CAPTURED - Weekly Newsletter

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You Don't Have to Monetise The Photography You Love

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Has this ever happened to you before?

You take a photo you love.

You post it.

And someone comments, “Reader you should sell this.”

Or worse… “Reader you should start a business.”

“Get clients.”

“Make this your thing.”

And for sure, it’s well-meaning.

But it’s also exhausting.

The moment we get good at something, we’re expected to turn it into an income stream.

A hustle.

A brand.

A business.

But here’s the thing: You don’t have to monetise the photography you love.

Stay with me now...

Not everything creative has to become commercial.

I’ve personally chosen the path of monetisation.

I’ve built a business around photography.

Created digital products.

Moved countries.

Filmed for brands.

Sold to strangers online.

And I love that it’s possible.

But even I know… It changes things.

When photography becomes your income, it can also become pressure.

Expectations.

Deadlines.

An algorithm.

You start creating with your audience in mind, not always your heart.

And that’s why it’s so important to protect the part of photography that’s just yours.

The part that’s still fun.

Still messy.

Still sacred.

Not everything you love needs to be monetised.

But that doesn’t mean it can’t lead somewhere.

There’s a difference between monetisation and leverage.

Leverage isn’t about selling.

It’s about building something over time…that gives you options later.

Leverage is your body of work.

Your voice.

Your online presence.

Your unique style.

It’s what allows you to pivot, grow, and experiment without starting from zero.

So maybe right now, you don’t want to charge for shoots.

Or sell prints.

Or launch anything.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t show up.

Or share your work.

Or take your creativity seriously.

Because the photos you’re taking today?

They’re part of something bigger.

They’re shaping how people see you.

They’re building trust.

They’re stacking proof.

They’re helping you find your voice — even if you’re still figuring it out.

So here are 3 simple ways to build creative leverage, even if you don’t want to monetise (yet):

1. Keep something sacred.

Have a style, subject, or project that’s just for you.

No sharing.

No pressure.

Just joy.

2. Document the journey.

Start sharing your process — your learning, your inspiration, your behind-the-scenes.

This helps people connect with your work before you ever sell a thing.

3. Develop your voice.

Every caption you write, every post you share — it all adds up.

Your taste, your thoughts, your point of view.

That’s your brand.

That’s your leverage.

You don’t have to turn your passion into a product.

But you can build a path that gives you freedom.

That’s the power of creative leverage.

You don’t need to be loud.

You just need to keep showing up.

And if you ever decide to monetise what you love…

You’ll already have something real to build from.

Catch you next week,

Matty 📷 🚀

Whenever you're ready, here are 3 more ways I can help you:

🚀 21 Ways in 21 Days – If you’re ready to grow your brand & start making money with photography, this is for you.

📸 Maste​r Photography – Learn the fundamentals & take pro-level shots with my beginner course.

🎨 Level Up Your Edits – Make your photos pop instantly with my Lightroom presets.

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