There’s a moment every photographer has, usually late at night, scrolling through a Pinterest board or editing in their kitchen at 1am, where you start to wonder:

“Could I actually do this for real?”

Could I really get paid to shoot beautiful photos for brands I love?

Could this thing I’m obsessed with… become my career?

If you’re here, chances are you’ve already felt that pull. You love creating. You have an eye. And you’re tired of the hustle that comes with playing small — doing free shoots, undercharging, and hoping the right client “discovers” you.

This post is your permission slip and your roadmap.

Because yes, you can turn your passion into a paid, full-time commercial photography business. And there’s a proven path to get there. I call it The Prolific Method.

Let’s walk through it.

What Is Commercial Photography?

Commercial photography is any kind of photo or video created for a brand or business. That includes:

• Product and campaign shoots
• Branded lifestyle content
• Launch visuals
• Website and social media assets
• Short-form video for marketing

And here’s the difference: You’re not just making pretty content, you’re creating visuals that help brands make money.

Which means bigger budgets, more consistent work, and creative opportunities that actually pay.

The Prolific Method: Your Path from Passion to Paid

This is the exact four-step framework I’ve used to build a six-figure career shooting for beauty and lifestyle brands — and what I now teach inside The Prolific Program.

Whether you’re in the test shoot era or already booking clients but ready to grow, this method will guide you.

Step 1: Rich Artist Mindset

Before we talk about gear, lighting, or clients — we need to talk about belief.

You have to see yourself as an artist and a business.

You have to stop undercharging, stop apologizing for wanting more, and start treating your creativity like a career.

This step is about rewiring the limiting beliefs that keep you stuck in “starving artist” mode. Because if you don’t believe you can make money doing what you love, you’ll keep self-sabotaging when opportunities show up.

Step 2: Portfolio Building

Now it’s time to turn your raw talent into marketable work.

This is where we design a portfolio that actually attracts your dream clients — with test shoots, art direction, casting, styling, and lighting that makes brands say, “We need them for our next campaign.”

We don’t just shoot pretty. We shoot strategically. Every image in your book should be a magnet for the kind of jobs you want.

If your current portfolio looks like a mix of random projects and free work… this is where you level up.

Step 3: Pitch and Close Clients

You don’t have to wait to be discovered.

In this phase, you learn how to pitch yourself like a professional, confidently quote commercial rates, and turn interest into paid partnerships.

We cover:

• How to find and reach out to brand contacts
• What to say in your pitch emails
• How to build an estimate that includes licensing + deliverables
• How to close the deal and lead a client through your process

This is where your business starts becoming predictable.

Step 4: Produce and Scale

Now you’re ready to build your production systems and scale.

You’ve booked a few campaigns. Now it’s time to build a team, increase your rates, and create repeatable client experiences.

We talk about:

• Creative direction and pre-production
• Managing teams and shoot days like a pro
• Delivering work that turns first-time clients into long-term ones
• Adding video services to scale your revenue

This is where your business becomes sustainable. You’re no longer hustling — you’re building.

This Is Exactly What We Do Inside The Prolific Program

If you’re ready to stop piecing things together and start building a full-time commercial photography business, The Prolific Program was made for you.

It’s my signature 12-month coaching experience where I help photographers and videographers:

• Own their artistic voice and build belief
• Curate scroll-stopping portfolios
• Learn pricing, pitching, and licensing strategy
• Work with real brands and get paid like a professional

Whether you’re just starting or scaling, we give you the tools, mentorship, and support to grow a creative business that pays you back.

Ready to Turn Your Passion into a Profitable Career?

Don’t just keep hoping a brand “finds” you.

Learn how to position yourself, pitch strategically, and build the kind of portfolio that lands paid brand campaigns, again and again.

Doors open soon and our waitlist always hears about it first.

You deserve to be seen, supported, and well-paid for your creativity. Let’s build the career you’ve been dreaming about together.

See you inside,

Kayla