How to Make Money as a Photographer — 10 Proven Ways to Turn Photos Into Profit

Photography is both art and a business. Whether you’re just starting or you’ve been shooting for years, turning passion into profit takes strategy, a little hustle, and the right mix of products and services. Here are 10 practical, SEO-friendly ways to make money as a photographer — plus pricing tips, how to market each stream, and quick action steps so you can start earning this month.

1. Offer Paid Client Sessions (Portraits, Events, Commercial)

Why it works: Direct revenue, repeat bookings, referrals.
How to start: Create 3 clear packages (e.g., Basic, Standard, Premium). Show examples on your site. Use contracts and require a deposit.
Pricing tip: Research local market rates; price packages to cover time + overhead + 30–50% profit. Offer add-ons (extra hours, prints, retouching).

2. Sell Prints and Limited Editions

Why it works: High margin, passive income when fulfilled through print-on-demand.
How to start: Choose 10–20 standout images, create limited runs, list sizes and framed options. Use Shopify, Etsy, or print-on-demand services.
Marketing: Promote via email and Instagram; highlight the story behind each print.

3. Stock Photography & Microstock

Why it works: Passive royalties; great for evergreen images (business, lifestyle, food, travel).
How to start: Research best-selling categories on platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Alamy. Submit consistently.
Tip: Optimise keywords and upload in batches.

4. Licensing & Commercial Use

Why it works: Higher payouts than stock, especially for editorial or commercial campaigns.
How to start: Learn licensing terms (exclusive vs non-exclusive, duration, territory). Pitch businesses and agencies with a concise rights offer.
Pricing model: Flat fee + usage-based scaling (e.g., fee x reach).

5. Teach Workshops & Online Courses

Why it works: Leverages your expertise; scalable (once-recorded courses earn continuously).
How to start: Run local photo walks, weekend workshops, or build an online course on Teachable or Gumroad. Offer free webinar teasers.
Marketing: Utilise email lists, Instagram Stories, and community groups.

6. Photojournalism & Documentary Commissions

Why it works: Niche high-value work, grants, and storytelling projects.
How to start: Build a strong portfolio of documentary stories. Pitch NGOs, magazines, and cultural institutions. Apply for grants and fellowships.
Tip: Include usage and editorial terms in proposals.

7. Corporate & Brand Partnerships

Why it works: Higher budgets and longer relationships.
How to start: Identify local brands whose visual style matches yours. Send a focused email with a one-page media kit and relevant portfolio.
Negotiation: Always include usage rights and an itemised invoice.

8. Social Media Content Packs & Retainer Work

Why it works: Ongoing revenue with monthly predictability.
How to start: Sell monthly image packs or social content calendars to small businesses. Offer a retainer that includes X images per month + light editing.
Contracts: Include turnaround times and revision limits.

9. Weddings & Milestone Photography

Why it works: One of the highest-paying genres per shoot. Good referrals and repeat business (family).
How to start: Offer clear packages, engagement sessions, and payment plans. Build relationships with planners and venues.
Upsells: Albums, prints, second shooters.

10. Sell Presets, LUTs & Editing Tools

Why it works: Digital products scale very well and require low maintenance.
How to start: Package your Lightroom presets or colour LUTs, create demo before/after images, and sell via your website or marketplaces.
Marketing: Use short reels showing the transformation.

Quick Pricing & Business Tips

Bundles beat single items. Package shoots with prints, albums, or social packs.
Always use a contract. Protect yourself and make expectations clear.
Image licensing matters. Be explicit about usage, territory, and duration.
Track your time. If you can’t account for your hours, you’ll undercharge.
Diversify. Mix active income (shoots) with passive (stock, prints, courses).

Marketing: Simple 30-Day Plan

Week 1: Publish a landing page for one service with clear packages and CTAs.
Week 2: Post 3 portfolio images to Instagram + one behind-the-scenes Reel.
Week 3: Send an email to past clients offering a seasonal mini-session.
Week 4: Pitch 5 local businesses about a branded mini-shoot package.

Use SEO-friendly copy on your service pages (target local + niche keywords, e.g., “documentary wedding photographer London”), and always have an easy booking or contact CTA.

Managing Deliverables & Workflow

Use Lightroom/Presets for consistent edits.
Deliver via galleries (Pixieset, ShootProof) with license details.
Automate client emails (deposits, reminders, gallery links) using a CRM or shoot-management tool.

