Product photography cost is offered in two different pricing models – hourly rate and per image cost. In general, you can expect to pay around $10 to $1500+ for your product photography depending on location, photographer’s experience, number of products and others.
There are also some additional costs to take into consideration like retouching, props, product shipping and many more. In this article, you will get to know about how much product photography costs in different categories with in-depth details. Let’s rush down and get to know more about it.
Types Of Product Photography
Product photography plays an important role in marketing and selling products. A high quality product photography can influence your customers purchasing decisions. Let’s get to know about various types of product photography.
- Individual Product Photography
Individual product photography works with a single product in the frame. This approach is often used for product catalogs, banner images, and product listings on marketplaces. The main goal is to highlight the product’s features more clearly and precisely. Most often you are going to see use of a clean and simple background for individual product photography.
- Group Product Photography
Group product photography puts together multiple products within a single frame. It is a creative arrangement to showcase a range or variety of products. Group product photography costs way more than individual product photography. This type of photography is ideal for giving a sense of all products on offer. It is a popular choice in lifestyle settings where the usage of products can be demonstrated together.
- Large Size Product Photography
Large size product photography is needed for capturing big items such as furniture, home appliances, and large artworks. It requires the use of wide-angle lenses to fit the entire product within the frame. Proper lighting and spacious settings are also essential to accurately represent the scale of large products.
- White Background Product Photography
White background product photography aligns with a minimalistic approach. You are often going to see its use on e-commerce and directories. It involves photographing the product using a white background and making the product the main focus. Besides, it also helps to eliminate any distractions for the product presentation. Shadows are often used to add depth to white background product photography.
- Flat Lay Product Photography
Flat lay product photography arrange products on a horizontal surface and photograph them from above. This technique provides a bird’s-eye view, and aesthetically pleasing manner. It is commonly used for food, fashion accessories, and tech gadgets. Professional lighting, proper camera angles, and post-processing are essential to achieve high-quality flat lay images.
- Scale Product Photography
Scale product photography helps give a sense of the product’s actual size by placing another object of known size in the frame for comparison. This approach helps to avoid confusion about the product’s dimensions and reduces the likelihood of returns. Customers can better understand the actual size before purchasing. It also enhances customer satisfaction by providing a clear context for the product’s size.
- Mannequin Product Photography
Mannequin product photography is used mainly for clothing. It involves displaying the product on a mannequin to provide a three-dimensional view. Besides, it will help customers to visualize how the product would look when worn. This method can also be used to create ghost mannequin effects. Mannequin product photography is highly effective in showcasing the fit and form of the clothing.
- Hero Shots Product Photography
Hero shots product photography creates impactful images of a product using professional props, backgrounds, and lighting. It often involves cinematic effects and unusual angles to tell a story. Hero shots are highly professional and designed to win the audience’s attention. You are often going to see its use for advertising and promotional purposes.
How Much Does Product Photography Cost?
The cost of product photography is important for businesses planning their marketing strategies. Product photography pricing can vary widely based on the type of photography, photographer expertise and complexity of the project. Let’s get down and get to know how much does product photography cost.
Individual Product Photography Costs
Individual product photography prices can range anywhere from $10 to over $500. This type of photography is ideal for product catalogs, banners, and listings. The minimalistic approach presents the product effectively without distractions.
- Amateur:
Hourly rate: $25 – $80 per hour
Per image cost: $25 – $40 per image
- Intermediate/Semi-Professional:
Hourly rate: $75 – $150 per hour
Per image cost: $50 – $150 per image
- Professional:
Hourly rate: $100 – $500 per hour
Per image cost: $75 – $350 per image
Group Product Photography Costs
Group product photography price ranges from $100 to over $2,000 per group. This method is useful for lifestyle and campaigns where it is essential to demonstrate the variety and range of products. The arrangement provides a broader context and a better sense of the product lineup available.
- Amateur:
Hourly rate: $50 – $150 per hour
Per group shot: $100 – $300 per group
- Intermediate/Semi-Professional:
Hourly rate: $100 – $300 per hour
Per group shot: $200 – $600 per group
- Professional:
Hourly rate: $300 – $1,000 per hour
Per group shot: $500 – $2,000 per group
Large Size Product Photography Costs
Large size product photography is used for big items such as furniture and home appliances. You can expect the price range to be around $300 to over $3,000 per product. This type of photography requires wide-angle lenses and considerable attention to detail. Large size product photography is essential for large items where size and functionality need to be clearly represented.
- Amateur:
Hourly rate: $100 – $300 per hour
Per large product shot: $300 – $800 per product
- Intermediate/Semi-Professional:
Hourly rate: $250 – $500 per hour
Per large product shot: $600 – $1,500 per product
- Professional:
Hourly rate: $500 – $1,000 per hour
Per large product shot: $1,000 – $3,000 per product
White Background Product Photography Costs
White background product photography charges range from $25 to over $500. It is a minimalist approach ideal for e-commerce and directories. Shadows are often used in this category to add depth and realism. Make your product stand out without any distraction making the product stand out without distractions.
