Pricing is a very broad subject and it varies between photographers based on their experience, knowledge, results, and type of work.
Before we dive into pricing and licensing, it’s important that you do the right comparison between vendors when evaluating one, based on their bodies of work, experience, and abilities.
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Which photography pricing is best for you?
Time-Based: there are three main factors. hourly rate, a day rate, and per visual rate.
There is no “better” pricing structure, it mostly depends on the type of photography, equipment, resources, and usage. However, I will try to briefly review each one.
Day Based: Most popular for most cases when you need the flexibility to capture a project, both the client and the photographer need the flexibility to maximize the results, the biggest benefit is that your vendor has the time to do things right and based on the real-time needed.
Per Hour: For small projects, when you know the timeframe and there are no expected delays, For example, small renovations, space design updates, or re-shoot.
Per Picture: When the project is complex and there are different types of pictures needed. For example Hotel, Lifestyle, or Commercial Photoshoot, while it is much more expensive the benefit is that you know it does not matter how much time it takes (within reason) you get the final product.
Pricing for Interior Design Photography
Professionals mostly charge per working day and it includes:
8-10 high-end images, including their time and talent, studio equipment, post-production after the photo shoot, and licensing.
A well-experienced interior photographer’s rate/cost averaging 1,500-4,000 euros/USD a day based on their experience, the complexity of the work they are doing, and the amount of post-production needed to master their crafts.
Pricing for Architectural Photography
Professional Architectural Photographers also price their work per working day and include:
Exterior at daytime and twilight when the sun has set. Based on their experience and skills the average day rates range between 2,500-3,500 euros/USD and also include their time, experience, studio equipment, post-production, and licensing.
Pricing for Hotel Photography
When it comes to hospitality rates it is mostly based on an average industry day rate.
Additional experience and expertise are required for hospitality, incorporating other expenses such as liability insurance and extra gear as well as post-production. The average industry rates range between 5,000-7,000 euros/USD a day and €600 / $700 – €1,000 / $1,100 per photo depending on the client’s licensing needs.
Note: cost for hospitality greatly ranges based on a buy-out license that some clients require. This means they own the copyright for the photos and can transfer them to 3rd party
Pricing for Retail Store Photography
Price can range from 2,500-5,000 euros/USD this depends on the scale of the client which may require a lot of time to stage the store, store size, and fine details. Some retailers like to stage every corner before any shoot, some have 2-3 levels and many departments, it all comes down to the size, amount of images, and the fine details that need to be captured.
As for the time it takes anywhere from 4 hours for an average 200 m2 store with 6-8 images to 2 working days for larger stores with multiple photos and production.
Volume Work
Most photographers will offer a reduced rate based on several working days and/or per image cost when it comes to large-scale projects, Capturing hotels and resorts or big development projects needs several working days and therefore can enjoy a project discount most of the time.
Remember: You are paying for Results, not Images.
Yes, we are measured by beautiful images, but more than that, a good photographer is measured by the right type of photos that generate sales and engagement. There’s no reason to save on photos that don’t deliver the results you hired the photographers for.
Looking at the BIG Picture
While budget is a budget, the overall pricing should reflect much more than beautiful photos.
Don’t forget those pictures captured will serve you for many years to come, win. awards, get published, and acquire new clients.