Conclusion — About My Documentary Photography Business

I run a documentary photography business focused on honest, human-centered storytelling. I work with nonprofits, brands, and individuals who want images that capture context, emotion, and truth. If you’d like to discuss a documentary commission, editorial project, or booking for a storytelling shoot, I’d love to hear from you — book directly here

Ready to start? Pick one revenue stream above and commit to 30 days of focused action. Test, measure, and refine. Do you need help tailoring a plan for your market or reviewing pricing? Reply and tell me your city and niche — I’ll create a short pricing + marketing checklist for you.

Music Marketing Strategies That Convert — Behind-the-Scenes Studio Photography

Music Marketing Strategies That Convert: Use Behind-the-Scenes Studio Photos to Sell Your Sound

Name: Canon EOS C50
Brand: Canon
Availability: PreOrder

Practical, modern marketing ideas for musicians — plus how professional behind-the-scenes studio photography turns attention into bookings.

Behind the scenes studio music photography session — Studio session — capture the emotion, energy and craft that sell your music.

Why visual storytelling is a must in music marketing

In 2025, listeners discover music through visual-first platforms and short-form video. Visual storytelling — especially authentic behind-the-scenes (BTS) content from the studio — builds trust, humanises your creative process, and turns passive viewers into active fans.

If you want your next release, tour, or merch drop to perform, you need visuals that feel real and cinematic. That’s where a professional behind-the-scenes studio photographer adds measurable marketing value.

8 music marketing strategies that pair perfectly with BTS studio photography

1. Short-form video + highlight stills

Short videos (Reels, TikTok) drive discovery — and they work even better when paired with striking stills. Use 3–6 hero stills from your session as thumbnails, social cards, and press images to increase click-throughs and save time on content creation. Short, real-time clips plus cinematic stills = maximum reach and credibility. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

2. Share authentic behind-the-scenes sequences

Fans love to see the process. Post a 15–60s “from take 1 to finished take” clip with a caption about inspiration and a carousel of BTS photos to deepen connection. BTS content primes future clients and collaborators because it shows how you work before they contact you. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

3. Use a dedicated landing page with focused CTAs

Create a landing page that showcases BTS photo galleries, a short client testimonial, and a prominent “Book a session” button. Repeat the CTA in three places on the page (top, midway, bottom) to match browsing intent and increase conversions. Example CTA: Book your BTS studio session. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

4. Optimize your website for SEO

Your website is the single most important hub for searches, press, and professional enquiries. Optimize pages with keywords like “studio music photographer,” “behind the scenes music photos,” and location + service terms if you serve a region. Include alt text on every image and structured captions for galleries. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

5. Build and nurture an email list

Use your gallery and exclusive BTS content as lead magnets (“Get studio photos & early access”), then nurture subscribers with monthly updates and exclusive offers — those who’ve seen your work are far more likely to book photos or refer you. (Pro tip: offer a limited-time booking discount for subscribers.)

6. Collaborate with producers, labels & playlist curators

Send a concise press kit that includes 3-5 editorial-quality BTS photos tailored to the recipient. High-quality press images increase the chance your work will be used in features, playlist pages, and social promotion. Use your best shot as the hero image when sending pitches.

7. Repurpose content across platforms

Turn one session into: a reel, short BTS clip, 6 social stills, a blog post, and a Pinterest story pin. That multiplies reach with little extra cost — and each piece of content funnels traffic back to your booking page. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

8. Track performance & iterate

Monitor which images and clips generate the most clicks, saves, or DMs. Double down on formats and captions that convert and remove low-performing content. Data-driven creative wins more bookings over time.

How professional BTS studio photography converts attention into bookings

A photographer who understands music sessions doesn’t just take pretty pictures — they capture moments that tell story-driven narratives: creation, collaboration, and emotion. Those narratives are what fans, press, and promoters respond to. Because BTS photography shows the craft and personality behind the sound, it improves trust and speeds up decision-making for managers, labels, and brands.

Ready to capture your next session and turn it into marketing that sells? Book a BTS studio session

What you get in a standard BTS shoot

High-resolution editorial stills suitable for press and streaming platforms
Social-ready crops and thumbnails
Short-form BTS video clips (option)
Commercial-use license and fast delivery

Reserve your slot now

Canon EOS C50 Review — 7K Full-Frame Cinema Camera for Solo Filmmakers + RF 85mm f/1.4 Lens

Canon EOS C50 Review & Pre-Order Guide — 7K Full-Frame Cinema Camera

Canon EOS C50 — The Smallest Full-Frame Cinema EOS That Does It All (Pre-Order)

Hybrid capture, 7K open-gate, 32MP stills — designed for solo filmmakers, wedding shooters, content creators and small crews.

