How much does a photoshoot cost?

So you want to have professional photographs taken, and now you’re wondering how much it all costs. It's just a few photos after all, it won’t even take long! Well, not quite, photoshoots can vary hugely in cost and time, and you might have a different idea about how long things take than your photographer.

When you hire a photographer, it’s important to remember you're not just hiring someone to take photos, you’re hiring someone with years of experience and expertise, professional equipment, retouching and editing services, and someone who knows how to take great photographs.

Okay, so what does that mean for you? When you approach a photographer for pricing or a quote, you should first check their website and social media to see if they have their pricing listed. Many photographers will tell you how much each of their services cost and what each service includes. But what if the service you want isn’t listed, or the photographer uses bespoke pricing, what then? You’re going to need to give the photographer a bit more information when approaching them.

Many things can alter the price of a photoshoot, not just the length of time it takes. Your vision might require set design or additional equipment the photographer will need to hire; or you might want to use the images for commercial purposes. Maybe you want a lot more retouching than you realised. These and many more are all factors that can alter the price and scope of a photoshoot. Check out my guide on planning a great photoshoot to see a more comprehensive list on what details your photographer needs to know to give you an accurate quote.

There’s quite a large range when it comes to what each photographer charges, and it’ll vary based on the photographer’s skill, experience, and even location. Some photographers charge hourly, others (like myself) charge per shoot. It’s best to research a number of local photographers so you can compare and decide who you think will be the best fit for your vision! Some will charge as little as £50 for bog standard portraits, whereas another photographer may charge up to £2000 for a bigger concept which generally includes a more personalised service. What each of these packages entail will vary between photographers, particularly between genres.

When you’re booking a photoshoot, shop around different photographers, pay close attention to portfolios and reviews, and once you’ve found the one for you, check their website or social media highlights in case they have a booking process to follow. You can find my booking process in the helpful guides section of my blog, or a brief summary in my instagram highlights!

Am I the photographer for you? Head over to my contact page and let’s have a chat about how I can bring your dream shoot vision to life!