Are you struggling to find freelance photography jobs? Fortunately, you don’t need to spend time knocking on doors or putting up flyers; these days, plenty of jobs are posted online!
Specifically, there are several high-quality platforms, social networks, and websites that offer all sorts of opportunities for photographers. And that’s what I share in this article: a list of the top places to find tons of freelance photography jobs, whether you’re a hobbyist or a serious professional.
So if you’re ready to start making some money, then let’s dive right in, starting with:
1. Behance
Behance is a platform built by Adobe, and its primary purpose is to give photographers and visual creators a way to showcase their work. Behance also offers a job list, where you can simply type in a keyword and filter by location, job type, and creative field.
And once you find a posting that looks suitable, you can apply by clicking the Apply on Behance button.
Note that Behance is completely free – you can create a profile even if you don’t have an Adobe membership. Of course, make sure your profile is accurate and showcases your latest and best work. Employers can see your profile once you apply, and you cannot apply to the same job multiple times!
By the way, the job list isn’t the only way to find jobs on Behance. People in need of photographers are always browsing profiles, and if they like your work, they might get in touch with you to propose a project. That’s why it’s important to be active; Behance is a social network, and the more you engage, the more visible you become. (Also, to increase your visibility, you can use tags, join galleries, and get featured.)
2. Fiverr
Fiverr is designed to connect clients with freelancers, but most photographers never consider using the platform because they believe it’s only for remote work.
To some extent, they’re right – but did you know that photographers can work remotely? For example, photo-retouching jobs and editorial photography for bloggers are both viable options for shooters around the world. Some brands may even be willing to send you products to be photographed.
Also, consider making use of your related skills, such as culling large collections, curating images for portfolios, setting up an archival system, keywording, design, etc. And while the listings aren’t wildly popular, there is a Fiverr market for local photographers doing portraits, pet photoshoots, and events.
Keep in mind that Fiverr is a highly competitive platform, so you’ll need a well-presented portfolio to stand out from the crowd. Also note that greater specialization is good, because the more specialized you are, the less competition you’ll have. For example, there are many photographers offering e-commerce product photography, but to separate yourself from the competition, you might offer images of one specific product, add a model, or offer image packages ready to upload to specific websites.
Once a job is complete, your clients will give you a review, and future customers will undoubtedly look for professionals with high ratings – so make sure you do a good job and offer excellent customer service.
3. Facebook
Do you leave Facebook off your job-search list because you think it’s on its way out or because you think it’s only for connecting with friends and family? If so, you’re missing out on some great freelance photography opportunities!
First of all, having a Facebook Business page will help you showcase your work and keep your followers updated on upcoming workshops, webinars, prints for sale, and many other sources of revenue. And if a potential client sees your work on Facebook, they can always contact you directly through your page.
Plus, Facebook has a dedicated area called “Jobs on Facebook.” Here, businesses post job offerings that you can browse, and if you find anything that you’re interested in, you can fill out the application without ever leaving the Facebook app.
It’s quite convenient, and you can apply to an unlimited number of offerings (for free). On the downside, there’s no specialized job board, so there aren’t always a huge number of opportunities for photographers.
Pro tip: To narrow down the choices, join specialized groups such as “Jobs for Artists” or “Booking a Photographer Worldwide.”
4. Upwork
Upwork is a platform where freelancers can find work – including professionals who offer photography and graphic design services.
You start by creating your profile, which is free. Then you can apply for jobs by submitting a proposal, or you can sell your projects in the Project Catalog and let interested clients contact you directly.
Keep in mind, however, that the site will get a cut of whatever you earn. Upwork takes 20% from your first $500; for earnings between $500.01 and $10,000, Upwork takes 10%; and anything above $10,000 is subjected to a 5% fee.
You can choose to work at an hourly rate or a fixed price. All payments and invoices go through Upwork, then the site pays you via direct deposit, Paypal, Payoneer, or a few other options.
You can find photography jobs in different fields. For instance, there are event photography and product photography opportunities; there are also more specialized opportunities that require real-estate drone photography or even ask for photographers who will accompany tourists and capture their vacation.
