When you step into the world of adventure photography, you’re not just a creative—you’re also a business owner. That means your success depends not only on how well you shoot, but also on how well you run your business. Many photographers fall into the trap of spending all their time “in” their business—editing, emailing, and shooting—while neglecting the bigger picture of working “on” their business. To build something sustainable, you need both.
Why You’re More Than a Photographer
The moment you choose to make photography your career, you also become an entrepreneur. Think of your business as a one-person startup—you’re the CEO, CFO, and creative all rolled into one. To thrive, you have to balance the creative work with the behind-the-scenes operations that make growth possible.
Understanding Revenue Streams
Adventure photography can be unpredictable—work flows in waves depending on seasons, clients, and trends. That’s why diversifying your revenue is key. Here’s a breakdown of income streams to consider:
Passive Income – Products that keep selling without much ongoing effort, like books, photo prints, courses, or even investments.
Semi-Passive Income – Revenue that requires some maintenance, such as licensing images, offering gear rentals, or ongoing contracted editing work.
Working Income – The most hands-on income, like shooting assignments, creating custom campaigns, or consulting.
Relying on just one type leaves you vulnerable. Spreading your efforts across all three gives you stability and flexibility.
Working In Your Business
This is the hands-on side of being a photographer. It includes:
Editing photos
Shooting assignments
Writing blog posts or newsletters
Designing products
Managing client communications
It’s the day-to-day grind that keeps things moving—but if this is all you focus on, you’ll stay stuck in survival mode.
Working On Your Business
This is the high-level, strategic work that sets you up for growth. Think of it as stepping into the role of CEO:
Reviewing profit and loss statements
Marketing and positioning yourself in the adventure space
Building new revenue streams
Networking and hiring contractors when needed
Auditing workflows and tools to improve efficiency
Without this CEO mindset, your photography business won’t have direction or long-term stability.
Finding the Balance
Adventure photography requires you to wear both hats each week. Schedule time for both:
On your business: one or two focused blocks each week for strategy, finances, and planning.
In your business: the creative and production time that brings in your revenue.
This balance ensures that while you’re busy capturing the world’s most beautiful landscapes and stories, you’re also building a business strong enough to keep you out there doing what you love.
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:
