Your Guide to Product Photography Pricing | Snappr
Product photography pricing ranges depending on the type and complexity of the shoot, the photographer’s experience, and pricing structure.
Understanding Product Photography Costs
Product images can make or break a sale in today's visually-driven market. With 90% of shoppers stating that photo quality is the top factor in their purchase decisions, product photos—a high-quality one, should not be overlooked by business owners like you. Whether you're a startup launching your first product line or an established company refreshing your catalog, better understanding product photography cost is essential for finding the sweet spot in budgeting and achieving great product images that drive conversions on your page.
Product photography pricing may vary, typically ranging from an average of $20, if paid per image, or up to $2000, if a photographer is paid per day. When setting your expenses, it's important to align your image pricing budget with your branding and product's image production needs.
Let's explore the different types of image product photography pricing to help you make the best decision for your brand. Choosing the right pricing model not only ensures you do not overspend on product photography but also guarantees that the image output effectively represent your business.
Types of Product Photography Pricing
There's no universal solution and multiple factors come into play in product photography pricing. It's unwise to prefer one pricing structure over others without careful consideration. Depending on the complexity of the shoot your brand needs, you might want to look further into the pricing structure that would best meet your needs and at the same time utilize your budget.
Per Photo Pricing
Do you have a clear idea of how many images you need and want a predictable cost? Per photo pricing is where the business owner pays a fixed rate per image. This predictable image pricing allows business owners to precisely budget for their product photography. You may expect a set fee for each final, edited photo. It is recommendable for smaller projects where you would only need a specific number of images.
A flat rate per photo pricing typically ranges from $10 to $100 per image. Sometimes, the pricing is structured in tiers, which might look like this:
1-5 photos: $100
6-10 photos: $160
11-15 photos: $210
The price per image often decreases as you order more photos. This model is particularly cost-effective if you only need one or a few high-quality images, potentially making it more affordable than booking photography services by the hour, day, or product.
Consider per-photo pricing if you want to maintain control over your budget while ensuring you get exactly the number of images you need for your business.
Per Hour Pricing
If you unsure about how many product photos you will exactly need but you have a limited time capacity, per hour pricing might be suitable. In this model, you pay for the photographer's time rather than the number of images produced. However, one common challenge with this pricing model is the uncertainty about how many images you'll receive per hour. Different photographers may work at varying speeds based on their experience and the specific production demands of your project. This can make it difficult to predict the final output and cost.
Snappr provides a solution on this common problem to make sure you are not worried on overspending and unpredictable output. No idea how many hours it will take to shoot your products? Snappr simplifies the process by computing the ideal time for your shoot. When booking, you'll input essential details such as shoot style, product size, number of unique items to be photographed, and desired shot angles. Based on these information, Snappr generates an estimate of the hours needed for your shoot and provides a corresponding price quote. Want to see how it works?
Choose your desired shoot style
Let us know the product size
Identify how many products do you need to photograph?
Pick how many angles you want captured
After inputting the details, simply select your preferred date, time, and photographer. Within moments, you'll receive a customized quote for your shoot. Snappr offers professional product photography services with transparent per-hour pricing. Our typical pricing structure looks like this:
The pricing above is the average cost of Snappr's photography services for a shoot of small-sized products, shot in studio style, with three angle shots each item. The number of hours and corresponding shoot price may change depending on the shoot style, product size, number of unique items to be photographed, and desired shot angles.
To get a personalized quote, simply input your specific shoot information on Snappr's booking site, and Snappr will calculate the ideal duration for your shoot. It's important to note that this rate usually covers the photographer's time for setup and shooting. While extensive post-production work may incur additional charges, Snappr's Photo Shoot service includes basic photo editing in the quoted price.
With Snappr's transparent pricing model, you can easily budget for your product photography needs while ensuring you receive professional-quality images that effectively showcase your products. By choosing Snappr, you'll benefit from our network of experienced, professional photographers who specialize in creating high-quality product photos.
There's no need to search for freelance photographers yourself. On our booking site, you can easily view photographer portfolios and read reviews, then simply choose from available local photographers. Snappr connects you with skilled professionals who can deliver outstanding results.
Per Day Pricing
For larger projects or when you need a full day of shooting, per day pricing might be more economical. This involves a flat daily rate for professional photography studios or independent photographers, typically covering an 8-10 hour day. This can cost between $800 - $3000 per day, depending on the photographer's experience and the complexity of the shoot
While this can be more cost-effective for extensive photo shoots, it can be difficult to budget precisely. Do not forget to inquire the ceiling on costs if the project runs over the estimated time.
In this prciing model, local independent photography studios or freelance photographers might offer more flexible pricing compared to larger professional photography studios.
Per Product Pricing
Do you have a diverse range of products that require different shooting setups? Per product pricing might be your best bet. Save on the running costs of changing production setups, this model involves a flat fee for images of each product, regardless of how many shots are needed to capture it effectively.
