Assignment Photography Pricing Guide for Beginners

When starting out as a photographer, it can be challenging to know how to price your assignments/services. Many beginners set their rates too low, only to find that they are barely covering their costs. This handy photography pricing guide gives you some great information when setting your price.

Our fotoQuote Pro 7 pricing and quoting program is the ultimate tool for pricing and quoting your photography, and this guide was created to help beginner photographers understand how to set fair and profitable rates for their services (called assignments). While pricing can vary, the aim is to provide basic information to help navigate this aspect of the business. Our fotoQuote and fotoBiz programs can provide much more comprehensive information and valuable tools to help you price, quote, license and invoice your work.

This guide is designed to be a starting point for anyone looking to establish their pricing strategy. As a long-term pricing strategy, we recommend purchasing our fotoQuote and fotoBiz programs as they provide you with the detail and tools you need to price your work and be paid what you are worth.

It’s important you research your local market, calculate your costs and desired income, and set your rates accordingly. Make sure to include all expenses in your pricing to ensure profitability.

Note: Not discussed here – Stock photography – selling your existing images – is an important revenue stream for photographers.

Assignment Photography Pricing Guide – Basics for Beginners

Hourly Rate vs. Flat Rate There are two primary methods for pricing photography services:

1. Hourly Rate: Ideal for events like weddings or corporate shoots where time can vary. Check local rates to ensure your pricing is competitive. Don’t forget to account for editing time when calculating your quote.
2. Flat Rate: This is common among beginners but can be tricky to price accurately. If you choose a flat rate, clearly define what is included (e.g., location selection, post-processing time, printed photos). Drafting a contract with these details can prevent misunderstandings.

Pro Tip: Before setting your rates, research local competitors and understand what goes into the services they offer. Always include post-processing time in your pricing, as editing can take hours.

Pricing Based on Experience

Your level of experience plays a significant role in determining how much you can charge:

• Beginners: $25-50 per hour
• Students: $50-75 per hour
• Entry-Level Photographers: $75-125 per hour
• Professional Photographers: $125-250 per hour
• Top Photographers: $250-500 per hour

Pricing by Photography Niche

Your niche will greatly influence your pricing structure. Here’s a quick overview:

• Event Photography: $150-$500 per hour
• Wedding Photography: $50-$250 per hour (or $1,000-$5,000 per package)
• Portrait Photography: $150-$350 per hour
• Graduation Photography: $100-$299 per session
• Commercial Photography: $800-$5,000 per hour (plus licensing fees)
• Family Photography: $150-$350 per hour
• Real Estate Photography: $150-$500 per session
• Pet Photography: $100-$250 per hour
• Fashion Photography: $200-$500 per hour

Earnings Potential

Here’s a rough estimate of potential earnings based on different timeframes:

• Half-Day (3-4 hours): $75-$1,500
• Full Day (7-8 hours): $175-$5,600
• Week: $875-$28,000
• Month: $3,500-$112,000
• Year: $42,000-$1,240,000

These figures are based on working five days a week and can vary widely depending on experience, the type of photography, and other factors.

Photography Pricing Guide – Factors Affecting Pricing

Several factors influence how you should price your services and what you should include in your quotes:

1. Cost of Materials: Includes expenses like printing, storage, packaging, and subscriptions to photo editing software. Ensure these costs are covered in your pricing.
2. Cost of Labor: Don’t underestimate the value of your time, including the hours spent on a shoot, editing, and any preparatory work.
3. Overhead Costs: Equipment, insurance, marketing, and other business expenses should be factored into your rates. (the NPPA has a great Cost of Business Calculator tool)
4. Fixed and Variable Costs: Fixed costs (e.g., equipment, software) are recurring, while variable costs (e.g., travel, rentals) change with each job.

Discussing Prices with Clients

Preparing a detailed budget estimate for each client is crucial. Include all potential costs, such as travel, printing, and additional rounds of feedback. A clear estimate can prevent disputes and ensure both you and the client understand the scope and cost of the project. Our fotoQuote program includes pricing for all of the additional items you may want to include in your quote.

Negotiating Your Price with Your Client

Negotiating photography prices is a critical skill for photographers, as it helps establish a fair agreement that meets the needs of both parties. For photographers, knowing how to negotiate effectively can lead to better compensation and a clearer understanding of what the client expects. It’s important to approach negotiations with confidence and a clear understanding of your value, including the time, skill, and equipment involved in delivering high-quality work.

When negotiating, photographers should be transparent about what their pricing includes—such as editing time, travel costs, and usage rights—so that clients understand what they’re paying for. It’s also helpful to be flexible where possible, offering different packages or payment plans that can accommodate a client’s budget without undercutting your worth.

Ultimately, successful negotiation leads to a fair price that reflects the quality of work while ensuring both parties feel valued and respected.

Please check out our articles on pricing & negotiating your price on our blog.

Licensing Your Images

Licensing images is crucial in the photography and creative industries as it defines the rights and limitations associated with the use of your photographs. When an image is licensed, the photographer retains ownership while granting specific usage rights to the client or buyer. This ensures that the photographer is compensated fairly for their work, especially when the images are used commercially or distributed widely.

Licensing also protects the photographer’s intellectual property, preventing unauthorized use or reproduction. Without proper licensing, clients might misuse images, leading to potential financial losses for the photographer and legal complications. Moreover, clear licensing agreements help maintain professional relationships by setting expectations and responsibilities from the outset.

In summary, licensing images not only safeguards a photographer’s creative rights but also ensures they receive appropriate recognition and compensation for their work.

This photography pricing guide is designed to help you start your photography business on the right foot, ensuring that you are fairly compensated for your skills and time. Ultimately, tools like fotoQuote, fotoBiz and fotoKeyword Harvester are worthwhile investments to help you price your work, create professional quotes and contracts, and to successfully manage your photography business.

Happy shooting!