Video, photography and animation work
Video is now the main way businesses, creators, churches and organisations communicate. Weddings, events and products still need great photos. This category covers filming, editing, animation and photography, from phone-only starts to professional production.
What these methods share
- Equipment ladder: start with a good smartphone, a tripod and a microphone; upgrade to cameras, lights and stronger computers as income grows.
- Software: CapCut, DaVinci Resolve (free version), Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut; Canva for simple video; Blender (free) for 3D; Lightroom/Snapseed for photos.
- Rights: use licensed music and footage; get consent from people you film, especially children; agree usage rights with clients.
- See content creation for building your own channels.
116. Short-form video editing (Reels, TikTok, Shorts)
What it is: Editing short vertical videos with hooks, captions, cuts, music and effects for social media. How it works: Clients send raw clips or long videos → you cut 15–90 second videos → deliver weekly batches.
| Skills | Fast-paced editing, captions, trends, storytelling hooks |
| Cost & equipment | Smartphone (CapCut) or laptop |
| Where to find work | Creators, coaches, businesses, agencies, freelance marketplaces |
| Payment | Per video or monthly package |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium with monthly clients |
| Time to first income | Days to weeks |
How to start: Edit 10 sample shorts from your own or public-domain footage; post them; offer packages. Pros: Huge demand; phone-friendly start. Cons & risks: Fast turnaround; volume work. Scam warning: "Video editing jobs" asking for deposits to receive projects. Kenya notes: Kenyan businesses and creators increasingly post daily short videos and need editors.
117. Long-form YouTube video editing
What it is: Editing 8–60 minute videos with pacing, b-roll, graphics, sound and colour. How it works: Ongoing work with creators: raw footage via cloud → edit → revisions → upload-ready file.
| Skills | Storytelling, pacing, audio, colour basics |
| Cost & equipment | Laptop capable of video editing (8–16 GB RAM), DaVinci Resolve/Premiere |
| Where to find work | YouTubers, education channels, businesses |
| Payment | Per video or monthly |
| Realistic earnings | Low–medium to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Re-edit a public video as a sample; approach small creators with a free test edit. Pros: Long-term creator relationships. Cons & risks: Large files need good internet and storage. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Kenyan YouTube channels in comedy, education, faith and tech need editors.
118. Event videography (weddings, funerals, graduations, conferences)
What it is: Filming and editing events into highlight videos and full recordings. How it works: Pre-event planning → filming (often with a team) → edit highlights and full video → deliver via flash drive or online link.
| Skills | Camera operation, audio capture, editing, client service |
| Cost & equipment | Camera(s), lenses, microphones, lights, tripod/gimbal, editing laptop; significant investment |
| Where to find work | Couples, families, churches, schools, companies, event planners |
| Payment | Package fees with deposits |
| Realistic earnings | Medium to medium–high in peak seasons |
| Time to first income | Weeks to months (portfolio, equipment) |
How to start: Assist an established videographer; film events for free or cheap to build a reel. Pros: High demand, especially weekends. Cons & risks: Equipment cost and theft risk; weekend work. Scam warning: Clients who don't pay balances; always take deposits. Kenya notes: Weddings, ruracio, funerals and graduations keep event videographers busy; offer livestreams too.
119. Livestream production
What it is: Running live broadcasts of church services, events, conferences, funerals and webinars to YouTube, Facebook or Zoom. How it works: Cameras + switcher or software (OBS, free) + stable internet + audio feed.
| Skills | Streaming software, networking basics, audio |
| Cost & equipment | Laptop, cameras, capture cards, reliable internet with backup |
| Where to find work | Churches, event organisers, families (funerals and weddings abroad viewers), companies |
| Payment | Per event or monthly (churches) |
| Realistic earnings | Low–medium to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Learn OBS; volunteer at your church; offer packages for events. Pros: Recurring weekly church work. Cons & risks: Internet failures are visible; have backups. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Diaspora relatives watching funerals and weddings online drive demand.
120. Corporate and promotional videos
What it is: Producing company profiles, product videos, testimonials and social adverts. How it works: Script → shoot → edit → graphics → revisions.
| Skills | Production planning, interviewing, editing, brand awareness |
| Cost & equipment | Camera, audio, lighting, editing laptop |
| Where to find work | SMEs, NGOs, schools, hotels, real estate developers |
| Payment | Project fees |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Produce a sample promo for a local business at a discounted price. Pros: Higher budgets. Cons & risks: Needs good project management. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Hotels, schools and real estate projects invest in promotional videos.