Expect to pay between $15-$300 per product, depending on the complexity of the production and equipment required.
While this model provides clarity on cost per item, it can result in more images being produced than anticipated, making it less desirable for businesses with a large number of similar products. To mitigate this, be sure to ask if there's a limit on the quantity of images per product.
Another consideration with this pricing model is that the photo price per product depends on the product itself. Some items are more challenging to photograph and will be quoted at a higher rate. Complex products or those requiring specialized lighting or equipment may fall into this category.
Snappr's Unique Per Hour Pricing Model
As previously discussed, Snappr's innovative per hour pricing model offers custom packages that adapt to your exact requirements. It considers a combination of factors to consider on a product shoot. Here's how it works:
- You specify the number of products you need photographed
- We assess the complexity of the shoot based on your preferred style
- We factor in the number of images per product based on your angle preferences
- Finally, we provide a precise per-hour estimation and cost rate
This tailored approach ensures you receive a professional photography package that perfectly aligns with your brand's needs and budget.
Additional Costs to Consider
When budgeting for product photography, it's important to remember that the costs don't end with just taking the photos. There are several additional costs to consider to manage your expectations and avoid feeling overwhelmed when your shoot comes. Below, we've outlined some key expenses so you can better allocate your product photography budget.
Editing and Post-processing Costs
Editing and post-production can significantly impact your overall product photography costs. Snappr product photography services include basic editing like color correction and lighting adjustments. However, more extensive editing, such as retouching, background replacement, or object removal, incurs additional fees you may avail through Snappr Editing services. Business owners should include these potential costs when calculating the total cost of their product photography.
Reshoots and Revisions Costs
Reshoots and revisions can also add to your product photography pricing. These costs may involve re-shooting, re-editing, or re-delivering images if the initial results don’t meet your expectations. To avoid these additional costs, it's crucial to plan your shoot carefully. Provide your product photographers with detailed instructions, product pegs, or inspirations, and outline your specific requests well in advance. On the day of the shoot, review the images to ensure they meet your quality standards.
Model and Talent Fees
Hiring professional models or talent can increase your product photography costs. Depending on your product category, you might need to invest in professional models to showcase your collection effectively.
Styling and Prop Costs
Styling and prop costs can add up quickly in professional product photography. These expenses might include styling fees, prop rentals, or purchases. If you have a specific setup in mind, you’ll often need to source the props yourself unless they are included in your photography service provider’s package.
Studio Rental and Equipment Costs
Studio rental and equipment costs can be significant. These costs may include professional studio rental fees, equipment rental fees, and even equipment purchase fees. Although Snappr does not offer studio rentals, Snappr shoots fortunately already include essential equipment such as colored or white background, lighting, cameras, lenses, and microphones during the shoot.
Factors Influencing Photography Pricing
When it comes to product photography pricing, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Your business, products, and image requirements all factor into the cost of professional product photography services. Understanding these factors can help you manage your expectations and budget accordingly.
Type of Photography
Type of photography or shoot style affects the cost of product photography. Snappr lets you choose between studio, natural backdrop, being used in person, or stylized with curated props. In other phothography services, such may significantly affect pricing.
Quantity and Complexity of Products
The number and complexity of products influence the total cost, with more complex items requiring more time and resources. For example, photographing a simple white t-shirt is less resource-intensive than capturing multiple angles of a huge traffic light signal post that may require specific camera equipment, ladders, and high-level techniques.
Photographer’s Skill Level and Experience
An experienced photographer often charges higher rates, but their expertise can result in higher quality product images. Their efficiency and understanding of various product categories can sometimes make them more cost-effective in the long run.
Urgency and Rush Service Fees
Rush services typically incur higher fees. For instance, if you need product photos for your online store within 24 hours instead of the standard turnaround time, you might face an additional fee of 25-50% of the regular cost.
High Season Rates and Demand
During peak seasons, such as before major holidays when many online shoppers are active, rates may increase due to high demand. A photographer might charge 10-20% more during these busy periods.
The ROI of Impactful Photos
Better Photos Mean Better Business
High-quality product images are crucial for any online store.Visual persuasion should not be underestimated – a single high-quality product image can make a significant difference in your sales. Research by Justuno found that 93% of consumers consider visual appearance to be the key deciding factor in a purchasing decision. This includes the quality of images you use online to represent your products. Photo quality is an influential factor in an online sale.
As a business owner, investing in professional product photography can seem costly, but it's often cost-effective in the long run. Whether you opt for a local independent photography studio, a freelance photographer, or a full-service studio, the focus should be on producing high-quality product photos that showcase your items in the best light.
While it's tempting to cut corners on product photography to save on project costs, remember that these images are often the first point of contact between your products and potential customers. Professional photographers with experience in product photography understand how to capture multiple angles, create appealing lifestyle images, and use techniques like focus stacking to ensure every detail of your product shines.
You're not just paying for pretty pictures – you're investing in the success of your online store and the satisfaction of your customers.
