When it clicked: This Aussie turned his passion for photography into a lucrative side hustle
When pursuing your passion starts to rival your 9-5, it stops being a hobby and becomes something else: a side hustle.
Travelling to beautiful locations has always been a part of Jason Futrill’s occupation – he runs an online marketing company specialising in the tourism industry. But this Tasmania resident has another calling in life that pairs perfectly with his day job.
As he zips around from places like Mt. Wellington in his hometown of Hobart, to the Outback and Australia’s coastal cities, he is inspired by the beauty of his surroundings, capturing stunning landscape photographs of his travels along the way.
He’s garnered quite the following on Instagram, where he goes by the name @tassiegrammer. He has enough of a following, in fact, that he’s been able to turn his photography into a second business.
Making content that clicks
In addition to his massive online presence, Futrill also runs photography workshops and co-hosts a photography podcast called Project RAWcast.
“Social media is such an amazing platform for marketing,” Futrill says.
“In the last couple of years, since Instagram has become popular for the tourism industry, it’s when I’ve clicked – when I realised I could turn that into a business.”
Tips and tools of the trade
"Today is a good day to get out there and start chasing your dreams. If you don’t nobody else will do it for you.” -Jason Futrill, aka @tassiegrammer on Instagram
One of the biggest reasons for Futrill’s success – and a tool he leans on daily – is the nbn™ network. Access to this broadband network makes all the difference for the photographer, who can upload high-res images in a fraction of the time it takes his colleagues to do the same.
“The internet as a whole has just become something that’s a medium for me to make money in many different ways,” Futrill says.
Mobile data speeds in Australia don’t exactly have a reputation for being fast. Futrill often experiences this first hand during his travels when he’s in some of the most beautiful – and remote – locales in Oz.
“When I’m travelling and I don’t have access to nbn™, it’s an absolute pain,” Futrill says.
“With nbn™ the upload speeds are incredible.”
Not having to worry about the technology means that instead he can turn his attention to being creative and capturing gorgeous pictures.
How to pursue a side hustle
1. Love what you do
Futrill says that for those looking to tackle a side hustle for themselves, the most important thing is to go after something they love to do.
“If you like what you do, it doesn’t feel like work. It’s not hard to turn those passions into something you’re able to make money from,” Futrill says.
2. Make the time
A side hustle is essentially like having a second job, so you better love what you’re doing. (See tip #1.) Carve out time each day to work on it and keep going – all that hard work will eventually pay off.
“I literally sit there all day just wanting to do nothing but take photos,” Futrill says. “It’s my passion so it’s not hard at all to motivate myself.”
3. Stay in the know
Futrill says that a big part of marketing yourself – especially as a photographer – happens online, so stay on top of emerging platforms and build a brand.
“You have to be everywhere,” Futrill says.
4. Partner with brands you believe in
Once you’ve made your mark and there are opportunities for sponsorship, don’t say yes to just anything that comes your way.
Futrill gravitates toward brands he believes in, ones that feel authentic for what he does and can seamlessly fit into his content.
“It’s really important to maintain integrity with the brands that I work with,” Futrill says. “If I’m going to promote a brand, and effectively be the face of that brand, then I want to believe in that brand.”
So whether photography is your thing, like Futrill, or it’s baking, drawing or grooming dogs – a side hustle can help you to pursue your passions. And who knows, maybe that “5-9” project will eventually become your new 9-5. It all depends on you.
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