121. Real estate and property videos and tours
What it is: Filming properties for sale or rent: walkthrough videos, drone shots (where permitted), virtual tours. How it works: Plan shots, film in good light, edit with music and text, deliver for listings.
| Skills | Composition, smooth movement (gimbal), editing |
| Cost & equipment | Camera/phone, gimbal, wide lens; drone optional (licensed operation only) |
| Where to find work | Real estate agents, developers, Airbnb hosts, landlords |
| Payment | Per property or monthly |
| Realistic earnings | Low–medium to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Film your own or a friend's property; approach agents. Pros: Repeat clients. Cons & risks: Drones require compliance with civil aviation regulations. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Drone operations in Kenya are regulated by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority; check registration and permit rules before flying commercially.
122. Drone videography and photography
What it is: Aerial footage and photos for real estate, events, agriculture, construction progress and tourism. How it works: Licensed drone operation, planned flights, editing.
| Skills | Drone piloting, regulations, editing |
| Cost & equipment | Drone (significant cost), batteries, insurance, licences |
| Where to find work | Developers, construction firms, events, tourism businesses, farms |
| Payment | Per job |
| Realistic earnings | Medium (with compliance and equipment) |
| Time to first income | Months (licensing, investment) |
How to start: Learn regulations and training requirements first; then practise legally. Pros: Premium niche. Cons & risks: Cost, crash risk, legal requirements. Scam warning: Selling "drone jobs" requiring upfront fees. Kenya notes: Check KCAA rules for registration, remote pilot licences and permits.
123. Motion graphics
What it is: Animated text, logos, infographics and graphic elements for videos and social media. How it works: Create in After Effects, DaVinci Fusion, Canva or similar; deliver short animations.
| Skills | Animation principles, design, software |
| Cost & equipment | Capable laptop, software |
| Where to find work | Agencies, creators, businesses, freelance platforms |
| Payment | Per animation or project |
| Realistic earnings | Low–medium to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks to months |
How to start: Animate logos and social posts as samples. Pros: Higher value than static design. Cons & risks: Learning curve. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Animated social posts help Kenyan brands stand out.
124. Explainer video animation (2D)
What it is: Short animated videos explaining products, services or ideas. How it works: Script → storyboard → illustration → animation → voice-over and music.
| Skills | Storytelling, illustration or templates, animation |
| Cost & equipment | Laptop, animation software |
| Where to find work | Start-ups, NGOs, educators, government campaigns |
| Payment | Per project (per minute) |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks to months |
How to start: Create a 60-second explainer for an imaginary product. Pros: Good international demand. Cons & risks: Projects are complex. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: NGOs and fintechs use explainers for public awareness in local languages.
125. Whiteboard animation
What it is: Videos where drawings appear as if hand-drawn on a whiteboard, often for education and training. How it works: Script → drawings → whiteboard software → voice-over.
| Skills | Simple illustration, software, timing |
| Cost & equipment | Laptop, whiteboard animation software |
| Where to find work | Trainers, educators, NGOs, companies |
| Payment | Per minute or project |
| Realistic earnings | Low to low–medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Make a short educational whiteboard video. Pros: Simple to learn. Cons & risks: Less trendy than other animation styles. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Training and health education content uses this format.
126. 3D modelling and animation
What it is: Creating 3D objects, scenes, characters and animations for games, architecture, products and adverts. How it works: Model → texture → light → render/animate (Blender is free and powerful).
| Skills | 3D software, patience, art fundamentals |
| Cost & equipment | Powerful computer (good graphics card helps) |
| Where to find work | Game studios, architects, product companies, 3D marketplaces |
| Payment | Per project or asset sales |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium–high with strong skills |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Follow structured Blender learning; build a portfolio of 5 polished pieces. Pros: High-skill, global demand. Cons & risks: Long learning curve; hardware costs. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Animation studios in Nairobi and architecture firms use 3D artists.
127. Architectural visualisation
What it is: Realistic 3D images and walkthroughs of buildings before construction. How it works: Use architectural plans → model → materials and lighting → renders/animations.
| Skills | 3D modelling, architecture understanding, rendering |
| Cost & equipment | Powerful computer, software (Blender, SketchUp, others) |
| Where to find work | Architects, developers, real estate marketers |
| Payment | Per render or project |
| Realistic earnings | Medium to medium–high |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Visualise free sample house plans; build a portfolio. Pros: Strong local demand with construction growth. Cons & risks: Hardware and learning. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Developers selling off-plan units need realistic renders.
128. Video subtitling and caption burning
What it is: Adding styled subtitles to videos (burned-in captions) for social media and accessibility. How it works: Auto-caption, correct, style, export.
| Skills | Accuracy, styling |
| Cost & equipment | Phone (CapCut) or laptop |
| Where to find work | Creators, businesses, NGOs |
| Payment | Per video |
| Realistic earnings | Very low to low; better bundled with editing |
| Time to first income | Days |
How to start: Offer captioning to creators who post without subtitles. Pros: Easy to start. Cons & risks: Low value alone. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Bilingual subtitles (English and Kiswahili) widen reach.
