If you are new to the photography industry, it can feel awkward coming up with a pricing model to help you determine how much you should charge clients. Whether you’re a beginner shooting a wedding day for the first time or a seasoned vet selling a great shot to a commercial client, it’s important for you to take your work seriously and to stand your ground when it comes to the worth of your art and the value of your time.
Here are some simple pricing guidelines you can adhere to depending on how much experience you have and what type of work you are planning to do.
How Much Should Hobbyist Photographers Charge?
This really depends on what type of shoot you are doing, as well as your relationship to your subject. If photography is something that personally interests you and you ask a relative or friend to be your model for the afternoon so you can get some practice, you do not necessarily have to charge this person for your deliverable finished shots if you choose to share with him or her.
However, if you are only a hobbyist in the sense that you haven’t received a formal photography education or opened your own studio, but still view your work as a career, you can easily book shoots with local clients looking to have some portraiture or location work done. You can then charge somewhere around $70 for deliverables.
Average Range: $25-$75 an hour
How Much Do Amateur Photographers Charge?
If you recently completed photography school but still don’t feel comfortable calling yourself a professional, you need to grow your portfolio by beginning to book some shoots with initial clients. Getting started, we recommend you charge anywhere from $25 – $100 per hour for your time and for the subsequent images.
Average Range: $50-$150 per hour or $25-$125 per image
How Much Do Professional Photographers Charge?
This really depends on the type of professional photography work you are doing. From commercial photography work for corporate clients to wedding and portraiture work for locals, every pricing model is different.
If you are shooting for a commercial client, some photographers charge as little as $25 per image. Some of the top photographers in the industry working with big name clients receive thousands of dollars for a single photograph. If you are working with a new client and not sure what’s an appropriate amount to charge for what they’re looking for, do not hesitate to circle back to NYIP, reach out to your mentor (even if you already graduated!), and ask for some help putting your invoice together.
Average Range: $75 - $250 per hour or per image