Pre-order the Canon EOS C50 here: Pre-order Canon EOS C50

Why the EOS C50 matters

The Canon EOS C50 is aimed at professionals working multiple roles — the cinematographer who also shoots portraits, the solo documentary maker, and the small production that needs pro formats with a compact rig. It combines a 7K full-frame CMOS sensor and Canon’s DIGIC DV processor to deliver high-resolution stills and cinema-grade video in a lightweight 670 g body.

Key selling points at a glance

7K full-frame sensor with open-gate 3:2 recording — great for anamorphic and multi-format delivery from a single take.
Internal 7K 60p RAW recording and 4K up to 120p RAW, plus C-RAW / JPEG / HEIF stills up to 32MP.
Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with EOS iTR AF X for fast, reliable autofocus during run-and-gun shooting.
Compact and lightweight — the smallest, lightest full-frame Cinema EOS body for easy handheld and gimbal work.

Full product specification (summary)

Specification	Details
Sensor	Full-frame 7K CMOS (Open gate 3:2)
Video	7K 60p RAW internal; 4K 120p RAW
Stills	Hybrid capture up to 32MP (C-RAW, JPEG, HEIF)
Autofocus	Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with EOS iTR AF X
Body weight	≈ 670 g (compact for full-frame Cinema EOS)

Buy / Pre-order: Canon EOS C50 — Pre-order now

Why pair the C50 with the Canon RF 85mm f/1.4 L VCM?

For interviews, portraits and cinematic subject separation, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.4 L VCM is an ideal partner. It’s a short-telephoto with a bright f/1.4 aperture for creamy bokeh, strong subject isolation, and a compact, balanced construction that suits handheld shooting and small rigs.

RF 85mm — quick specs

Wide, fast f/1.4 aperture — excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field.
Quiet, fast VCM AF motor — smooth focus for video and stills.
Unified Canon Hybrid Prime design — compact and balanced across the series.

Buy the RF 85mm: Canon RF 85mm f/1.4 L VCM — Buy/Pre-order

Who should buy the C50 + RF 85mm combo?

Solo filmmakers & content creators who need cinema formats and stills without lugging a full rig.
Wedding and event videographers who want high-res stills and cinematic video from the same camera.
Small production teams that require flexible formats (anamorphic/multi-format) from one take.

Quick shooting scenarios

Documentary run-and-gun: light rig, reliable Dual Pixel AF, 7K for framing flexibility.
Interview setup: RF 85mm at f/1.4 for tight, cinematic head-and-shoulder shots.
Short film / anamorphic: open-gate 3:2 capture gives extra vertical resolution for post crop or anamorphic squeeze workflows.

The Business of Photography — How to Build a Photography Business Plan (Startup Costs → Revenue Projections)

Business • Photography • Planning

The Business of Photography: Creating a photography business plan, from startup costs to revenue projections

Last updated: September 6, 2025 · Read time: 8 minutes

Introduction
Starting a photography business is creative work — but it’s still a business. A tight business plan helps you price services, manage cashflow, and scale profitably. This guide walks you through the exact pieces to include: from realistic startup costs, through pricing and package strategy, to a simple revenue projection you can adapt.

1. Executive summary (one paragraph)

Summarise your business in 2–3 sentences: what you shoot (niche), who you serve (client types), and the 12-month financial goal (revenue target + profit margin). Keep it crisp — this is what you’ll pitch to partners or use to focus your marketing.

2. Define your niche & USP

Pick a narrow niche early: wedding, commercial product, corporate headshots, real estate, fine art prints, newborn, etc. Your niche determines pricing, marketing channels, and equipment needs. Write a one-sentence Unique Selling Proposition (USP):

“Luxury wedding photographer in [City] offering same-day highlight reels and heirloom albums.”

3. Services, packages & pricing strategy

List 3–4 packages (entry, mid, premium). Bundle deliverables (hours, prints/albums, digital gallery, licensing rights). Use value-based pricing for commercial work; use productized packages for consumer work (weddings, portraits). Build add-ons (extra hours, rush delivery, prints) to increase average order value (AOV).

Pricing tip: Use competitor research + a cost-plus check (cover costs then add your target margin). Revisit pricing every 6–12 months.

4. Startup costs — sample breakdown (example)

These are sample numbers — replace with quotes/tax rules for your country.