129. Colour grading
What it is: Adjusting the colour and mood of footage for films, music videos and adverts. How it works: Correct exposure and white balance, then create looks in DaVinci Resolve.
| Skills | Colour theory, DaVinci Resolve |
| Cost & equipment | Capable computer, colour-accurate monitor helps |
| Where to find work | Filmmakers, music video producers, agencies |
| Payment | Per project |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Grade free sample footage; show before/after. Pros: Specialist. Cons & risks: Niche demand locally. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Music video production in Kenya uses colourists.
130. Music video production
What it is: Concept, filming and editing music videos for artists. How it works: Treatment → shoot day(s) → edit and grade.
| Skills | Directing, cinematography, editing |
| Cost & equipment | Cameras, lights, gimbals, crew |
| Where to find work | Musicians, gospel artists, labels |
| Payment | Project fees |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium–high |
| Time to first income | Weeks to months |
How to start: Collaborate with upcoming artists to build a reel. Pros: Creative, visible work. Cons & risks: Artists' budgets vary; get contracts. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Gengetone, gospel and Afrobeats artists need affordable video producers.
131. Stock footage and stock photography
What it is: Filming or photographing scenes and licensing them on stock platforms. How it works: Upload clips/photos with keywords; earn royalties when licensed.
| Skills | Composition, technical quality, keywording |
| Cost & equipment | Camera or good phone |
| Where to find work | Stock agencies (check contributor eligibility and payouts) |
| Payment | Royalties per download |
| Realistic earnings | Very low to low; needs large portfolios |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Shoot authentic everyday African scenes (with model releases for recognisable people). Pros: Passive income over time. Cons & risks: Low royalties; AI images compete. Scam warning: Agencies requiring payment to join. Kenya notes: Authentic Kenyan and African imagery is under-supplied on many stock sites.
132. Event photography
What it is: Photographing weddings, graduations, parties, corporate events and conferences. How it works: Plan shot lists → photograph → edit → deliver galleries.
| Skills | Camera skills, lighting, people skills, editing (photo editing) |
| Cost & equipment | Camera, lenses, flash, editing laptop |
| Where to find work | Couples, families, schools, companies, planners |
| Payment | Packages with deposits |
| Realistic earnings | Low–medium to medium–high |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Second-shoot for an established photographer; build a portfolio. Pros: Steady demand. Cons & risks: Equipment costs; weekend work. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Graduation and wedding seasons create peaks.
133. Portrait, studio and passport photography
What it is: Professional portraits, family photos, headshots for CVs and LinkedIn, and passport/ID photos. How it works: Studio or location shoots; quick edits; prints.
| Skills | Lighting, posing, editing |
| Cost & equipment | Camera, lights, backdrop, printer for passport photos |
| Where to find work | Walk-in customers, professionals, schools, families |
| Payment | Per session/print |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Days |
How to start: Set up a small studio corner; offer professional headshot days. Pros: Steady local demand. Cons & risks: Location matters for walk-ins. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Passport photos must meet official specifications for government applications; check the current requirements.
134. Product and food photography
What it is: Photographing products and dishes for e-commerce, menus, adverts and social media. How it works: Styling, lighting, shooting, editing; batch delivery.
| Skills | Lighting, styling, editing |
| Cost & equipment | Camera or good phone, lights, backdrops |
| Where to find work | Online sellers, restaurants, manufacturers, agencies |
| Payment | Per image or session |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Shoot products at home with a light box; approach local sellers. Pros: Strong e-commerce demand. Cons & risks: Styling takes practice. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Kenyan online shops and restaurants rely on good photos to sell.
135. Video and photography equipment rental
What it is: Renting cameras, lenses, lights, microphones or drones to other creators. How it works: Rental agreements, deposits and ID checks; delivery or pick-up.
| Skills | Equipment knowledge, business admin |
| Cost & equipment | Owning good equipment (investment) |
| Where to find work | Filmmakers, students, event crews |
| Payment | Per day |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium (depends on inventory) |
| Time to first income | Days |
How to start: Rent out equipment you already own when idle; use written agreements and deposits. Pros: Earns from idle equipment. Cons & risks: Damage and theft; insurance needed. Scam warning: Fake renters with stolen IDs; verify thoroughly. Kenya notes: Film students and small crews often rent rather than buy.
Summary
- Video, photo and animation methods include shorts and long-form editing, event and corporate video, livestreams, property and drone work, motion graphics, explainers, 3D and architectural visualisation, captions, colour, music videos, stock, photography niches and equipment rental.
- Start with a phone and free software; reinvest income into equipment.
- Respect music and image rights, get consent, and follow drone regulations.
Check yourself
Which free professional video editor has a widely used free version? (two words)
Show answer
DaVinci Resolve
Which Kenyan authority regulates drone operations? (abbreviation)
Show answer
KCAA
Which free software is commonly used for livestreaming? (three letters)
Show answer
OBS
What document should recognisable people sign before their photo is sold as stock? (two words)
Show answer
model release