You’ll also find photo-editing jobs, photo-retouching gigs, and more. Most of the offers are for US-based photographers, but if you look hard enough, you can find plenty of worldwide offers, too.
5. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a social network dedicated to job seeking and business networking. While most people think it’s exclusively for full- or part-time positions, you can actually find many freelance opportunities.
Start by creating a (free) profile that displays your education and experience and features links to your work. Then set your profile to “Public” and use the #OpenToWork feature to let people know you’re available.
Next, build a network of potential clients and any other contacts that you consider relevant. To attract people to your profile, try publishing articles that demonstrate your expertise and interests.
You can use the Jobs feature to browse job offerings (and you can narrow these down by applying filters). You can also set up job alerts so you’re notified the moment job opportunities open up.
LinkedIn also offers a Premium account, which comes with InMail, extra intel about job postings and applicants, a “featured applicant” status, and other useful features.
6. FlexJobs
FlexJobs is designed to help users find all sorts of jobs that fall outside of the traditional office setup. You can find remote jobs, hybrid jobs, and freelance jobs.
To access full job listings, you’ll need to be a paid FlexJobs member. This comes with other perks, too: You can access skills tests and contact job posters directly. If you’re hesitant about signing up, bear in mind that you can always cancel the service and apply for a refund if you’re dissatisfied.
Note that, if you want to pause your job search, you can set your resume profile to “Inactive.” Then, when you’re ready to look for new opportunities, you can activate your profile without needing to redo the setup process.
The FlexJobs website is completely functional on all desktop browsers, but the app is only available for iPhone users.
7. JournalismJobs
As its name suggests, JournalismJobs is not a platform to find gigs for product or wedding photography; instead, it’s designed specifically for media job listings.
So if you’re a photo reporter, photojournalist, or do photo-documentary work, it’s a good place to look. Do keep in mind that the site is not designed specifically for photographers (many of the ads are for writers, editors, and so on).
JournalismJobs is very simple to use: Upload your resume and browse through the listings. When you click on a position that sounds interesting, you’ll be redirected to the employer’s website. Note that JournalismJobs is a job board and won’t act as an intermediary between you and the client.
Since the board is so targeted, there’s usually a good selection of opportunities and no scam postings. While most positions are US-based, there are a few opportunities for photographers living elsewhere (but these are mainly offered by US companies that need freelancers working abroad).
8. TheCreativeloft
TheCreativeloft is a job platform catering to professionals in the creative field. It not only offers hand-picked jobs but also gives you a profile so you can showcase your portfolio.
You can publish blog articles and posts, connect with employers and other professionals in your area, and apply for an unlimited number of opportunities.
As with many of the job boards on this list, theCreativeloft is designed for US photographers. While you might find some opportunities for professionals who live abroad, they’re rarely for remote jobs; they’re for photographers with an international background relocating to the US (and who are handling their own visa applications).
To create a profile and apply for jobs, you will need to pay a monthly fee, though you can cancel your subscription at any time. But please check the terms and conditions before signing up (you never know when they might change!).
The best freelance photography job platforms: final words
I’ve shared some of the most popular websites to find freelance photography jobs, but they’re far from your only options. Keep in mind that any job board website – including huge boards such as Indeed and Monster – may have opportunities for photographers.
You can also register on platforms such as Thumbtack or Bark. There, people search for professionals to do specific gigs, which can be a great source of work for freelance photographers.
Finally, consider exploring agency websites. The process is a bit different: As a photographer, you apply to become a part of the agency network, and while some agencies are always open for new applications, others only take applications as the need arises. If you get accepted, the agency will match you with clients looking for the type of images you can provide. These sites usually work locally, so you’ll need to find one in your area. (Perfocal, for example, is for UK-based professionals, while Boom began in Italy and has been expanding throughout Europe and the US.)
At the end of the day, there are many ways to actively find freelance photography jobs. Most important is that you build a solid body of work and create a compelling profile on the right platforms!
Which website do you plan to use to find freelance photography jobs? Do you know of any websites that we missed? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
PS: While not photography related as such if you’re looking for other content creation roles check out the ProBlogger Job Boards where there are categories of work ranging from blog article writing to ghost writing to sales and marketing jobs and even video production jobs.