Initial equipment & setup (one-off):
- Camera bodies (2) — $2,000
- Lenses & accessories — $4,000
- Lighting & modifiers — $1,500
- Computer & backup drives — $2,000
- Software (editing + licensing) — $600
- Website & branding — $1,000 (site + logo)
- Legal, insurance & permits — $300
- Initial marketing (launch, social ads) — $1,000

Sample startup total: $12,400 (example)

5. Recurring monthly costs

Rent / studio (if any)
Insurance & memberships
Marketing (ads, content creation)
Software subscriptions & cloud storage
Equipment maintenance / amortisation
Travel, subcontractors (assistants, second shooters)

Tracking recurring costs monthly lets you calculate the break-even revenue you must hit.

6. Revenue projection — one-year example (USD)

Below is a realistic, conservative example for a small/full-time photographer. Numbers are examples — adjust to your market.

Annual revenue mix (example):
- 12 weddings × $2,500 = $30,000
- 50 portraits × $200 = $10,000
- 6 corporate shoots × $1,000 = $6,000
- 4 workshops × $500 = $2,000
- Stock / passive income = $1,000
Total revenue (year 1 example): $49,000

Annual expenses (example):
- Equipment amortisation/repairs = $6,000
- Studio/rent = $6,000
- Marketing = $3,000
- Insurance/licenses = $1,200
- Software = $600
- Travel = $1,200
- Utilities = $1,200
- Subcontractors = $3,000
Total expenses: $22,200

Net profit (example): $49,000 − $22,200 = $26,800

7. Key financial metrics & KPIs to track

Average Order Value (AOV) — revenue / number of bookings
Conversion rate — leads → paying clients
Gross margin — (revenue − direct costs) / revenue
Net profit margin — net profit / revenue
Customer acquisition cost (CAC) — ad spend / new customers
Lifetime value (LTV) — revenue per repeat client over time

Track monthly and compare to plan. Use simple spreadsheets or accounting software.

8. Marketing & client pipeline

Build a portfolio site optimised for SEO (focus on local SEO + niche keywords). Client testimonials and case studies — use them heavily. Instagram / X / Pinterest: show work + behind-the-scenes + client stories. Email list + lead magnets (e.g., “Guide to the perfect engagement shoot”) to nurture repeat and referral business. Partner with planners, studios, agencies for referrals.

9. Operations & workflow

Document your shoot-to-delivery workflow: booking → contract & deposit → shoot → editing → delivery → follow-up. Automate contracts, invoicing, and client questionnaires to reduce admin time.

10. Risk & contingency planning

Equipment failure: emergency fund or rental plan.
Slow months: diversify income with workshops, stock, micro-services.
Legal risks: written contracts, model releases, public liability insurance.

11. Next steps — a 30/90/365 day plan

0–30 days: finalise packages, set pricing, build website landing page, get legal/insurance.
30–90 days: launch marketing, book 1st clients, run one paid ad campaign.
90–365 days: refine pricing, scale via partnerships, track KPIs quarterly.

Downloadable: Simple one-page business plan template — copy/paste:

- Business name & USP
- Target client & niche
- Top 3 services & pricing
- Startup costs & monthly cost summary
- 12-month revenue target & revenue mix
- 3 marketing actions & KPIs

Conclusion

A photography business is creative and numbers-driven. With a clear plan you’ll price profitably, avoid cashflow surprises and scale where it makes sense.

Download the photography business plan template (PDF + Spreadsheet)

The Photographer's Secret Weapon: How Setapp Saves Time, Money, and Creative Headspace

As a photographer, your brain is your most valuable asset. It’s where you compose shots, connect with clients, and envision your final edits. But too often, that creative energy gets siphoned off by mundane tasks. What if you could offload all that digital clutter and get back to what you do best? Enter Setapp.

What Exactly is Setapp? (And Why Photographers Should Care)

In simple terms, Setapp is a Netflix-style subscription for premium Mac applications. For a single monthly fee, you get unlimited access to a growing collection of over 240+ top-tier apps, all curated, updated, and ready to use.

For photographers, this is a game-changer. Our workflow isn't linear; it’s a chaotic mix of file management, editing, communication, marketing, and admin. Setapp provides a Swiss Army knife for every single one of those challenges.

Taming the Chaos: File Management and Organisation

Every photographer’s nightmare is a disorganised hard drive. Setapp includes powerhouse apps that turn chaos into order.

