The short answer is yes and no. As an adventure photographer, I’ve landed over $20,000 for a single project from one sponsor, which was a fantastic win. But more often than not, sponsorships mostly help offset the cost of producing the project rather than making a big profit upfront.

Sponsored projects often function like fundraising campaigns for your creative work. You’re using sponsors to cover expenses like travel, gear, and production costs. This means that instead of paying yourself a full fee, you’re leveraging partnerships to make the project possible in the first place.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t make money from personal projects. Here’s how I’ve found success in turning sponsored projects into income:

Use sponsorships to fund the cost of the project. This is the baseline. Without sponsorships, many projects would never get off the ground.
Sell a final product. This could be a photo book, limited edition prints, a short film, or even digital downloads. Personal projects have stories that resonate with audiences, so packaging your work for sale is a powerful way to generate revenue.
Host in-person events. Think gallery shows, talks, or workshops that showcase your project. These events can create additional income streams and deepen connections with your audience and potential clients.
Photo licensing. Once the project is complete, licensing your images for editorial, commercial, or stock use can bring in ongoing revenue.

I dive deeper into this in The Adventure Photographer’s Playbook, where I break down how to fund personal work, pitch sponsors, and create opportunities beyond the shoot itself. The key is to think beyond just the sponsorship check. Your project is a platform that can generate multiple income sources if you plan ahead.

This lesson comes from my ebook "The Adventure Photographer's Playbook" and it costs $10. Why so cheap? The goal is to help as many new to mid level photographers as possible go from nothing to getting booked in 18 months: