How Much Should I Charge for Photography?
A photography price is never just the time behind the camera. Editing, culling, delivering the gallery, driving and talking with the client often take as long as the shoot itself. Count all of it, plus the wear on your gear.
Reference Rates: Photography
Based on a reference of $125 an hour for photography at an intermediate level, in a state with average living costs. These are starting points, before materials, travel and card fees.
| Experience | Per hour | Portrait session (3 h total) | Event (8 h total) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Just Starting less than 1 year | $87.50 | $270 | $700 |
| Intermediate 1 to 3 years | $125 | $380 | $1,000 |
| Experienced 3 to 8 years | $168.75 | $510 | $1,350 |
| Expert top of your field | $225 | $680 | $1,800 |
By State (Intermediate Level)
| State | Per hour | Portrait session (3 h total) | Event (8 h total) |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $140 | $420 | $1,150 |
| New York | $135 | $410 | $1,100 |
| Texas | $121.25 | $370 | $970 |
| Florida | $127.50 | $390 | $1,050 |
| Illinois | $125 | $380 | $1,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $120 | $360 | $960 |
| Ohio | $112.50 | $340 | $900 |
| Georgia | $117.50 | $360 | $940 |
Working in a big city or its metro area, add about 8%. For your exact case, including any other state, use the calculator above.
Shooting Time vs. Total Time
A one-hour portrait session can mean three hours of work: travel, the shoot, picking the best photos and editing them. Put the total time in the calculator, not only the shoot.
Say in the quote how many edited photos are included and when the gallery will be delivered.
Gear, Software and Insurance
Cameras, lenses, memory cards, editing software and insurance are business costs. They belong in your hourly rate. Work it out with the hourly rate calculator before you set your prices.
What's Usually Included
- The session or event coverage
- Selection and editing of the photos
- A set number of edited photos
- Online gallery
What to Charge Extra For
- Extra edited photos
- Prints and albums
- Travel beyond your area
- Rush delivery
- Commercial usage rights
Common Pricing Mistakes
- Charging only for the time on site
- No limit on edited photos
- Forgetting gear wear and software
- Not taking a deposit for event dates
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I charge for a 1-hour photo session?
Count shooting, travel and editing, which together are often about 3 hours. Multiply by your rate and add travel.
How much should I charge for an event?
Add the hours at the event to the editing time, which can be about the same. Ask for a deposit to hold the date.
Should I give clients the raw files?
Most photographers don't, because the edited photo is the product. If a client wants raw files, price them separately.