Photography Revenue Streams During a Move: Income Solutions That Work

I see photographers panic about moving their business, convinced they’ll lose months of income while they rebuild in a new location. Look, I get it – I’ve been there. After helping photographers through countless business relocations and experiencing several moves myself, I’ve learned that photography revenue streams during a move don’t have to disappear completely.

The suckiest part about moving your photography business? The immediate loss of income. Let’s be honest – we work for the money, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that mindset. If you have any qualms about running your photography business for profit, that’s a separate conversation we need to have first.

Today, I’m sharing proven strategies that can help diversify your revenue streams during transitions, based on real experience from multiple business relocations.

---

---

But before we dive in—Hi! I’m Melissa, and I’m an SEO expert here to help portrait photographers finally get found by their dream clients on Google—without the technical overwhelm. Whether you need done-for-you SEO services, step-by-step coaching through my proven system, or monthly blogging strategies (like my Blogging Club membership!), I’ve got the tools to transform your invisible website into a client-attracting machine. Ready to stop being the best-kept secret in your market?

---

If you haven’t already, I’d encourage you to listen to the full podcast episode where Alison & I break down all these strategies in detail. But if you’re ready to get straight to the actionable stuff, this blog post lays it all out for you step-by-step. Either way, you’re going to walk away with concrete strategies you can implement right away.

---

The Two-Sided Revenue Solution: Shooting for Others vs. Hiring Others

There are two approaches to maintaining photography revenue streams during a move: shooting for someone else’s business, or creating your own associate program where others shoot for you. Both strategies work, and which one you choose depends on your timeline, location, and business goals.

Revenue Stream 1: Shooting for Other Photographers

Second Shooting Opportunities

Second shooting, particularly for weddings, remains one of the highest-paying contract photography opportunities. When I started my career, I earned about $50 an hour for second shooting – and that was ten years ago. Today’s rates should be significantly higher.

Here’s how to find these revenue opportunities:

• Join photography Facebook groups focused on second shooting
• Watch for last-minute posts from photographers whose assistants get sick
• Reach out directly to top-ranking photographers in your new area
• Leverage your existing experience – even if it’s been a few years, that experience is valuable

I discovered my most valuable second shooting relationship through a last-minute fill-in opportunity. Someone’s regular shooter got sick, I swooped in, and ended up working 2-3 weekends per month with that photographer for years.

Contract Shooting Revenue Streams

Beyond individual photographers, several companies hire contract photographers for specific projects:

• Flytographer: Specializes in family photos worldwide
• Local business photography: Google My Business listings, retail locations
• Corporate contract work: Chain restaurants, retail stores needing location photography

I personally made $1,800 through Main Street Hub (later acquired by GoDaddy) shooting local business photos. Each session was about an hour, paid $150, and required no editing – just show up, shoot, upload, invoice, and walk away.

Feeling overwhelmed by the technical side of rebuilding your online presence in a new market? This is exactly what we cover in my 4-month SEO Group Coaching program – step-by-step guidance with accountability to help you master keyword research, optimize your website, and rank on page 1 in your new location, so you can focus on these revenue strategies while your SEO works to attract local clients.

DIY Local Business Revenue Stream

Consider walking into local businesses with your business card, offering Google My Business photography services at competitive rates. This serves multiple purposes:

• Immediate revenue generation
• Networking in your new location
• SEO backlink opportunities through local business connections
• Learning your new area while meeting potential clients

Revenue Stream 2: Creating Your Own Associate Program

When to Build an Associate Revenue Network

My podcast co-host Alison implemented this strategy when leaving Virginia Beach during peak season. Rather than losing 6+ weeks of potential bookings, she created a system where trusted photographers could shoot sessions on her behalf.

Setting Up Your Associate Revenue System

Here’s the framework Alison developed:

Compensation Structure:

• Pay significantly more than basic second shooting rates
• Associates handle full session coordination, not just showing up
• Include weather backup coordination, client communication, and file delivery

Training Process:

1. Bring potential associates on practice shoots as paid assistants
2. Let them observe your session flow and client interaction style
3. Provide detailed written guidelines for your process
4. Create clear timelines and expectations for both parties

Legal Considerations:

• Written agreements covering photo ownership
• Timeline expectations for both photographer and associate
• Clear scope of responsibilities
• Payment terms and conditions

Alison’s Associate Revenue Success Story

When Alison had to unexpectedly travel back to the East Coast with one week’s notice, she had three sessions that needed coverage. Because she’d already established relationships and systems with local photographers, she could immediately delegate these sessions without losing the revenue or disappointing clients.

Building a Referral Fee Revenue Culture

Here’s my personal gripe with our industry: realtors have formal finder’s fees, but photographers often work on informal “send them my way” arrangements.

Business strategy: Start offering finder’s fees when someone refers a booking to you. Not credits or discounts – actual cash payments. If someone refers a $5,000 client to you, sending them $100-500 as a thank you makes complete business sense and encourages future referrals.

Ready to master location-based SEO beyond just associate work? My Done-for-You SEO services help photographers dominate Google search results in any market while you focus on what you do best – photography.

Revenue Stream Implementation Considerations

Photography Style Factors

• Studio work with wardrobe: More complex to delegate
• On-location sessions: Easier to systematize and teach
• Wedding photography: Established second shooting market already exists

Responsibility Levels

• Basic shooting only: Lower payment, photographer handles all client coordination
• Full session management: Higher payment, associate manages client communication, scheduling, and delivery
• Referral only: Finder’s fee arrangement, no actual shooting involved

Revenue Replacement Timeline

Remember, these revenue streams are temporary income bridges while you:

• Build SEO in your new market
• Establish vendor relationships
• Grow your Instagram presence locally
• Create your new client base

Quick Action Steps for Revenue Stream Diversification

✓ Research photography Facebook groups for second shooting opportunities

✓ Identify top photographers in your new market for potential contract work

✓ Create written agreements for any associate arrangements

✓ Set up systems for client communication and file management

✓ Network with local photographers before you actually need backup support

✓ Consider local business outreach for Google My Business photography

Your Next Revenue Move

Moving your photography business doesn’t have to mean months of lost income. Whether you’re shooting for others or building your own associate network, these photography revenue streams during a move can bridge the gap while you establish yourself in a new market.

Feeling overwhelmed by all the moving pieces of business relocation? This is exactly what we cover in my SEO Group Coaching program – step-by-step guidance with accountability to actually get results, including revenue strategies during transitions.

The key is preparation and relationship building. Start these conversations before you desperately need the income, and you’ll have a safety net ready when life throws you unexpected moves or opportunities.

If you like this post, we think you’ll love these:

Relocating Your Photography Business Without Losing Your Google Rankings

Moving Your Business? Here’s How to Tell Clients Without Creating Panic