12 Ways To Make Money As A Stylist

Whether you are having a slow period or tough season as a Photo Stylist, ready to make a pivot ~ while still keeping to your “stylist roots”, our want to add to your styling services options, there are many ways to make income with your Photo Styling talent.  Multiple income streams gives you flexibility and stability.  Don’t think that you don’t have focus” if you expand your offerings ~ you’re being strategic. When one part of your service is slow, you will have others to lean on and it has benefits:

▪︎ Keeps you in a creative mindset.
▪︎ More creative outlets to strengthen your styling expertise.
▪︎ Gives clients ability to work with you at variety of price points.

Also, key is to always listen to your clients (or would be clients) and learn what they need and how you can provide solutions for them.  All the income stream ideas below are what I provide in my business. I started them through listening to clients and seeing their needs.  Another key is to always take on challenges to grow your styling skills so you are ready to incorporate new services.

Here are some ways for you to develop income streams for your styling business:

1.  PRE-PRODUCTION MEETING

When a prospective client says "I can't afford you", you can offer to do a Creative (Pre-Production) Meeting for/with them and give them creative concepts, ideas and resources to help them. This gives you an opportunity to meet and help a client with thier job and still possibly get hired to style the shoot!  Just show how creative & valueable you are in that meeting!

2.  LOCATION SCOUTING

I started doing this for a Photographer when I first started photo styling and have been doing it ever since! Photographers are always looking for locations to use for their photo shoots.  It can be houses,  restaurants, parks/city streets (you'll need to get permits for these.) and businesses. I have compiled of Book of Locations for my clients and photographers to use.

3.  “PROP & DROP" STYLING

Sometimes a Photographer can't afford a Photo Stylist or it is not in the budget.  You can offer to do the shopping for their shoot and drop off the props (wardrobe, tabletop, interior props, etc. ) at the location or the studio and pick up when shoot wraps.  Also, styling is not so easy for everyone ~ next time they may hire you for the photo shoot! Just pack everything very organized for them. (Don't leave any items in shopping bags) I always pack items in branded totes with my company color with my company logo on each tote. If I provide (prop & drop) wardrobe, I drop off in garment bags, again with my company color and logo.  Always, be branding your company. ;) 

4.  TRADESHOW STYLING

Trade Show Vendors oftentimes concentrate on sales and their products. Sometimes they don't concentrate on the style of their booth - that's where you come in - you can help them with style!  You can elevate the style of their booth and products! (Which, in turn,  can get them more sales!) Also, there is a Trade Show for every industry: food, home, beauty, fashion and kids, etc. Also, many trade shows and conferences do lounge areas - an Interior Stylist would be great for styling that area.  Side note to tradeshows ~ They are one of my top 5 best investments I have made in my styling business.

5.  MERCHANDISING

While the Merchandising (& Windows) for large retail companies are oftentimes done/hired on a corporate level, how about those smaller companies who need some assistance with style? With your photo styling experience and sense of style - businesses of all types can use your styling expertise. 

6.  PHOTO STUDIO ASSISTANCE

I have helped Photo Studios in 2 ways:

(1) I do 2 day workshops for large photo studios (& creative departments) that want to set their studio up for success with what they need in terms or products/props and how to do (hands on) photo styling. I teach the Team: the Photographers as well as the Art Directors.

(2) Have styled Photographers studio interiors. (Office and Lounge Areas.)

7.  STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY

Partner with a Photographer and do stock photography together.  Style within your niche - food, interiors/home, wardrobe, children, products, etc. Just remember that the Photographers do own copyright - so just ensure that you negotiate a GREAT styling rate for yourself! (& have a contract.) 

8.  TEACH STYLING

You can teach styling! How many times as a Photo Stylist have you been asked about resources or styling advice?  Food Stylists you can teach "How to style your food like a Restaurant" Style Series at a Restaurant. Wardrobe Stylists you can teach a Style Workshop at a Boutique.  Interior Stylists you can teach a "Refresh Your Home with Style" Series at a Furniture Store.  (or Bed Styling!) or Styling (Staging) to Realtor Groups.

9.  START A STYLING BLOG.

That’s what I did here!  The same time I started teaching photo stylists about the business of styling, I started to Blog about how to break into the styling business, styling contracts, what needs to be in a styling tool kit ~ all of it!  I then wrote more in-depth Digital Guides and developed a Business of Styling Resource Library.  It can be challenging at first.  I choose Kajabi to host my Blog because it combines everything:  The Blog, payment portal to accept payments, great “user friendly” website builder, email list/Newsletter ability.  (So, if I added all those up separately it could be costly)  I love that Kajabi is an all in one!  I have been with them since they started and they have built up their features so much! Highly recommend them.

In time, you can monetize your blog by (1) digital education (books or course) or styling tips content (2) join affiliate programs and share links (3) Sell sponsored posts (4) place sponsored ads on your blog.

10.  STYLING DIGITAL PRODUCTS

The education and knowledge you have would make a great Digital Ebook!  Hop onto Canva and chose one of their many ebook templates!  I always find that the ebooks I have done with forms and templates have been helpful to my clients and subscribers to my email list.  Like our Stylist Negotiation Guide ~ It has a cheatsheet for assessment that is helpful. Our Library is our free resources ~ but you can sell your guides as a income stream. Don’t have a email list?  Don’t worry.  Just start ~ your list will grow.


11.  AFFILIATE MARKETING

I have blogged for years before considering affiliate marketing.  I just recently added affiliates to my blog here.  So you can evolve and grow gradually.   And, of course, I only recommend things I have used or love!  We have affiliate links in our Tools of the Trade page where I share what tools and products I use.

12.  STYLE PRESENTATIONS.  (Video & Live)

While you many not feel ready to teach a styling series like we talked about above, you can teach a one-off style presentation.  I one time did a styling presentation on “How to Style Your Entire Party with 2 Rolls of Wrapping Paper”.  It was fun!  I did as a live presentation.  I then worked with Seaman Paper Company and did brand videos for them teaching their clients how to make decorations from their tissue paper.  So do live presentation AND videos to share (& sell!) your styling services.

** This went along with my styling niche of lifestyle styling. (I style lifestyle:  food, fashion, interior/home)  I would suggest when you develop new services that you go along with your niche, and build upon your niche.)

When you develop income streams for yourself, you are not only making money, you are:

(1) Able to say no to assignments that are not a good fit. (or that you do not want to take.)

(2) Weather slow periods in your business

(3) Make strategic decisions for your business, not make decisions from a place of “desperation”.

(4) Hone and expand your styling skills to become even more of an expert in your industry.

Don’t feel that you are abandoning your core vision, you are expanding, monetizing and maximizing your talent.   Just start with one way of expanding your services and then build one at a time so it does not become overwhelming to you.

So, there are SO many ways!  Get creative with your offerings.  Be bold and brave!  I always say doors open to those bold and brave to knock!  And try not to always strive for perfection.  I talk about my story of perfection when I shared the story of how I got hired in flip flops.

Bonnie ~

 
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