Peter McKinnon is a well-known photographer and video artist who gained popularity by sharing his passions on his YouTube channel.
Her incredibly aesthetic photos and videos have captivated millions of people across numerous social media platforms.
Additionally, he became a photography entrepreneur who inspires others.
How did Peter achieve his success and become a famous photography entrepreneur?
Let’s find out.
Who Is Peter McKinnon?
As it says on its official website:
Peter McKinnon is an internationally recognized photographer, filmmaker, YouTube creator and entrepreneur based in Toronto, Canada.
Peter McKinnon combined his two passions: videography and photography. He created a YouTube channel which is now one of the most popular YouTube channels among photographers.
On YouTube, he shares tips to help emerging photographers and introduces people to the business aspect of photography.
Peter McKinnon in Numbers
- He has more than 5.8 million subscribers on his YouTube channel.
- More than 3.2 million people follow Peter on Instagram
- He has a Facebook page with 450,000 followers.
Peter McKinnon Biography
| Net Worth: | $3 – $4 million |
| Peter McKinnon’s Age: | 37 years old |
| Birth Date: | October 28, 1985 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Nationality: | Canadian |
| Status: | Married |
Early life
Peter McKinnon was born in Toronto into a middle-class family. He is of Caucasian descent.
He attended high school and began his studies, taking a photography course. He wanted to pursue his passion at university and learn more about photography, but never graduated.
McKinnon dropped out of college and never returned. However, he didn’t let that get in his way. I learned, observed and practiced. His success is a great example of how you don’t necessarily need a degree to be successful in life.
Find your passion
He once attended his sister’s wedding and, like any brother, took a few photos of the big event.
Later I experimented with macros and took a photo of a blade of grass and that’s where it all started! I knew I wanted to do more of that.
He then began taking photographs as a hobby, but soon found himself in the professional field of photography and filmography.
This is how McKinnon discovered his passion for photography and aesthetics.
Start of the race
McKinnon has been working in this niche for years and has perfected his work over time to his current success.
His job at the time required him to take pictures and videos of the magicians as they performed.
I originally posted videos on Vimeo. He later started his career as a vlogger on YouTube and started uploading videos about photography and videography.
Peter McKinnon was given nothing on a silver platter. He continued to learn more about his craft and never gave up, which brought him success.
Peter McKinnon’s Net Worth
Peter McKinnon has an estimated net worth between $3 and $4 million. Judging by his presence and popularity on social media, this may not be far from the truth.
Revenue Streams
Here’s an inspiring video about McKinnon’s income streams (an excellent, in-depth analysis by entrepreneur Noah Kagan):
Not bad, right? You’ve done a really good job of diversifying your income.
Note: All numbers in the video are approximate and were generated from publicly available information.
As we can see, most of Peter McKinnon’s sources of income are:
- YouTube ads
- Digital assets
- Amazon affiliate
- Merchandise / Clubs
- Offers with brands
- Professional work as a photographer/videographer.
Brand deals (e.g. advertising the photo editor Luminar Neo) and YouTube advertising are its main sources of income. We can estimate that they represent more than half of their total income. Additionally, you may keep some investments or other businesses private.
YouTube Career
Peter McKinnon has a YouTube channel with over 5.80 million subscribers. It’s definitely aiming for the 6 million mark soon.
The reason for his popularity is his commitment to educating people and his love for photography.
He created this channel to share his experience and knowledge on in-demand topics. Her first video was a step-by-step guide to a photo shoot. He gained 1 million followers in 9 months. And then it exploded even more.
4 Inspiring Lessons We Can Learn From Peter McKinnon:
✅ Lesson 1: Stick to Your Passion
Despite dropping out of college, Peter McKinnon always stayed true to his passion for photography. No matter where he goes, his camera is always with him. He also has a strong passion for educating his audience about photography, videography, and editing.
✅ Lesson 2: Create Engaging and Useful Content
Peter McKinnon’s videos are not only visually satisfying but also highly inspirational. Beginner photographers and those interested in photography find his content incredibly informative. His success stems from his dedication, honesty, and skill, as well as his ability to weave personal stories into his videos. By sharing aspects of his life—like his love for coffee, illusionism, and pocket knives—he connects with his audience on a deeper level. Additionally, he educates viewers, making his content both engaging and valuable. His videos often go viral, thanks to these qualities. When creating content, it’s crucial to educate your audience and build a strong online presence.
✅ Lesson 3: Create Multiple Income Streams
Peter McKinnon is a prime example of a successful photography entrepreneur, having developed at least 5-6 income streams. While growing his YouTube channel, he also created various revenue sources, such as affiliate sales, promoting his own gear, and selling products like Lightroom presets, photo prints, motion graphics, video LUTs, sound packs, and branded merchandise.
✅ Lesson 4: Create Partnerships
Peter understands the value of partnerships and brand deals. Some of the most notable sponsorships in his videos include brands like Squarespace, DJI, and Nomatic. He frequently collaborates with other popular video creators, which helps him expand his reach and connect with a broader audience.