CleanMyMac X: Before you import your shots, ensure your Mac is running smoothly. This app helps you clear out gigabytes of junk files, freeing up crucial space for your massive RAW files.
ChronoSync: Backup is non-negotiable. ChronoSync is a robust tool for creating automated backups. Sleep soundly knowing your work is protected.
Archiver: Clients send files in all sorts of compressed formats. Archiver lets you open, create, and convert any archive with a simple drag-and-drop.

Beyond the RAW Edit: Niche Editing and Utility Tools

While Setapp doesn’t replace Adobe Creative Cloud, it offers incredible niche tools that address the specific needs of photographers.

Image Editing Tools: Apps like CameraBag Pro offer powerful batch processing, making it easy to apply a consistent look quickly.

The Business of Photography: Client Management and Marketing

This is where Setapp truly pays for itself. Running a photography business means being a CEO, a salesperson, and a customer service agent.

TaskPaper: Keep your projects and to-dos organised in a simple, plain-text format. Perfect for tracking a wedding shot list.

The Setapp Experience: Seamless Integration and Discovery

The magic of Setapp isn't just the apps; it's the platform. All apps are downloaded and updated through the sleek Setapp desktop app. Its built-in search function is incredible. Have a task you need to do? Just type it in.

This eliminates the endless Google searches for "best app to..." and lets you discover tools you never knew you needed, all included in your subscription.

Pricing: A No-Brainer for the Working Photographer

Let's do the math. A single license for just one of the apps mentioned, like CleanMyMac X, can cost nearly the same as an annual Setapp subscription.

Setapp pricing starts at $9.99 per month. For the price of a few coffees, you get a full suite of applications that would cost hundreds to purchase individually. It’s arguably one of the most cost-effective investments you can make in your photography business.

Is Setapp the Right Tool for Your Photography Toolkit?

If you are a photographer who uses a Mac and values your time, the answer is a resounding yes. Setapp is for you if:

You’re tired of juggling multiple free trials and paid subscriptions.
You waste time searching for tools to solve one-off problems.
You want to professionalise your business operations without massive overhead.
You love discovering new, powerful apps that can boost your productivity.

Ready to Revolutionise Your Workflow?

Stop piecing together your digital toolkit and start using a platform built for pros. Click here to start your free 7-day trial of Setapp. There's no credit card required upfront, so you can freely explore the entire library.

What’s your biggest workflow headache? Would a tool like Setapp solve it? Let us know in the comments below!

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links to Setapp. If you subscribe through our link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services I truly believe will benefit our fellow photographers.

Hasselblad X2D II 100C + XCD 35–100mm: why you should pre-order this medium-format powerhouse now

Pre-order Hasselblad X2D II 100C & XCD 35–100mm — 100MP HDR, LiDAR AF, 10-stop IBIS (Buy Guide)

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links to Wex Photo Video. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support our site and allows us to continue providing in-depth reviews and content. Thank you for your support!

The Hasselblad X2D II 100C brings LiDAR-assisted AF, true in-camera HDR, 16-bit colour and up to 10-stop IBIS around a proven 100MP BSI sensor. Read our buyer-intent guide and pre-order links for the camera and new XCD 35–100mm zoom.

Quick snapshot: what matters to buyers

Sensor & colour: 100MP BSI CMOS, 16-bit RAW, Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution with HDR. (Hasselblad)
Autofocus: Continuous AF (AF-C) with LiDAR assistance and a 425-point hybrid AF system (phase + contrast + LiDAR) for faster, more reliable subject tracking. (The Verge)
HDR & dynamic range: True end-to-end in-camera HDR workflow with up to 15.3 stops of dynamic range. (B&H Photo Video)
Stabilisation: 5-axis in-body stabilisation delivering up to 10 stops of correction — game-changing for handheld long exposures on medium format. (Hasselblad)
Lens partnership: XCD 35–100mm f/2.8–4 E — compact, sharp across the frame, 16 elements in 13 groups, 0.4m minimum focus distance and ~19% lighter than the 35–75mm it complements. (Hasselblad, DPReview)

Why the X2D II 100C is more than “just” a resolution upgrade

High resolution used to mean slower, tripod-only workflows. Hasselblad’s approach here is different: they kept the 100MP backside-illuminated sensor photographers love (it still delivers extraordinary detail and tone), but they wrapped it in the modern usability features pros demand — continuous AF with LiDAR, end-to-end HDR handling, and very strong IBIS. That combination turns a studio-grade image maker into a versatile field tool for portraits, landscapes, fine art and even some commercial run-and-gun work where you previously wouldn’t have risked a medium-format sensor. (Hasselblad, The Verge)

