition is a great way to generate extra income while also introducing people to your business.

Hosting a show is also another great way to engage the local artistic community and network with fellow photographers. Anything that gets new people in the door of your business is great for generating new leads and getting fresh eyes on your work.

6. Hold a portrait party

Much like hosting a gallery show, hosting a portrait party can be a great way to get new people into your orbit. It’s also a chance to have fun with your space.

Invite people to your studio and, for a small entry fee, make an evening out of doing portrait work and socializing. This could be a great add-on to a gallery show or serve as a standalone event. It’s also a chance to get some new faces in front of your camera, which is good for your portfolio. Be sure to let your guests know about the other photography services you offer — you might be able to book additional work.

Check out our creative branding photoshoot ideas to discover new ways to reach out to your corporate clients!

7. Sell prints and artwork

When you aren’t holding a specific show, set up your gallery space with your own artwork or the work of others, then list the pieces for sale. This isn’t a potential revenue stream that will make you tons of money quickly, but since you’re paying for your studio space no matter what, it’s logical to maximize opportunities for additional income.

Make the space work for you! Having your work for sale also demonstrates a high level of confidence in your product, which potential clients will notice.

8. Expand your services

Maybe you use your studio primarily for portraits, but the space is great for other types of work as well. Consider using your studio to do professional product photography or equip the space for video shoots. Specializing in one area of photography is absolutely necessary when building your customer base and establishing your business initially, but it doesn’t hurt to branch out once you’re established.

However, you should definitely advertise additional services under a different website or, at the very least, under different pages on your main site. This way, clients looking to hire you for a product shoot won’t have to sift through your fashion work, for example.

Ways to earn money from your studio: conclusion

Running your own studio is a mark of success, but it doesn’t always mean you are maximizing profits on your investment in the space. Consider these creative ways to earn money from your studio as a starting point for opening up new streams of revenue and promoting your work. Soon, you’ll be well on your way to offsetting the costs associated with studio operation. Don’t put yourself in a box and deny easy ways to make extra cash.

And, as always, consider how Peerspace can help connect you to new clients and additional sources of income. The platform gets thousands of unique visitors daily and is expanding in cities across the globe. Your studio may even get featured in a resource article like this one! And who doesn’t love free promotional work?

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