- Amateur:
Hourly rate: $25 – $80 per hour
Per image cost: $25 – $40 per image
- Intermediate/Semi-Professional:
Hourly rate: $75 – $150 per hour
Per image cost: $50 – $150 per image
- Professional:
Hourly rate: $100 – $500 per hour
Per image cost: $75 – $350 per image
Flat Lay Product Photography Costs
Flat lay product photography ranges from $50 to over $600 per image. This technique is popular for showcasing food, tech gadgets, and fashion items. It requires a controlled lighting setup and precise camera angles to create aesthetically pleasing compositions.
- Amateur:
Hourly rate: $50 – $100 per hour
Per flat lay shot: $50 – $150 per image
- Intermediate/Semi-Professional:
Hourly rate: $75 – $200 per hour
Per flat lay shot: $100 – $300 per image
- Professional:
Hourly rate: $150 – $500 per hour
Per flat lay shot: $200 – $600 per image
Scale Product Photography Costs
Scale product photography costs between $75 and over $1,000 per image. It is helpful to provide context by comparing the product with another object of known size. This approach helps customers visualize the product’s dimensions and reduces confusion about size. It can lead to fewer returns and higher customer satisfaction.
- Amateur:
Hourly rate: $50 – $100 per hour
Per scale shot: $75 – $200 per image
- Intermediate/Semi-Professional:
Hourly rate: $100 – $250 per hour
Per scale shot: $150 – $500 per image
- Professional:
Hourly rate: $200 – $500 per hour
Per scale shot: $300 – $1,000 per image
Mannequin Product Photography Costs
Mannequin product photography ranges from $75 to over $1,000 per image. It is mainly used for clothing to provide a three-dimensional view. This method helps customers visualize how the clothing fits and drapes. It is a professional presentation suitable for fashion catalogs and e-commerce.
- Amateur:
Hourly rate: $50 – $100 per hour
Per mannequin shot: $75 – $200 per image
- Intermediate/Semi-Professional:
Hourly rate: $100 – $250 per hour
Per mannequin shot: $150 – $500 per image
- Professional:
Hourly rate: $200 – $500 per hour
Per mannequin shot: $300 – $1,000 per image
Hero Shots Product Photography Costs
Hero shots product photography charges range from $150 to over $1,500 per image. This type of photography uses creative props, lighting, and backgrounds to capture attention and tell a compelling story. This category is ideal for advertising and promotional content. The cost is also high compared to any other product photography class.
- Amateur:
Hourly rate: $75 – $150 per hour
Per hero shot: $150 – $400 per image
- Intermediate/Semi-Professional:
Hourly rate: $150 – $300 per hour
Per hero shot: $300 – $800 per image
- Professional:
Hourly rate: $300 – $800 per hour
Per hero shot: $600 – $1,500 per image
Factors Affecting Product Photography Cost
Product photography is a productive way to effectively influence customer decisions. There are several factors that can influence the product photography cost. Here, I am going to share with you some common factors that often influence the pricing of a product photography. Let’s get informed more about them.
Photographer Experience
Quality comes with experience. A highly experienced photographer will always ask for extra in comparison to any other intermediate level photographers. For top brands that require high-end product images, it is essential for them to hire an experienced photographer. New photographers may offer more affordable rates but may not deliver the same level of quality and expertise.
Budgets
Budget plays an essential role in determining the overall cost of product photography. Everything revolves around the budget. Setting a decent budget ensures that you can afford the best quality possible for your product images. A well-planned budget will allow you to select a photographer who can deliver high-quality images that align with your brand’s image and marketing goals. Remember, cutting corners on budget might save money initially but can lead to poor-quality images that do not effectively represent your products.
Number of Products
The number of products to be photographed will significantly influence the cost. Generally, bulk product photography can reduce the cost per product image. For example, similar clothes can be shot with a single mannequin in mannequin product photography. It will minimize additional costs for photographing each item separately. So, bulk product photography can lead to discounts because photographers provide better rates for larger volumes of work. Plan to shoot with as many products as possible for substantial cost savings.
Location
Location is an important factor when you wish to determine the cost of product photography. Take the example of Dubai, you might need to pay around $135 per image for a good product photographer. On the other hand, product photography in the USA can cost about $25 per image only. The cost difference is due to variations in living expenses, professional fees, and market demand in different locations. When looking for product photography costs, you need to consider the cost implications of the location.
Editing and Retouching Need
Editing and retouching are often necessary to enhance the final images of products. Photographers typically charge extra for these services because professional-grade product photography requires extensive retouching. You also have the option to hire a third-party retoucher to potentially reduce costs. FastClippingPath can be a great choice when you are looking for a hassle-free third-party retouch service provider.
Props and Backgrounds Needed
The choice of props and backgrounds can greatly affect the cost of product photography. A white background is a standard and more affordable option commonly used for simple product images. However, product hero shots require fancy props and backgrounds which can significantly increase the cost. Lighting is another important element that can add to the expense. Professional lighting setups are often necessary to achieve high-end product photography.
Transportation Cost (if needed)
Transportation costs can add to the overall expense of product photography when you are working with large or bulky items. Some studio photographers allow you to send products to them, which can be more convenient and cost-effective for smaller items. However, transporting big products or setting up on-location shoots can be costly and logistically challenging. Make sure to factor in transportation costs when planning your product photography to avoid unexpected expenses.
Conclusion
Product photography costs are influenced by various factors. High-quality product images can significantly impact consumer decisions and brand perception. You should also take into consideration additional costs such as transportation and retouching. Plan your product photography budget wisely and make your products stand out. Keep coming back for more updates shortly.