Practical buyer point: if you value colour fidelity, highlight retention and ultimate detail for large prints or commercial work, this camera is designed to deliver those strengths while shrinking the gap in autofocus/stabilisation performance that used to keep medium format locked in the studio. (B&H Photo Video)

Autofocus & LiDAR — real gains for real shooting

The headline addition for many buyers is Hasselblad’s LiDAR-assisted AF working alongside a 425-point hybrid AF array (phase + contrast + LiDAR). That makes continuous AF (AF-C) much more useful for moving subjects than older medium-format designs — think more successful portrait sessions with subtle subject motion, and tighter focus when shooting between obstructions or in low-contrast scenes. For wedding, event and outdoor portrait shooters who need both resolution and reliability, this is important. (The Verge)

HDR, 16-bit colour and 15.3 stops — why that matters to image quality

Hasselblad markets the X2D II as the first medium-format camera with “true end-to-end HDR.” Practically, that translates to camera-captured HDR HEIF/JPEG options and better highlight retention straight out of capture plus 16-bit RAW for editing latitude. The quoted 15.3 stops of dynamic range gives you a huge palette for preserving midtones and highlights without sacrificing shadow detail — ideal for landscape, product and location portrait work destined for large prints or advertising. (B&H Photo Video)

Stabilisation: handheld medium format becomes practical

One of the most buyer-relevant specs is 5-axis IBIS rated up to 10 stops. That opens up creative options: slower hand-held exposures for motion blur effects, cleaner high-ISO work for available-light portraits, and fewer trips to the tripod. For professional workflows where speed and mobility matter (editorial, travel, commercial location work), IBIS of this calibre changes how often you’ll reach for the tripod. (Hasselblad)

The XCD 35–100mm f/2.8–4 E — the zoom that keeps up

The new 35–100mm standard-to-telephoto zoom was clearly designed to be a real partner to the X2D II: it covers an equivalent ~28–76mm range, offers a bright max aperture (f/2.8 at the wide end), and uses advanced E-Series optics with a complex 16-element, 13-group design to keep corner-to-corner sharpness high. The lens is compact for medium format, accepts 86mm filters, offers a 0.4m minimum focus distance and — crucially — is notably lighter than some previous standard zooms in Hasselblad’s range. If you want a single, versatile lens for portrait sessions, travel or editorial assignments, this is the one to consider. (Hasselblad, DPReview)

Who should pre-order the X2D II + 35–100mm?

Portrait and commercial shooters who print large and need immaculate tone and colour.
Travel and editorial photographers who want medium-format image quality but need AF, IBIS and a practical zoom.
Landscape & fine-art shooters wanting the widest dynamic range and HDR options built into capture.
Existing Hasselblad owners looking to add a more versatile walk-around zoom and a faster AF experience.

If you fit one of these profiles, pre-ordering makes sense: this is a camera that shifts medium format from a specialist, studio tool to a wider set of real-world assignments. (The Verge)

Final buying checklist (before you click “pre-order”)

Do you need 100MP? If you sell large prints or need extreme crop ability, yes. If not, a high-end full-frame might be more cost-effective.
Lens plan: The 35–100mm is an excellent walk-around for medium format — add it if you want one-lens versatility. (Hasselblad)
Workflow: Make sure your editing/storage pipeline handles 16-bit RAW and very large files (and consider the camera’s support for Phocus Mobile 2 if you want HDR mobile workflows). (Hasselblad)
Stabilisation: If you rely on handheld shooting, IBIS up to 10 stops is a practical advantage — a major reason to choose the X2D II over older medium-format bodies. (Hasselblad)

Affiliate - Buy / Pre-Order

Hasselblad’s new X2D II 100C and the XCD 35–100mm are listed with authorised dealers now (prices vary by region). If you’re ready to buy or pre-order, use the retailer links below.

Bottom line

The X2D II 100C is a strategic rethink of modern medium format: the exacting 100MP image quality you expect from Hasselblad, wrapped in autofocus speed, true in-camera HDR, and industry-leading stabilisation — and paired with a compact, high-quality 35–100mm zoom. For photographers who need the ultimate stills image with more freedom to shoot handheld and follow subjects, pre-ordering the body and the new XCD 35–100mm makes strong sense. Ready to order? Use the WEX links above to pre-order the camera and lens today.

Sources & further reading: Hasselblad product pages and authorised dealer spec sheets; first-look reviews and hands-on coverage from major outlets. (Hasselblad, B&H Photo Video, DPReview, The Verge)