How Much Money Does A Wildlife Photographer Make?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $81,000 and as low as $15,000, the majority of Photography salaries currently range between

$26,500 (25th percentile) to $43,500 (75th percentile)

with top earners (90th percentile) making $62,500 annually across the United States.

Can you make money as a wildlife photographer?

Nature have it bad, though, especially if you're buying long telephoto lenses for wildlife. … Making money from your photography isn'

t easy

, and it doesn't get any easier as a nature either. There's less demand, and more people doing it.

How much does a wildlife photographer earn?

City Annual Salary Monthly Pay Berkeley, CA

$45,023


$3,752
Daly City, CA $44,896 $3,741 Santa Monica, CA $44,813 $3,734 Quincy, MA $44,628 $3,719

Is wildlife photography a good career?

Wildlife photographers are some of the

world's most valued professionals

. Providing images of animals in their natural habitat is essential to science, education, and countless other industries. Patience and the ability to work in uncertain and changing conditions are required to succeed in this specialty area.

How do I become a paid wildlife photographer?

  1. Get the Appropriate Gear. …
  2. Learn to Take High-Quality Photography. …
  3. Work as a Freelancer. …
  4. Research the Market to Set Your Prices. …
  5. Start with Photographing Basic Species. …
  6. Be Very Patient and Be Ready. …
  7. Be Ready to Travel. …
  8. Get Ready to Spend Time Outdoors.

What type of photos sell best?

  1. Single Photos Sell Better than Group Shots. This one really surprised us. …
  2. Candid Photos Sell Better than Posed Shots. …
  3. Wide Shots Sell Better than Closeups. …
  4. Looking Away is Better than Facing the Camera. …
  5. Unidentified Subjects Sell Better.

Who is the highest paid photographer?

  1. MORGAN NORMAN. The photographer, who was born in 1976 in Stockholm, specializes in celebrity and fashion shots. …
  2. LYNSEY ADDARIO. …
  3. GEORGE STEINMETZ. …
  4. TERRY RICHARDSON. …
  5. CINDY SHERMAN. …
  6. STEVE McCURRY. …
  7. STEVEN SHORE. …
  8. JOEL MEYEROWITZ.

How hard is it to become a wildlife photographer?


There is no hard and fast route that leads to becoming a wildlife photographer

. Though George has loved animals since he was very young, he didn't just become a wildlife photographer. … George shared that, at the beginning, his work was only about 10% wildlife and 90% travel and other photography.

Who is the most famous wildlife photographer?

  • Neil Aldridge. …
  • Cristina Mittermeier. …
  • Marina Cano. …
  • Tin Man Lee. …
  • Frans Lanting. …
  • Joel Sartore. …
  • Charlie Hamilton James. …
  • Who are your favourite famous wildlife photographers? Let us know in the comments who your favourite inspirational photographers are!

What qualifications do you need to be a wildlife photographer?


A two or four-year degree in photography

should give aspiring wildlife photographers the ability to learn basic – as well as advanced – photography techniques necessary for a successful career. A degree in zoology with a minor in photography is also an excellent way to start a wildlife photography career.

How do I sell wildlife photos?

  1. Nature Picture Library. …
  2. Minden Pictures. …
  3. Animals Animals. …
  4. National Geographic Images. …
  5. Steve Bloom Images. …
  6. FineArtAmerica. …
  7. Sea Pics. …
  8. Photoshot Collection.

Does National Geographic Buy photos?

Unfortunately,

our magazine and website editors do not accept any unsolicited photographs for publication

. They plan articles and features months, sometimes years in advance and make assignments based on the coverage envisioned.

How can a photographer make money?

  1. Sell or License Your Photos on Stock Photography Sites. …
  2. Join Photo Contests. …
  3. Start a Photography Blog or YouTube Channel. …
  4. Sell Your Prints. …
  5. Do Freelance Photography Work for Magazines or Newspapers. …
  6. Become a Paparazzo. …
  7. Do Photo Shoots for Clients.

What type of photos sell best on Shutterstock?

  1. Single Photos Sell Better than Group Shots. This one really surprised us. …
  2. Candid Photos Sell Better than Posed Shots. …
  3. Wide Shots Sell Better than Closeups. …
  4. Looking Away is Better than Facing the Camera. …
  5. Unidentified Subjects Sell Better.

What photos can I sell?

  • Alamy. Alamy sports the world's most diverse stock photo collection, with over 215 million stock images, vectors, videos, and 360-degree panoramic images. …
  • 500px. …
  • SmugMug Pro. …
  • Shutterstock. …
  • iStock Photo. …
  • Etsy. …
  • Getty Images. …
  • Stocksy.

Which site is best for selling photos?

  1. On Your Own Website. The number one best place to sell photos online is on your own website. …
  2. Adobe Stock. …
  3. Shutterstock. …
  4. Alamy. …
  5. Etsy. …
  6. Fotomoto. …
  7. Crestock. …
  8. 500px.
Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.