Side Hustle School Ep. 3257 - First $1,000: DIY Headshot Stations for University Job Fairs
Dec 1, 2025
Discover how a clever grad spotted a need for professional LinkedIn photos at university job fairs. He crafted a simple headshot booth, earning his first $1,000 without lifting a camera! With a minimal setup and zero hands-on work, he secured multiple bookings from nearby campuses. Learn about his pitch to career services and how seasonal demand can drive profits. This inspiring story highlights the potential of side hustles that require minimal effort while addressing a real demand.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
DIY Portable Headshot Station
- Paul built a portable self-serve headshot station from an iPad mini, tripod, ring light, and pop-up backdrop for about $190.
- He rented it to career services for $250/day and earned $1,000 from four bookings in 27 days.
Make It Truly Turnkey
- Do create a simple, repeatable setup and a one-page guide so others can run it without you.
- Paul taped the setup guide to the light stand and used painter's tape for foot placement to make operation foolproof.
Pitch Institutions Clearly
- Try pitching institutions with clear pricing and availability for low-babysitting setups.
- Paul emailed a director with the subject 'headshots without a photographer, $250 a day' and booked multiple events quickly.