How I Turned My Love For Photography Into A $177K Business | On The Side
Grace Torres is a 23-year-old Florida-based wedding photographer. She kept a part-time job with a non-profit before taking the leap to full-time in 2021. Grace juggled college courses and an internship while building her photography business.
Check out Grace here: www.gracetorresphoto.com/
Find Grace on Instagram: / gracetorresphoto
Here is Grace's KZhead channel: / gracetorresphoto
» Subscribe to CNBC Make It.: cnb.cx/2kxl2rf
About CNBC Make It.: CNBC Make It. is a new section of CNBC dedicated to making you smarter about managing your business, career, and money.
Connect with CNBC Make It. Online
Get the latest updates: www.cnbc.com/make-it
Find CNBC Make It. on Facebook: cnb.cx/LikeCNBCMakeIt
Find CNBC Make It. on Twitter: cnb.cx/FollowCNBCMakeIt
Find CNBC Make It. on Instagram: bit.ly/InstagramCNBCMakeIt
#CNBC
#cnbcmakeit
How I Turned My Love For Photography Into A $177K Business | On The Side
It's always impressive when you can turn a hobby into your full time career!
Yes
Amen. Many hobbies can be lucrative.
It's impressive because it almost never happens
you can say that again, Greg!
That's how it should be. What ever you love doing, turn it into a business. It's the best thing you can do for yourself.
As an Asian kid myself, when she said that she had been pursuing photography since her 13, I had a hunch that she was not brought up by Asian parents. I hate that I was right...
Ok, but she studied science like an asian. She always had a backup plan so she definitely had an asian mindset (if you’re saying she didnt, youre wrong). Does it feel good she fit your stereotype? Or not? Watch the entire video before commenting
@@rah7207 I did indeed watch the whole video before commented. Having a backup plan isn't an Asian thing. Smart people - which are most people - do have a plan B for big decisions such as this. She does fit the stereotype I mentioned from the bits and pieces of her we have in this video but I don't know her and I'm sure she is a full person with lots of personality and cool things that wouldn't fit any boxes. I just wanted to point out that this is not typical for most Asians' journeys when wanting to do arts instead of pursuing accounting or medical to satisfy our parents.
That's a huge thing with a lot of other cultures too. Not supportive of interests or, more specifically, pursuing* interests outside of getting a STEM degree and a job in that field... I can relate to that pressure u guys had.
@@heyanhho trust me, it's not only Asians. I'm African, and I wanted to pursue Engineering for a while (I'm currently in my last semester as we speak, assuming I don't fail anything), and I bought my first camera last year. I accidentally figured out I enjoy photography too, and now I'm just throwing thousands upon thousands into better equipment so I can go full time pro.
Can't be blaming your parents.. Grace clearly had the mindset from an early age and went with it. Blaming your parents for restrictions and how they raised you is just dumb. They more than likely came from overseas and probably struggled most of their lives--it's just a different mentality, so you really shouldnt be blaming them.
Photography is tough business - a lot of pressure sometimes and people who want things for free. Did fashion and event work for 10 years , got burnt out and left. Good for her - she has a good business acumen, extroverted communication skills and her photos also look good.
Probably even tougher is if your photography genre is not social/people-oriented. I'm thinking of fine art photography: art for the sake of art, I do whatever what I want, 100% personal vision driven, etc. Anyway, most photographers in this genre I know are already financially stable, have decades of experiences. 😅
It seems that those soft skills are often just as important if not more than hard skills,
That your bored ape ser?
You have to get in the wedding industry.. I make about 140k
so true. I moved out being photographer to now a commercial producer. It's tough business...
Not to discredit Grace's photography skills, but she is successful at 23 as a photographer because of her soft skills -- aka her people skills (which is arguably the most important part of photography!) . She's clearly very articulate, bright, and extroverted. As someone who also did photography as a side hustle (I'm a designer) and went to school with photography students, and know so many friends in L.A. who tried to do photography, it is NOT an easy business to get into successfully. Most people I know take 5-10yrs before seeing her kind of cashflow. As an introvert myself, I see a lot of introverted friends go into this hobby thinking they can make a living out of it, but don't realize that in order to really be successful, you have to have major people skills. And this isn't to discourage anyone of course. I'm just keeping it real. When I do it as a side hustle, I have to talk to people constantly, make them feel comfortable, and also guide them to posing and getting the shots. I love everything about cameras and photography, and like Grace, I was in love with it from a very young age (12 or 13), but man, kudos to people who do wedding photography and engagement photos, etc. I just stick to street photography and doing it as a hobby now, because I honestly can't stand how extroverted you have to pretend to be to do the job. Side note: If you are introverted but still want to make money off of it, you should be an assistant! I did some assistant photography for a main photographer, and although it doesn't pay a lot, it's a legit side hustle. You're essentially there to get backup shots or b-roll footage. There's also some photographers who outsource photo editing.
true being extrovert and bright with people skill can get you very far in life especially when it comes to businesses
You don't have to pretend to be an extrovert to get work.
It depends on your interest area. You could do real estate photography and maybe just interact with a couple people if that.
Yeah, I realized that also as an introvert, it's very hard. All my photographer friends are extrovert (and most of them slightly narcissistic lol)
yup, i checked out her work and its not worth six-figures. she must have extremely good soft skills.
Was a wedding photographer as well, but recently sold my company to my business partner. Averaged about $6000 per couple at about 35-40 bookings per year within the first 4 years of the business....which isn't bad since our wedding season here is only about 6 months long due to weather. But one thing that I found is more important than the 6 figures revenue is the time and mental well-being. 35-40 weddings condensed within a 6-month period is extremely tough on social relationships, and I got really burnt out. It'll become just another routine "job" and especially in photography as an art, it will end up showing in your work. Congrats to her, and hopefully she can stay positive and passionate about her career!
You over did it. I over did it too.
@@oliverlison u just need to Read the eMyth by Michael Gerber and try again lol
Same here. I used to do food photography and I grew my business until it became an agency. The bad side is you get paid for the effort you put. It’s not scalable.
@@pinarimsi thank god
hey Brendan, you should've kept efforts heart of the business. With the good news is this. Now that you have your own KZhead channel and you probably still have a 4K digital camera at home, you can still earn good money online by consistently uploading videos to your KZhead channel discussing your past wedding photography business. And if you're looking to get back into photography full-time, you can use your KZhead channel to get new customers. Let me know if you have any questions about photography-based side hustles or side hustle in general so I can into you in a KZhead video response. Thank you ^
Very very inspiring and realistic unlike some of those other similar videos. I truly found this motivating to follow my true passion. What a lovely young woman with such a mature mindset, even from when she was a child. You go Grace!
Thank you for sharing your photography journey and process, Grace! We're proud to have you as part of #TeamCanon!
Team Canon forever!
#TeamCanon ❤️
Sponsor her!
What camera is she shooting with ?
@@drakedillingham9838 Canon R6
My old neighbor was a full time photographer she made 80k a year, I always admired her she was living the dream. ❤️
Wow. She is beyond inspiring. So hard working, focused and courageous. One of the best stories I've seen here. And they are all so good!
I love this. Seeing an artist make great cash. It's so easy to get caught up in marketing media messages which say make millions and have time freedom by doing something that's not what we love
She has such a great mindset and was very responsible and strategic about the transition into entrepreneurship. Very inspiring.
Dreamville, dream living, on the beautiful coast! This is possible for all of us!!! Grace is paving the way, I am so so inspired from this! Thanks for the share CNBC. Grace is living proof that business is a reflection of oneself. Now that she has mastered the process/systems, she can enjoy some time of enjoying time at the beach. Who wouldn't want this type of life balance?
Grace, may your photography business continue to flourish. Thank you for sharing your inspiring story.
I really enjoy photography, the cameras, the shooting. But to do weddings is a leap beyond anything. This woman is amazing, this takes talent, patience, skill, and motivation to shoot those. She deserves everything she earns.
We're in the first 6 months right now for our photography business, commercial though! It's always inspiring to see others have managed it before us 😊
What makes it commercial?
@@KerrCreatives corporate maybe
Excellent story of success. I just started back into photography as a hobby, so I can teach my son the same hobby.. Already have a business so we will never make this a career, but really happy for Grace turning this into something successful.
Just like me except I'm doing real estate photography. At 19 I started getting serious and at 21 decided to make it my full time job. it is difficult but it's sooo worth it. The grind for more clients and bigger jobs will never stop
It's inspiring to see someone take a hobby and turn it into their life's work!
That what everyone should do. Whatever you love doing, find a way to turn it into a business.
Love this story! I wish I had started taking it seriously earlier too. Just started my wedding photography business here in Berlin last year
Inspiring story. I like her choice of balance and prioritizing herself and family.
CNBC it doesn’t take much to share her socials in the description guys!!
I was lucky enough to take music lessons when I was young and that turned into my teenage side hustle! I am still teaching lessons and absolutely love it!
This was so encouraging! Thank you, Grace
Love stories like this, driven, courageous, execution. Amazing women! 💪
Loved it! Thank you honey. I just ordered a Nikon d7000 and 80-200 f2.8. Nikon. I’ve been in and out of photography since 1975. Love capturing time in a photo. Keep up the good work. Love how you understand the business part is as important or more than the actual taking photos part. Lucky husband you guys make me proud 🥲
I love, love this story! I relate to this on such a personal level. I started my photography business in college at 19 and went full time in April of last year.
What cameras do you use
MAJOR props to Grace👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Very inspiring story, thanks Grace for sharing your journey with us....
I am happy KZhead has suggested this video for me , grace just gained a follower right now
This is so inspiring, well done!
Love stories like these, keep hustling!!
This is what I want to do ! To have my own schedule and pursue something that makes me happy and others
To do what you love for your career is a an amazing thing
this is so inspiring thank you for sharing Grace!
What an impressive young lady! I learned a lot from her story. Thank you for sharing!
This was so great to watch! She speaks like she’s been doing this for decades. I am much older than she is, and I hope to be half as good one day. I am currently struggling to even find people that even want FREE portraits to build my portfolio 😅 Wish her nothing but great things!
I am a videographer trying to make it in the freelance videography and eventually photography business. It is really hard, but once you build a good portfolio and relationship with others, good things will come your way. I love watching this video!
Don’t believe all the hype. I know wedding photographers charging $1200 yet claim $7500. This markets a train wreck.
Kou, you can make it big as a videographer. Freelancing is the biggest thing one KZhead and online as a side hustle. Ask me a question and I'll answer you in the KZhead video response. And when you pose your question, be sure to head over to my channel, subscribe, and leave your question in one of my KZhead video comments sections, okay?
@@Brett.Hatfield Negative Nancy. At my peak I was making $400 an hour. I had a blast capturing weddings and only got out because editing 1000s of photos became boring. Most of my best clients were weddings. Weddings pay fantastically, especially if you love, love and like to have fun in general.
@@LoveLaRieXO weddings arent paying anything like they were in 2015. I could easily bank 5-7500 per wedding film... now fast forward today 99% of "photographers" are giving away video for free..to compete with the other 99% of tards in the industry... ive got more nationally published weddings as a solo shooter tha most studios combined..weddings are a disaster today
@@LoveLaRieXO curious how do you go about getting your first paid gig at a wedding especially if you've never done one before?
What a well thought through video, showing the ups and downs and what it takes to create a business.
Amazing! Congratulations Grace! 🤗🤗🤗
Awesome Job Grace! Very inspiring!
I love this story!!!!! Awwwwwww! Im starting my own photography business! This story is amazing to learn from!
Great story! Good skill development over time. Goes to show that even if your main job is soul-sucking, having passions on the side balance out life's necessities.
The right gift for a children is a key to unlock their passion.
As a 14 (almost 15) year old who is really getting into photography, you're my inspiration. may your business continue to be successful!
keep working! I started photography with a $500 dslr that i bought with money that I earned working at Subway when i was under 15, now i'm turning 21 and have two weddings booked this year :)) you got this!
I admire this woman OMG 🙏🏾❤️❤️❤️❤️
Glad to see the comments are somewhat realistic and not just eating up sensational stories
Lucky to live in US to charge such amounts (top from the very top photographers in Czech is 1100 USD per day). Well done and keep shining!!
Love this! Congrats girl!
Love this series!
Congratulations to her, she's a champion
Very inspirational! Congratulations 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Photography of people will never die...
So inspirational. My studio will be opened soon!
I feel like she should be making more... She's killing it!
I really enjoyed this. I like how her narrative wasn't to jump and she's very self-aware being so young.
Keep the grind up! I am a photographer who at age 29 was making 70K a month.
This video is everything 👏🏽 Glad to see others succeed and Grace making it!!
Love what you do and life comes to you
When I was a kid they were called photographers, now we call them entrepreneurs. I think it helps as Florida is a wedding destination.
This is inspiring. I'm a photographer in Miami and I'm looking for more motivation to keep going and this did it! Thanks Grace!
@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ That's the facts right there. He has been there every step of my life!
Thanks Grace. Nice story. I love photography
*Don’t just save all your money in the bank as they tax you so much keeping it. It’s better to invest your money for future expenses. Everyone needs to create a passive income stream to stay debt free and live comfortably*
@Marìa Teresa Please, your coach you mentioned, how do get in touch with him?
Truly Insightful comment Gomez Bollina. I am certain the market will recover as we’ve experienced far worst time and despite hard fall, the crypto market rises tremendously than we’d expected. This isn’t the time to panic or sell due to its fall, but keep investing, buying and keeping. It’s really a waste to sell now and losing so much when you can make much in future when the market recovers. I had better understand of this system working with Donald Nathan Scott.
Donald Nathan Scott offers a very good service and has been influential in my financial journey. I'm surprised his name mentioned here and I’m happy as to read positive recommendations here. I met Donald in Florida two years ago and I have been working with him ever since and sincerely , choosing to work with him is one of my best decision in life.
Having a good financial planner is like having a mentor . I was loosing my money trying to invest on my own but it was different with *Donald Nathan Scott* . He has played a great role in improving my finances. Long before now, I relied solely on my work and salary. Right now, I have a way of making much money and without stress so I quit working for others . Honestly , investing isn’t a choice anymore but a *MUST* for anyone who wish to gain access to a good and an independent life.
@@johnsonbriton1567 you bots are pathetic lol
Love seeing other boss babes charging their worth! I'm a boudoir photographer in Maryland and my goal is to hit 300k this year! Can't wait to see you hit that mark too!
Grace’s story really inspired me💯🫡
Very well spoken and talented - keep these stories coming.
4k per wedding. 45 weddings per year. US averages 1+ million marriages per year, declining, post-covid wedding boom will cool off but still, if she decides to travel around for gigs, she can make enough to retire and let interest do the work while she pivots to something else. Given the churn rate of US marriages, she's gonna be in business for a while lol
You need hustle to make any business profitable. Good for her for turning her passion into $$$ 👏👏👏
She used to bully me in highschool! So glad she’s doing well though.
Love women growing and doing what they love!
This is super inspirational!
Beautiful name and what an inspriring story! Congratulations Grace 🙌🏾💜
She is so articulate.
That is so interesting to hear she outsources her editing, that is such a major part of being a photographer but is what ultimately made me burn out.
This goes to show that hard work brings you places if you take it seriously!
So inspiring ❤️
Photo & video work is really hard to make a living in. Shoutout to her for figuring out her lane...it can be a brutal grind for 9/10 people trying to make it
I do not believe she is making that make, and not consistently.
@@alp.9672 that is just you projecting your own limitations
Honestly it's not even her turning photography into a business that's most impressive it's her work ethic
I had a high-paying job when I started my photography as a hobby from SLR film to DSLR and maybe this is one reason why I didn't go into the business side of it. Then, my only thought in mind was to follow the growth of my kids in stills and now my grandkids. I guess I didn't have that business acumen in me that I practically gave my photography services for free to my friends who were in need of a photographer for weddings, kids baptism, birthdays and other special occasions.
my goal for this year make some money of photography. I have being taking photos for 10 years now, seeing other photographers making it full time career, it give me motivation to keep taking photos and some day I will make it my full time career.
what an inspirational story!
I love this and I love photography
The problem with shooting events is that most events happen on weekends. You spend weekends celebrating with strangers and you don't have time to celebrate with family. Even when you do spend a weekend with family, you always have in the back of your mind the possible thousands of dollars you gave up to be with family.
Oh my gosh she is gorgeous!
such an inspiration.
Wow, this so inspiring.
There are many business ideas, but the start is the most difficult part of a business
Wow. Such an encouragement. 🙌
Love it!!!! It’s amazing to see someone so young and have such a drive to succeed. I’m totally sharing this to my little cousin so inspire her. Thank you for sharing
That's inspirational! Congrats! I love photography and wouldn't mind making money with it.
Absolutely Amazing 👏 😍 ❤ Thanks for sharing 👍 😀 😊 Photography is my passion to and I'm learning about it and your story though me a lot. I usually take photos of Nature, food, landscapes and others. Best of luck in your Photography business!
this is awesome, good for her
Wow I love the passion for the goal
So interesting that all examples you are showing are super attractive influencer Style types
Wow this was super inspiring
I am very inspired by this
This is so inspiring I have always wanted to be able to work on my own
Gosh, I miss these early years. If you're just starting out - cherish this excitement about possibility and creation, don't lose that. After years of the grind it can slip away if you're not careful 🫤
Thank you for posting. Great to see the passionate hobby made into full-time work.
Ugh. I’m struggling so hard right now! I’ve been a photographer for almost a year (I’ve been taking pictures longer but just started a business last year). I only have several sessions booked for the rest of the year, but I started off with sessions every weekend!!! Hoping this is just a slow month 😅
Hang in there, and grow your professional network. When I was shooting, the *PPA* was an amazing resource. The organization provided lots of valuable business and marketing advice. Remember, Fall is family photography season. Start advertising in September for October/Novemember dozens of short, lucrative family portraits sessions!
Law of assumption. Thank me later
Get it girl! 💯💯💯