7 Fun Wildlife Photography Side Hustles That Make Money
Sell Your Wildlife Photos Online
Love taking pictures of birds, deer, or that one raccoon who always looks like he’s plotting something? Great! You can actually sell those wild moments online and make some extra cash.
Websites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Etsy let you upload your wildlife pics. When someone grabs one of your shots, you get paid!
The clearer and brighter your photo, the better it sells. Silly animals, rare creatures, and action shots are always hot picks.
Think birds mid-flight, baby foxes tumbling, or a bear doing something oddly human. Those kinds of images grab attention like a squirrel with a bag of chips.
Use strong keywords in your photo descriptions to help people find your work. Words like “forest animals,” “wildlife photo,” or “cute owl” can be magic.
If you snapped a red fox in a snowy forest, try tags like “red fox,” “winter animal,” and “nature snow scene.” Sounds simple, but it works!
Keep uploading often—don’t just toss in five pics and call it a day. A big photo collection gives you more chances to earn.
It’s like running a zoo… but on your computer. The more animals in your “store,” the more folks want to shop.
And don’t worry—you don’t need a giant camera. A good smartphone photo in nice light can do the trick.
Etsy is a great spot to sell your animal photos as digital downloads. Lots of people love printing them for cute wall art.
You can even add quotes or funny text to make your photos stand out more. A raccoon saying “Snack attack!” on a mug? Yes, please.
Selling your wildlife photos is like turning your camera into an ATM—but way more fun and with less paperwork.
Start a Wildlife Photography Blog
Got a story behind that perfect deer-in-the-sunset shot? A wildlife blog lets you share your photos and the awesome tales that come with them.
You can write about your hiking adventures, the animals you saw, and how you got that perfect squirrel selfie.
People love reading about how you sneak (quietly!) through the woods to find animals. It’s like a nature show, but with your voice.
You can also teach your readers photography tricks. Things like using golden hour light or staying still so you don’t spook your subject.
Use smart titles and tags on your blog so people can find it when they search online. Terms like “animal photography tips” and “nature photo blog” work well.
Once people find your blog, you can make money with ads. Yep, companies pay you when visitors look at—or click on—those ads.
You can also toss in links to cameras or gear you love. If someone buys through your link, you get a little reward!
Sites like WordPress or Blogger make blog-building super easy. No coding, no stress—just drag, drop, type, and go.
Pick a name that fits your vibe—maybe “Moose Moments” or “The Sneaky Squirrel.” Add fun colors and your coolest photos to make it yours.
Post often, even if it’s just one photo and a tiny story about how you got it. Readers love consistency.
Try doing a “Photos of the Week” post or share one tip a day. People will keep coming back for more.
Link your blog to your photo shop or Etsy store. That way, if someone says “Wow, I love that eagle shot!” they can buy it right away.
Your blog gives your photography a voice—and maybe even a fan club.
Offer Wildlife Photo Prints and Products
Let’s be honest—some animal photos are just too good to stay stuck on your hard drive. Turn them into art people can hang, sip from, or snuggle with.
Sites like Redbubble, Zazzle, and Society6 let you print your wildlife photos on things like mugs, throw pillows, and even phone cases.
You don’t need to ship anything yourself—they take care of the printing and mailing. You just upload, pick the product, and boom—done!
Photos of lions, owls, and peaceful forests make awesome wall prints. Folks love bringing a bit of the wild into their homes.
Make a calendar with 12 fun animal shots—one for each month. Or design mugs with chipmunks looking way too serious.
Selling sets (like a matching mug and blanket) makes your shop feel extra fancy. Bundles also make great gifts!
Peek at what others charge and aim for a happy medium. Not too cheap, not too pricey—just right.
Be clear in your product titles so folks know what they’re getting. Try: “Sunset Bear – Wildlife Photography Art Print.”
And don’t forget those magical keywords. Use phrases like “animal wall art” and “wildlife gift idea” to help people find your stuff.
Selling your photos this way lets your art run wild—in people’s kitchens, bedrooms, and offices!
Teach Wildlife Photography Classes
Know how to snap an awesome shot without scaring the animals? Teach others how to do it, too!
Start small—offer a class at a local park, school, or even a backyard. You’ll be surprised how many people want to learn.
Teach things like how to hold a camera steady or get close without bothering the animals. Keep it simple and fun.
You can also teach online using Zoom, Instagram Live, or YouTube. Pajamas on the bottom, camera tips on top!
Use helpful titles like “Wildlife Photography for Beginners” or “How to Photograph Birds in Your Backyard.” People love easy-to-follow content.
Charge a small fee—like $10 per class. As your classes get more popular, you can expand and charge more.
Get creative with your students—give them weekly photo challenges like “Find the Weirdest Bird Pose.”
Make printable cheat sheets or photo tip cards. Bonus: they make you look super professional.
Teaching helps others—and it helps you get even better at your craft. Win-win!
Lead Wildlife Photo Tours
Like hiking and snapping pics? Turn that into a paid gig by leading photo tours!
Take small groups into nearby parks or forests. Early mornings and sunsets are best—animals love those golden hours.
Charge a little for each person. Throw in a snack, a simple photo guide, and you’re set!
Use names like “Sunset Safari Walk” or “Backyard Birds Photo Hike” to make the tours exciting.
Start with friends or neighbors to practice. Once you’re comfy, open it up to the public.
Keep your tours safe and respectful—no chasing squirrels, okay? Show people how to stay quiet and stick to trails.
Even city parks have tons of photo-worthy critters. Think squirrels, butterflies, and birds who love showing off.
Bring a tripod or binoculars for guests to try. People love hands-on stuff!
Hand out a checklist of animals they might see and tips for getting great shots. It’s like a nature scavenger hunt!
If folks have fun, they’ll tell their friends. Boom—your photo tour business just grew.
Create a Wildlife Photography YouTube Channel
Lights, camera, antelope! Start a YouTube channel and let the world come along on your wildlife adventures.
Post videos of animals you’ve spotted or how-to’s for getting that perfect fox photo. Add in gear reviews or behind-the-scenes clips too.
You don’t need fancy gear—your phone is just fine if you’ve got decent light and a steady hand.
Make short videos like “Top 3 Squirrel Shots” or “How to Sneak Up on a Duck Without Falling In.” Entertaining and helpful!
Use fun titles and bold thumbnails so people click right away. Think: “Caught This Bear Doing Yoga!”
As your channel grows, you can make money through ads. The more views, the more cha-ching.
Sponsors might even send you gear to review. Free stuff AND a paycheck? Sign me up.
Try to post weekly or every other week. It keeps fans coming back and builds your audience.
Add music and fun edits to keep it light. Even bloopers can be gold.
YouTube turns your hikes into mini-movies. Who needs Netflix when you’ve got owls and raccoons?
Work with Nature Brands or Parks
Wildlife photography can help parks, nature centers, and outdoor brands show off their wild side in style.
Start by picking your best 10–15 photos and make a clean online album or PDF. Think of it as your “look how awesome I am” kit.
Then reach out to local parks with a short, kind email. Say who you are, what you do, and how your photos could help them.
You might get paid, offered free gear, or given access to cool spots. Either way, it builds your rep.
If you already use outdoor gear, snap a pic of it in action. Brands love seeing their stuff in the wild.
Check Instagram or brand websites to find contact info. Slide into their messages—but politely, of course.
Be friendly and professional. Think: “camera wizard who’s also super chill.”
Working with parks and brands lets your photos be part of something bigger. Plus—you get to say, “Yeah, that’s my bear on their brochure.”
